Method, systems, and terminals for assigning control channel time slots for group and individual pages

• US 6,532,224 B1
• Filed: 05/10/1999
• Issued: 03/11/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ericsson, Inc. (Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson)
• Original Assignee: Ericsson, Inc. (Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson)
• Inventors: Dailey, Timothy E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bost, Dwayne
• Assistant Examiner(s): Trinh, Sonny
• Application Number:
  US09/307,996
• Time in Patent Office: 1,401 Days
• Field of Search: 370/337, 370/329, 370/321, 370/347, 370/442, 370/311, 370/314, 455/434, 455/450, 455/458, 455/464, 455/509, 455/518, 455/519, 455/432, 455/456
• US Class Current: 370/337
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/06 Selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS]; Services to user groups; One-way selective calling services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0216 using a pre-established activity schedule, e.g. traffic indication frame
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0219 where the power saving management affects multiple terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 68/00 User notification, e.g. alerting and paging, for incoming communication, change of service or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/563 of the wireless resources
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A method of assigning paging channels to terminals providing group communications with a communications systems includes defining a control channel including a plurality of time slots wherein the time slots are grouped into time frames so that each time frame includes a plurality of sequential time slots. A first time slot of each of the time frames is assigned as a first paging channel for one of the terminals. A second time slot of each of the time frames is assigned as a second paging channel for the terminal wherein the second time slot is assigned to provide a desired proximity of the first and second time slots within each of the time frames. Related systems and terminals are also discussed.

Claims

1. A method of assigning paging channels to terminals providing group communications with a communications systems, the method comprising the steps of:

defining a control channel including a plurality of time slots wherein the time slots are grouped into time frames so that each time frame includes a plurality of sequential time slots;

assigning a first time slot of each of the time frames as a first paging channel for one of the terminals; and

assigning a second time slot of each of the time frames as a second paging channel for the terminal wherein the second time slot is assigned to provide a desired proximity of the first and second time slots within each of the time frames and wherein assigning the second time slot comprises,

determining whether the second time slot can be provided within a predetermined number of time slots of the first time slot, and

responsive to determining that the second time slot can be provided within the predetermined number of time slots of the first time slot, assigning the second time slot within the predetermined number of time slots of the first time slot within each of the time frames.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the step of assigning the second time slot further comprises:

responsive to determining that the second time slot cannot be provided within the predetermined number of time slots of the first time slot, assigning the second time slot so that at least a second predetermined number of time slots separates the first and second time slots within a time frame wherein the second predetermined number of time slots is greater than the first predetermined number of time slots.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein the control channel comprises a digital control channel.

4. A method according to claim 1 wherein first and second consecutive time frames define respective primary and secondary frames such that information included in the secondary frame is the same as information included in the primary frame.

5. A method according to claim 1 wherein the first paging channel for the terminal comprises an individual paging channel for the terminal and wherein the second paging channel comprises a group paging channel for the terminal.

6. A method according to claim 5 wherein the step of assigning the first time slot as a first individual paging channel for the terminal comprises assigning the first time slot based on an identification number (MIN) for the terminal.

7. A method according to claim 6 wherein the first time slot is assigned according to a hashing algorithm.

8. A method of assigning paging channels to terminals providing group communications with a communications systems, the method comprising the steps of:

defining a control channel including a plurality of time slots wherein the time slots are grouped into time frames so that each time frame includes a plurality of sequential time slots;

assigning a first time slot of each of the time frames as a first paging channel for one of the terminals;

assigning a second time slot of each of the time frames as a second paging channel for the terminal wherein the second time slot is assigned to provide a desired proximity of the first and second time slots within each of the time frames;

assigning a third time slot of each of the time frames as a third paging channel for a second one of the terminals; and

assigning a fourth time slot of each of the time frames as a fourth paging channel for the second terminal wherein the fourth time slot is assigned to provide a desired proximity of the third and fourth time slots within each of the time frames.

9. A method according to claim 8 wherein the steps of assigning the first, second, third, and fourth time slots are preceded by the step of:

assigning relative high and low priorities to the first and second terminals respectively so that the desired proximity of the first and second time slots is given higher priority than the desired proximity of the third and fourth time slots.

10. A method according to claim 9 wherein the relative high priority is assigned to the first terminal having a battery charge lower than that of the second terminal.

11. A method according to claim 9 wherein the relative high priority is assigned to the first terminal having a preferred status with respect to the second terminal.

12. A method according to claim 8 wherein the first and second terminals provide group communications therebetween and wherein the second and fourth time slots comprise a common time slot so that the second and fourth paging channels comprises a common group paging channel, the method further comprising the step of:

assigning relative high and low priorities to the first and second terminals so that the desired proximity of the first time slot and the common time slot is given higher priority than the desired proximity of the third time slot and common time slot.

13. A method of assigning paging channels to terminals providing group communications with a communications systems, the method comprising the steps of:

defining a control channel including a plurality of time slots wherein the time slots are grouped into time frames so that each time frame includes a plurality of sequential time slots;

communicating a login message from the terminal to the communications system;

after communicating the login message, assigning a first time slot of each of the time frames as a first paging channel for one of the terminals;

after communicating the login message, assigning a second time slot of each of the time frames as a second paging channel for the terminal wherein the second time slot is assigned to provide a desired proximity of the first and second time slots within each of the time frames; and

after assigning the first and second time slots, communicating at least one of the first time slot assigned as the first paging channel and the second time slot assigned as the second paging channel from the communications system to the terminal.

14. A communications system providing group communications with terminals, the communications system comprising:

a transmitter which transmits radio communications to terminals within a cell defined by the communications system;

a receiver which receives radio communication from terminals within the cell; and

a controller coupled to the transmitter and receiver wherein the controller generates a control channel transmitted by the transmitter, the control channel including a plurality of time slots grouped into time frames so that each time frame includes a plurality of sequential time slots, wherein a first time slot of each of the time frames is assigned as a first paging channel for one of the terminals, wherein a second time slot of each of the time frames is assigned as a second paging channel for the terminal, wherein the second time slot is assigned to provide a desired proximity of the first and second time slots within each of the time frames and wherein the controller determines whether the second time slot can be provided within a predetermined number of time slots of the first time slot, and wherein responsive to determining that the second time slot can be provided within the predetermined number of time slots of the first time slot, the second time slot is assigned within the predetermined number of time slots of the first time slot within each of the time frames.

15. A communications system according to claim 14 wherein responsive to determining that the second time slot cannot be provided within the predetermined number of time slots of the first time slot, the second time slot is assigned so that at least a second predetermined number of time slots separates the first and second time slots within a time frame wherein the second predetermined number of time slots is greater than the first predetermined number of time slots.

21. A communications system according to claim 14 wherein the control channel comprises a digital control channel.

22. A communications system according to claim 14 wherein first and second consecutive time frames define respective primary and secondary frames such that information included in the secondary frame is the same as information included in the primary frame.

23. A communications system according to claim 14 wherein the first paging channel for the terminal comprises an individual paging channel for the terminal and wherein the second paging channel comprises a group paging channel for the terminal.

24. A communications system according to claim 23 wherein the first time slot is assigned based on an identification number for the terminal.

25. A communications system according to claim 24 wherein the first time slot is assigned according to a hashing algorithm based on the mobile identification number.

27. A communications system according to claim 14 wherein the transmitter, receiver, and controller are provided within a first radio base station of the communications system, the communications system further comprising;

a switching center coupled to the controller; and

a second radio base station coupled to the switching center.

16. A communications system providing group communications with terminals, the communications system comprising:

a transmitter which transmits radio communications to terminals within a cell defined by the communications system;

a receiver which receives radio communication from terminals within the cell; and

a controller coupled to the transmitter and receiver wherein the controller generates a control channel transmitted by the transmitter, the control channel including a plurality of time slots grouped into time frames so that each time frame includes a plurality of sequential time slots,

wherein a first time slot of each of the time frames is assigned as a first paging channel for one of the terminals,

wherein a second time slot of each of the time frames is assigned as a second paging channel for the terminal wherein the second time slot is assigned to provide a desired proximity of the first and second time slots within each of the time frames,

wherein a third time slot of each of the time frames is assigned as a third paging channel for a second one of the terminals, and

wherein a fourth time slot of each of the time frames is assigned as a fourth paging channel for the second terminal wherein the fourth time slot is assigned to provide a desired proximity of the third and fourth time slots within each of the time frames.

17. A communications system according to claim 16 wherein relative high and low priorities are assigned to the first and second terminals respectively so that the desired proximity of the first and second time slots is given higher priority than the desired proximity of the third and fourth time slots.

18. A communications system according to claim 17 wherein the relative high priority is assigned to the first terminal having a battery charge lower than that of the second terminal.

19. A communications system according to claim 17 wherein the relative high priority is assigned to the first terminal having a preferred status with respect to the second terminal.

20. A communications system according to claim 16 wherein the first and second terminals provide group communications therebetween and wherein the second and fourth time slots comprise a common time slot so that the second and fourth paging channels comprises a common group paging channel, wherein relative high and low priorities are assigned to the first and second terminals so that the desired proximity of the first time slot and the common time slot is given higher priority than the desired proximity of the third time slot and common time slot.

26. A communications system providing group communications with terminals, the communications system comprising:

a transmitter which transmits radio communications to terminals within a cell defined by the communications system;

a receiver which receives radio communication from terminals within the cell; and

a controller coupled to the transmitter and receiver wherein the controller generates a control channel transmitted by the transmitter, the control channel including a plurality of time slots grouped into time frames so that each time frame includes a plurality of sequential time slots, wherein a first time slot of each of the time frames is assigned as a first paging channel for one of the terminals, and wherein a second time slot of each of the time frames is assigned as a second paging channel for the terminal wherein the second time slot is assigned to provide a desired proximity of the first and second time slots within each of the time frames;

wherein before assigning the first and second time slots, the receiver receives a login message from the terminal, and wherein after assigning the first and second time slots, the transmitter transmits at least one of the first time slot assigned as the first paging channel and the second time slot assigned as the second paging channel to the terminal.

28. A terminal providing group communications within a communications system including at least one radio base station defining a cell, the terminal comprising:

a transmitter which transmits radio communications to the communications system wherein the transmitter transmits a login message to the radio base station;

a receiver which receives radio communications from the communications system wherein the receiver receives a time division multiple access control channel transmitted by the communications system, the time division multiple access control channel including a plurality of time slots grouped into time frames so that each time frame includes a plurality of sequential time slots wherein the receiver receives a paging assignment from the radio base station assigning a first time slot of each of the time frames of the control channel as a group paging channel for the terminal and assigning a second time slot of each of the time frames of the control channel as a second paging channel for the terminal wherein assigning the second time slot comprises,

determining whether the second time slot can be provided within a predetermined number of time slots of the first time slot, and

responsive to determining that the second time slot can be provided within the predetermined number of time slots of the first time slot, assigning the second time slot within the predetermined number of time slots of the first time slot within each of the time frames; and

a processor coupled to the transmitter and receiver wherein the processor activates the receiver during the first assigned time slot of each time frame to determine if a group page for the terminal has been transmitted by the radio base station.

29. A terminal according to claim 28 wherein the second time slot of each of the times frames of the control channel is assigned as an individual paging channel for the terminal wherein the processor activates the receiver during the second assigned time slot of each time frame to determine if an individual page for the terminal has been transmitted by the radio base station.

30. A terminal according to claim 29 wherein the assignment of the second time slot of each of the time frames of the control channel is determined by the processor using an identification number for the terminal.

31. A terminal according to claim 29 wherein the assignment of the second time slot of each of the time frames of the control channel is determined by the processor according to a hashing algorithm.

32. A terminal according to claim 28 wherein the login message includes group channel paging assignment priority information for the terminal.

33. A terminal according to claim 32 wherein the group channel paging assignment priority information includes a battery charge indication.

34. A terminal according to claim 32 wherein the group channel paging assignment priority information includes a preferred status indication.

35. A terminal according to claim 28 wherein the control channel comprises a digital control channel.

36. A terminal according to claim 28 wherein first and second consecutive time frames define respective primary and secondary frames such that information included in the secondary frame is the same as information included in the primary frame.

37. A communications system providing group communications with terminals, the communications system comprising:

a transmitter which transmits radio communications to one of the terminals within a cell defined by the communications system wherein the transmitter transmits a control channel including a plurality of time slots grouped into time frames so that each time frame includes a plurality of sequential time slots;

a receiver which receives radio communications from the terminals within the cell wherein the receiver receives a login message from the terminal; and

a controller coupled to the receiver wherein the controller performs a paging assignment assigning a first time slot of each of the time frames of the control channel as a group paging channel for the terminal and assigning a second time slot of each of the time frames of the control channel as a second paging channel for the terminal responsive to the login message, wherein the paging assignment is transmitted to the terminal through the transmitter, and wherein assigning the second time slot comprises,

determining whether the second time slot can be provided within a predetermined number of time slots of the first time slot, and

responsive to determining that the second time slot can be provided within the predetermined number of time slots of the first time slot, assigning the second time slot within the predetermined number of time slots of the first time slot within each of the time frames.

38. A communications system according to claim 37 wherein the second time slot of each of the times frames of the control channel is assigned as an individual paging channel for the terminal.

39. A communications system according to claim 38 wherein the first time slot is assigned to provide a desired proximity of the first and second time slots within each of the time frames.

40. A communications system according to claim 38 wherein the assignment of the second time slot of each of the time frames of the control channel is determined by the controller using an identification number for the terminal.

41. A communications system according to claim 37 wherein the login message includes group channel paging assignment priority information for the terminal.

42. A communications system according to claim 41 wherein the group channel paging assignment priority information includes a battery charge indication for the terminal.

43. A communications system according to claim 41 wherein the group channel paging assignment priority information includes a preferred status indication for the terminal.

44. A communications system according to claim 37 wherein the control channel comprises a digital control channel.

45. A communications system according to claim 37 wherein first and second consecutive time frames define respective primary and secondary frames such that information included in the secondary frame is the same as information included in the primary frame.

46. A communications system providing group communications with terminals, the communications system comprising:

a transmitter which transmits radio communications to one of the terminals within a cell defined by the communications system wherein the transmitter transmits a control channel including a plurality of time slots grouped into time frames so that each time frame includes a plurality of sequential time slots;

a receiver which receives radio communications from the terminals within the cell wherein the receiver receives a login message from the terminal; and

a controller coupled to the receiver wherein the controller performs a group channel paging assignment assigning a time slot of each of the time frames of the control channel as a group paging channel for the terminal responsive to the login message wherein the group channel paging assignment is transmitted to the terminal through the transmitter;

wherein a second time slot of each of the times frames of the control channel is assigned as an individual paging channel for the terminal; and

wherein the assignment of the second time slot of each of the time frames of the control channel is determined by the controller according to a hashing algorithm.

47. A method of providing group communications for a terminal within a communications system including at least one radio base station defining a cell, the method comprising the steps of:

defining a control channel transmitted by the communications system, the control channel including a plurality of time slots grouped into time frames so that each time frame includes a plurality of sequential time slots;

transmitting a login message to the radio base station;

receiving a group channel paging assignment from the radio base station assigning a first time slot of each of the time frames of the control channel as a group paging channel for the terminal;

assigning a second time slot of each of the time frames of the control channel as an individual paging channel for the terminal wherein assigning the second time slot comprises,

determining whether the second time slot can be provided within a predetermined number of time slots of the first time slot, and

responsive to determining that the second time slot can be provided within the predetermined number of time slots of the first time slot, assigning the second time slot within the predetermined number of time slots of the first time slot within each of the time frames;

monitoring the first assigned time slot of each time frame to determine if a group page for the terminal has been transmitted by the radio base station; and

monitoring the second assigned time slot of each time frame to determine if an individual page for the terminal has been transmitted by the radio base station.

48. A method according to claim 47 wherein the assignment of the second time slot of each of the time frames of the control channel is determined using a mobile identification number for the terminal.

49. A method according to claim 47 wherein the assignment of the second time slot of each of the time frames of the control channel is determined according to a hashing algorithm.

50. A method according to claim 47 wherein the login message includes group channel paging assignment priority information for the terminal.

51. A method according to claim 50 wherein the group channel paging assignment priority information includes a battery charge indication.

52. A method according to claim 50 wherein the group channel paging assignment priority information includes a preferred status indication.

53. A method according to claim 47 wherein the control channel comprises a digital control channel.

54. A method according to claim 47 wherein first and second consecutive time frames define respective primary and secondary frames such that information included in the secondary frame is the same as information included in the primary frame.

55. A method for providing group communications with terminals, the communications system comprising:

transmitting radio control channel including a plurality of time slots grouped into time frames so that each time frame includes a plurality of sequential time slots;

receiving a login message from a terminal;

assigning a first time slot of each of the time frames of the control channel as a group paging channel for the terminal responsive to the login message;

assigning a second time slot of each of the times frames of the control channel as an individual paging channel for the terminal wherein assigning the second time slot comprises,

determining whether the second time slot can be provided within a predetermined number of time slots of the first time slot, and

responsive to determining that the second time slot can be provided within the predetermined number of time slots of the first time slot, assigning the second time slot within the predetermined number of time slots of the first time slot within each of the time frames; and

transmitting the paging assignments to the terminal.

56. A method according to claim 55 wherein the first time slot is assigned to provide a desired proximity of the first and second time slots within each of the time frames.

57. A method according to claim 56 wherein the assignment of the second time slot of each of the time frames of the control channel is determined using a mobile identification number for the terminal.

58. A method according to claim 55 wherein the login message includes group channel paging assignment priority information for the terminal.

59. A method according to claim 58 wherein the group channel paging assignment priority information includes a battery charge indication for the terminal.

60. A method according to claim 58 wherein the group channel paging assignment priority information includes a preferred status indication for the terminal.

61. A method according to claim 55 wherein the control channel comprises a digital control channel.

62. A method according to claim 55 wherein first and second consecutive time frames define respective primary and secondary frames such that information included in the secondary frame is the same as information included in the primary frame.

63. A method for providing group communications with terminals, the communications system comprising:

transmitting radio control channel including a plurality of time slots grouped into time frames so that each time frame includes a plurality of sequential time slots;

receiving a login message from a terminal; and

assigning one time slot of each of the time frames of the control channel as a group paging channel for the terminal responsive to the login message; and

transmitting the group channel paging assignment to the terminal;

assigning a second time slot of each of the times frames of the control channel as an individual paging channel for the terminal;

wherein the first time slot is assigned to provide a desired proximity of the first and second time slots within each of the time frames;

wherein the assignment of the second time slot of each of the time frames of the control channel is determined at the communications system according to a hashing algorithm.