MXPA98003047A - Operation of mobile stations of wireless communication systems in multiple modes, through exte control - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and device for supporting a plurality of mobile station operating modes in a wireless communication system by user control. Currently, there are communication protocols to support the end user's equipment that works in a single mode of operation. However, it is desirable to combine protocols of various technologies to form the end-user equipment that operates in multiple modes of operation. In this way, the present method allows the mobile station to operate in a multi-mode environment where a user can invoke a certain mode.

Description

"OPERATION OF MOBILE STATIONS OF WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS IN MULTIPLE MODES, THROUGH EXTERNAL CONTROL" BACKGROUND Applicants' invention relates to electrical telecommunication, and more particularly, to wireless communication systems such as cellular and satellite radio systems, for different modes of operation (analog, digital, dual mode, etc.), and access techniques such as frequency division multiple access (FDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), code division multiple access (CDMA), and hybrid FDMA / TDMA / CDMA. The specific aspects of the invention are directed to techniques for improving the procedures for receiving and transmitting information. A description follows that is directed to environments in which this invention can be applied. This general description is intended to provide an overview of the known systems and the associated terminology so that a better understanding of the invention can be obtained.

In North America, digital communication and multiple access techniques such as TDMA are currently provided by a digital cellular radio telephone system called the advanced digital mobile phone service (D-AMPS), some of the features of which are specified in the interim standard TIA / EIA / IS-54-B. The "Dual-Compatibility Mobile Station Compatibility Standard for Base Station", published by the Association of Telecommunications Industry and Electronic Industries Association (TIA / EIA). The TIA / EIA / IS-54-B standard is incorporated in this application by reference. Because a large existing consumer equipment base operates only in the analog domain with frequency division multiple access (FDMA), TIA / EIA / IS-54-B is a dual mode (analogue and digital) standard, providing analog compatibility together with digital communication capability. For example, the TIA / EIA / IS-54-B standard provides both analog voice channels of FDMA (AVC) and digital traffic channels of TDMA (DTC). The AVC and DTC are implemented by radio frequency modulation carrier signals, which have frequencies of about 800 megahertz (MHz) in such a way that each radio channel has a spectral width of 30 ilohertz (KHz).

In the TDMA cellular radiotelephone system, each radio channel is divided into a series of time slots, each of which contains a burst of information from a data source, e.g., a digitally coded portion of a voice conversation. The time slots are grouped into successive TDMA frames that have a predetermined duration. The number of time slots of each TDMA frame is related to the number of different users that can simultaneously share the radio channel. If each slot in a TDMA box is assigned to a different user, the duration of a TDMA box is the minimum amount of time between the successive time slots assigned to the same user. The successive time intervals assigned to the same user, which are usually not consecutive time intervals in the radio bearer, constitute the digital traffic channel of the user, which can be considered a logical channel assigned to the user. As described in more detail below, the digital control channels (DCC) can also be provided to communicate the control signals, and this DCC is a logical channel formed by a succession of time intervals usually not consecutive in the radio bearer.

If only one of the many possible modalities of a TDMA system is as described above, the TIA / EIA / IS-54-B standard as long as each TDMA frame consists of six consecutive time intervals, and have a duration of 40 milliseconds (msec). Therefore, each radio channel can carry from three to six DTCs (eg., from three to six telephone conversations), depending on the encoder source schemes / speech decoders (codees) used to digitally code the conversation. These speech codes can work either full-time or half-time. A full-regime DTC requires twice as many time intervals in a given period of time as the mid-range DTC, and in TIA / EIA / IS-54-B, each full-regime DTC uses two intervals of each frame TDM, that is, the first and fourth, the second and the fifth or the third and sixth of a TDMA table of six intervals. Each half-interval DTC uses a time interval of each TDMA frame. During each DTC time slot, 324 bits are transmitted, of which the predominant portion, 260 bits, is due to the codec speech output, including bits due to error correction coding of the speech output, and Remaining bits are used for protection times and send signals for purposes such as synchronization. It could be seen that the cellular system of TDMA operates in a buffer and burst mode, or discontinuous transmission: each mobile station transmits (and receives) only during its assigned time intervals. At a full rate, for example, a mobile station could transmit during interval 1, receive during interval 2, be inactive during interval 3, transmit during interval 4, receive during interval 5 and be inactive during interval 6 and Then repeat the cycle during the successive TDMA frames. Therefore, the mobile station can be battery powered, it can be disconnected or put to sleep to save energy during the time intervals when it is neither transmitting nor receiving. In addition to the voice and traffic channels, the cellular radio communication systems also provide radiolocation / access channels, or control to carry established messages per call between the base stations and the mobile stations. According to TIA / EIA / IS-54-B, for example, there are twenty one dedicated analog control channels (ACC), which have predetermined fixed frequencies for transmission and reception placed close to 800 MHz. Since these ACCs are always at the same frequencies can be easily located and monitored by mobile stations. For example, when in an inactivated state (ie, connected but not making or receiving a call), a mobile station in a TIA / EIA / IS-54-B system is tuned to and then regularly monitors the control channel more intense (generally, the control channel of the cell where the mobile station is placed at that moment) and can receive or initiate a call through the corresponding base station. When moving between the cells while in the inactive state, the mobile station will eventually "lose" the radio connection in the control channel of the "old" cell and will be tuned to the control channel of the "new" cell . The initial tuning and the subsequent re-tuning to control the channels both are achieved automatically by scanning all available control channels at their own frequencies to find the "best" control channel. When a control channel with good reception quality is found, the mobile station remains tuned to this channel until the quality deteriorates again. In this way, the mobile stations remain "in contact" with the system.

While in the inactive state, a mobile station must monitor the control channel to radiolocate messages directed to it. For example, when a regular (land) telephone subscriber calls a mobile subscriber, the call is routed from a public switched telephone network (PSTN) to a mobile switching center (MSC) that analyzes the dialed number. If the desired number is validated, the MSC requests that some or all of the number of the radio base station radiolocate the called mobile station to transmit through its respective control channels the radiolocation messages containing the mobile identification number ( MIN) of the mobile station called. Each inactive mobile station that receives a radiolocation message compares the received MIN with the stored MIN itself. The mobile station with the matching stored MIN transmits a radiolocation response through the specific control channel to the base station, which sends the radiolocation response to the MSC. Upon receiving the radiolocation response, the MSC selects an available AVC or DTC to the base station that received the radiolocation response, connects to a corresponding radio transceiver at that base station and causes the base station to send a message through the control channel to the base station. mobile station that instructs the mobile station to tune to the selected voice or traffic channel. A complete connection for the call establishes once the mobile station has tuned to the selected AVC or DTC. The performance of the ACC system that is specified by TIA / EIA / IS-54-B has been improved in a system that has digital control channels (DCCH) that is specified in TIA / EIA / IS-136, the exposure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Using these DCCHs, each TIA / EIA / IS-54-B radio channel can carry only DTC, only DCCH, or a mixture of both DTC and DCCH. Within the framework of TIA / EIA / IS-136-B, each radio carrier frequency can have up to three full-rate DTC / DCCH, or six half-rate DTC / DCCH or any combination thereof, for example DTC / DCCH of full diet and four of half diet. In general, however, the transmission regime of the DCC does not need to match the half-speed and full regime specified in TIA / EIA / IS-54-B, and the length of the DCC intervals may not be uniform and may do not match the length of the DTC intervals. The DCC can be defined in a radio channel of TIA / EIA / IS-54-B and can consist, for example, of each n-th interval in the stream of the consecutive TDMA intervals. In this case, the length of each DCC interval may or may not equal 6.67 milliseconds, which is the length of a DTC interval in accordance with TIA / EIA / IS-54-B. Alternatively, (and without limitation on other possible alternatives), these DCC ranges can be defined in other ways known to a person skilled in the art. In cell phone systems, an air link protocol is required in order to allow a mobile station to communicate with the base stations and the MSC. The communications link protocol is used to initiate and receive cell phone calls. As described in U.S. Patent Application Number 08 / 477,574 called "Layer 2 Protocol for the Random Access Channel and the Access Response Channel", which was filed on June 7, 1995 and which was incorporated in this application by reference, the communication link protocol is commonly referred to as within the communications industry as a Layer 2 protocol, and its functionality includes the delimitation, or framed, of the Layer 3 messages. Layer 3 messages may be sent between the peer entities of Layer 3 communication remaining within the mobile stations and the cellular switching systems. The physical layer (Layer 1) defines the parameters of the physical communication channel, e.g., radio frequency separation, modulation characteristics, etc. Layer 2 defines the techniques necessary for the exact transmission of information within the constraints of the physical channel, v.gr, correction and error detection, etc., Layer 3 defines the procedures for the reception and processing of transmitted information through the physical channel. Communications between the mobile stations and the cellular switching system (the base stations and the MSC) can generally be described with reference to Figures 1, 2 (a) and 2 (b). Figure 1 illustrates schematically pluralities of messages 11 of Layer 3, frames 13 of Layer 2, channel bursts of Layer 1, or time slots 15. In Figure 1, each group of channel bursts that For each message in Layer 3 may constitute a logical channel, as described above, channel bursts for a Layer 3 message would not usually be consecutive intervals in a TIA / EIA / 136 carrier. On the other hand, channel bursts could be consecutive; As soon as a time interval ends, the next time interval could begin.

Each channel burst 15 of Layer 1 contains a complete Layer 2 box as well as other information such as, for example, error correction information and other information used for Layer 1 operation. contains at least a portion of a Layer 3 message as well as information used for the operation of Layer 2. Even when not indicated in Figure 1, Layer 3 message layer includes different information elements that can be considered as the profitable message load, a header portion to identify the respective message type and possibly fill. Each burst of Layer 1 and each Layer 2 frame is divided into a plurality of different fields. In particular, a DATA field of limited length in each frame of Layer 2 contains message 11 of Layer 3. Since Layer 3 messages have varying lengths depending on the amount of information contained in the Layer message 3, a plurality of frames of Layer 2 may be required for transmission of a single Layer 3 message. As a result, a plurality of Layer 1 channel bursts may also be necessary to transmit the entire Layer 3 message since there is a coincidence of one with one between the bursts of the channel and the boxes of Layer 2.

As mentioned above, when more than one channel burst is required to send a Layer 3 message, the different bursts are usually consecutive bursts in the radio channel. Furthermore, the different bursts are not usually successive bursts dedicated to the specific logical channel used to carry the Layer 3 message. Since it takes time to receive, process and react each burst received, the bursts required for transmission of a message of Layer 3 are usually sent in a staggered format as illustrated schematically in Figure 2 (a) and as described above in relation to the TIA / EIA / IS-136 standard. Figure 2 (a) shows a general example of a forward (or downlink) DCC configured as a succession of time slots 1, 2, ..., N, ... included in the consecutive time slots 1, 2, ... sent on a carrier frequency. These DCC ranges can be defined in a radio channel such as that specified by TIA / EIA / IS-136, and may consist, as seen in Figure 2 (a) for example, of each n-th interval in a series of consecutive intervals. Each DCC interval has a duration that may or may not be 6.67 milliseconds which is the length of a DTC interval in accordance with the TIA / EIA / IS-136 standard. As shown in Figure 2 (a), the DCC intervals can be arranged in superframes (SF), and each superframe includes a number of logical channels that carry different kinds of information classes. One or more of the DCC intervals can be assigned to each logical channel in the superframe. The exemplary downlink superframe in Figure 2 (a) includes three logical channels: a broadcast control channel (BCCH) including six successive intervals for raised messages; a radiolocation channel (PCH) including an interval to radiolocate messages; and an access response channel (ARCH) including an interval for channel assignment and other messages. The remaining time intervals in the exemplary superframe of Figure 2 can be dedicated to other logical channels, such as the additional radiolocation PCH channels or other channels. Since the number of mobile stations is usually much greater than the number of slots in the superframe, each paging interval is used to radiolocate several mobile stations that share some unique features, eg, the last digit in the MIN.

Figure 2 (b) illustrates a preferred information format for the intervals of a Front DCCH. The invention transmitted in each range comprises a plurality of fields and Figure 2 (b) indicates the number of bits in each field above that field. The bits sent in the synchronization field (SYNC) are used in a conventional manner to help ensure accurate reception of the encoded superframe (CSFP) and DATA phase fields. The synchronization field (SYNC) includes a predetermined bit pattern pattern used by the base stations to find the beginning of the interval. Used in shared channel feedback (SCF) field to control a random access channel (RACH), which is used by the mobile station to request access to the system. The CSFP field transmits a value from the coded superframe phase that allows mobile stations to find the beginning of each superframe. This is just one example for the information format in the front DCCH ranges. For purposes of efficient sleep mode operation and fast cell selection, the BCCH can be divided into a number of sub-channels. A BCCH structure is known which allows the mobile station to read a minimum amount of information when it is connected (when it is linked in a DCCH) before being able to give access to the system (place or receive a call). After switching, an inactive mobile station needs to regularly monitor only its allocated PCH intervals (usually one in each superframe); the mobile station can rest during other intervals. The ratio of the time of the mobile station dedicated to reading the radiolocation messages and its time spent at rest is controllable and represents a change between the call set-up delay and the power consumption. Since each TDMA time slot has a certain fixed information bearer capability, each burst typically carries only a portion of a Layer 3 message as mentioned above. In the uplink direction, the multiple mobile stations try to communicate with the system on a containment basis, while the multiple mobile stations listen for the Layer 3 messages sent from the system in the downlink direction. In known systems, any given message from Layer 3 must be carried using as many TDMA channel bursts as required to send the entire Layer 3 message. Digital control and traffic channels are desirable due to reasons such as sustaining longer periods of rest for mobile units, which results in longer battery life. The digital traffic channels and the digital control channels have expanded the functionality to optimize the capacity of the system and support hierarchical cell structures, that is, structures of macrocells, microcells, picocells, etc. The term "macrocell" usually refers to a cell having a size comparable to the cell sizes in a conventional cellular telephone system, (e.g., a radius of at least about 1 kilometer), and terms "microcell" and "picocell" usually refer to progressively smaller cells. For example, a microcell could cover an indoor or outdoor public area, v. gr., a convention center or a busy street, and a picocell could cover an office corridor or a floor of a high-rise building. From a radio coverage perspective, macrocells, microcells and picocells may be different from one another or may overlap one another to handle traffic patterns of different radio environments. Figure 3 is an exemplary hierarchical or multilayer cellular system. A parasol macrocell 10 represented by a hexagonal shape constitutes an overlying cellular structure. Each umbrella cell may contain an underlying microcell structure. The umbrella cell 10 includes microcell 20 represented by an area enclosed within a dotted line and microcell 30 represented by the area enclosed within the dashed line corresponding to the areas along any of the streets of the city, and the 40, 50 and 60 picocells, which cover individual floors of a building. The intersection of two city streets covered by microcells 20 and 30 can be an area of dense traffic concentration and therefore could represent a hot zone. Figure 4 depicts a functional diagram of an exemplary cellular mobile radiotelephone system, including an exemplary base station 110 and mobile station 120. The base station includes a control and processing unit 130 which connects to the MSC 140 which it is connected to the PSTN (not shown). The general aspects of these cellular radiotelephone systems are known in the art, as described by Patent Number 5,175,867 granted to Wejke et al., Entitled "Neighbor-assisted Delivery in a Cellular Communication System", which are incorporated in this application by reference.

The base station 110 handles a plurality of voice channels through a voice channel transceiver 150 which is controlled by the control and processing unit 130. Also, each base station includes a control channel transceiver 160 that may be capable of handling more than one control channel. The control channel transceiver 160 is controlled by the control and processing unit 130. The control channel transceiver 160 broadcasts the control information through the control channel of the base station or cell to the mobile stations linked to that control channel. It will be understood that transceivers 150 and 160 can be implemented as a single device such as a voice and control transceiver 170, for use with DCCHs and DTCs share the same radio carrier frequency. The mobile station 120 receives the information broadcast on a control channel on its voice channel and control transceiver 170. Then, the processing unit 180 evaluates the received control channel information which includes the characteristics of the cells that are candidates for the mobile station to be linked and determines in which cell the mobile station is to be linked. Advantageously, the information of the received control channel not only includes absolute information related to the cell with which it is associated but also contains relative information related to other cells next to the cell with which the control channel is associated as described in FIG. U.S. Patent No. 5,353,332 issued to Raith et al., Entitled "Method and Apparatus for Control of Communication in a Radiotelephone System", which is incorporated in this application by reference. To increase the user's "talk time", i.e. the battery life of the mobile station, a digital front control channel (base station to mobile station) can be provided which can carry the types of messages specified for the users. current analogical forward control channels (FOCC), but in a format that allows an inactive mobile station to read the superior messages when it is linked in the FOCC and then only when the information has changed; the mobile station rests during all the other time. In this system, certain types of messages are broadcast by base stations more frequently than other types, and mobile stations do not need to read each broadcast message. The systems specified by the TIA / EIA / IS-54-B and TIA / EIA / IS-136 standards are circuit switched technology that is a "connection-oriented" type of communication that establishes a physical call connection and maintains that connection as long as the final communication systems have data to exchange. The direct connection of a circuit switch serves as an open pipeline, allowing end systems to use the circuit for what they deem appropriate. Even when circuit switched data communication may be appropriate for constant bandwidth application, it is relatively inefficient for low bandwidth and "burst" applications. Packet switched technology, which can be oriented by connection (eg, X.25) or "be free of connection" (eg, Internet Protocol, "IP"), does not require establishment and cancellation of a physical connection that is in remarkable contrast to circuit switched technology. This reduces the latency of the data and increases the efficiency of a channel to handle relatively short, bursty or interactive transactions. A packet-switched switched network distributes the routing functions to multiple routing sites, thus avoiding possible traffic jams that could occur when using a central switching plug. The data is "packaged" with the appropriate address of the final system and then transmitted in independent units along the data path. Intermediate systems, sometimes called "routers" stationed between the final communication systems, make decisions about the most appropriate route to acquire a base per package. Routing decisions are based on a number of features including: lowest cost route or metric cost; link capacity; number of packages awaiting transmission; security requirements for the link; and the current state of operation of the intermediate system (node). The transmission of the packet along a route that does not take into account the path metric, as opposed to a single established circuit, offers flexibility of application and communications. It is also the way in which most of the normal local area networks (LAN) and wide area networks (WAN) have developed in the social environment. Packet switching is appropriate for data communications because many of the applications and devices used, such as keyboard termials, are interactive and transmit the data in bursts. Instead of a channel being inactive while a user admits more data in a terminal or standby to think about a problem, the packet switching intersperses the multiple transmissions from several terminals to the channel.

The packet data provides more network robustness due to path independence and the ability of routers to select alternative paths in case of network node failure. The switching of the packet therefore allows the most efficient use of the lines of the network. The package technology offers the option to bill the end user based on the amount of data transmitted instead of the connection time. If the end-user application is designed to make efficient use of the air link, then the number of packets transmitted will be minimal. If each individual user's traffic is kept to a minimum, then the service provider has effectively increased the capacity of the network. Packet networks are usually designed and are based on data standards across the industry such as the open system interface model (OSI) and the TCP / IP prototype stack. These standards have been developed, either formally or de facto, for many years and the applications that use these protocols can usually be obtained easily. The main purpose of standards-based networks is to achieve interconnectivity with other networks. The Internet is currently the most obvious example of the search for the network based on standards of this kind.

Packet networks, like the Internet or social LAN, are integral parts of today's media and business environments. As the calculation of the mobile station becomes pervasive in these environments, wireless service providers such as those using TIA / EIA / IS-136 are better positioned to provide access to these networks. However, the data services provided by or proposed for cellular systems are generally based on circuit switched mode of operation, using a dedicated radio channel for each active mobile user. The following documents describe a few exceptions to data services for cellular systems based on circuit switched mode of operation, which include the concepts of packet data. The North American Patent Number 4,887,265, and "Package Switching in Digital Cellular Systems", Proc. 38th IEEE Vehicular Technology Conf., Pages 414 to 418 (June 1988) describe a cellular system that provides shared packet data radio channels each being capable of accommodating multiple data calls. A mobile station requesting packet data service is assigned to a specific packet data channel using essentially sending regular cellular signals. The system can include packet access points (PAPS) to interconnect with the packet data networks. Each packet data radio channel is connected to a specific PAP and is therefore capable of multiplexing the data calls associated with PAP. Deliveries are initiated by the system in a way that is greatly similar to the delivery used in the same system for voice calls. A new delivery type is added for those situations where the capacity of a packet channel is insufficient. These documents are all oriented in the data call and are based on delivery initiated by the system in a similar manner as for regular voice calls. Applying these principles to provide packet data services for general purposes in a cellular TDMA system would result in spectrum efficiency and performance disadvantages. U.S. Patent No. 4,916,691 discloses a new packet-mode radio-cellular structure and a new method for routing packets (voice and data) to a mobile station. The base stations, the public switches through the trunk interface units, and the cellular control unit are linked together through the WAN. The routing procedure is based on deliveries initiated by the mobile station and adding to the head of any packet transmitted from a mobile station (during a call) an identifier of the base station through which the packet passes. In case of a prolonged period of time between the subsequent user information packets from a mobile station, the mobile station can transmit extra control packets in order to transport the cell location information. The cellular control unit is mainly involved in a call setup, when a call control number is assigned to the call. It then notifies the mobile station of the call control number and the trunk control number unit of the call control number and the identifier of the initial base station. During a call, packets are then routed directly between the trunk interface unit, and the base station that currently serves. The system described in U.S. Patent Number 4,916,691 does not directly relate to the specific problems of providing packet data services in TDMA cellular systems. The "Radio Package in GSM", Institute of Standards of European Telecommunications (ETSI) T Doc SMG 4 58/93 (February 12, 1993) and "A Radio Package Service General Proposal for GSM "presented during a seminar entitled" GSM in a Competitive Future Environment ", Helsinki, Finland (October 13, 1993) indicates a possible packet access protocol for voice and data in GSM. directly with the TDMA cellular systems, ie GSM, and even when they point out a possible shared-packet data channel organization carried to the optimum do not deal with the aspects of the integration packet data channels in a total system solution The "Package Data via GSM Network", T Doc SMG 1 238/93, ETSI (September 28, 1993) describes a concept of providing packet data services in GSM based on regular GSM using first sending of signals and authentication to establish a virtual channel between a mobile packet station and an "agent" that handles the access of the packet data services, with the sending of regular signals modified for stable In the case of rapid channel and channel release, regular traffic channels are then used for packet transfer. This document is directly related to TDMA cellular systems, but since the concept is based on using a "fast switching" version of existing GSM traffic channels, it has disadvantages in terms of spectrum efficiency and transfer delays. package (especially for short messages) compared to a concept based on the optimized shared packet data channels. The Cellular Digital Package Data System (CDPD) Release 1.0 Specification (July 1993), describes a concept for providing packet data services using radio channels available in current Advanced Mobile Phone Service (AMPS) systems, that is, the analog cellular system of North America. The CDPD is a comprehensive open specification endorsed by a group of cell phone operators in the United States. Covered articles include external interfaces, air link interfaces, services, network architecture, network administration and administration. The CDPD system specified is based to a considerable degree on an infrastructure that is independent of the existing AMPS infrastructure. Things common with AMPS systems are limited to the use of the same type of radio frequency channels and the same base station sites (the base station used by CDPD may be new and specific CDPD) and the use of a radio interface. sending signals to coordinate the channel assignments between the two systems. The routing of a packet to a mobile station is based on first routing the packet to a base network node (Base Mobile Data Intermediate System, MD-IS) equipped with a base location register (HLR) based on the address of the mobile station; then, when necessary, route the packet to a visited service MD-IS, based on the HLR information; and finally transferring the packet from the serving MD-IS through the current base station based on the mobile station disclosing its cell location to the service MD-IS. Even though the CDPD System Specification does not directly relate to the specific problems of providing packet data services in the TDMA cellular systems that are addressed by this application, the network aspects and concepts described in the CDPD System Specification may used as a basis for the network aspects necessary for an air link protocol in accordance with this invention. The CDPD network is designed to make an extension of the existing data communications networks and the AMPS cellular network. Existing connection-free network protocols can be used to provide access to the CDPD network. Since the network is always considered as developing, it uses an open network design that allows the addition of new network layer protocols when appropriate. The services and protocols of the CDPD network are limited to the Network Layer of the OSI model and below. Doing so allows the protocols of the upper layer and application development without changing the underlying CDPD network. From the perspective of the mobile subscriber, the network of CDPD is a wireless mobile extension of traditional data and voice networks. Using a CDPD service provider network service, the subscriber is able to provide access to data applications, many of which can be left in traditional data networks. The CDPD system can be seen as two interrelated service sets: the support services of the CDPD network and the services of the CDPD network. The CDPD network supports the services carried out necessary to maintain and administer the CDPD network. These services are: account servers; network management system; message transfer server; authentication server. These services are defined to allow interoperability between service providers. Since the CDPD network is technically developed beyond its original AMPS infrastructure, it is anticipated that the support services will remain unchanged. The functions of network support services are necessary for many mobile networks that are independent of radio frequency (RF) technology. The CDPD network services are data transfer services that allow subscribers to communicate with data applications. In addition, one or both ends of the data communication can be mobile. To summarize, there is a need for a system that provides packet data services for general purposes in the D-AMPS cellular systems, based on providing shared packet data channels optimized for the packet data. This application is directed to systems and methods that provide the combined advantages of a connection-oriented network similar to that specified by the TIA / EIA / IS-136 standard and a connection-free packet data network. In addition, the invention is aimed at providing access to the CDPD network, for example through the existing connection-free network protocols with low complexity and high performance.

COMPENDIUM In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for supporting a plurality of operating modes of the mobile station in a wireless communication system that is selected by the user or other external control. Currently, there are communication protocols to support the end user's equipment that works only in a single mode of operation. However, it is desirable to combine the protocols of the different technologies to form the end-user equipment that operates in multiple modes of operation. In this way, the present method allows the mobile station to operate in a multi-mode environment, where a user or external device can invoke one or more modes of operation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The particularities and advantages of the Applicants' invention will be understood by reading this description together with the drawings, in which: Figure 1 schematically illustrates pluralities of Layer 3 messages, Layer 2 frames and Layer 1 channel bursts , or time intervals; Figure 2 (a) shows a front DCCH configured as a succession of time slots included in the consecutive time slots sent on a carrier frequency; Figure 2 (b) shows an example of a DCCH field interval format of IS-136; Figure 3 illustrates an exemplary hierarchical, or multilayer, cellular system; Figure 4 is a functional diagram of an exemplary cellular mobile radiotelephone system, including an exemplary base station and mobile station; Figures 5 (a) - 5 (e) illustrate the end user's equipment providing packet data functionality; Figure 6 illustrates an example of a possible trace or map sequence between the different layers in a radio communication system; and Figures 7 (a) - 7 (e) illustrate examples of the functional modes of the mobile station.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION As described above, there are numerous technologies that support wireless data communication including packet data. D-AMPS (TIA / EIA / IS-136) and CDPD are of specific interest. By combining the protocols of these two existing technologies with the functionality described in this application, new forms of the end user's equipment can be identified. Figures 5 (a) -5 (e) illustrate examples of how the functionality of this application ("D-AMPS Package Data") can be combined with other technologies in the new end-user equipment. This invention is directed to implement protocols and procedures for connection free communication between the mobile station and the base station. In particular, the invention is directed to an air interface protocol and the associated mobile station procedures required for the packet data that are listed in IS-136. The protocol and procedures for one aspect of this invention resemble the operation of the digital control channel (DCCH) of IS-136, because IS-136 was designed to provide connection-free transmission of a short-point message service. to point in the DCCH. The IS-136 protocol and procedures have been expanded to support services oriented toward the package in the applicants' invention modalities. More generally, the invention is directed to communication between a base station and network entities using any standardized or proprietary packet network or using a connection oriented protocol because no assumptions have been made about the network. The network aspect of the CDPD specification is an example that can be used to implement this invention.

In order to maximize the flexibility of the operating characteristics and be able to model the terminal implementation for specific applications in specific embodiments of the invention, several bandwidth allocations are provided. A bandwidth allocation is hosted PDCH which is an added logical subchannel in the digital control channel IS-136. The hosted PDCH allows a minimum implementation effort but provides a limited performance regime. Three other bandwidth allocations that are provided in the dedicated PDCH are the full-regime PDCH, dual-regime PDCH, and triple-regime PDCH. A PDCH can be mixed with the DCCH and DTC of IS-136 in the same carrier up to the regime limit corresponding to three full-regime channels. As illustrated in Figures 5 (a) and 5 (b), existing terminals can operate either only in the CDPD mode (Figure 5 (a)) or only in the D-AMPS mode (Figure 5 (b)). However, the terminal may selectively operate in one or more multiple modes as illustrated in Figures 5 (c), 5 (d) and 5 (e) by implementing the protocol and methods of this invention. For example, the terminal can support the D-AMPS packet data only as illustrated in Figure 5 (c), D-AMPS (ie voice and data of IS-136) and the D-AMPS packet data and CDPD as illustrated in Figure 5 (d) and D-AMPS and the D-AMPS package data as illustrated in Figure 5 (e). In addition, the set of specifications may include support for the asynchronous data, Group 3 facsimile (IS-130 and IS-135) and short message services that are not illustrated in Figures 5 (a) -5 (e ). As a result, this invention combined with other technologies provides a new end-user equipment. The utility of the equipment conforming to the invention can be seen from a variety of perspectives. From the perspective of the operator of D-AMPS cellular / PCS, the equipment can be deployed efficiently in both 800 MHz D-AMPS and 1900 MHz PCS. This operating mode has channel-by-channel improvement without a necessary frequency protective band, a data of common package / administration of radio resources of D-AMPS, allocation of PDCH bandwidth on request and complete flexibility to assign PDCH between frequencies and time intervals. In this mode of operation, no geographical protective zones are needed and an existing frequency plan can be maintained. In this way, cellular and packet data networks have greater availability and have less seaming through radiolocation between the system. Also, greater bandwidth efficiency (performance / bandwidth) is provided than in the CDPD air interface and the existing CDPD infrastructure can be retained. From the perspective of an AMPS cellular operator, if DCCH functionality is provided, this same benefits can be achieved by implementing this invention as for a D-AMPS operator. From the perspective of the manufacturer of the D-AMPS mobile station, this invention has no radio frequency circuit impact, and the operation of the guest PDCH does not require new physical layers or Layer 2 development. In addition, the dedicated PDCH provides more performance of the CDPD air interface and requires minimal development effort with respect to the hardware. Also, an improved sleep mode is provided that has less battery consumption than CDPD; improved diffusion and transmission efficiency diffused simultaneously; and a seamless package / cell data service is achieved. From the perspective of the manufacturer of the D-AMPS base station, no impact occurs in the RF circuit, combining the circuits and the antenna configuration, and implementing this invention. Also, the operation of the guest PDCH does not require new physical layers of Layer 2 development and the dedicated PDCH requires a minimum development effort using IS-136 as a base. From the perspective of the manufacturer of the packet data network equipment, the CDPD top layer protocols of CDPD applications have no impact in implementing this invention. From the perspective of the manufacturer of the CDPD mobile station, all the higher layer protocols can be reused when this invention is implemented. The protocol and the procedures for connection free communication between the mobile stations and the base stations in accordance with this invention, are directed to maximize the performance characteristics. Other expansions of functionality desirable by this invention include introducing PDCH radiolocation areas and records, in accordance with IS-136, for example by providing the option to send the Layer 3 messages defined for connection free communication in a connection oriented DTC. , provide IS-136 radiolocation indicators while they are in the PDCH and provide packet data notifications while they are in DTC. A possible set of protocol and specific procedures to improve the aspects of several connection-free communications between the mobile stations and the base stations will be discussed below. To aid understanding, an exemplary map tracing sequence is illustrated in Figure 6. A first map of the CDPD mobile data link protocol (MDLP) chart is mapped to a Layer 3 message including a radio discriminator. protocol (PD) and a message type indicator (MT). The Layer 3 message is then plotted on a map in the various boxes of Layer 2. The Layer 2 chart is plotted on a map in addition to the FPDCH time slot. Finally, the map layout of the FPDCH time intervals in a superframe is illustrated. The length of the front PDCH time slots (FPDCH) and the PDCH reverse bursts (RPDCH) are set, even though there may be three forms of RPDCH bursts having different fixed lengths. The FPDCH ranges are assumed to be in the physical layer in Figure 6. This description assumes that the structure of the TDMA frame is that of DCCH and DTC of IS-136. In the interest of maximum performance when using a multi-rate channel (dual-rate PDCH and triple-rate PDCH), an additional format of the FPDCH interval is specified. Existing technologies such as D-AMPS and CDPD can be combined to provide multiple mode terminal functionality as illustrated in Figures 5 (c), 5 (d) and 5 (e). The functionality to combine the D-AMPS and CDPD technologies of a terminal and end-user point of view will be described with reference to Figures 7 (a), 7 (b), 7 (c) and 7 (d) and 7 (and). In each of these figures, the selection of operating mode can be controlled by the user during each energized event by means of a failure mode that has been stored in the terminal by the user or by an external device such as a computer or supervised device. from distance. Figure 7 (a) illustrates selecting only one of the multiple operating modes. For example, the user may wish to activate only the D-AMPS mode whereby the mobile station does not register itself in the PDCH system. The base station, the MSC and the function (BMI) would then not be informed about the capacity of the packet data of the mobile station. Alternatively, the packet only mode can be activated by the user. Analogously, the mobile station does not need to register with the IS-136 system. Figure 7 (a) illustrates the selection of the functional group that can be made by the user, through the stored failure mode or by another external device that is linked to the radio terminal.

Figure 7 (b) illustrates the selection to activate both D-AMPS and PDCH operating modes. As illustrated by step 1 of Figure 7 (b), the mobile station finds a DCCH and reads the BCCH to find an indication as to the corresponding PDCH. The PDCH (the carrier frequency of a PDCH) is provided if the DCCH indicates support for one or more dedicated PDCHs. A mobile station interested in the packet data service then tunes to the PDCH and reads the additional BCCH information to determine if there is a plurality of PDCHs. If there is more than one PDCH in the current service area, a mobile station will select one as its PDCH Assigned according to an algorithm. If the PDCH is only PDCH in the current service area, it becomes the Assigned PDCH of the mobile station. After determining its PDCH Assigned a mobile station reads the full cycle of the BCCH fast packet (F-BCCH) and the BCCH information of the extended packet (E-PBCCH) in its Assigned PDCH. The mobile station is then registered, if necessary, in its Assigned PDCH in accordance with PDCH mobility management rules. A PDCH record may result in the mobile station being directed to an alternate Allocated PDCH or maintaining its current Allocated PDCH.

Once the PDCH registration has been successfully completed or an unrecoverable error condition has been detected, the mobile station returns to camp in the initial DCCH as represented in step 3. Consequently, Figure 7 (b) illustrates the possibility of operating the mobile station as a voice terminal and packet by activating both modes of operation of D-AMPS and PDCH, in this example. Figure 7 (c) illustrates the mobile station activated as a terminal only packet. Figure 7 (c) illustrates an example where the PDCH mode of operation is only activated by the mobile station when first finding a DCCH and reading the BCCH to find the indicator to the PDCH, as represented by step 1 of the Figure 7 (c). The mobile station does not register itself in the DCCH during this time as it did in the previous example. Once the mobile station has linked to the PDCH, the mobile station enters an active CDPD mode and registers itself as represented by step 2. The mobile station can be redirected to a different PDCH as a result of its response from BMI to your registry. The mobile station remains in the active mode in the indicated PDCH until an active synchronizer has expired as represented by step 3. The mobile station then enters a passive mode as presented by step 4. In this way, the station Mobile is activated as a packet only terminal during registration. In Figure 7 (d), the mobile station is activated (i.e., it has been recorded as discussed above with respect to Figure 7 (a) in both the D-AMPS and PDCH operating modes in where the failure mode of operation is D-AMPS Figure 7 (d) is directed to a sequence of events that includes both PDCH and D-AMPS radiolocation When the mobile station is in the idle mode -136 and a radiolocation message indicating a PDCH termination transaction is received (ie, the packet data must be sent to the mobile station), the mobile station moves to its previously allocated PDCH and enters an active mode, as represented by step 1 of Figure 7 (d) After the completion of the PDCH transaction has expired an activity synchronizer has expired, the mobile station enters a passive CDPD mode as depicted in step 2 After a second expires s synchronizer while in passive mode, the mobile station returns to the initial DCCH as represented by step 3. When the mobile station is in idle mode of IS-136 and a radiolocation of voice or IS- is received. 136, the mobile station is assigned a traffic channel for a voice call, as represented by step 4. After completing the voice call, the mobile station returns to the idle mode of IS-136 as represented by the step 5. Accordingly, these functions allow the mobile station to be radiolocated either as a voice terminal or packet data. An example of a radiolocated mobile station as a packet only terminal is illustrated in Figure 7 (e). As presented in step 1 of Figure 7 (d), a radiolocation message is received indicating a termination PDCH transaction. After the termination PDCH transaction is completed and the active synchronizer expires without receiving additional information from the packet data, the mobile station enters a passive mode as represented by step 2. The active mode of IS-136 is not you need for a packet only data terminal and this mode is not used as indicated in Figure 7 (e). The ability to read the BCCH in IS-136 is still required for a packet only data terminal indicated as such in Figure 7 (e) by the "X" broken through the state of IS-136. Accordingly, the mobile station functions as a packet-only terminal. To facilitate user control for multiple modes of operation by the mobile station of this invention, interaction techniques may be provided to control multiple modes of operation. In an example of a user interaction technique, the user can acquire the availability of services and attributes of the mobile station by means of a known visual presentation of the mobile station. The attributes services and especially the transmission scheme can be presented to the user in the visual presentation device in any conventional presentation form such as icons, symbols or a text. Then, the user can change the operating mode for any amount of time and can also change the failure operating mode, permanently. Accordingly, a large amount of control can be provided to the user to operate the mobile stations in multiple modes. The control for the multiple modes of operation by the mobile station in this invention can be controlled alternatively by telemetry. In an example of a telemetric technique, the data can be collected remotely from a computer by a mobile station. In this case, the mobile station can send information about its services and attributes to the computer. Then, the computer can select the desired mode of operation based on the data that is to be collected and sent to the mobile station. Having thus described the invention, it will be apparent that it can be varied in many ways. These variations should not be considered as a deviation from the spirit and scope of the invention and all these modifications that will be evident to a person skilled in the art, are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.

Claims (11)

R E I V I N D I C A C I O N S

1. A method for controlling a plurality of operating modes of the mobile station in a wireless communication system comprising the steps of: (a) combining a plurality of protocols that support the operation of the mobile station in multiple modes; and (b) selecting the mobile station to operate in one of the multiple modes.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the multiple operating modes for the mobile stations comprise packet modes, voice modes and dual packet / voice modes.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the selection in step (b) is carried out by a user of the mobile station in a visual presentation device.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the selection in step (b) is carried out by means of a telemetric device.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the mode of operation of the mobile station selected in step (b) is an individual mode of operation.

6. A method according to claim 4, wherein the individual mode of operation is a packet data mode or a voice data mode.

7. A method according to claim 5, wherein the packet data mode is a packet data mode of D-AMPS or a CDPD mode and the voice data mode is a voice data mode of IS-136.

8. A method according to claim 1, wherein the mode of operation of the mobile station selected from step (b) is that of dual packet / voice modes for D-AMPS and CDPD modes.

9. A device for controlling a plurality of modes of operation of the mobile station in a wireless communication system, comprising: means for combining a plurality of protocols supporting the operation of a mobile station and multiple modes; and means for selecting the mobile station to operate in one of the multiple modes. A device according to claim 9, further comprising a display device for displaying multiple operating modes that can be selected by a user and carried out by the mobile station. 11. A device according to claim 9, further comprising a telemetric device that provides the data to select the multiple operating modes to be carried out by the mobile station.