Methods and apparatus for dual mode operation in a wireless communication system

• US 7,054,290 B1
• Filed: 10/19/2000
• Issued: 05/30/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Original Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Inventors: Djuphammar, Hakan O.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ngo, Ricky Q.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Juntima, Nittaya
• Application Number:
  US09/693,575
• Time in Patent Office: 2,049 Days
• Field of Search: 370352-356, 370/342, 370465-466, 370/331, 370/335, 370328-329, 370/338, 370/336, 370/345, 370/347, 455/436, 455/432, 455/434, 455/442, 455/437
• US Class Current: 370/331
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/125 involving different types of service backbones
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/26 by agreed or negotiated communication parameters
• 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 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

A wireless network terminal tunes to a high data rate (“HDR”) HDR carrier when in an idle state. The terminal periodically scans a 1×RTT carrier for pages, SMS and other information. Should the scan detect an incoming communication on the 1×RTT carrier, any existing HDR packet session is terminated so that the terminal may tune to the 1×RTT carrier to receive the incoming communication. If the coverage area does not support an HDR carrier, the terminal tunes to the 1×RTT carrier and periodically scans for an HDR carrier.

Claims

1. A method of wireless communication employing a terminal, the terminal configured to tune either to a High Data Rate (HDR) carrier in an HDR network or to a 1×

Radio Transmission Technology (1×

RTT) carrier in a 1×

RTT network, the method comprising;

tuning the terminal to the HDR carrier;

establishing a packet data communication over the HDR carrier using the terminal;

periodically tuning the terminal to the 1×

RTT carrier for a limited time in order to check for incoming 1×

RTT communications

sending a 1×

RTT packet hand-over request from the terminal to transfer the packet data communication from the HDR carrier to the 1×

RTT carrier;

handing the packet data communication over to the 1×

RTT carrier from the HDR carrier; and

establishing a 1×

RTT communication over the 1×

RTT carrier when an incoming 1×

RTT communication is detected while also maintaining the packet data communication over the 1×

RTT carrier; and

tuning the terminal back to the HDR carrier when the 1×

RTT communication is terminated.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

sending a 1×

RTT packet hand-over request from the terminal to transfer the packet data communication from the 1×

RTT carrier to the HDR carrier; and

handing the packet data communication over to the HDR carrier from the 1×

RTT carrier.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the terminal is configured to optionally establish the 1×

RTT communication.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the 1×

RTT communication includes at least one of the following;

a voice communication;

a SMS communication; and

a broadcast information communication.

5. A method of wireless communication employing a terminal, the terminal configured to tune either to a High Data Rate (HDR) carrier in an HDR network or to a 1×

Radio Transmission Technology (1×

RTT) carrier in a 1×

RTT network, the method comprising;

tuning the terminal to the HDR carrier;

establishing a packet data communication over the HDR carrier using the terminal;

while the packet data communication is in progress, tuning the terminal to the 1×

RTT carrier;

sending a 1×

RTT packet hand-over request from the terminal to transfer the packet data communication from the HDR carrier to the 1×

RTT carrier;

handing the packet data communication over to the 1×

RTT carrier from the HDR carrier; and

establishing a 1×

RTT communication on the 1×

RTT carrier, while also maintaining the packet data communication over the 1×

RTT carrier.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

tuning the terminal back to the HDR carrier when the 1×

RTT communication is terminated in order to complete the packet data communication.

7. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

tuning the terminal back to the HDR carrier when the voice communication is terminated;

sending a 1×

RTT packet hand-over request from the terminal to transfer the packet data communication from the 1×

RTT carrier to the HDR carrier; and

handing the packet data communication over to the HDR carrier from the 1×

RTT carrier.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the 1×

RTT communication is at least one of the following;

a voice communication;

a SMS communication; and

a broadcast information communication.

9. A method of wireless communication employing a terminal, the terminal configured to tune either to a High Date Rate (HDR) carrier in an HDR network or to a 1×

Radio Transmission Technology (1×

RTT) carrier in a 1×

RTT network, the method comprising;

periodically scanning for the HDR carrier;

tuning a receiver to the 1×

RTT carrier;

establishing a packet data communication on the 1×

RTT carrier after tuning the receiver to the 1×

RTT carrier;

periodically scanning for the HDR carrier once the terminal is tuned to the 1×

RTT carrier;

if an HDR carrier is available, tuning the terminal to the HDR carrier; and

establishing the packet data communication on the HDR carrier.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the packet data communication on the 1×

RTT carrier is terminated prior to tuning the terminal to the HDR carrier.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein establishing the packet data communication on the HDR carrier comprises:

sending a 1×

RTT packet hand-over request from the terminal to transfer the packet data communication from the 1×

RTT carrier to the HDR carrier; and

handing the packet data communication over to the HDR carrier from the 1×

RTT carrier.

12. A terminal for wireless communication, comprising:

a transceiver configured to selectively tune to a High Date Rate (HDR) carrier in an HDR network or to a 1×

Radio Transmission Technology (1×

RTT) carrier in a 1×

RTT network; and

a processor configured to tune the transceiver to the HDR carrier for establishing packet data communications and to tune the transceiver to the 1×

RTT carrier for establishing 1×

RTT communications or packet data communications, and further configured to tune to a 1×

RTT carrier when HDR carriers are unavailable and to Periodically scan for HDR carriers until one is available, and wherein the processor is configured to tune to an HDR carrier when one is available.

13. The terminal of claim 12, wherein the processor is further configured to periodically tune the transceiver to the 1×

RTT carrier to check for incoming 1×

RTT communications while a packet data communication is occurring over the HDR carrier, and wherein the processor is further configured to tune the terminal to the 1×

RTT carrier and establish a 1×

RTT communication over the 1×

RTT carrier when an incoming 1×

RTT communication is detected.

14. The terminal of claim 12, wherein the processor is further configured to tune to the 1×

RTT carrier, while a packet data communication is taking place over the HDR carrier, and establish a 1×

RTT communication over the 1×

RTT carrier.

15. The terminal of claim 12, wherein the processor is further configured to initiate a 1×

RTT packet hand-over request in order to transfer packet data communications from the HDR carrier to the 1×

RTT carrier, or to transfer packet data communications from the 1×

RTT carrier to the HDR carrier.

16. The terminal of claim 12, wherein the 1×

RTT communications include at least one of the following;

a voice communication;

a SMS communication; and

a broadcast information communication.

17. A wireless communications network, comprising:

a 1×

Radio Transmission Technology (1×

RTT) carrier in a 1×

RTT network, said 1×

RTT carrier configured to carry 1×

RTT communications and packet data communications;

a High Data Rate (HDR) carrier in an HDR network, said HDR carrier configured to carry packet data communications; and

a plurality of terminals configured to tune to the HDR carrier for establishing packet data communications and to tune to the 1×

RTT carrier for establishing the 1×

RTT communications or packet data communications, wherein each terminal is further configured to initiate a 1×

RTT packet hand-over request in order to transfer packet data communications from the HDR carrier to the 1×

RTT carrier, or to transfer packet data communications from the 1×

RTT carrier to the HDR carrier.

18. The network of claim 17, wherein each hand-over request will contain information about a target base station controller associated with the 1×

RTT or HDR carrier that is the target of the hand-over.

19. A method of wireless communication employing a terminal, the terminal configured to tune either to a best-effort carrier in a packet-switched network or to an all-service carrier in an all-service network, the method comprising:

tuning the terminal to the best-effort carrier;

establishing a packet data communication over the best-effort carrier using the terminal;

periodically tuning the terminal to the all-service carrier for a limited time in order to check for incoming all-service communications

sending a packet hand-over request from the terminal to transfer the packet data communication from the best-effort carrier to the all-service carrier;

handing the packet data communication over to the all-service carrier from the best-effort carrier;

establishing an all-service communication over the all-service carrier when an incoming all-service communication is detected while also maintaining the packet data communication over the all-service carrier; and

tuning the terminal back to the best-effort carrier when the all-service communication is terminated.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

sending a packet hand-over request from the terminal to transfer the packet data communication from the all-service carrier to the best-effort carrier; and

handing the packet data communication over to the best-effort carrier from the all-service carrier.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the terminal is configured to optionally establish the all-service communication.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein the all-service communications include at least one of the following:

a voice communication;

a SMA communication; and

a broadcast information communication.

23. The method of claim 19, wherein the all-service carrier comprises a 1×

Radio Transmission Technology (1×

RTT) carrier.

24. The method of claim 19, wherein the best-effort carrier comprises a High Data Rate (HDR) carrier.

25. A method of wireless communication employing a terminal, the terminal configured to tune either to a best-effort carrier in a packet-switched network or to an all-service carrier in an all-service network, the method comprising:

tuning the terminal to the best-effort carrier;

establishing a packet data communication over the best-effort carrier using the terminal;

while the packet data communication is in progress, tuning the terminal to the all-service carrier;

sending a packet hand-over request from the terminal to transfer the packet data communication from the best-effort carrier to the all-service carrier;

handing the packet data communication over to the all-service carrier from the best-effort carrier; and

establishing all-service communication on the all-service carrier while also maintaining the packet data communication over the all-service carrier.

26. The method of claim 25, further comprising:

tuning the terminal back to the best-effort carrier when the all-service communication is terminated in order to complete the packet data communication.

27. The method of claim 25, further comprising:

tuning the terminal back to the best-effort carrier when the all-service communication is terminated;

sending a packet hand-over request from the terminal to transfer the packet data communication from the all-service carrier to the best-effort carrier; and

handing the packet data communication over to the best-effort carrier from the all-service carrier.

28. The method of claim 25, wherein the all-service communication is at least one of the following:

a voice communication;

a SMS communication; and

a broadcast information communication.

29. The method of claim 25, wherein the all-service carrier comprises a 1×

Radio Transmission Technology (1×

RTT) carrier.

30. The method of claim 25, wherein the best-effort carrier comprises a High Data Rate (HDR) carrier.

31. A method of wireless communication employing a terminal, the terminal configured to tune either to a best-effort carrier in a packet-switched network or to an all-service carrier in an all-service network, the method comprising:

periodically scanning for the best-effort carrier;

tuning a receiver to the all-service carrier;

establishing a packet data communication on the all-service carrier after tuning the receiver to the all-service carrier;

periodically scanning for a best-effort carrier once the terminal is tuned to the all-service carrier;

if the best-effort carrier is available, tuning the terminal to the best-effort carrier; and

establishing the packet data communication on the best-effort carrier.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the packet data communication on the all-service carrier is terminated prior to tuning the terminal to the best-effort carrier.

33. The method of claim 31, wherein establishing the packet data communication on the best-effort carrier comprises:

sending a packet hand-over request from the terminal to transfer the packet data communication from the all-service carrier to the best-effort carrier; and

handing the packet data communication over to the best-effort carrier from the all-service carrier.

34. The method of claim 31, wherein the all-service carrier comprises a 1×

Radio Transmission Technology (1×

RTT) carrier, and wherein the best-effort carrier comprises a High Data Rate (HDR) carrier.

35. A terminal for wireless communication, comprising:

a transceiver configured to selectively tune to a best-effort carrier in a packet-switched network or to an all-service carrier in an all-service network; and

a processor configured to periodically tune the transceiver to the all-service carrier to check for an incoming all-service communication while a packet data communication is occurring over the best-effort carrier and to tune the terminal to the all-service carrier and establish an all-service communication over the all-service carrier when an incoming all-service communication is detected, and further configured to tune to an all-service carrier when best-effort carriers are unavailable and to periodically scan for best-effort carriers until one is available, and wherein the processor is configured to tune to a best-effort carrier when one is available.

36. The terminal of claim 35, wherein the processor is further configured to tune to the all-service carrier, while a packet data communication is taking place over the best-effort carrier, and establish an all-service communication over the all-service carrier.

37. The terminal of claim 35, wherein the processor is further configured to initiate a packet hand-over request in order to transfer packet data communications from the best-effort carrier to the all-service carrier, or to transfer packet data communications from the all-service carrier to the best-effort carrier.

38. The terminal of claim 35, wherein the all-service communication is at least one of the following:

a voice communication;

a SMS communication; and

a broadcast information communication.

39. The terminal of claim 35, wherein the all-service carrier comprises a 1×

Radio Transmission Technology (1×

RTT) carrier.

40. The method of claim 35, wherein the best-effort carrier comprises a High Data Rate (HDR) carrier.

41. The terminal of claim 35, wherein the all-service carrier supports real-time and non-real-time services, and wherein the best-effort carrier supports only non-real-time services.

42. The terminal of claim 41, wherein the all-service carrier is optimized for circuit switched services, and wherein the best-effort carrier optimized for best effort packet data services.

43. The terminal of claim 42, wherein the control and data channels in the best effort carrier are time multiplexed.

44. A wireless communication network comprising:

an all-service carrier configured to carry all-service communications and packet data communications in an all-service network;

a best-effort carrier configured to carry packet data communications in a packet-switched network; and

a plurality of terminals configured to periodically tune to the all-service carrier to check for an incoming all-service communication while a packet data communication is occurring over the best-effort carrier and to tune to the all-service carrier and establish an all-service communication over the all-service carrier when the incoming all-service communication is detected, wherein each terminal is further configured to initiate a Packet hand-over request in order to transfer packet data communications from the best-effort carrier to the all-service carrier, or to transfer packet data communications from the all-service carrier to the best effort carrier.

45. The network of claim 44, wherein each hand-over request will contain information about a target base station controller associated with the all-service or best-effort carrier that is the target of the hand-over.

46. The network of claim 44, wherein the all-service carrier supports real-time and non-real-time services, and wherein the best-effort carrier supports only non-real-time services.

47. The network of claim 46, wherein the all-service carrier is optimized for circuit switched services, and wherein the best-effort carrier is optimized for best effort packet data services.

48. The network of claim 47, wherein the control and data channels in the best-effort carrier are time multiplexed.

49. The network of claim 44, wherein the all-service carrier is a 1×

Radio Transmission Technology (1×

RTT) carrier.

50. The network of claim 44, wherein the best-effort carrier is a High Data Rate (HDR) carrier.