MX2007002900A

MX2007002900A - Wireless communication methods and components for facilitating multiple network type compatibility.

Info

Publication number: MX2007002900A
Application number: MX2007002900A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Marian Rudolf; Shamim Akbar Rahman; Maged Zaki; Kamel M Shaheen; Juan Carlos Zuniga; Alan Gerald Carlton
Original assignee: Interdigital Tech Corp
Priority date: 2004-09-10
Filing date: 2005-09-09
Publication date: 2007-05-08

Abstract

This invention relates to wireless local area networks (WLANs), and the interoperabilityof networks of different types or conforming to different standards, and to methodsand apparatus to allow a multimode wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU), whichis able to operate in more than one type of network, to handover from one networktype to another without adversely affecting service, utilizing a mechanismand information flows implemented in a new protocol stack.

Description

METHODS AND COMPONENTS FOR WIRELESS COMMUNICATION TO FACILITATE COMPATIBILITY OF TYPE OF MULTIPLE NETWORKS FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention refers to network communications, the interoperability of networks of different types or that comply with different standards, and methods and apparatus that facilitate the transfer of communications from one type of network to another without negatively affecting the service. . In particular, the invention relates to wireless transmission / reception units (WTRUs) that can operate in more than one type of network, where one of the networks is a wireless network such as a local area network (WLAN) that complies with one of the IEEE 802 family of standards or a cellular system that complies with the 3rd Association Project. Generation (3GPP) or related standards.

BACKGROUND Wireless communication systems are well known in the art. Generally, such systems comprise communication stations, which transmit and receive wireless communication signals between them. Depending on the type of system, the communication stations are usually one of two types of wireless devices: one type is the base station (BS), the other is the subscriber wireless transmission / reception unit (WTRU), which can be mobile The term base station, as used herein, includes, but is not limited to, a base station, access point (AP), Node B, site controller, or other interface device in a wireless environment that provides other WTRUs wireless access to a network with which the base station is associated. The term wireless transmission / reception unit (WTRU), as used herein, includes, but is not limited to, a user equipment, mobile station, fixed or mobile subscriber unit, pager, or any other type of device. able to operate in a wireless environment. Such WTRUs include personal communication devices, such as telephones, videophones and Internet telephones that have network connections. In addition, WTRUs include portable personal computing devices, such as PDAs and pocket computers with wireless modems that have similar network capabilities. Portable or relocated WTRUs are known as mobile units. Usually, a network of base stations is provided in which each base station is capable of carrying out concurrent wireless communications with appropriately configured WTRUs, as well as also multiple base stations configured appropriately. Some WTRUs can be configured alternatively to perform wireless communications directly between them, that is, without retransmitting through a network through a base station. This is commonly called wireless peer-to-peer communications. When a WTRU is configured to communicate directly with other WTRUs, it can itself also be configured and operate as a base station. WTRUs can be configured to be used in multiple networks, with both peer and network communications capabilities. A type of wireless system, called a wireless local area network (WLAN) can be configured to conduct wireless communications with WTRUs equipped with WLAN modems that can also conduct peer-to-peer communications with similarly equipped WTRUs. Currently, manufacturers are integrating WLAN modems with many traditional communication and computing devices. For example, cell phones, personal digital assistants and laptops are being manufactured with one or more WLAN modems. In the context of the wireless cellular phone, a widely used standard is known as the Global System for Mobile Telecommunications (GSM). It is considered as a standard of the Second Generation mobile radio system (2G) and was followed by its revision (2.5G). The General Packet Radiocommunication Service (GPRS) and the Enhanced Data Rate for GSM Global Evolution (EDGE) are examples of 2.5G technologies that offer relatively high speed data services over GSM (2G) networks. Each of these standards sought to improve upon the previous one with additional functions and improvements. In January 1998, the European Telecommunications Standards Institute - Mobile Special Group (ETSI SMG) agreed on a radio access scheme for Third Generation Radio Systems called the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS). In order to continue with the implementation of the UMTS standard, the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) was formed in December 1998. 3GPP continues to operate on a common third generation mobile radio standard. In addition to the 3GPP standards, 3GPP2 standards are being developed that use Mobile IP in a Central Network for mobility. Popular WLAN environments are being built with one or more WLAN base stations, usually called access points (APs), according to the IEEE 802 family of standards. Access to these networks usually requires user authentication procedures. Currently, protocols are being standardized for such systems in the area of WLAN technology, such as the protocol structure provided in the IEEE 802 family of standards. A basic service set (BSS) is the fundamental block of an IEEE 802.11 WLAN comprising WTRUs also known as stations (STAs). Basically, the set of STAs that can talk to each other can form a BSS. HE they interconnect multiple BSSs through an architectural component called distribution system (DS), to form an extended service set (ESS). An access point (AP) is a WTRU that provides access to the DS providing DS services, and generally allows access to the DS of multiple STAs at the same time. In AP-based WLAN, a WTRU must communicate wirelessly with a specific AP located in its vicinity. It is said that the WTRU is associated with this AP. Sometimes it is necessary or convenient for a WTRU to change the AP to which it is associated ("re-association"). For example, the WTRU may be experiencing bad signal conditions because it is traveling outside of the geographic area served by the AP with which it is originally associated (original AP): Bad signal conditions may also be caused by congestion originating in the set basic service (BSS) served by the original AP. A WTRU can use a WLAN to communicate over the Internet by establishing a communication session with an Internet server through the associated AP, and obtaining a unique IP address. Generally this type of communication requires the establishment of routing information that allows WTRU to send information to the Internet and receive information sent to its IP from the Internet. The maintenance of the communication session when the WTRU is re-attached to a new AP requires a mechanism to transfer the session to the new AP and update the routing information. A WTRU can also be configured to communicate with two or more different types of networks. That type of device is called multimodal WTRU. For example, a WTRU can be configured to communicate with three different networks such as an 802.11 network (WiFi), an 803.16 network (WiMAX) and a cell phone network. The multimodal WTRUs can be configured to operate independently in each type of network in which they are configured to operate. For example, in US Publication No. 20040248615 published December 9, 2004, owned by the assignee of the present invention, a multimodal WTRU is disclosed. In an independent multimodal implementation, the WTRU can perform one or more communications under different communication standards, but can only transfer a particular communication within the context of the same type of network. To provide additional functionality and versatility, it is convenient to provide a transfer mechanism that allows a multimodal WTRU to transfer a communication from one type of network station using one communication standard to another type of network station using a different communication standard.

THE INVENTION A method, system and components of communication that allows a WTRU to communicate with a base station (original BS) through a first communication standard, to transfer to another BS (destination BS) and communicate with it through a second communication standard, without loss of performance. The invention can be understood in more detail from the following description of a preferred embodiment, given by way of example, and which will be understood in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, where like elements are designated by similar numbers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING OR OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a general diagram of a system illustrating conventional wireless communication in a wireless local area network (WLAN). Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating the conventional WLAN transfer of a WTRU wireless communication from one access point (AP) to another in the same type of WLAN. Figure 3 is a general diagram of a system according to the present invention, illustrating the transfer of a wireless WTRU communication in a cellular network context and the Internet to a WLAN. Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating the interrelation of components of a WLAN and multimodal WTRU according to the present invention. Figure 5 is a diagram showing a WLAN network station configured to interact with the Internet, a cellular network and management functions. Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating the information flow in a transfer from a cellular network to a WLAN according to the present invention. Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating the information flow in a transfer from a WLAN to a cellular network according to the present invention. Figure 8 is a diagram showing another embodiment of a multimodal WTRU according to the present invention. Table of Acronyms DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED METHOD OR MODALITIES The terms base station (BS) and wireless transmission / reception unit (WTRU) are used as described previously. The present invention provides a wireless radio access environment using more than one network standard through which wireless network services are provided, which may include Internet access for WTRUs. The invention is particularly useful when used in conjunction with mobile multimodal WTRUs, as they travel through the respective geographic service coverage areas provided by the respective base stations. However, the benefits of the invention can be realized by WTRUs that are fixed during a particular communication since any type of degradation of the quality of service (QoS) of that communication can be addressed by transfer to a different type of network with which the WTRU is configured to operate that can provide better QoS for that communication. The WTRUs preferably have integrated or installed wireless devices, such as cellular devices and / or which comply with IEEE 802 standards, in order to communicate, but may also have directly wired communication capabilities that are used for transfer options when they are connected. The term "frame", as used herein, includes, but is not limited to, a packet, block, frame or cell. A frame is a group of data organized in a specific way for transmission from one device to another. The main elements that usually comprise a frame are the header, which include the control information such as information about synchronization, origin, destination and length; the payload, which includes the data that is being transmitted; and what is left in the queue, including end of package, error detection mechanisms and correction. The term "protocol", as used herein, defines the rules and procedures relating to frame format and signal synchronization, with which the devices communicate with each other. A protocol stack is a family or set of related protocols designed to work together. Referring to Figure 1, a wireless communication environment in which WTRUs lead is illustrated. wireless communications through a network station, in this case an AP or a WLAN. The AP connects to another network infrastructure of the WLAN such as an Access Controller (AC). The AP is shown conducting communications with five WTRUs. Communications are coordinated and synchronized through the AP. Such configuration is also called basic service set (BSS) in WLAN contexts. Referring to Figure 2, a WLAN with two APs, indicated as original and destination, is illustrated. A WTRU that conducts wireless communications through the original AP is displayed. The WTRU is arranged in an area served by the original AP and the destination AP, so that it is possible for the WTRU to "transfer" its communication from the original AP to the target AP if the WTRU travels to the target AP and out of range of the original AP or for other reasons. This type of intra-network transfer is conventionally contemplated by standards developed for a variety of types of network systems. However, transfer between networks of a communication between different types of networks is generally problematic. The current mobility between technologies is based on application software / Layer 3 solutions, particularly for Mobile IP. However, the transfer is relatively slow and prone to losing data. As set forth in detail below, the present invention provides a new layer of activation processing, Layer 2.5, dedicated to the communication between networks, which is directly coupled with the lower physical layers and Medium Access Control (Ll and L2) and designed to accelerate the process by activating, etc., the upper layers for mobility between technologies. With reference to Figure 3, a Multi-modal WTRU capable of communicating through a plurality of network types. The WTRU is displayed in motion from an area served by a cellular base station (BS) to an area served by an access point (AP) WLAN. A communication transfer between networks is carried out by terminating a previous connection with the BS and establishing a new connection with the AP. Two different paths are shown to continue communication of the WTRU on the network side. A path illustrates a communication, such as a voice or other data conducted through a Central Network of a cellular system, such as a 3GPP system. The other path illustrates a data communication over the Internet, which could be voice over IP or any other data. In this case, the Internet session of the WTRU is preferably maintained as a Local Mobile IP Agent in the cellular Controller where the IP packets destined to the WTRU are sent to a Foreign Agent of the Associated Mobile IP in the access controller (AC ) to network through mobile IP tunneling, and the AC then sends them to the WTRU through the new connection established with the AP.

According to the present invention, the services related to the transfer of communications between networks are implemented in different nodes through the implementation of a new protocol layer called Layer 2.5 (L2.5) in at least WLAN protocol components. Preferably, the Access Controller is configured to implement the L2.5 protocol to handle services related to mobility on the network side and the multimodal WTRU is configured to implement the L2.5 protocol to handle services related to the mobility of the network. user side and to communicate with L2.5 of the AC of the network. Optionally, the Access Point is configured to implement the L2.5 protocol to communicate information of the lower layer from the WTRU to the AC Access Controller or the implementation is divided between the AP and the AC. Alternatively, the functionality thus described with respect to the new protocol layer (L2.5) can be implemented in different ways such as a management plane outside the normal layers, or in some other way. Referring to Figure 4, a transfer and services architecture for a preferred implementation of the L2.5 protocol in a multimodal WTRU and a compatible WLAN network component (AP / AC WLAN) are shown. The WTRU is configured with a transceiver that implements communication protocols for WLAN communications through "n" stack components. Each component of a stack includes the implementation of a WLAN physical layer (Ll) and a WLAN MAC layer (L2) that interconnects with a Logical Link Control (LLC) and a Layer 2.5 component. The component of the WLAN network is configured with a transceiver that implements communication protocols for WLAN communications through "n" stack components. Each stack component includes the implementation of a WLAN physical layer (Ll) and a WLAN MAC layer (L2) that interconnects with a Logical Link Control (LLC) and a Layer 2.5 component. Transfer between any of "n" different types of networks is possible, with each type of network having its own separate MAC and PHY layers. The implementation of Layer 2.5 provides a decision component to work between networks configured to identify different networks available to implement wireless communications based on received signals of different types and implement a change in the selection of the type of communication signals used for a WTRU communication . Preferably, three types of services are provided that support transfers between different types of networks, namely: indication services, advertising and network discovery services and mobility services. The Indication Services serve as the abstraction layer between the lower layers of physical (PHY) and medium access control (MAC) (Ll and L2, respectively) that depend on the technology, and layers conventional top-ups such as Mobile IP (L3). Preferably, the L2.5 Indication Services implement functions that include: • configuring the triggers for the mobility service L2.5, that is, making a transfer decision based on the activators of Ll and L2 (for example, uplink , downlink, etc.). • configure the triggers for L3 (for example, Mobile IP) and higher layers such as Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), to be sent on the L3 signaling and application signaling interfaces, and • configure the triggers for Ll and L2, sent in MAC and PHY interfaces. The triggers sent to the upper layers can simply be indications about the conditions of the wireless medium, or they can provide smarter indications to higher layers, such as giving specific instructions (for example, switching from link 1 to link 2). This assumes that network discovery and mobility services can make their own transfer decisions and inform higher layers about the change. The Advertising and Discovery Services in the Network preferably include the discovery management and selection of networks. A list of neighboring networks is preferably maintained together with the capabilities of each network (eg, QoS, link conditions). This information can be sent by multimodal WTRUs to a WLAN through signaling by L2.5, or it can be shared through Operations, Administration and Maintenance (OA &M) functions. Network discovery services preferably interact with mobility services to transport the necessary information to mobility services in order to make appropriate transfer decisions. Mobility services are preferably inter-802 mobility services, cellular mobility services-WLAN or both. However, any type of network-WLAN mobility services can be provided to facilitate transfer to or from a WLAN and any other type of wired or wireless network with which a particular multimodal WTRU is configured to communicate. The Inter-802 L2.5 Mobility Services preferably include the transfer of a management WTRU from an 802. xx network to an 802. yy network using different communication standards, where 802. xx and 802. yy are different standards within the family of IEEE 802 standards. Mobility services within L2.5 are preferably implemented to communicate through a management interface. The management interface is preferably configured to use the Access Point Interconnection Protocol (IAPP), Control and Provision of Wireless Access Points (CAPWAP) or other similar protocol. Mobility services are preferably responsible for the transfer in context of security, pre-authentication and other validation functions for the transfer between networks with respect to the type of networks to which the particular mobility service component should serve according to their configuration . In particular, IAPP and CAPWAP are used for mobility within an IEEE 802.11 network. In this way, mobility L2.5 is not limited to inter-technology (for example, WLAN to cellular) but also applies to IP subnet mobility that can be in the same technology or between technologies. Mobility services are configured to make transfer decisions for communication from one type of network to another. Preferably, the mobility services component is configured to base those decisions on desired levels of QoS and / or communication link conditions, including, for example, changes in link condition and early termination of link, user preferences or other factors. For example, when a communication can be continued through either of two networks with a desired QoS, a decision can be made as to the transfer based on factors such as cost of the service, relative network congestion or any other parameter that is desired. Preferably the mobility services are agnostic in technology, that is, they are configured to be independent of the physical requirements of the particular network to which the configured components Ll and L2 are directed for communication through such network. Preferably, the Cellular-WLAN Mobility Services include Cellular-WLAN transfer management. Depending on the type of connection between cellular and WLAN, these services preferably cover 802. xx technology details of the cellular network. Such mobility services are preferably configured with an interface equal or similar to the conventional lub or Iur interfaces in connectivity and functionality. Neighbor cellular lists can be shared through the OA &M functions implemented in such mobility services. Preferably, security and mobility management is implemented in a Wireless LAN Access Gateway. Referring to Figure 5, an exemplary configuration for a WLAN network station is shown. The network station is preferably configured to communicate with other APs and ACs through an inter-access protocol, such as IAPP, CAPWAP or similar protocol. The station is illustrated with IAPP + interfaces (IAPP with extensions) and CAPWAP + (CAPWAP) with extensions) to communicate with APs and ACs of another WLAN. With that configuration, neighboring lists can be obtained in a variety of ways. For example, IAPP + can send neighboring lists to L2.5 that L2.5 sends to stations. Alternatively, the WTRUs can report neighboring lists to L2.5 that L2.5 sends to other nodes through IAPP +. An OA &M agent is preferably provided to store neighboring lists. With this configuration, L2.5 can make the transfer decision and then execute it through IAPP +, CAPWAP + or any similar protocol. Figure 6 illustrates a WLAN cellular transfer for a multimodal WTRU made in accordance with the teachings of the invention. The WTRU is configured with a transceiver that implements communication protocols for both cellular network communications through cellular stack components, and WLAN communications through stack components 802. xx. Cellular stack components include the implementation of protocols for a cellular physical layer (Ll), a cellular MAC layer (L2), a cellular radio link control (RLC) layer, and a Radio Resource Control (RRC) ) cell phone. The stack components 802. xx include the implementation of L2.5 as described previously, a WLAN physical layer (Ll), a WLAN MAC layer (L2) and a WLAN Logical Link Control (LLC). An interface component b that connects the RRC component of the cell stack and the L2.5 component of the 802. xx stack provides the signaling L2.5 between the respective stacks of protocol with signaling that is transported to the respective networks through the formatting of the respective MAC and physical layer and the wireless signaling by air between the WTRU and the respective networks. RRC is the Radio Resource Control Function of the 3GPP specification, a typical cellular protocol architecture function. Other equivalent functions may also be used, including, but not limited to, GSM RR. An initial state is an active communication connection between the multimodal WTRU and a cellular network through the components of the cellular stack. In this state the paths labeled 1 and 2 show two alternative routes that the Layer 2.5 activators can carry to a component of the Cell Transfer Policy Function-802 that resides in the Cellular Network. In the signaling of path 1, a connection is made to the WLAN through the components of the stack 802. xx. The WTRU sends information from the Layer 2.5 trigger (for example, measurements) to the WLAN network, where it is propagated to the cellular network / transfer policy function via IP or some other common transport mechanism between the two networks. Upon receiving information from the Layer 2.5 trigger, the cellular network / transfer policy function can use this information as part of a transfer decision procedure, then invoking the transfer which results in the disconnection of the communication connection active (indicated by an x), whose communication is then carried through a WTRU / WLAN connection (not shown). Path 1 signaling can be implemented in a Simultaneous Radio Mode operation, where the Layer 2.5 function autonomously sends information from the Layer 2.5 trigger to the WLAN network. In the case of a Non-Simultaneous Radio Mode operation, the cell stack is preferably configured to periodically request Layer 2.5 from stack 802. xx to send trigger information to be sent to the cellular network through path 1. In this case, the periodic order is sent through the interface b between the RRC and the L2.5 components. Path 2 signaling can be implemented in a Simultaneous Radio Mode operation, where the Layer 2.5 function autonomously sends Layer 2.5 trigger information to the cell side of the stack through an application programming interface (API) on the b interface between the RRC and Layer 2.5 components of the respective batteries. The API is a standard set of software interrupts, calls and data formats that Layer 2.5 uses to initiate contact with cellular network services. The information from Layer 2.5 is then propagated to the cellular network through the RRC signaling protocol. In non-simultaneous radio mode operation, the cellular battery may periodically request information from the Layer 2.5 trigger for sent to the cellular network through path 2. This is shown in Figure 6, where the periodic request is sent through the interface b between the RRC and Layer 2.5. The information from Layer 2.5 can be propagated in a variety of ways along path 2. For example, information from Layer 2.5 can be propagated with full encapsulation within a CRR signaling message. Alternatively, the Layer 2.5 information may be propagated as partial encapsulation within an RRC signaling message. Optionally, Layer 2.5 information may be interconnected to a new RRC message or to a previous RRC message. As with the signaling of path 1, upon receipt of activator information from Layer 2.5 in the Cellular Network / Transfer Policy function through the signaling of path 2, the system can then use this information as part of a process of transfer decision and then invoke the transfer. Figure 7 illustrates the case in which the multimodal WTRU of Figure 6 has an initial active communication with a WLAN that is then transferred to a cellular network. In this case, the communication is controlled by the 802 Transfer Policy Function of the WLAN. The paths labeled 3 and 4 show two alternative routes that Layer 2.5 triggers can take towards the Transfer Policy Function component 802 that resides in the WLAN In the signaling of L2.5 on the path 3, the L2.5 component of the stack 802. xx communicates with the transfer policy function 802 of the WLAN over the active link. In signaling path 4, a connection is made to the cellular network through the cell stack components. The WTRU sends information about the Layer 2.5 activator to the cellular network, where it propagates to the WLAN and its 802 transfer policy function via IP or some other common transport mechanism between two networks. Upon receiving Layer 2.5 activator information, the Transfer Policy Function 802 can use this information as part of a transfer decision process, and then invoke a transfer, which results in the disconnection of the communication connection. active (indicated by an x), such communication is then performed through a Cellular / WTRU connection (not shown). In a Simultaneous Radio Mode Operation, the RRC component can be configured to autonomously send background information related to the RRC transfer through the b interface to the L2.5 component of the 802. xx stack that retransmits it. to the WLAN through path 3 where it can be propagated to the cellular network for use in establishing the Cell / WTRU transfer connection. Alternatively, the RRC component can be configured to autonomously send information related to the transfer of the background RRC through path 4 to the cellular network, indicating that layer 2.5 of WLAN 802. xx is currently operating the transfer of a communication. In the case of a decision or transfer condition determined in the WTRU, the L2.5 component of the 802. xx stack of the WTRU preferably signals this event to the Transfer Policy Function 802. The Transfer Policy Function 802 takes then preferably a final decision regarding the invocation of a transfer to the cellular network. If the decision is implemented, Layer 2.5 of the WLAN sends a signal to the cellular network. After the transfer to the cellular network, the subsequent transfer actions are preferably determined by the Cell Transfer Policy 802 Function as discussed in connection with Figure 6. Figure 8 illustrates an example of a WTRU configured to operate in four different environments of wireless network communication, namely: GSM, 3GPP, IEEE 802.11 and IEEE 802.16. The WTRU of Figure 8 includes a transceiver 50 configured to implement wireless signaling in each of the four networks. The transceiver 50 includes a GSM stack component configured to implement the protocols for a GSM (Ll) physical layer, a GSM (L2) MAC layer, a GSM cellular radio link control (RLC) layer, and a GSM RR. The transceiver 50 includes a 3GPP stack component configured to implement the protocols for a 3GPP (Ll) physical layer, a 3GPP MAC layer (L2), a 3GPP cellular radio link control (RLC) layer, and a 3GPP RRC. The transceiver 50 includes a WLAN stack component 802.11 configured to implement the protocols for a WLAN 802.11 physical layer (Ll), a WLAN layer 802.11 (L2), and an 802.11 WLAN LLC. The transceiver 50 includes a WLAN stack component 802.16 configured to implement the protocols for a WLAN physical layer 802.16 (Ll), a WLAN layer 802.16 (L2), and a WLAN LLC 802.16. An interface component b 'configured to facilitate the signaling of L2.5 between the four components of the stack is provided. Instead of incorporating an L2.5 component in one of the WLAN component stacks, an L2.5 component is implemented within the interface b '. The transfer of triggers generated with respect to an active communication protocol stack is done within the L2.5 component so that the triggers can be understood by a different network that is a candidate for the transfer of the active communication to allow the transfer from any of the networks with which the WTRU can communicate to any other. Figure 8 illustrates an example of the signaling where the transfer of an active communication from the 802.11 WLAN to the GSM cellular network is performed. In this case, the Communication is controlled by Transfer Policy 802 Function of WLAN 802.11. The paths labeled 5 and 6 show two alternative routes that the Activators of Layer 2.5 can take to the component of the Transfer Policy Function 802 that resides in the WLAN 802.11. In the signaling of L2.5 on the path 5, the L2.5 component through the stack 802.11 communicates with the transfer policy function 802 of the WLAN over the active link. In the signaling of the path 6, a connection is made to the GSM cellular network through the components of the GSM cell stack. The WTRU 50 sends information about the Layer 2.5 trigger to the cellular network, where it propagates to the 802.11 WLAN and its 802 transfer policy function over IP or some other common transport mechanism between the two networks. Upon receiving information from the Layer 2.5 trigger, the transfer policy function 802 uses this information as part of a transfer decision process, and then invokes a transfer that results in disconnection of the communication connection from the WLAN 802.11 (indicated with an x), communication that is then developed through a GSM / WTRU cellular connection (not shown). As indicated in the imaginary, the WTRU of Fig. 8 may also include a W component of wire signal processing. The W component of wire signal processing it is preferably configured to implement the protocols of another type of network to process network communication signals received by the WTRU through a wired connection and build network signals to communicate through the wired connection. In that case, the interface component b 'is configured to facilitate L2.5 signaling to the wired signal processing component as well as the components of the wireless stack to allow the transfer of a communication between a wired communication and Wireless When the WTRU has a wire signal processing unit, the invention is applicable even if the WTRU has a single wireless operation mode. While the functions and elements of the present invention are described in the preferred embodiments in particular combinations, each function or element can be used alone (without the other functions and elements of the preferred embodiments) or in various combinations, with or without other functions and elements of the present invention. Preferably, components L2.5 of Figures 6-8 are implemented in a single integrated circuit, such as a specific integrated circuit for applications (ASIC), with the interface component and one or more of the components that implement the protocol stacks of communication in respective network. However, the components can also be implemented in multiple separate integrated circuits.

The above description refers to network configurations and WTRUs specifas an example only and not as a limitation. Those skilled in the art will recognize other variations and modifications consistent with the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Wireless transmission / reception unit (WTRU) configured for use in a plurality of types of wireless networks, characterized in that it comprises: a transceiver configured to receive and transmit multiple types of selectively constructed wireless communication signals, each type of signal constructed according to a predefined signal construction it is used for communication in a type of the wireless networks with which the WTRU has been configured for its use; the transceiver includes: a plurality of components for signal processing, each configured to implement protocols of a different type of network to process communication signals of the respective type network received by the transceiver and selectively construct that respective type of network signals for transmission by the transceiver; an inter-network operation decision component configured to identify different networks available for the implementation of wireless communications based on the received signals of different types and implement a change in the selection of the type of communication signals used for a WTRU communication; and an interface component configured to communicate the signaling by the operation decision component between networks between the signal processing components so that a WTRU communication can continue while commutes from a wireless communication using a type of network signals to wireless communication using a different type of network signals. 2. WTRU according to claim 1, configured for use in both a cellular network and a wireless local area network (WLAN), characterized in that: the plurality of signal processing components includes: a component of cellular signal processing which processes cellular signals in a cellular physical layer, a cellular media access control (MAC) layer, a cellular radio link control (RLC) layer, and a cellular radio resource control (RRC) layer; and a wireless local area network (WLAN) signal processing component that processes WLAN signals in a WLAN physical layer, a WLAN MAC layer, and a WLAN logical link control (LLC) layer; and the decision component of operating between networks is configured to work between the processing of the cellular RRC layer of the cellular signal processing unit and the processing of the WLAN MAC layer of the WLAN signal processing unit. 3. WTRU according to claim 2, characterized in that the inter-network operation decision component is configured as an additional layer (Layer 2.5) within the WLAN signal processing component that provides indication services, advertising services and network discovery and mobility services for the transfer between networks and the interface component is configured to signal between the WLAN layer 2.5 and the RRC layer. 4. WTRU according to claim 3, characterized in that the operating decision component between Layer 2.5 networks is configured to implement Indication Services that configure activators to the mobility service of Layer L2.5 in order to make a decision of transfer based on activators of physical layers and MAC, configure the triggers to higher protocol layers to be sent in upper layer signaling interfaces, and configure the triggers to physical layers and MAC, sent in physical interfaces and MAC, the decision component of operation between networks of L2.5 is configured to implement advertising and network discovery services that manage the discovery and selection of networks by maintaining a neighboring list of networks together with each network capacity where such services are configured to interact with mobility services to bring information to mobile services To allow mobility services to make appropriate transfer decisions, and the operating decision component between Layer 2.5 networks is configured to implement mobility services for transfer and pre-authentication functions in the context of security for the transfer between networks with respect to the types of networks to communicate with which the WTRU has been configured and to make transfer decisions for communications from one type of network and another based on the desired QoS levels, link conditions of communication and / or user preferences such that the mobility services are configured independently of the physical network requirements to which the components of the physical layer and MAC are directed. 5. WTRU according to claim 1, characterized in that the inter-network operation decision component is configured as an additional layer (Layer 2.5) within the interface component that provides indication services, advertising services, and network discovery and services Mobility for inter-network transfer and the interface component is configured to signal between the WLAN layer 2.5 and the plurality of signal processing components. 6. WTRU according to claim 5, configured to use both cellular networks and wireless local area networks (WLANs) characterized in that: the plurality of signal processing components includes: a GSM cellular signal processing component that processes GSM cellular signals in a GSM cellular physical layer, a GSM cellular media access control (MAC) layer, a

GSM cellular radio link (RLC) control, and a GSM cellular radio resource (RRC) control layer; a 3GPP cellular signal processing component that processes 3GPP cellular signals in a 3GPP cellular physical layer, a 3GPP cellular media access control (MAC) layer, a 3GPP cellular radio link control (RLC) layer , and a 3GPP cellular radio resource (RRC) control layer; an 802.11 cellular signal processing component that processes wireless local area network (WLAN) 802.11 signals in a WLAN 802.11 physical layer, a WLAN 802.11 MAC layer and a WLAN 802.11 logical link control layer (LLC); and a cellular signal processing component 802.16 which processes wireless local area network (WLAN) signals 802.16 in a WLAN physical layer 802.16, a WLAN layer 802.16 and a logical link control layer (LLC) of WLAN 802.16; and the inter-network operation decision component is configured to interface between the WLAN and cellular signal processing components. 7. WTRU according to claim 6, characterized in that the operating decision component between Layer 2.5 networks is configured to implement Indication Services that configure activators to the Layer 2.5 mobility service to make a transfer decision based on triggers. of physical layers and MAC, configure the triggers to high protocol layers to be sent in upper layer signaling interfaces and configure the triggers to physical layers and MAC, sent in physical layer and MAC interfaces, the layer-of-operation decision component of Layer 2.5 is configured to implement advertising and network discovery services that manage the discovery and selection of networks by maintaining a neighboring list of networks together with the capabilities of each network where such services are configured to interact with mobility services to bring information to mobility services to allow mobility services to make decisions appropriate transfer, and the operating decision component between Layer 2.5 networks is configured to implement mobility services for transfer and pre-authentication functions in a security context for inter-network transfer with respect to the types of networks for which the WTRU is configured in order to communicate and take r transfer decisions for a communication between one type of network to another based on the desired QoS levels, communication link conditions and / or user preferences such that mobility services are configured independently of the physical network requirements to those that address the components of the physical layer and MAC. 8. Wireless transmission / reception unit (WTRU) configured for use in a plurality of network types, characterized in that it comprises: a transceiver configured to selectively receive and transmit wireless communication signals constructed for communication in at least one type of wireless network for whose use the WTRU is configured; the transceiver includes a first wireless signal processing component configured to implement the protocols of a first type of wireless network to process network communication signals of a first type received by the transceiver and selectively build a first type of network signals to be transmitted by the transceiver; a second signal processing component configured to implement the protocols of a second type of network to process a second type of network communication signals received by the WTRU and selectively build network signals of a second type to communicate through the second type of network; a decision component to operate between networks configured to identify different networks available for the implementation of communications based on the received signals of different types and implement a change in the selection of the type of communication signals used for a WTRU communication; and an interface component configured to communicate signaling by the operation decision component between networks between the first and second signal processing components so that a WTRU communication can continue while switching from a communication using a type of network signals to communication using a different type of network signals, where at least one of the networks is a wireless network. 9. WTRU according to claim 8, characterized in that the second signal processing component is configured to process network communication signals received by the WTRU through a wired connection. 10. A WTRU according to claim 8, characterized in that the transceiver includes: a plurality of components for signal processing, each configured to implement protocols of a different type of network to process communication signals of the network of type respective received by the transceiver and selectively constructing that respective type of network signals for transmission by the transceiver; and the operation decision component between networks. 11. WTRU according to claim 10, configured for use in both a cellular network and a wireless local area network (WLAN), characterized in that the plurality of signal processing components includes: a cellular signal processing component that processes cellular signals in a cellular physical layer, a cellular media access control (MAC) layer, a cellular radio link control (RLC) layer, and a cellular radio resource control (RRC) layer; and a component of wireless local area network (WLAN) signal processing that processes WLAN signals in a physical WLAN layer, a WLAN MAC layer, and a logical link control (LLC) WLAN layer. 12. WTRU according to claim 11, characterized in that the second signal processing component is configured to process network communication signals received by the WTRU through a wired connection. 13. WTRU according to claim 11, characterized in that the inter-network operation decision component is configured as an additional layer (Layer 2.5) within the WLAN signal processing component that provides indication services, advertising services and discovery of network and mobility services for transfer between networks and the interface component is configured to signal between the WLAN layer 2.5 and the RRC layer. 14. WTRU according to claim 13, characterized in that the operating decision component between Layer 2.5 networks is configured to implement Indication Services that configure activators to the Layer 2.5 mobility service to make a transfer decision based on activators. of physical layers and MAC, configure the triggers to high protocol layers to be sent in upper layer signaling interfaces and configure the triggers to physical and MAC layers, sent in physical layer and MAC interfaces, the Layer 2.5 network operation decision component is configured to implement publicity and network discovery services that manage network discovery and selection by maintaining a neighbor list of networks along with the capabilities of each network where such services are configured to interact with mobility services to bring information to mobility services to allow mobility services to make appropriate transfer decisions, and the operating decision component between Layer 2.5 networks is configured to implement mobility services for transfer and pre-authentication functions in security context for the transfer between networks with respect to the types of networks for which the WTRU is configured in order to communicate and make transfer decisions for a communication between a network type to another based on QoS levels desired, communication link conditions and / or user preferences such that mobility services are configured independently of the physical network requirements to which the components of the physical layer and MAC are directed. 15. WTRU according to claim 11, characterized in that the inter-network operation decision component is configured as an additional layer (Layer 2.5) within the interface component that provides services of indication, advertising and network discovery services and mobility services for the transfer between networks and the interface component is configured to signal between the WLAN layer 2.5 and the signal processing components. 16. WTRU according to claim 15, characterized in that the second signal processing component is configured to process network communication signals received by the WTRU through a wired connection. 17. The WTRU according to claim 15, configured to use both cellular networks and wireless local area networks (WLANs), characterized in that: the plurality of signal processing components includes: a GSM cellular signal processing component; processes GSM cellular signals in a GSM cellular physical layer, a GSM cellular media access control (MAC) layer, a GSM cellular radio link control (RLC) layer, and a radio resource control layer (RRC) ) GSM cellular; a 3GPP cellular signal processing component that processes 3GPP cellular signals in a 3GPP cellular physical layer, a 3GPP cellular media access control (MAC) layer, a 3GPP cellular radio link control (RLC) layer , and a 3GPP cellular radio resource (RRC) control layer; an 802.11 wireless local area network (WLAN) signal processing component that processes WLAN 802.11 signals in a WLAN 802.11 physical layer, a WLAN 802.11 MAC layer and a logical link control layer (LLC) of WLAN 802.11; and a wireless local area network (WLAN) signal processing component 802.16 which processes WLAN signals 802.16 in a physical layer WLAN 802.16, a WLAN MAC layer 802.16 and a logical link control layer (LLC) of WLAN 802.16; and the inter-network operation decision component is configured to interface between the WLAN and cellular signal processing components. 18. WTRU according to claim 17, characterized in that the operating decision component between Layer 2.5 networks is configured to implement Indication Services that configure activators to the mobility service of L2.5 to make a transfer decision based on Activators of physical layers and MAC, configure the triggers to high protocol layers to be sent in upper layer signaling interfaces and configure the triggers to physical layers and MAC, sent in interfaces of physical layer and MAC, the operating decision component between Layer 2.5 networks are configured to implement publicity and network discovery services that manage the discovery and selection of networks by maintaining a neighboring list of networks along with the capabilities of each network where such services are configured to interact with mobility services for take the information to the mobility services to allow that the services of mobility take appropriate transfer decisions, and the operating decision component between Layer 2.5 networks is configured to implement mobility services for transfer and pre-authentication functions in a security context for inter-network transfer with respect to the types of networks for which the WTRU is configured in order to communicate and make transfer decisions for communication from one network type to another based on the desired QoS levels, communication link conditions and / or user preferences such that the Mobility services are configured independently of the physical network requirements to which the components of the physical layer and MAC are directed. 19. Wireless local area network (WLAN) station for communication with multimodal wireless transmission / reception units (WTRUs) configured for use in the WLAN and at least one other type of networks, the WLAN network station characterized in that it comprises: a transceiver configured to receive and transmit WLAN wireless communication signals to communicate with multimodal WTRUs; the transceiver including a wireless signal processing component configured to implement the protocols of a first type of wireless network to process network communication signals of a first type received by the transceiver and selectively build network signals of a first type for transmission by the transceiver; and an inter-network operation decision component configured to identify different networks available to implement communications based on received signals of different types and to implement a change in the selection of the type of communication signals used for a WTRU communication. 20. WLAN network station according to claim 19, characterized in that the wireless signal processing component is configured to process WLAN signals in a physical WLAN layer, a WLAN MAC layer, and a logical link control layer (LLC). WLAN; and the inter-network operation decision component is configured as an additional layer (Layer 2.5) within the WLAN signal processing component that provides indication services, advertising and network discovery services and mobility services for inter-network transfer. 21. WLAN network station according to claim 20, characterized in that the operating decision component between Layer 2.5 networks is configured to implement Indication Services that configure activators to the Layer 2.5 mobility service to make a transfer decision with based on activators of physical layers and MAC, configure the triggers to high protocol layers to be sent in upper layer signaling interfaces and configure the triggers to physical layers and MAC, sent in physical layer and MAC interfaces, the Layer 2.5 network operation decision component is configured to implement publicity and network discovery services that manage the discovery and selection of networks by maintaining a neighbor list of networks along with the capabilities from each network where such services are configured to interact with mobility services to bring information to mobility services to allow mobility services to make appropriate transfer decisions, and the operation decision component between Layer
2.5 networks is configured to implement mobility services for transfer and pre-authentication functions in a security context for the transfer between networks with respect to the types of networks for which the WTRU is configured in order to communicate and make transfer decisions for a communication between one type of network and another based on the desired QoS levels, communication link conditions and / or user preferences such that mobility services are configured independently of the physical network requirements to which the physical layer and MAC components are directed.