Method for controlling call processing in a microcellular personal communications services system

• US 5,581,596 A
• Filed: 06/13/1994
• Issued: 12/03/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Qwest Communications International Incorporated (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: US West Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Hogan, Jerry C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bost, Dwayne D.
• Application Number:
  US08/226,622
• Time in Patent Office: 904 Days
• Field of Search: 379/58, 379/59, 379/60, 379/63, 455/33.1
• US Class Current: 455/435.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/12 Reselecting a serving backbone network switching or routing node
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/06 Registration at serving network Location Register, VLR or user mobility server

Abstract

A method for controlling call processing in a microcellular Personal Communications Services (PCS) incorporating Distributed Radio Port Controller (D-RPC) architecture. The method is specifically adapted to effect the routing of voice channels when a call origination, call delivery, intra-RPC ALT or inter-RPC ALT is needed. The method is operable in conjunction with a PCS system which is connected to the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) through an existing Central Office Switch (COS). The PCS system includes a plurality of Radio Port Controllers (RPCs) each having a corresponding plurality of Radio Ports (RPs) to define a plurality RPC serving areas for transmitting and receiving calls from mobile terminals registered therein. Radio Ports are monitored for any signals generated thereby which indicate that a mobile terminal is attempting to register on the PCS system, originate a call, initiate an ALT, or disconnect a call. A Visitor Location Register (VLR) is provided for managing call information regarding the mobile terminals registered in the RPC serving areas. The VLR is monitored for any inbound calls or signals generated by the VLR to obtain information as to how to proceed with a current activity. The VLR and Radio Port Signals are coordinated so as to determine and effect the routing of voice channels.

Claims

1. For use in a microcellular Personal Communications Services (PCS) system connected to the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) through a Central Office Switch (COS), the system having a plurality of Radio Ports (RPs) each having a corresponding coverage area and provided in electrical communication with a corresponding Radio Port Controller (RPC), said RPCs provided in electrical communication with said COS to define a plurality of RPC serving areas for transmitting and receiving calls from mobile terminals registered therein, a method for controlling call processing, comprising:

providing a Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) in electrical communication with said RPCs;

providing a Visitor Location Register (VLR) for managing call information about said mobile terminals registered in said RPC serving areas, said VLR provided in electrical communication with said RPCs;

monitoring said RPs for any signals generated by said RPs indicating that a mobile terminal is attempting to register on said system, originate a call, initiate an ALT or disconnect a call;

monitoring said VLR for any inbound calls or signals generated by said VLR as to how to proceed with a current activity; and

coordinating VLR and RP signals to determine and effect the routing of voice channels when a call origination, call delivery intra-RPC Automatic Link Transfer (ALT) or inter-RPC ALT is needed, including;

providing a source RP and a corresponding anchor RPC;

providing a target RP and a corresponding target RPC;

generating a first ALT request signal at said mobile terminal for receipt by said target RP, said first ALT request signal identifying the Radio Call Identifier (RCID) and voice channel of the current call anchored at said anchor RPC;

assigning a secondary voice channel at said target RP and generating a second ALT request signal for receipt by said target RPC identifying said assigned channel and said call RCID;

assigning a secondary voice channel at said target RP and generating a second ALT request signal for receipt by said target RPC identifying said assigned channel and said call RCID;

locating said anchor RPC by generating an ALT source request signal at said target RPC for receipt by said plurality of RPCs, said ALT source request signal identifying the RCID of said call anchored at said anchor RPC;

generating an ALT source response signal at said anchor RPC for receipt by said target RPC, said ALT source response signal identifying said call RCID and a logical channel on said MAN over which to receive voice signals;

bridging said call to said identified MAN channel at said anchor RPC so as to establish a conference connection between said target RP, said target RPC and said anchor RPC;

generating an ALT ready signal at said target RPC for receipt by said anchor RPC upon completion of said call bridge;

generating a first ALT execute signal at said anchor RPC for receipt by said source RP;

generating an access release signal at said source RP for receipt by said anchor RPC instructing said source RP to release all radio resources associated with the RCID of said call;

generating an ALT complete signal at said target RP for receipt by said target RPC; and

generating ALT complete signals at said target RPC for receipt by said anchor RPC and said VLR.

2. For use in a microcellular Personal Communications Services (PCS) system connected to the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) through a Central Office Switch (COS), the system having a plurality of Radio Ports (RPs) each having a corresponding coverage area and provided in electrical communication with a corresponding Radio Port Controller (RPC), said RPCs provided in electrical communication with said COS to define a plurality of RPC serving areas for transmitting and receiving calls from mobile terminals registered therein, a method for controlling call processing, comprising:

providing a Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) in electrical communication with said RPCs;

providing a Visitor Location Register (VLR) for managing call information about said mobile terminals registered in said RPC serving areas, said VLR provided in electrical communication with said RPCs;

monitoring said RPs for any signals generated by said RPs indicating that a mobile terminal is attempting to register on said system, originate a call, initiate an ALT or disconnect a call;

monitoring said VLR for any inbound calls or signals generated by said VLR as to how to proceed with a current activity; and

coordinating VLR and RP signals to determine and effect the routing of voice channels when a call origination, call delivery intra-RPC Automatic Link Transfer (ALT) or inter-RPC ALT is needed, including;

providing a source RP and a corresponding anchor RPC;

providing a target RP and a corresponding target RPC;

generating a first ALT request signal at said mobile terminal for receipt by said target RP, said first ALT request signal identifying the Radio Call Identifier (RCID) and voice channel of the current call anchored at said anchor RPC and the ISDN DN of said anchor RPC (ALTDN);

assigning a secondary voice channel at said target RP and generating a second ALT request signal for receipt by said target RPC, said second ALT request signal identifying said assigned channel, said call RCID and said ALTDN;

generating an acknowledgement signal at said target RPC for receipt by said target RP;

generating an ISDN call setup signal at said target RPC for receipt by said COS, said ISDN call setup signal requesting said COS to setup a new call from said target RPC to said anchor RPC;

generating an ISDN user information signal at said target RPC for receipt by said anchor RPC, said ISDN user information signal identifying the RCID of said call anchored at said anchor RPC for which an ALT has been requested;

generating a first connect signal at said anchor RPC for receipt by said COS;

generating a first ALT execute signal at said anchor RPC for receipt by said source RP;

generating an access release signal at said source RP for receipt by said anchor RPC instructing said anchor RPC to release all radio resources associated with the RCID of said call;

generating a first ALT complete signal at said target RP for receipt by said target RPC; and

generating a second ALT complete signal at said target RPC for receipt by said anchor RPC and said VLR.

3. The method of claim 2, further adapted to control additional inter-RPC ALTs between said target RP/target RPC and supplemental target RPs/supplemental target RPCs, comprising:

providing a supplemental target RP and a corresponding supplemental target RPC;

assigning a supplemental voice channel at said supplemental target RP and generating a supplemental ALT request signal for receipt by said supplemental target RPC identifying said assigned channel, said call RCID and said ALTDN;

generating a supplemental acknowledgement signal at said supplemental target RPC for receipt by said supplemental target RP;

generating a supplemental ISDN call setup signal at said supplemental target RPC for receipt by said COS, said ISDN call setup signal requesting said COS to setup a new call from said supplemental target RPC to said anchor RPC;

generating a supplemental ISDN user information signal at said supplemental target RPC for receipt by said anchor RPC, said supplemental ISDN user information signal identifying the RCID of said call anchored at said anchor RPC for which an ALT has been requested;

bridging said call to said identified ALTDN at said anchor RPC so as to establish a conference connection between said supplemental target RP, said supplemental target RPC and said anchor RPC;

generating a first supplemental connect signal at said anchor RPC for receipt by said COS;

generating a first supplemental ALT execute signal at said target RPC for receipt by said target RP;

generating a second supplemental connect signal at said COS for receipt by said supplemental target RPC;

generating a second supplemental ALT execute signal at said supplemental target RPC for receipt by said supplemental target RP;

generating an access release signal at said target RP for receipt by said target RPC instructing said target RPC to release all radio resources associated with the RCID of said call;

generating a first supplemental ALT complete signal at said supplemental target RP for receipt by said supplemental target RPC; and

generating a second supplemental ALT complete signal at said supplemental target RPC for receipt by said anchor RPC and said VLR.