System and method for controlling a wireless packet switched voice call

• US 6,839,356 B2
• Filed: 02/20/2001
• Issued: 01/04/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Original Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited (Nortel Networks Corporation)
• Inventors: Barany, Peter, Bontu, Chandra Sekhar, Blenn, Marvin
• Primary Examiner(s): Pezzlo, John
• Application Number:
  US09/789,435
• Publication Number:
  US 20010043577A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,414 Days
• Field of Search: 370/329, 370352-356, 370/400, 370/401, 709/247, 379/88.17
• US Class Current: 370/401
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1069 Session establishment or de-establishment
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/762 at the source reformatting of additional data in video distribution servers H04N21/2355
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/80 Responding to QoS
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/206 composed of PSTN and wireless network
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/123 where the packet-switched network is an Internet Protocol Multimedia System-type network
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/1235 where one of the core networks is a wireless network
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/1255 where the switching fabric and the switching logic are decomposed such as in Media Gateway Control
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/22 Negotiating communication rate

Abstract

A wireless network and serviced mobile station manages VOIP telephony calls by incorporating control information into VOIP datagrams. The control information includes an indication of the data rate of the VOIP payload of the VOIP datagram, the quality of the VOIP payload, requested data rates for subsequent VOIP datagrams, and whether the VOIP payload contains a “silent” VOIP payload. To avoid conflicting with particular datagram requirements, the control information is inserted into the VOIP datagram between the VOIP datagram and the VOIP payload. A base station servicing the wireless link may override the requested data rate and/or the commanded data rate in order to manage its available wireless bandwidth among a plurality of mobile stations. The frame quality indicator may be set by the servicing physical/mac/link layer(s) of the base station or mobile station to indicate that the VOIP payload was not correctly received.

Claims

1. A method of operating a mobile terminal to support a Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) telephony call, the method comprising:

receiving a voice signal from a user;

determining a data rate to be employed for encoding the voice signal;

encoding the voice signal at the data rate to create a VOIP payload;

creating a VOIP datagram that includes a header, control information, and the VOIP payload, wherein the control information includes a command mode request, a frame quality index, and a frame type index; and

transmitting the VOIP datagram on a reverse wireless link to a base station of a wireless network.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the command mode request indicates a data rate at which the base station desires to receive a VOIP payload of a VOIP datagram received from the base station across a forward wireless link.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the frame quality index is set to indicate that the VOIP payload is valid.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the frame type index indicates a data rate of the VOIP payload.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the VOIP payload is silent; and

the frame type index indicates that the VOIP payload is silent.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the control information is located in the VOIP datagram between the header and the VOIP payload.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the control information includes eight bits.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein:

the command mode request comprises three bits;

the frame quality index comprises one bit; and

the frame type index comprises four bits.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the data rate is based upon a command received from the base station.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the data rate is based upon the quality of a wireless link between the mobile station and the base station.

11. A method of operating a mobile terminal to support a Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) telephony call, the method comprising:

receiving a VOIP datagram on a forward link from a base station on a wireless forward link, wherein the VOIP datagram includes a header, control information, and the VOIP payload, wherein the control information includes a command mode request, a frame quality index, and a frame type index;

determining, from the control information, a data rate to be employed for decoding the VOIP payload;

determining, from the control information, whether the VOIP payload has been corrupted in its transmission from the base station on the wireless forward link;

when the VOIP payload has not been corrupted, decoding the VOIP payload at the data rate to create a voice signal and presenting the voice signal to the user; and

when the VOIP payload has been corrupted, performing error recovery operations to present another voice signal to the user.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising creating a subsequent VOIP datagram at a data rate based upon the command mode request.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

determining, at a lower protocol layer, that the VOIP payload has been corrupted; and

setting the frame quality indicator of the higher protocol layer VOIP datagram control information to indicate that the VOIP payload has been corrupted.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the frame type index indicates a data rate of the VOIP payload.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein:

the VOIP payload is silent; and

the frame type index indicates that the VOIP payload is silent.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein the control information is located in the VOIP datagram between the header and the VOIP payload.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the control information includes eight bits.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein:

the command mode request comprises three bits;

the frame quality index comprises one bit; and

the frame type index comprises four bits.

19. The method of claim 11, wherein the data rate is based upon the quality of a wireless link between the mobile station and the base station.

20. The method of claim 11, wherein the data rate is based upon available wireless link resources of the base station.

21. A method of operating a base station to support a Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) telephony call, the method comprising:

receiving a VOIP datagram from a mobile station on a reverse wireless link, wherein the VOIP datagram includes a header, control information, and the VOIP payload, wherein the control information includes a command mode request, a frame quality index, and a frame type index;

wherein the command mode request indicates a requested data rate for the VOIP payload of a subsequent VOIP datagram to be transmitted to the mobile station;

determining a different data rate for the VOIP payload of a subsequent VOIP datagram to be transmitted to the mobile station;

altering the command mode request to indicate the different data rate; and

forwarding the VOIP datagram to a VOIP terminal.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising:

determining that the VOIP payload has been corrupted on the reverse wireless link; and

setting the frame quality indicator to indicate the corrupted VOIP payload.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the frame type index indicates a data rate of the VOIP payload.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein:

the VOIP payload is silent; and

the frame type index indicates that the VOIP payload is silent.

25. The method of claim 21, wherein the control information is located in the VOIP datagram between the header and the VOIP payload.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the control information includes eight bits.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein:

the command mode request comprises three bits;

the frame quality index comprises one bit; and

the frame type index comprises four bits.

28. The method of claim 21, wherein the different data rate is based upon the quality of a wireless link between the mobile station and the base station.

29. The method of claim 21, wherein the different data rate is based upon the wireless link requirements of the base station.

30. The method of claim 21, wherein the VOIP datagram control information is altered based upon information obtained from a lower protocol layer.

31. A method of operating a base station to support a Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) telephony call, the method comprising:

receiving a VOIP datagram from a VOIP terminal, wherein the VOIP datagram includes a header, control information, and the VOIP payload, wherein the control information includes a command mode request, a frame quality index, and a frame type index;

wherein the VOIP datagram is to be transmitted to a mobile terminal on a forward wireless link;

wherein the command mode request indicates a commanded data rate for the VOIP payload of a subsequent VOIP datagram to be received from the mobile station on a reverse wireless link;

determining a different data rate for the VOIP payload of the subsequent VOIP datagram;

altering the command mode request to indicate the different data rate; and

forwarding the VOIP datagram to the mobile station on the forward wireless link.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the frame type index indicates a data rate of the VOIP payload.

33. The method of claim 31, wherein:

the VOIP payload is silent; and

the frame type index indicates that the VOIP payload is silent.

34. The method of claim 31, wherein the control information is located in the VOIP datagram between the header and the VOIP payload.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein the control information includes eight bits.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein:

the command mode request comprises three bits;

the frame quality index comprises one bit; and

the frame type index comprises four bits.

37. The method of claim 31, wherein the different data rate is based upon the quality of a wireless link between the mobile station and the base station.

38. The method of claim 31, wherein the different data rate is based upon the wireless link requirements of the base station.

39. A mobile station that supports Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) telephony, the base station comprising:

an antenna;

a Radio Frequency unit coupled to the antenna; and

at least one digital processor coupled to the Radio Frequency unit that executes software instructions causing the mobile station to;

receive a voice signal from a user;

determine a data rate to be employed for encoding the voice signal;

encode the voice signal at the data rate to create a VOIP payload;

create a VOIP datagram that includes a header, control information, and the VOIP payload, wherein the control information includes a command mode request, a frame quality index, and a frame type index; and

transmit the VOIP datagram on a reverse wireless link to a base station of a wireless network.

40. A mobile station that supports Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) telephony, the base station comprising:

an antenna;

a Radio Frequency unit coupled to the antenna; and

at least one digital processor coupled to the Radio Frequency unit that executes software instructions causing the mobile station to;

receive a VOIP datagram on a forward link from a base station on a wireless forward link, wherein the VOIP datagram includes a header, control information, and the VOIP payload, wherein the control information includes a command mode request, a frame quality index, and a frame type index;

determine, from the control information, a data rate to be employed for decoding the VOIP payload;

determine, from the control information, whether the VOIP payload has been corrupted in its transmission from the base station on the wireless forward link;

when the VOIP payload has not been corrupted, decode the VOIP payload at the data rate to create a voice signal and present the voice signal to the user; and

when the VOIP payload has been corrupted, perform error recovery operations to present another voice signal to the user.

41. A base station that supports Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) telephony, the base station comprising:

an antenna;

a Radio Frequency unit coupled to the antenna; and

at least one digital processor coupled to the Radio Frequency unit that executes software instructions causing the mobile station to;

receive a VOIP datagram from a VOIP terminal, wherein the VOIP datagram includes a header, control information, and the VOIP payload, wherein the control information includes a command mode request, a frame quality index, and a frame type index;

wherein the VOIP datagram is to be transmitted to a mobile terminal on a forward wireless link;

wherein the command mode request indicates a commanded data rate for the VOIP payload of a subsequent VOIP datagram to be received from the mobile station on a reverse wireless link;

determine a different data rate for the VOIP payload of the subsequent VOIP datagram;

alter the command mode request to indicate the different data rate; and

forward the VOIP datagram to the mobile station on the forward wireless link.

42. A base station that supports Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) telephony, the base station comprising:

an antenna;

a Radio Frequency unit coupled to the antenna; and

at least one digital processor coupled to the Radio Frequency unit that executes software instructions causing the mobile station to;

receive a VOIP datagram from a VOIP terminal, wherein the VOIP datagram includes a header, control information, and the VOIP payload, wherein the control information includes a command mode request, a frame quality index, and a frame type index;

wherein the VOIP datagram is to be transmitted to a mobile terminal on a forward wireless link;

wherein the command mode request indicates a commanded data rate for the VOIP payload of a subsequent VOIP datagram to be received from the mobile station on a reverse wireless link;

determine a different data rate for the VOIP payload of the subsequent VOIP datagram;

alter the command mode request to indicate the different data rate; and

forward the VOIP datagram to the mobile station on the forward wireless link.

43. A plurality of software instructions stored on a media that, upon execution by a mobile station, cause the mobile station support Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) telephony, the plurality of software instructions comprising:

a set of instructions executed by the mobile station that cause the mobile station to receive a VOIP datagram on a forward link from a base station on a wireless forward link, wherein the VOIP datagram includes a header, control information, and the VOIP payload, wherein the control information includes a command mode request, a frame quality index, and a frame type index;

a set of instructions executed by the mobile station that cause the mobile station to determine, from the control information, a data rate to be employed for decoding the VOIP payload;

a set of instructions executed by the mobile station that cause the mobile station to determine, from the control information, whether the VOIP payload has been corrupted in its transmission from the base station on the wireless forward link;

a set of instructions executed by the mobile station that cause the mobile station to, when the VOIP payload has not been corrupted, decode the VOIP payload at the data rate to create a voice signal and present the voice signal to the user; and

a set of instructions executed by the mobile station that cause the mobile station to, when the VOIP payload has been corrupted, perform error recovery operations to present another voice signal to the user.

44. A plurality of software instructions stored on a media that, upon execution by a mobile station, cause the mobile station to support Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) telephony, the plurality of software instructions comprising:

a set of instructions executed by the mobile station that cause the mobile station to receive a VOIP datagram on a forward link from a base station on a wireless forward link, wherein the VOIP datagram includes a header, control information, and the VOIP payload, wherein the control information includes a command mode request, a frame quality index, and a frame type index;

a set of instructions executed by the mobile station that cause the mobile station to determine, from the control information, a data rate to be employed for decoding the VOIP payload;

a set of instructions executed by the mobile station that cause the mobile station to determine, from the control information, whether the VOIP payload has been corrupted in its transmission from the base station on the wireless forward link;

a set of instructions executed by the mobile station that cause the mobile station to when the VOIP payload has not been corrupted, decode the VOIP payload at the data rate to create a voice signal and present the voice signal to the user; and

a set of instructions executed by the mobile station that cause the mobile station to, when the VOIP payload has been corrupted, perform error recovery operations to present another voice signal to the user.

45. A plurality of software instructions stored on a media that, upon execution by a base station, cause the base station to support Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) telephony, the plurality of software instructions comprising:

a set of instructions executed by the base station that cause the base station to receive a VOIP datagram from a VOIP terminal, wherein the VOIP datagram includes a header, control information, and the VOIP payload, wherein the control information includes a command mode request, a frame quality index, and a frame type index;

wherein the VOIP datagram is to be transmitted to a mobile terminal on a forward wireless link;

wherein the command mode request indicates a commanded data rate for the VOIP payload of a subsequent VOIP datagram to be received from the mobile station on a reverse wireless link;

a set of instructions executed by the base station that cause the base station to determine a different data rate for the VOIP payload of the subsequent VOIP datagram;

a set of instructions executed by the base station that cause the base station to alter the command mode request to indicate the different data rate; and

a set of instructions executed by the base station that cause the base station to forward the VOIP datagram to the mobile station on the forward wireless link.

46. A plurality of software instructions stored on a media that, upon execution by a base station, cause the base station to support Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) telephony, the plurality of software instructions comprising:

a set of instructions executed by the base station that cause the base station to receive a VOIP datagram from a VOIP terminal, wherein the VOIP datagram includes a header, control information, and the VOIP payload, wherein the control information includes a command mode request, a frame quality index, and a frame type index;

wherein the VOIP datagram is to be transmitted to a mobile terminal on a forward wireless link;

wherein the command mode request indicates a commanded data rate for the VOIP payload of a subsequent VOIP datagram to be received from the mobile station on a reverse wireless link;

a set of instructions executed by the base station that cause the base station to determine a different data rate for the VOIP payload of the subsequent VOIP datagram;

a set of instructions executed by the base station that cause the base station to alter the command mode request to indicate the different data rate; and

a set of instructions executed by the base station that cause the base station to forward the VOIP datagram to the mobile station on the forward wireless link.