Method and system for switching a radio access technology between wireless communication systems with a multi-mode wireless transmit/receive unit

• US 9,380,501 B2
• Filed: 04/11/2011
• Issued: 06/28/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Interdigital Technology Corporation (InterDigital, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Interdigital Technology Corporation (InterDigital, Inc.)
• Inventors: Shaheen, Kamel M., Terry, Stephen E., Kiernan, Brian Gregory
• Primary Examiner(s): LEVITAN, DMITRY
• Application Number:
  US13/084,266
• Publication Number:
  US 20110182270A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,905 Days
• Field of Search: 370/331, 370/335, 370/342, 370912-914, 455/62, 455/432.1, 455/450, 455/452, 455/1, 455/452.2, 455/2, 455/436, 709217-230
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/005 involving radio access media independent information, e.g. MIH [Media independent Hand-off]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/0061 of neighbour cell information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/04 Reselecting a cell layer in multi-layered cells
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/1446 wherein at least one of the networks is unlicensed
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/18 Selecting a network or a communication service
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/20 Selecting an access point
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• 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 for switching a radio access technology (RAT) between wireless communication systems connected to each other while implementing different RATs with a multi-mode WTRU are disclosed. A plurality of wireless communication systems are deployed with overlapping coverage areas wherein each system implements different RATs and are connected to each other such that a service that is provided by one system may be provided through the other system. Each wireless communication system transmits an indication of the existence of an inter-working wireless communication system in a coverage area of each system. The WTRU receives the indication and information regarding the inter-working wireless communication system. The WTRU then initiates a handoff to the inter-working wireless communication system using the received information, whereby the WTRU continues to receive the same services that the WTRU receives from the currently connected wireless communication system through the inter-working wireless communication system.

Claims

1. A method for use in a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU), the method comprising:

the WTRU receiving a service from a core network via a cellular radio access network;

the WTRU evaluating a predetermined criteria for inter-system handoff;

the WTRU sending a first message via the cellular radio access network, wherein the first message indicates that the WTRU is capable of communicating using wireless local area network (WLAN) technology;

the WTRU receiving a second message via the cellular radio access network based on a condition that the predetermined criteria for inter-system handoff is satisfied, wherein the second message is responsive to the first message and includes identifiers of at least one wireless network that is appropriate for inter-system handoff of the WTRU;

the WTRU selecting, from the at least one wireless network, a first wireless network for handover in response to the second message, wherein the first wireless network has a connection to the core network and is configured to inter-work with the core network, such that the service may be forwarded from the core network to the WTRU through the first wireless network, thereby continuing the service to the WTRU;

the WTRU performing the handover to the first wireless network, wherein performing the handover comprises the WTRU changing a first IP address of the WTRU that is associated with the cellular radio access network to a second IP address that is associated with the first wireless network; and

the WTRU receiving the service from the core network via the first wireless network.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one wireless network is a WLAN, and wherein the identifiers are Service Set Identifiers (SSIDs).

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the receiving the service via the first wireless network includes receiving the service via a packet data gateway (PDG).

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the second message includes location information for the at least one wireless network.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining to initiate the handover based on a channel quality measurement.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining to initiate the handover based on input from a user of the WTRU.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining to initiate the handover based on requirements of the service.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the cellular radio access network is based on Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) technology.

9. A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) comprising:

a processor; and

a memory comprising instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the WTRU to;

receive a service from a core network via a cellular radio access network;

evaluate a predetermined criteria for inter-system handoff;

send a first message via the cellular radio access network, wherein the first message indicates that the WTRU is capable of communicating using wireless local area network (WLAN) technology;

receive a second message via the cellular radio access network based on a condition that the predetermined criteria for inter-system handoff is satisfied, wherein the second message is responsive to the first message and includes identifiers of at least one wireless network that is appropriate for inter-system handoff of the WTRU;

select, from the at least one wireless network, a first wireless network for handover in response to the second message, wherein the first wireless network has a connection to the core network and is configured to inter-work with the core network, such that the service may be forwarded from the core network to the WTRU through the first wireless network, thereby continuing the service to the WTRU;

perform the handover to the first wireless network, wherein performing the handover comprises the WTRU changing a first IP address of the WTRU that is associated with the cellular radio access network to a second IP address that is associated with the first wireless network; and

receive the service from the core network via the first wireless network.

10. The WTRU of claim 9, wherein the at least one wireless network is a WLAN, and wherein the identifiers are Service Set Identifiers (SSIDs).

11. The WTRU of claim 10, wherein receiving the service via the first wireless network includes receiving the service via a packet data gateway (PDG).

12. The WTRU of claim 9, wherein the second message includes location information for the at least one wireless network.

13. The WTRU of claim 9, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the WTRU to:

determine to initiate the handover based on a channel quality measurement.

14. The WTRU of claim 9, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the WTRU to:

determine to initiate the handover based on input from a user of the WTRU.

15. The WTRU of claim 9, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the WTRU to:

determine to initiate the handover based on requirements of the service.

16. The WTRU of claim 9, wherein the cellular radio access network is based on Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) technology.