Protocol fallback technique for wireless data communications

• US 8,817,600 B2
• Filed: 11/18/2009
• Issued: 08/26/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Payyappilly, Ajith T., Balasubramanian, Srinivasan
• Primary Examiner(s): LAMONT, BENJAMIN S
• Application Number:
  US12/621,062
• Publication Number:
  US 20100177629A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,742 Days
• Field of Search: 370216-218, 370/221, 370/225, 370/228
• US Class Current: 370/225
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/04 Error control
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/0066 of control information between different types of networks in order to establish a new radio link in the target network
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 60/02 by periodical registration
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/18 Management of setup rejection or failure
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/19 Connection re-establishment

Abstract

A wireless communications device is configured to establish a radio level session with a network at a relatively high or highest protocol level among a plurality of protocol levels supported. Upon failures in establishing, or during, a network level data session, the radio level session is closed. Thereafter, the device re-attempts to establish the network level session at a lower, fallback protocol level, by pretending it is a legacy device incapable of supporting the high protocol level. In this manner, the network is likely to follow a different procedure in establishing data communications, whereby an error that caused the failure is less likely to be repeated. As examples, error conditions in eHRPD data sessions result in fallback to HRPD or 1xRTT data sessions. A network based alternative embodiment implements protocol fallback via appropriate fallback instructions to the wireless device.

Claims

1. A wireless communications device, comprising:

at least one processor configured to;

establish a radio level session with a network at a first protocol level among a plurality of protocol levels in a family of protocols supported by the network;

terminate the established radio level session with the network upon detecting an error condition in establishing a network level session of the first protocol level;

determine whether the error condition is recoverable upon a subsequent retry; and

re-attempt to establish the radio level session and the network level session at a second protocol level via configuring the device to advertise an incapability of supporting the first protocol level upon determining the error condition is not recoverable or detecting a failure during the subsequent retry, wherein the first protocol level is a higher protocol level in the family of protocols and provides services that are an advancement over the services that are provided by the second protocol level among the plurality of protocol levels in the family of protocols.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

terminate the radio level session if the re-attempt to establish the network level session at the second protocol level fails; and

re-attempt to establish the network level session at a third protocol level, wherein the third protocol level is a lower protocol level in the family of protocols and provides services that are less advanced than the services that are provided by the second protocol level among the plurality of protocol levels in the family of protocols.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein:

the network level session at the first protocol level is a Point-to-Point Protocol/Internet Protocol (PPP/IP) level data session handled through an Access Network, an High Rate Packet Data Serving Gateway (HSGW) and a Packet Data Network (PDN) Gateway; and

the network level session at the second protocol level is a PPP/IP level data session handled through the Access Network and a Packet Data Serving Node (PDSN).

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the radio level session is an Evolved High Rate Packet Data (eHRPD) type session, the first protocol level is an eHRPD protocol, and the second protocol level is an HRPD or one times Radio Transmission Technology (1xRTT) protocol.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the radio level session is terminated upon detecting the error condition during an EAP-AKA'"'"' negotiation process.

6. The device of claim 4, wherein the radio level session is terminated upon detecting the error condition during a Fast re-authentication process.

7. The device of claim 4, wherein the radio level session is terminated upon detecting the error condition during a Vendor Specific Network Control Protocol (VSNCP) process.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the error condition is a failure to provide an IPv4 or IPv6 address.

9. The device of claim 7, wherein the error condition occurs during a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) procedure to obtain an IP address.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to re-attempt to establish the network level session at the first protocol level upon a termination of the radio level session at the second protocol level.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to re-attempt to establish the network level session at the first protocol level following a data call tear down by an application running on the device and a predetermined time period confirming that the data call is no longer needed by the application.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to re-attempt to establish the network level session at the first protocol level based at least on a power cycle event of the device.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to re-attempt to establish the network level session at the first protocol level upon switching into regions where the network is capable of supporting services at the first protocol level.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to re-attempt to establish the network level session at the first protocol level upon a user trigger to select simultaneous voice and data service.

15. A method of data communication performed by a wireless communications device, comprising:

establishing a radio level session with a network at a first protocol level among a plurality of protocol levels in a family of protocols supported by the network;

terminating the established radio level session with the network upon detecting an error condition in establishing a network level session of the first protocol level;

determining whether the error condition is recoverable upon a subsequent retry; and

re-attempting to establish the radio level session and the network level session at a second protocol level via configuring the wireless device to advertise an incapability of supporting the first protocol level upon determining the error condition is not recoverable or detecting a failure during the subsequent retry, wherein the first protocol level is a higher protocol level in the family of protocols and provides services that are an advancement over the services that are provided by the second protocol level among the plurality of protocol levels in the family of protocols.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein:

the network level session at the first protocol level is a Point-to Point/Internet Protocol (PPP/IP) level data session handled through an Access Network, an High Rate Packet Data Serving Gateway (HSGW) and a Packet Data Network (PDN) Gateway; and

the network level session at the second protocol level is a PPP/IP level data session handled through the Access Network and a Packet Data Serving Node (PDSN).

17. An integrated circuit for use in a wireless communication device, the integrated circuit comprising:

at least one processor configured to;

establish a radio level session with a network at a first protocol level among a plurality of protocol levels in a family of protocols supported by the network;

terminate the established radio level session with the network upon detecting an error condition in establishing a network level session of the first protocol level;

determine whether the error condition is recoverable upon a subsequent retry; and

re-attempt to establish the radio level session and the network level session at a second protocol level upon determining the error condition is not recoverable or detecting a failure during the subsequent retry by configuring the wireless device to advertise an incapability of supporting the first protocol level, wherein the first protocol level is a higher protocol level in the family of protocols and provides services that are an advancement over the services that are provided by the second protocol level among the plurality of protocol levels in the family of protocols.

18. The integrated circuit of claim 17, wherein:

the network level session at the first protocol level is a Point-to-Point Protocol/Internet Protocol (PPP/IP) level data session handled through an Access Network, an High Rate Packet Data Serving Gateway (HSGW) and a Packet Data Network (PDN) Gateway; and

the network level session at the second protocol level is a PPP/IP level data session handled through the Access Network and a Packet Data Serving Node (PDSN).

19. At least one processor for use in a wireless communications device,

the at least one processor configured to:

establish a radio level session with a network at a first protocol level among a plurality of protocol levels in a family of protocols supported by the network;

terminate the established radio level session with the network upon detecting an error condition in establishing a network level session of the first protocol level;

determine whether the error condition is recoverable upon a subsequent retry; and

re-attempt to establish the radio level session and the network level session at a second protocol level by configuring the wireless device to advertise an incapability of supporting the first protocol level upon determining the error condition is not recoverable or detecting a failure during the subsequent retry, the first protocol level is a higher protocol level in the family of protocols and provides services that are an advancement over the services that are provided by the second protocol level among the plurality of protocol levels in the family of protocols.

20. The at least one processor of claim 19, wherein:

the network level session at the first protocol level is a Point-to-Point/Internet Protocol (PPP/IP) level data session handled through an Access Network, an High Rate Packet Data Serving Gateway (HSGW) and a Packet Data Network (PDN) Gateway; and

the network level session at the second protocol level is a PPP/IP level data session handled through the Access Network and a Packet Data Serving Node (PDSN).

21. A computer program product stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium including instructions for causing a wireless communications device to:

establish a radio level session with a network at a first protocol level among a plurality of protocol levels in a family of protocols supported by the network;

terminate the established radio level session with the network upon detecting an error condition in establishing a network level session of the first protocol level;

determine whether the error condition is recoverable upon a subsequent retry; and

re-attempt to establish the radio level session and the network level session at a second protocol level by configuring the wireless device to advertise an incapability of supporting the first protocol level upon determining the error condition is not recoverable or detecting a failure during the subsequent retry, the first protocol level is a higher protocol level in the family of protocols and provides services that are an advancement over the services that are provided by the second protocol level among the plurality of protocol levels in the family of protocols.

22. The computer program product of claim 21, wherein:

the network level session at the first protocol level is a Point-to-Point/Internet Protocol (PP/IP) level data session handled through an Access Network, an High Rate Packet Data Serving Gateway (HSGW) and a Packet Data Network (PDN) Gateway; and

the network level session at the second protocol level is a PPP/IP level data session handled through the Access Network and a Packet Data Serving Node (PDSN).

23. A wireless communications device comprising:

means for establishing a radio level session with a network at a first protocol level among a plurality of protocol levels in a family of protocols supported by the network;

means for terminating the established radio level session with the network upon detecting an error condition in establishing a network level session of the first protocol level;

means for determining whether the error condition is recoverable upon a subsequent retry; and

means for re-attempting to establish the radio level session and the network level session at a second protocol level via configuring the device to advertise an incapability of supporting the first protocol level upon determining the error condition is not recoverable or detecting a failure during the subsequent retry, the first protocol level is a higher protocol level in the family of protocols and provides services that are an advancement over the services that are provided by the second protocol level among the plurality of protocol levels in the family of protocols.

24. The device of claim 23, further comprising:

means for terminating the radio level session if the re-attempt to establish the network level session at the second protocol level fails, and

means for then re-attempting to establish the network level session at a third protocol level, the third protocol level being less advanced than the second protocol level among the plurality of protocol levels.

25. The device of claim 23, wherein:

the network level session at the first protocol level is a Point-to-Point/Internet Protocol (PPP/IP) level data session handled through an Access Network, an High Rate Packet Data Serving Gateway (HSGW) and a Packet Data Network (PDN) Gateway; and

the network level session at the second protocol level is a PPP/IP level data session handled through the Access Network and a Packet Data Serving Node (PDSN).

26. A wireless communications device, comprising:

at least one processor configured to;

advertise a first protocol level capability for data communications among a plurality of protocol levels in a family of protocols;

attempt to establish a data communication session with the network at the first protocol level capability; and

if the attempt fails or the data communication session is established and then fails due to a detected error condition, re-attempt to establish data communication by exclusively advertising a capability of supporting a second protocol level, wherein the second protocol level is a lower protocol level and provides services that are less advanced than the services provided by the first protocol level among the plurality of protocol levels in the family of protocols.

27. The device of claim 26, wherein the first protocol level is an Evolved High Rate Packet Data (eHRPD) protocol, and the second protocol level is an HRPD or one times Radio Transmission Technology (1xRTT) protocol.

28. A network component of a wireless communication system, comprising:

means for receiving information from a wireless device indicative of a plurality of protocol levels in a family of protocols supported by the device;

means for attempting to establish a data communication session with the device at a first protocol level among the plurality of protocol levels;

means, upon failure to establish or failure during the data communication session due to a detected error condition, for receiving, from the device, an indication of exclusively supporting a second protocol level, wherein the second protocol level is a lower protocol level and provides services that are less advanced than the services provided by the first protocol level among the plurality of protocol levels in the family of protocols; and

means for instructing the device to operate at the second protocol level and for attempting to establish communications at the second protocol level.

29. The network component of claim 28, comprising one or more of an High Rate Packet Data Serving Gateway (HSGW) and an evolved Access Node in an Evolved High Rate Packet Data (eHRPD) communication system.

30. The network component of claim 28, wherein the first protocol level is an eHRPD protocol, and the second protocol level is an HRPD or one times Radio Transmission Technology (1xRTT) protocol.

31. The network component of claim 28, further comprising means, following operation at the second protocol level, for attempting to switch to operation at the first protocol level upon a trigger condition of:

a subnet boundary change;

a subscription change;

a predetermined time period of the second protocol level operation elapsing; and

/or a change in RAN.

32. A method performed by a network of a wireless communication system, comprising:

receiving information from a wireless device indicative of a plurality of protocol levels in a family of protocols supported by the device;

attempting to establish a data communication session with the device at a first protocol level among the plurality of protocol levels;

upon failure to establish, or failure during, the data communication session due to a detected error condition, receiving, from the device, an indication of exclusively supporting a second protocol level, wherein the second protocol level is a lower protocol level and provides services that are less advanced than the services provided by the first protocol level among the plurality of protocol levels in the family of protocols; and

instructing the device to operate at the second protocol level and attempting to establish communications at the second protocol level.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein the first protocol level is an Evolved High Rate Packet Data (eHRPD) protocol, and the second protocol level is an HRPD or one times Radio Transmission Technology (1xRTT) protocol.

34. A computer program product stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium including instructions for causing a network of a wireless communications system to:

receive information from a wireless device indicative of a plurality of protocol levels in a family of protocols supported by the device;

attempt to establish a data communication session with the device at a first protocol level among the plurality of protocol levels;

upon failure to establish, or failure during, the data communication session due to a detected error condition, receive, from the device, an indication of exclusively supporting a second protocol level, wherein the second protocol level is a lower protocol level and provides services that are less advanced than the services provided by the first protocol level among the plurality of protocol levels in the family of protocols; and

instruct the device to operate at the second protocol level and attempt to establish communications at the second protocol level.

35. The computer program product of claim 34, wherein the first protocol level is an Evolved High Rate Packet Data (eHRPD) protocol, and the second protocol level is an HRPD or one times Radio Transmission Technology (1xRTT) protocol.