Unlicensed mobile access support in mobile networks of the third generation

• US 7,769,379 B2
• Filed: 11/29/2005
• Issued: 08/03/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Suumäki, Jan, Shrestha, Bimal, Wallenius, Matti
• Primary Examiner(s): RAMPURIA, SHARAD K
• Application Number:
  US11/288,341
• Publication Number:
  US 20060286981A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,708 Days
• Field of Search: 455/435.1, 455/41.2, 455/445, 455/436, 455/552.1, 455/557, 370/331, 370/338, 370/352, 370/401
• US Class Current: 455/435.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/18 Selecting a network or a communication service
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 60/00 Affiliation to network, e.g. registration; Terminating affiliation with the network, e.g. de-registration
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/02 Inter-networking arrangements

Abstract

A method and system provides support of unlicensed mobile access to a core network. A mobile terminal and a network controller also provides for unlicensed mobile access which are configured therefore.

Claims

1. A method of selecting an interface for accessing a core network over an unlicensed mobile access network, wherein the method uses a mobile terminal and a network controller for unlicensed mobile access, the method comprising:

sending a request message from a mobile terminal to a network controller for unlicensed mobile access, wherein the request message is configured to request a registration of radio resources for unlicensed mobile access;

including an indication into the request message by the mobile terminal which interface mode the mobile terminal supports, wherein the interface mode is either using an Iu interface between a radio access network for unlicensed mobile access and a core network, or an Gb interface between the radio access network for unlicensed mobile access and the core network;

selecting the interface mode by the network controller for unlicensed mobile access;

sending an accept message from the network controller for unlicensed mobile access to the mobile terminal, wherein the accept message is configured to indicate an acceptance of the registration of radio resources for unlicensed mobile access; and

including another indication into the accept message by the network controller for unlicensed mobile access, wherein the interface mode that has been selected is indicated.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the selecting step comprises selecting the interface mode based on capabilities of the core network where the network controller for unlicensed mobile access is connected.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein

the request message comprises a URR_REGISTER_REQUEST message and support of the interface mode is indicated by a new value for an unlicensed mobile access (UMA)

classmark parameter;

and

the accept message comprises a URR_REGISTER ACCEPT message and a selection of the interface mode is indicated by a new field for a UMA control channel description parameter or by a completely new parameter.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising changing the interface mode by using a first update message from the mobile terminal to the network controller for unlicensed mobile access and a second update message from the network controller for unlicensed mobile access to the mobile terminal.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein

the first update message comprises a

URR_REGISTER_UPDATE_UPLINK message;

and

the second update message comprises a

URR_REGISTER_UPDATE_DOWNLINK message.

6. A method of selecting an interface for connecting a core network over an unlicensed mobile access network, wherein the method uses a mobile terminal and a network controller for unlicensed mobile access, the method comprising:

sending a first request message from a mobile terminal to a network controller for unlicensed mobile access, wherein the first request message is configured to request a registration of radio resources for unlicensed mobile access;

sending an accept message from the network controller for unlicensed mobile access to the mobile terminal, wherein the accept message is configured to indicate an acceptance of the registration of radio resources for unlicensed mobile access;

including an indication into the accept message by the network controller for unlicensed mobile access which interface mode a core network supports, wherein the interface mode is either using an Iu interface between a radio access network for unlicensed mobile access and the core network, or an Gb interface between the radio access network for unlicensed mobile access and the core network;

selecting the interface mode by the mobile terminal;

sending a second request message from the mobile terminal to the network controller for unlicensed mobile access, wherein the second request message is configured to request a connection based on radio resources for unlicensed mobile access; and

including another indication into the second request message by the mobile terminal, wherein the interface mode that has been selected is indicated.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein

the first request message comprises a

URR_REGISTER_REQUEST message;

the accept message comprises a URR_REGISTER_ACCEPT message and support of the interface mode is indicated by a new field for a UMA control channel description parameter or by a completely new parameter; and

the second request message comprises a URR_REQUEST message and selection of the interface mode is indicated by a new parameter.

8. A system configured to provide optimized access to a core network over an unlicensed mobile access network, the system comprising:

a mobile terminal and a network controller for unlicensed mobile access, wherein

the mobile terminal is configured to send a request message to the network controller for unlicensed mobile access, wherein the request message is configured to request a registration of radio resources for unlicensed mobile access;

the mobile terminal is configured to include an indication into the request message which interface mode the mobile terminal supports, wherein the interface mode is either using an Iu interface between a radio access network for unlicensed mobile access and a core network, or an Gb interface between the radio access network for unlicensed mobile access and the core network;

the network controller for unlicensed mobile access is configured to select the interface mode;

the network controller for unlicensed mobile access is configured to send an accept message to the mobile terminal, wherein the accept message is configured to indicate an acceptance of the registration of radio resources for unlicensed mobile access; and

the network controller for unlicensed mobile access is configured to include another indication into the accept message by the network controller for unlicensed mobile access, wherein the interface mode that has been selected is indicated.

9. The system according to claim 8, wherein the network controller for unlicensed mobile access is further configured to base a selection on capabilities of the core network where the network controller for unlicensed mobile access is connected.

10. The system according to claim 8, wherein

the configuration of the mobile terminal includes that the request message comprises a URR_REGISTER_REQUEST message, wherein support of the interface mode is indicated by a new value for a UMA classmark parameter;

and

the configuration of the network controller for unlicensed mobile access includes that the accept message comprises a URR_REGISTER_ACCEPT message, wherein selection of the interface mode is indicated by a new field for a UMA control channel description parameter or by a completely new parameter.

11. The system according to claim 8, further configured to change the interface mode, wherein the mobile terminal is further configured to send a first update message to the network controller for unlicensed mobile access, and the network controller for unlicensed mobile access is further configured to send a second update message to the mobile terminal.

12. The system according to claim 11, wherein

the configuration of the mobile terminal includes that the first update message comprises a

URR_REGISTER_UPDATE_UPLINK message;

and

the configuration of the network controller for unlicensed mobile access includes that the second update message comprises a URR_REGISTER_UPDATE_DOWNLINK message.

13. A system configured to provide optimized access to a core network over an unlicensed mobile access network, the system comprising:

a mobile terminal and a network controller for unlicensed mobile access, wherein

the mobile terminal is configured to send a first request message to the network controller for unlicensed mobile access, wherein the first request message is configured to request a registration of radio resources for unlicensed mobile access;

the network controller for unlicensed mobile access is configured to send an accept message to the mobile terminal, wherein the accept message is configured to indicate an acceptance of the registration of radio resources for unlicensed mobile access;

the network controller for unlicensed mobile access is configured to include an indication into the accept message which interface mode a core network supports, wherein the interface mode is either using an Iu interface between a radio access network for unlicensed mobile access and the core network, or an Gb interface between the radio access network for unlicensed mobile access and the core network;

the mobile terminal is configured to select the interface mode;

the mobile terminal is configured to send a second request message to the network controller for unlicensed mobile access, wherein the second request message is configured to request a connection based on radio resources for unlicensed mobile access; and

the mobile terminal is configured to include another indication into the second request message, wherein the interface mode that has been selected is indicated.

14. The system according to claim 13, wherein

the configuration of the mobile terminal includes that the first request message comprises a URR_REGISTER_REQUEST message;

the configuration of the network controller for unlicensed mobile access includes that the accept message comprises a URR_REGISTER_ACCEPT message, wherein support of the interface mode is indicated by a new field for a UMA control channel description parameter or by a completely new parameter; and

the configuration of the mobile terminal includes that the second request message comprises a URR_REQUEST message, wherein selection of the interface mode is indicated by a new parameter.

15. A network controller for unlicensed mobile access configured to be operated in an unlicensed mobile access network and comprising both an Iu interface and a Gb interface to a core network, wherein the network controller for unlicensed mobile access is operably connected with a mobile terminal, and

configured to receive and process a request message from the mobile terminal, wherein the request message is configured to request a registration of radio resources for unlicensed mobile access, and to include an indication which interface mode the mobile terminal supports, wherein the interface mode is either using the Iu interface or the Gb interface;

configured to select the interface mode;

configured to send an accept message to the mobile terminal, wherein the accept message is configured to indicate an acceptance of the registration of radio resources for unlicensed mobile access; and

configured to include another indication into the accept message by the network controller for unlicensed mobile access, wherein the interface mode that has been selected is indicated.

16. The network controller for unlicensed mobile access according to claim 15, further configured to base selection on capabilities of the core network.

17. The network controller for unlicensed mobile access according to claim 15, wherein the configuration includes that the accept message comprises a URR_REGISTER_ACCEPT message, wherein selection of the interface mode is indicated by a new field for a UMA control channel description parameter or by a completely new parameter.

18. The network controller for unlicensed mobile access according to claim 15, further configured to send a second update message to the mobile terminal upon receiving a first update message from the mobile terminal requesting a change of the interface mode.

19. The network controller for unlicensed mobile access according to claim 18, wherein the configuration includes that the second update message comprises a URR_REGISTER_UPDATE_DOWNLINK message.

20. A network controller for unlicensed mobile access configured to be operated in an unlicensed mobile access network, the network controller comprising:

both an Iu interface and a Gb interface to a core network, wherein the network controller for unlicensed mobile access is operably connected with a mobile terminal,

and

configured to receive and process a first request message from the mobile terminal, wherein the first request message is configured to request a registration of radio resources for unlicensed mobile access;

configured to send an accept message to the mobile terminal, wherein the accept message is configured to indicate an acceptance of the registration of radio resources for unlicensed mobile access;

configured to include an indication into the accept message which interface mode the core network supports, wherein the interface mode is either using the Iu interface or the Gb interface; and

configured to receive and process a second request message from the mobile terminal, wherein the second request message is configured to request a connection based on radio resources for unlicensed mobile access, and to include another indication that the interface mode has been selected by the mobile terminal.

21. The network controller for unlicensed mobile access according to claim 20, wherein the configuration includes that the accept message comprises a URR_REGISTER_ACCEPT message, wherein support of the interface mode is indicated by a new field for a UMA control channel description parameter or by a completely new parameter.

22. A mobile terminal configured for optimized unlicensed mobile access to a core network over an unlicensed mobile access network, wherein the mobile terminal is operably connected with a network controller for unlicensed mobile access, and

configured to send a request message to the network controller for unlicensed mobile access, wherein the request message is configured to request a registration of radio resources for unlicensed mobile access;

configured to include an indication into the request message which interface mode the mobile terminal supports, wherein the interface mode is either using an Iu interface between a radio access network for unlicensed mobile access and the core network, or an Gb interface between the radio access network for unlicensed mobile access and the core network; and

configured to receive and process an accept message, wherein the accept message is configured to indicate an acceptance of the registration of radio resources for unlicensed mobile access, and to include another indication that the interface mode has been selected by the network controller for unlicensed mobile access.

23. The mobile terminal according to claim 22, wherein the configuration includes that the request message comprises a URR_REGISTER_REQUEST message, wherein support of the interface mode is indicated by a new value for a UMA classmark parameter.

24. The mobile terminal according to claim 22, further configured to send a first update message to the network controller for unlicensed mobile access requesting a change of the interface mode.

25. The mobile terminal according to claim 24, wherein the configuration includes that the first update message comprises a URR_REGISTER_UPDATE_UPLINK message.

28. The mobile terminal according to claim 22, which is configured to operate in a first mode for global system for mobile communications (GSM) EDGE radio access, in a second mode for universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS) terrestrial radio access, or in a third mode for unlicensed mobile access.

26. A mobile terminal configured for optimized unlicensed mobile access to a core network over an unlicensed mobile access network, wherein the mobile terminal is operably connected with a network controller for unlicensed mobile access, and

configured to send a first request message to the network controller for unlicensed mobile access, wherein the first request message is configured to request a registration of radio resources for unlicensed mobile access;

configured to receive and process an accept message from the network controller for unlicensed mobile access, wherein the accept message is configured to indicate an acceptance of the registration of radio resources for unlicensed mobile access, and to include an indication which interface mode the core network supports, wherein the interface mode is either using an Iu interface between a radio access network for unlicensed mobile access and the core network, or an Gb interface between the radio access network for unlicensed mobile access and the core network;

configured to select the interface mode;

configured to send a second request message to the network controller for unlicensed mobile access, wherein the second request message is configured to request a connection based on radio resources for unlicensed mobile access; and

configured to include another indication into the second request message, wherein the interface mode that has been selected is indicated.

27. The mobile terminal according to claim 26, wherein the configuration includes

that the first request message comprises a URR_REGISTER_REQUEST message;

and

that the second request message comprises a

URR_REQUEST message, wherein selection of the interface mode is indicated by a new parameter.

29. A method of selecting an interface for accessing a core network over an unlicensed mobile access network, wherein the method uses a mobile terminal and a network controller for unlicensed mobile access, and the network controller for unlicensed mobile access comprises both an Iu interface and a Gb interface with the core network, the method comprising:

detecting capabilities of a mobile terminal to support an access over the Iu interface or the Gb interface;

detecting capabilities of a core network to support access over the Iu interface or the Gb interface; and

selecting the Iu interface or the Gb interface for access to the core network.