KR100726852B1 - Multi-mode terminal and method for controlling communication route thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

A multiple mode terminal and a method for controlling a communication route by using the same are provided to easily accept connections to heterogeneous access networks by providing flexibility for extending an interface of controlling the communication route. A multiple mode terminal comprises an interface unit(150) and a terminal operating unit(160). The interface unit(150) includes plural network interfaces supporting connections to plural access networks, and performs a connection function according to an accessed network. The terminal operating unit(160) collects each state information of networks, which can provide a communication service, among the plural access networks, selects one among the networks which can provide the communication service, and changes data communication routes. The terminal operating unit(160) includes an access module(162), an IP layer module(164) and a communication route control interface module(168). The access module(162) includes plural equipment drivers for supporting an operating system of the multiple mode terminal and controls the interface unit(150) by being matched with each network interface within the interface unit(150). The IP layer module(164) supports an IP and includes a network selection algorithm for selecting networks, which can provide the communication service, among the plural access networks. The communication route control interface module(168) collects and manages the state information of the plural access networks which is a base for the selection of the networks and controls generation or release of the data transmission route via the selected network.

Description

Multi-Mode Terminal and Method for Controlling Communication Route Thereof}

1 is a view showing a state in which a multi-mode terminal is connected to the Internet network through various access networks according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a multi-mode terminal is located in service coverage of various access networks according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a block diagram schematically showing the internal configuration of a multi-mode terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a diagram illustrating a protocol stack structure of a multi-mode terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a flowchart illustrating operation primitives of entities constituting a communication path control interface module of a multi-mode terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

The present invention relates to a multi-mode terminal and a communication path control method using the same, and more particularly, to a communication path control method for enabling data communication through an optimal network and a multi-mode terminal supporting access to a plurality of access networks. .

In recent years, wireless communication networks are increasing in demand and interest in the use of the Internet. Unlike conventional data communication services using wired networks, mobile communication networks such as mobile terminals, laptops, and personal digital assistants can be used anytime, anywhere. Wireless data communication, which enables two-way communication without restriction, is rapidly emerging.

The wireless communication network is provided with a wireless data communication service based on a code division multiple access method, and furthermore, a broadband code division multiple access method that has been developed asynchronously. The service is being provided. In addition, the wireless communication network is a data communication method capable of wireless communication within a short distance around a fixed access point, and enables high speed and high quality data communication services of a WLAN and a wireless LAN, and a service coverage range of a mobile communication network. A wireless portable internet system has been developed that combines a wide range of features.

As such various types of wireless communication networks, mobile terminals supporting only services provided by respective networks have been used, and thus, data communication services through an optimal network that can be provided in an area where the mobile terminal is located cannot be provided. There was a limit.

In addition, when one mobile terminal can support services of various networks, there is a problem in that an optimal network service considering the characteristics of the mobile terminal as well as the traffic conditions of the network cannot be provided since the handover of the network is made. Therefore, when the subscriber station is located in the aforementioned communication service overlapping area, there is a need for stable data communication in consideration of traffic conditions of each network.

In order to solve the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a multi-mode terminal and a communication path control method using the same that can select a network having an optimal radio quality in a region where various network coverage areas overlap.

An interface unit including a plurality of network interfaces supporting connection with a plurality of access networks according to an aspect of the present invention for achieving the technical problem, and performing a connection function according to the connected network; And when detecting a change in a link state of the connected network, collecting state information of a network capable of communication service among the plurality of access networks, and based on the collected state information, one of the networks capable of the communication service. Selecting an access network includes a terminal operating unit for changing the data communication path.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a method for controlling a communication path using a multi-mode terminal includes: (a) generating and transmitting an information service message to a use network where the multi-mode terminal and an internet protocol packet service are in progress; (b) receiving a response result corresponding to the information service message from a using network that has received the information service message; (c) checking a radio link state by scanning a corresponding network interface provided by the multi-mode terminal based on the network interface information obtained through the received response result; And (d) executing a communication control interface path selection algorithm based on the received radio link state result to select a network capable of communication services from a plurality of access networks, and requesting a link connection to perform a handover. .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art may easily implement the present invention. As those skilled in the art would realize, the described embodiments may be modified in various different ways, all without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. In the drawings, parts irrelevant to the description are omitted in order to clearly describe the present invention, and like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the specification.

In addition, when a part is said to "include" a certain component, this means that it may further include other components, except to exclude other components unless otherwise stated.

In addition, the term module described herein refers to a unit for processing a specific function or operation, which may be implemented in hardware or software, or a combination of hardware and software.

Now, a multi-mode terminal and a communication path control method using the same according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a view showing a state in which a multi-mode terminal 100 is connected to the Internet network 140 through various access networks in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

The multi-mode terminal 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be connected to various access networks, including the first network 110, the second network 120, and the third network 130, which support an internet protocol based data communication service. I can connect it. Here, the multi-mode terminal 100 means a terminal capable of data communication based on an Internet protocol, and may include a laptop, a personal digital assistant, and the like, but is not limited thereto.

The multi-mode terminal 100 connects to the Internet network 140 through an access network. Here, the first network 110, the second network 120 and the third network 130 are each a wireless personal area network (WPAN), a wireless local area network (WLAN), a general packet General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) networks, Global System for Mobile Networks (GSM), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access Multiple Access: may be one of a plurality of networks that support packet data services based on Internet Protocol (IP), such as WCDMA) and 3G Evolution (3GE) networks. Hereinafter, the first network 110 is a wireless LAN network, the second network 120 is a mobile communication network of 3rd Generation Partnership Project2 (3GPP2), and the third network 130 is a third generation project partnership. Assume that it is a 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) network.

2 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a multi-mode terminal 100 is located within service coverage of various access networks according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a region in which data communication through various networks, that is, service areas of a network, overlap.

When the multi-mode terminal 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention is located in a service area of heterogeneous overlapping networks, the multi-mode terminal becomes a multi-mode state that can use a plurality of networks. The mode is entered.

At this time, the multi-mode terminal 100 located in the region where the service areas of the network overlap, the network with the best data communication quality based on the signal stability of each network, traffic conditions and the type of network information that each terminal can support By performing the selection procedure, the data communication service through the selected network can be performed. That is, the multi-mode terminal 100 supports an interworking interface between the Internet network 140 and a plurality of access networks in order to use the Internet protocol packet-based data communication service of the Internet network 140 through various networks. do.

In addition, the multi-mode terminal 100 may change the data transmission path in order to ensure the optimal wireless communication quality when the network traffic conditions change due to the movement of subscribers and the increase in the number of other subscribers connected to the same network. .

Unlike the path control scheme of the conventional network subject, the multi-mode terminal 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention controls the data packet transmission path by continuously checking the communication environment of the network to which the terminal itself is the subject. It provides a communication path control interface module 168 that can be. Accordingly, the multi-mode terminal 100 can quickly and flexibly develop handover, roaming service, etc. between heterogeneous networks related to mobility using the communication path control interface module 168.

Hereinafter, an internal configuration of the multi-mode terminal 100 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 3.

3 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an internal configuration of a multi-mode terminal 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

The multi-mode terminal 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes an interface unit 150 and a terminal operating unit 160.

The interface unit 150 includes a plurality of network interfaces that support connection with a plurality of access networks. Therefore, the interface unit 150 includes a plurality of network interfaces that support the connection with the plurality of access networks, and functions so that the multi-mode terminal 100 is properly connected to each connected network.

The interface unit 150 includes a first network interface 153, a second network interface 155, and a third network interface 157.

The first network interface 153, the second network interface 155, and the third network interface 157 are commonly used Universal Serial Bus (USB), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. : A network card in the form of a hardware module such as IEEE 1394, Personal Computer Memory Card International Asscoiation (PCMCIA), etc. may be used, and in the multi-mode terminal 100 in the form of a software module having a protocol stack structure. Can be installed and used.

The terminal operator 160 includes an access module 162, an internet protocol layer module 164, a transport layer module 166, a communication path control interface module 168, and a mobility service module 169.

The terminal operating unit 160 supports the operating system of the multi-mode terminal 100 so that a data communication service desired by a user can be achieved.

The connection module 162 includes a plurality of device drivers that match each network interface in the interface unit 150 to control the interface unit 150 and support an operating system of the multi-mode terminal 100.

The connection module 162 is a component that is a connection between the multi-mode terminal 100 and each network interface, and allows the hardware component to perform a proper function under the operating system. That is, the access module 162 controls each network interface so that data communication can be performed. When the data communication is performed through the network selected by the multi-mode terminal 100, the multi-mode terminal 100 is connected to each network. Function as a terminal suitable for the characteristic.

The internet protocol layer module 164 supports the Internet protocol, and the communication path control interface module 168 selects a network for selecting a network having the best data communication quality among a plurality of access networks that the multi-mode terminal 100 can support. Contains an algorithm.

The transport layer module 166 supports a transmission control protocol and a user datagram protocol, and defines data transmission, error recovery, and flow control to enable reliable data communication. .

The communication path control interface module 168 collects and manages state information of a plurality of access networks on which network selection is based, and controls generation and release of a data transmission path through the selected network based on the information. That is, the communication path control interface module 168 repeatedly executes a network selection algorithm so that the multi-mode terminal 100, the access network, and the internet network 140 are located in an area where service areas of a plurality of networks overlap. Control the transmission path of data packets between.

The communication path control interface module 168 analyzes the Internet protocol packet header by intercepting all data packets transmitted or received from the outside by the multi-mode terminal 100.

The communication path control interface module 168 periodically checks a change state of the received electric field strength in each access network through signal exchange with each network interface of the interface unit 150 to detect a change in link state of the connected network. do. In addition, the communication path control interface module 168 generates an interface state table for recording communication state information of each access network, and updates the interface state table according to the change of state of the access network.

The communication path control interface module 168 selects a network interface having the best data communication quality, that is, an access network, based on the information in the interface state table.

The communication path control interface module 168 is a form of a path information table to enable transmission of data through the path and Internet protocol address information assigned to a network interface that supports a physical connection with the selected access network as a result of the network selection algorithm. Manage with.

The network selection algorithm used in the multi-mode terminal 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention is a commonly known technique, and a person skilled in the art may select one of the network selection algorithms according to a communication method.

The mobility service module 169 performs a handover or roaming service in association with the communication path control interface module 168.

Hereinafter, referring to FIG. 4, the internal configuration of the multi-mode terminal 100 is described by matching the protocol stack structure.

4 is a diagram illustrating a protocol stack structure of the multi-mode terminal 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The multi-mode terminal 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes an interface unit 150 configured to mount a protocol stack structure (I) composed of a physical layer and a data link layer, and a protocol stack structure (II to III) of an upper layer thereof. It includes a terminal operating unit 160 configured to handle.

The interface unit 150 connects to the access network and transmits and receives data packets.

The interface unit 150 implements the functions of the data link layer and the physical layer.

The plurality of network interfaces of the interface unit 150 operates or maintains a physical connection between the multi-mode terminal 100 and the corresponding network, and the physical layer and the physical connection that define the electrical, mechanical, procedural and functional aspects are reliable through the physical connection. It includes a description of the data link layer that provides data transmission.

The first network interface 153 may be configured to accommodate a physical layer technology and a data link layer technology that support a connection with a WLAN network.

The second network interface 155 is a physical layer technology and data link and layer 3 signaling layer (Layer2 Signaling, Wireless) supporting 3G Project Partnership 2 (3GPP2) connection with a mobile communication network. It can be configured to accommodate the technology of the Link Protocol (RLP), Link Access Control (LAC).

The third network interface 157 may be configured to accommodate the physical layer technology and the data link layer technology supporting the connection with the 3rd generation project partnership (3GPP) network as well as the session and bearer establishment technology. (Session Management (SM), Radio Rource Control (RRC), Radio Link Control (RLC)).

The third network interface 157 may include a radio access control (RAC), a radio link control (RLC), a logical link layer (LLC), and a lower media access control (Media Access Control). ) Layer.

The third network interface 157 is configured for mobility management, session establishment, and signaling through signaling to a Serving GPRS Supprot Network (SGSN), a Gate GPRS Supporting Node (GGSN), and the like in a third generation project partnership network. Implement bearer configuration.

Each of the plurality of network interfaces is assigned and operated with an internet protocol address.

The network interface including the protocol stack structure may be configured to have various detailed layers according to the types of accessible networks.

For example, when the first network 110 is a WLAN network, the first network interface 153 may be configured to include a physical layer and a data link layer.

When the third network 130 is a 3G Evolution (3GE) network, the third network interface 157 performs some functions of the network layer that performs a function of establishing a session and a bearer in addition to the physical layer and the wireless data link layer. It can have a protocol stack structure that includes a sharing protocol.

When the event report registration / deletion and the link event report of the wireless link are registered, the terminal operating unit 160 performs an event service entity 200 that performs an event report according to a change in the link state, and a network connection / release and a wireless network interface. A command service entity 220 for processing a state scanning request and an information service entity 210 for supporting a handover or roaming service in association with an information server managing a neighbor network information map of a currently connected network. To perform.

The multi-mode terminal 100 supports the protocols of the physical layer and the data link layer at the network interface, the terminal operating unit 160 supports the higher layer protocol, and some of the higher layer protocols are shared at the network interface. It may be in any form as long as it is configured to be performed.

According to the configuration of the protocol stack of the network interface, the protocol stack and the user application program of the terminal operating unit 160 executed in conjunction with the interface unit 150 may be determined.

In the initialization step of the multi-mode terminal 100 having such a configuration, the plurality of network cards in the terminal operating unit 160 and the interface unit 150 are connected to the Internet from the Internet protocol (IP) network through a session setup and bearer setup signaling process. The protocol address is assigned. The setting of the Internet protocol address depends on the Internet protocol address setting method of the operating system environment adopted by the multi-mode terminal 100. The internet protocol address assigned to the terminal operating unit 160 is used as an identifier of the multi-mode terminal 100 in the plurality of networks.

Hereinafter, a network selection and path control method performed by the multi-mode terminal 100 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 5.

5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation primitive of entities configuring the communication path control interface module 168 of the multi-mode terminal 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 5, the multi-mode terminal 100 moves out of the first network service area 110 toward the heterogeneous network service area while the Internet protocol (IP) packet service through the first network 110 is in progress. In this case, the handover is shown by the function of the communication path control interface module 168 is completed.

The Event Service Entity (ESE) 200 requests registration of link status reporting at the data link layer. Here, event report registration is registered by default when the event service entity 200 is initialized.

When the link state change is detected, the data link layer of the multi-mode terminal 100 transmits a status report to the event service entity 200 through a Link_event.notification message (S100). The event service entity 200 then sends the link status report result to the mobility service module 169.

The mobility service module 169 requests a network information service to hand over to an information service entity (ISE) 210.

The information service entity 210 transmits the information service message to the peer information service entity of the first network 110 through the IS.request message, the IS REQUEST FRAME message, and the IS.indication message (S102).

The information service entity of the first network 110 retrieves a neighboring network map from an information service server (ISS) and uses the IS.response message, the IS REQUEST FRAME message, and the IS.confirm message. The information service entity 210 is transmitted to (S104). Subsequently, the multi-mode terminal 100 transmits the received information service result to the mobility management module.

The mobility service module 169 scans the corresponding network interface provided by the multi-mode terminal 100 based on the network interface information obtained through the information service to the command service entity CSE 220 and then wirelessly links the wireless link. The state of is checked (S106).

In other words, the command service entity (CSE) 220 sends an InterfaceScan.request message to the data link layer. Subsequently, the data link layer of the multi-mode terminal 100 scans the corresponding network interface (third network 130) to receive the status of the wireless link, generates an InterfaceScan.confirm message, and sends it to the command service entity 220. (S106).

The command service entity 220 then sends a radio link status result to the mobility service module 169.

The mobility service module 169 selects an access network (third network 130) by executing a communication control interface path selection algorithm based on a result of the radio link status check received from the command service entity 220, and establishes a link connection. The request is completed by completing the handover (S108).

Specifically, the command service entity 220 transmits a Link_connect.request message to the data link layer. Subsequently, the mobility service module 169 executes a communication control interface path selection algorithm based on the result of the received radio link status check to select an access network (third network 130) having the best data communication quality, and connects the link. Complete the handover by requesting (S108). The data link layer receiving the link connection request for handover generates a Link_connect.confirm message and transmits it to the command service entity 220 (S108).

When the link to the third network 130 is completed, the multi-mode terminal 100 releases the link that was connected to the first network 110.

The multi-mode terminal 100 continuously receives an Internet Protocol (IP) packet service through the third network 130 through the first network 110.

The embodiments of the present invention described above are not implemented only through the apparatus and the method, but may be implemented through a program for realizing a function corresponding to the configuration of the embodiment of the present invention or a recording medium on which the program is recorded. Implementation may be easily implemented by those skilled in the art from the description of the above-described embodiments.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications and improvements of those skilled in the art using the basic concepts of the present invention defined in the following claims are also provided. It belongs to the scope of rights.

According to the above-described configuration, the present invention can expect the effect of selecting a network having an optimal radio quality in a region where various network coverage areas overlap by using a multi-mode terminal.

 The present invention can be expected to provide the flexibility to extend the communication path control interface of the multi-mode terminal to easily accommodate the connection with the heterogeneous access network.

The present invention enables a terminal to select an access network for data packet transmission, and provides a higher level interface for controlling a packet transmission path to facilitate the development of mobility services in an Internet protocol (IP) based communication environment. You can expect an effect that you can support.

Claims (11)

delete An interface unit including a plurality of network interfaces supporting access to a plurality of access networks, and performing a connection function according to the connected networks; And A terminal operating unit configured to collect state information of a network capable of communicating services among the plurality of access networks, select one of the network capable of communicating services, and change a data communication path; The terminal operating unit, A connection module including a plurality of device drivers for supporting an operating system of the multi-mode terminal and matching the respective network interfaces in the interface unit to control the interface unit; An internet protocol layer module supporting a network protocol and including a network selection algorithm for selecting a network capable of the communication service from among the plurality of access networks; A communication path control interface module that collects and manages state information of the plurality of access networks that are the basis of network selection to control generation and release of a data transmission path through the selected network; And A mobility service module that performs handover or roaming service in connection with the communication path control interface module. Multi-mode terminal comprising a. The method of claim 2, The communication path control interface module generates an interface state table for recording communication state information of each access network, updates the interface state table according to the change of network state, and the communication service is based on the interface state table information. Multi-mode terminal, characterized in that the selection of possible networks. The method of claim 2, The communication path control interface module generates a path information table to enable data transmission through the Internet protocol address information and the Internet protocol address information assigned to the network interface supporting the physical access to the selected access network as a result of the network selection algorithm. Multi-mode terminal, characterized in that the formation and management. The method of claim 2, The communication path control interface module periodically checks a change in the received electric field strength in each access network through signal exchange with each network interface of the interface unit, and detects a change in link state of the connected network. Multi-mode terminal. delete delete delete In the communication path control method using a multi-mode terminal, (a) generating and transmitting an information service message to a usage network where the multi-mode terminal and the Internet protocol packet service are in progress; (b) receiving a response result corresponding to the information service message from a using network that has received the information service message; (c) checking a radio link state by scanning a corresponding network interface provided by the multi-mode terminal based on the network interface information obtained through the received response result; And (d) executing a communication control interface path selection algorithm based on the result of the received radio link state, selecting a network capable of communication services from a plurality of access networks, and requesting a link connection to perform a handover; Communication path control method comprising a. The method of claim 9, If the link connection with the selected access network is completed in the step (d), further comprising the step of releasing the link that was connected to the use network. The method of claim 9, When the information service entity of the using network receives the information service message, the information service entity retrieves a neighbor network information map from an interworking information service server and transmits the information service result to the multi-mode terminal. Way.

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