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

• US 10,165,478 B2
• Filed: 06/27/2016
• Issued: 12/25/2018
• 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:
  US15/193,830
• Publication Number:
  US 20160309368A1
• Time in Patent Office: 911 Days
• Field of Search: 370331, 370335, 370342, 370912-914, 4554321, 455450, 455452, 4554522, 455436
• 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 36/14 Reselecting a network or an air interface
• 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 comprising:

providing a service to a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) via a cellular access network, wherein the WTRU is a multi-mode device capable of communicating with a plurality of radio access technologies (RATs);

receiving a first message from the WTRU, the first message requesting a Service Set Identifier (SSID) and indicating that the WTRU receiving the service is capable of communicating using wireless local area network (WLAN) technology;

sending, in response to receipt of the first message, a second message via the cellular access network, wherein the second message is responsive to the first message and includes the SSID indicative of a WLAN available to the WTRU for handoff;

sending, to the WTRU, a second IP address associated with the WLAN, wherein the second IP address is different than a first IP address associated with the cellular access network; and

in response to receiving an indication of handoff of the WTRU to the WLAN, providing the service to the WTRU via the WLAN.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first message is received upon connection of the WTRU to a core network.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first message is received upon establishment of a radio bearer between the WTRU and a core network.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the second message further includes a public land mobile network identifier (PLMN ID) of the WLAN.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the second message further includes information pertaining to a location of the WLAN.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the second message is sent via a broadcast control channel (BCCH).

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the second message is sent via a dedicated control channel (DCCH).

8. The method of claim 1, wherein providing the service to the WTRU via the WLAN comprises providing the service via a packet data gateway (PDG).

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

10. A network device comprising:

a processor; and

a memory comprising instructions that when executed by the processor cause the network device to;

provide a service to a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) via a cellular access network, wherein the WTRU is a multi-mode device capable of communicating with a plurality of radio access technologies (RATs);

receive a first message via the cellular access network, the first message requesting a Service Set Identifier (SSID) and indicating that the WTRU receiving the service is capable of communicating using wireless local area network (WLAN) technology;

send, in response to receipt of the first message, a second message via the cellular access network, wherein the second message is responsive to the first message and includes the SSID indicative of a WLAN available to the WTRU for handoff;

send, to the WTRU, a second IP address associated with the WLAN, wherein the second IP address is different than a first IP address associated with the cellular access network; and

in response to receiving an indication of handoff of the WTRU to the WLAN, provide the service to the WTRU via the WLAN.

11. The network device of claim 10, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the network device to receive the first message upon connection of the WTRU to a core network.

12. The network device of claim 10, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the network device to receive the first message upon establishment of a radio bearer between the WTRU and a core network.

13. The network device of claim 10, wherein the second message further includes a public land mobile network identifier (PLMN ID) of the WLAN.

14. The network device of claim 10, wherein the second message further includes information pertaining to a location of the WLAN.

15. The network device of claim 10, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the network device to send the second message via a broadcast control channel (BCCH).

16. The network device of claim 10, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the network device to send the second message via a dedicated control channel (DCCH).

17. The network device of claim 10, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the network device to provide the service to the WTRU via the WLAN by providing the service via a packet data gateway (PDG).

18. The network device of claim 10, wherein the cellular access network is based on Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) technology.