Method for operating a mobile wireless network

• US 9,674,314 B2
• Filed: 06/13/2014
• Issued: 06/06/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: IPCom GmbH & Co KG
• Original Assignee: IPCom GmbH & Co KG
• Inventors: Hans, Martin, Beckmann, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): Skripnikov, Alex
• Application Number:
  US14/304,523
• Publication Number:
  US 20140341075A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,089 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0803 Configuration setting
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/04 Protocols for data compression, e.g. ROHC
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/08 Protocols for interworking; Protocol conversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/18 Multiprotocol handlers, e.g. single devices capable of handling multiple protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/24 Negotiation of communication capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/32 Architecture of open systems interconnection [OSI] 7-layer type protocol stacks, e.g. the interfaces between the data link level and the physical level
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/06 Optimizing the usage of the radio link, e.g. header compression, information sizing , discarding information system modifying transmission characteristic according to link quality by modifying frame length H04L1/0007; dynamic adaptation of the packet size for flow control or congestion control H04L47/365
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/16 Central resource management; Negotiation of resources or communication parameters, e.g. negotiating bandwidth or QoS [Quality of Service]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/27 Transitions between radio resource control [RRC] states
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 80/00 Wireless network protocols or protocol adaptations to wireless operation
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 80/02 Data link layer protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 80/04 Network layer protocols, e.g. mobile IP [Internet Protocol]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/181 Transcoding devices; Rate adaptation devices

Abstract

A method of operating a mobile wireless network is described to ensure proper function of protocol entities during the transmission of data units between two wireless stations of the mobile wireless network. In this case, user data is assembled by a first convergence protocol layer of the first wireless station into at least one first data unit, particularly a packet data unit, before transmission to a second convergence protocol layer of a second wireless station, particularly on the same protocol level, with the user data being supplied to the first convergence protocol layer by at least one user in a network layer. At least one protocol entity of the first convergence protocol layer is configured as a function of a configuration request received by the second wireless station, in order to form the at least one first data unit from the data received from the at least one user and to transmit it through a carrier to a link control layer.

Claims

1. A method for establishing a protocol entity in a convergence protocol layer of a first wireless station such that the protocol entity in the convergence protocol layer of the first wireless station and a protocol entity in a convergence protocol layer of a second wireless station correspond, comprising:

receiving a configuration request from the second wireless station that requests configuration of the protocol entity in the first wireless station within the convergence protocol layer of the first wireless station, wherein a radio bearer setup message includes the configuration request; and

in response to receiving the protocol entity configuration request, configuring the protocol entity in the convergence protocol layer of the first wireless station so that the protocol entity has a one-to-one relationship with a radio bearer and is identified by a protocol entity ID,

wherein the convergence protocol layer of the first wireless station is capable of supporting multiple protocol entities and the protocol entity ID identifies the protocol entity from any other protocol entity that may be configured in the convergence protocol layer.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the radio bearer setup message includes an ID of the radio bearer and the ID of the radio bearer is used as the protocol entity ID.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the radio bearer setup message also requests configuration of the radio bearer.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

transmitting a configuration complete message confirming configuration of the protocol entity to the second wireless station.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a reconfiguration message from the second wireless station that requests reconfiguration of the radio bearer and includes an ID of the radio bearer; and

in response to receiving the reconfiguration message, reconfiguring the radio bearer.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

sending a UE (user equipment) capability message to the second wireless station that includes information about protocol entity settings supported by the first wireless station.

7. A method for establishing a protocol entity in a convergence protocol layer of a first wireless station such that the protocol entity in the convergence protocol layer of the first wireless station and a protocol entity in a convergence protocol layer of a second wireless station correspond, comprising:

receiving a configuration request from the second wireless station that requests configuration of the protocol entity in the first wireless station within the convergence protocol layer of the first wireless station;

in response to receiving the protocol entity configuration request, configuring the protocol entity in the convergence protocol layer of the first wireless station so that the protocol entity has a one-to-one relationship with a radio bearer and is identified by a protocol entity ID;

receiving a reconfiguration message from the second wireless station that requests reconfiguration of the protocol entity in the first wireless station and that includes the protocol entity ID; and

in response to receiving the reconfiguration message, reconfiguring the protocol entity in the convergence protocol layer of the first wireless station;

transmitting a reconfiguration complete message to the second wireless station that confirms reconfiguration of the protocol entity in the convergence protocol layer of the first wireless station,

wherein the convergence protocol layer of the first wireless station is capable of supporting multiple protocol entities and the protocol entity ID identifies the protocol entity from any other protocol entity that may be configured in the convergence protocol layer.

8. A method for establishing a protocol entity in a convergence protocol layer of a first wireless station, the convergence protocol layer capable of including a plurality of protocol entities, such that the protocol entity in the convergence protocol layer of the first wireless station and a protocol entity in a convergence protocol layer of a second wireless station correspond, comprising:

receiving a protocol entity configuration request from the second wireless station that requests configuration of the protocol entity in the first wireless station, wherein the configuration request includes a protocol entity ID for the protocol entity in the first wireless station, wherein the protocol entity ID identifies the protocol entity from any other protocol entity that may be configured in the convergence protocol layer of the first wireless station, wherein a radio bearer setup message includes the configuration request; and

in response to receiving the protocol entity configuration request, configuring the protocol entity in the convergence protocol layer of the first wireless station,

wherein configuring the protocol entity includes specifying that the protocol entity access a lower layer via a radio bearer to establish a one-to-one relationship between the protocol entity in the convergence protocol layer of the first wireless station and the radio bearer in the first wireless station.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

in response to configuring the protocol entity in the convergence protocol layer of the first wireless station, sending a setup complete message to the second wireless station confirming configuration of the protocol entity.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

receiving a protocol entity reconfiguration request from the second wireless station that requests reconfiguration of the protocol entity in the first wireless station; and

in response to receiving the protocol entity reconfiguration request, reconfiguring the protocol entity in the convergence protocol layer of the first wireless station.

11. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

sending a message to the second wireless station that includes protocol entity settings supported by the first wireless station.

12. A first wireless station, comprising:

a computing device; and

a mobile wireless communication device connected to the computing device, the mobile wireless communication device operable to transmit and receive communications via a mobile wireless network;

wherein the mobile wireless communication device is operable to receive a configuration request from a second wireless station that requests configuration of a protocol entity in a convergence protocol layer of the first wireless station, wherein a radio bearer setup message includes the configuration request,

wherein the computing device is operable for configuring the protocol entity in the convergence protocol layer of the first wireless station so that the protocol entity has a one-to-one relationship with a radio bearer and is identified by a protocol entity ID,

wherein the convergence protocol layer of the first wireless station is capable of supporting multiple protocol entities, and

wherein the protocol entity ID identifies the protocol entity from any other protocol entity that may be configured in the convergence protocol layer.

13. The first wireless station of claim 12, wherein the radio bearer setup message includes an ID of the radio bearer and the ID of the radio bearer is used as the protocol entity ID.

14. The first wireless station of claim 12, wherein the mobile wireless communication device is further operable to transmit a setup complete message to the second wireless station that confirms configuration of the radio bearer at the first wireless station and confirms configuration of the protocol entity in the convergence protocol layer of the first wireless station.

15. The first wireless station of claim 12, wherein the mobile wireless communication device is further operable to transmit a UE (user equipment) capability message to the second wireless station that includes information about protocol entity settings supported by the first wireless station.

16. The first wireless station of claim 12, wherein the computing device is further operable to specify that the protocol entity use the radio bearer to communicate with an RLC (radio link control) layer in the first wireless station.

17. A first wireless station, comprising:

a computing device; and

a mobile wireless communication device connected to the computing device, the mobile wireless communication device operable to transmit and receive communications via a mobile wireless network, wherein the mobile wireless communication device is operable to;

receive a configuration request from a second wireless station that requests configuration of a protocol entity in a convergence protocol layer of the first wireless station;

receive a reconfiguration message from the second wireless station that requests reconfiguration of the protocol entity in the convergence protocol layer of the first wireless station and that includes the protocol entity ID; and

transmit a reconfiguration complete message to the second wireless station that confirms reconfiguration of the protocol entity in the convergence protocol layer of the first wireless station;

wherein the computing device is operable for;

in response to receiving the configuration request, configure the protocol entity in the convergence protocol layer of the first wireless station so that the protocol entity has a one-to-one relationship with a radio bearer and is identified by a protocol entity ID; and

in response to receiving the reconfiguration message, reconfigure the protocol entity in the convergence protocol layer of the first wireless station,

wherein the convergence protocol layer of the first wireless station is capable of supporting multiple protocol entities, and

wherein the protocol entity ID identifies the protocol entity from any other protocol entity that may be configured in the convergence protocol layer.