CN101164353A - Wireless communication system and apparatus and methods and protocols for use therein. - Google Patents

Abstract

A wireless communication system (100, 200, 300) comprises a wireless local area network (WLAN) operably coupled to a cell-based radio communication system (160). The wireless local area network (WLAN) is adapted to support use of a control channel (360) for communication to or from the cell-based radio communication system (160). Preferably, a dual-mode wireless communication unit (112, 116) is configured as capable of communication with both the wireless local area network (WLAN) and the cell-based radio communication system (160), such that the a specific Multicast address (MCCH-mcast) and a Port Number (MCCH-port) are used on the control channel (360) for control channel communication by the dual-mode wireless communication unit (112, 116). In this manner, control channel communication is supported over a WLAN, thereby providing a wide range of new additional capabilities and benefits to end users of WLAN compatible units.

Description

Wireless communication system and method

Invention field

The present invention relates to wireless communication system and device and use therein method.Especially, the present invention relates on WLAN (WLAN), utilize control channel.The present invention is applicable to, but is not limited to, and promotes and supports the control channel feature, such as the groupcall on the WLAN.

Background technology

In recent years, the development of radio communication is noticeable.Many radio communications are by standardization, promoting the interoperability of the communication between the different manufacturers, and guarantee that all communication units provide identical performance level in the particular communication zone.Experience this develop rapidly with standardized a kind of technology be WLAN (WLAN).The target of WLAN is, provides wireless connectivity with the bit rate that is higher than 100Mbps.WLAN also provides the enhancing fail safe, strengthened mobile management, with cellular network interworking chances such as (inter-working).Therefore, can predict, the WLAN technology will be played the part of crucial role in wireless data market in many years of future.

And, WLAN is enhanced at present, be used to provide guaranteed service quality (QoS), as can be referring to IEEE Std.802.11e/D8.0 Part 11: " Wireless Medium AccessControl (MAC) and physical layer (PHY) specifications:Medium AccessControl (MAC) Quality of Service (QoS) Enhancements " February 2004.This is another reason that the wlan solution of voice and video service highlights in data market fast.

Wireless communication system, for example cell phone or PMR private mobile radio communication system, the radio telecommunication link typically is provided, and this radio telecommunication link will be configured in the system infrastructure that comprises a plurality of base station transceivers (BTS) and usually be called as between a plurality of subscribers unit or terminal of " mobile radio station (MS) ".An example based on the wireless communication system of zone/cell is TETRA (terrestrial trunked radio) system, and it is the TETRA standard that (ETSI) defines according to EuropeanTelecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) and the system of protocol operation.Because TETRA provides scheduling and control service, so the principal focal point of TETRA equipment is used by emergency services.System infrastructure in the TETRA system be commonly called " exchange and management infrastructure (SwMI), it comprises all communication devices except MS basically.Similarly, cellular system is such as global system for mobile communications (GSM), also based on the method based on the sub-district.

Communication on this wireless communication system on two types logic channel, carry out typically-carry at/from one or more Traffic Channels of the data of MS, and carrying and communication system are used one or more control channels of relevant information, this relevant information such as signaling information, usable frequency information, timing information etc.Different channels can be used for the communication of multi-form information.

Especially, information can be represented speech, sound, data, picture or video information.Data message is digital information normally, the word that its expression writes, numeral etc., the type of the user profile of promptly handling in personal computer.In addition, also transmit signaling message.These are the message relevant with communication system self, for example, are used to control and defer to such as the selected industrial protocol of TETRA and transmit the mode of user profile.

For needing the communication terminal addressing protocol via the data of data communication channel transmission leap communication network.Communication unit is assigned with the address usually, and this address is read by communication bridge, gateway and/or router, so that determine how transfer of data is arrived the destination communication unit of institute's addressing.Needing provides this transfer of data effectively and efficiently, so that make the use optimization of the limited communication resource.At present, the most general agreement that is used in communication system transmission data is Internet protocol (IP).

Internet protocol is added datagram header to the information of being transmitted by transport layer.The packet that obtains is called as internet data message.The header of this datagram comprises the information such as version number such as destination and source IP address, IP agreement.Each exchanges data typically is included in and sends one or more packets on the uplink channel and send one or more packets on downlink channel.Packet Data Channel in the TETRA network (PDCH) can be served some MS simultaneously.In this, on statistical multiplexed basis, the PDCH resource is being shared between MS on the channel.This makes it possible to use air interface resource in optimized mode.

As example, the known signaling process of TETRA that is used to insert PDCH needs MS at first to insert PDCH via master control channel (MCCH) request, and the control signaling message is mainly gone up at this on this master control channel (MCCH) and sent.In SwMI approval access and after MS sends appropriate signaling message, make MS move to PDCH by receiving signaling information, in this PDCH exchange data packets.

In the TETRA block data communication, physical data channel bearing system control signaling and data pay(useful) load (telex network information).Can provide different priority to this business of two types, control signaling usually and be assigned with higher priority.At present the TETRA block data communication is operated with maximum 28.8 kbits/sec, and it is significantly less than some other wireless communication technology, such as WLAN.

Based on the technology of sub-district,, on WLAN, do not operate such as specialized mobile radio system or cellular system.An one reason is that wlan system is not supported control channel.

Therefore, the inventor recognizes, needs a kind of improved mechanism and the device that is associated, method and communication protocol, so that promote the communication based on the sub-district on the wlan system, wherein can alleviate deficiencies/limitations mentioned above.

Summary of the invention

According to a first aspect of the invention, provide a kind of wireless communication system.This wireless communication system comprises WLAN (WLAN), and this WLAN is coupled to the communication system based on the sub-district in operation, and is configured to, and this WLAN supports the use of one or more control channels.

According to second, third and fourth aspect of the present invention, a kind of WLAN (WLAN) IAD (WAG), interworking function (IWF) and wireless terminal are provided respectively, its be suitable for promoting such as specialized mobile radio system or radio honeycomb communication system based on the control channel communication on the communication system of sub-district.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, providing a kind of uses control channel to communicate method in WLAN (WLAN) with such as specialized mobile radio system or cell phone system wireless between based on the system of sub-district.

According to a sixth aspect of the invention, provide a kind of WLAN (WLAN) and wireless agreement of promoting preamble to mention of being used to based on the communication between the system of sub-district.

In claims, define additional features of the present invention.

The accompanying drawing summary

Now by the embodiments of the invention as example only are described with reference to the drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 has illustrated according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, is suitable for the schematic block diagram with the WLAN of TETRA exchange and management infrastructure (SwMI) interoperability;

Fig. 2 has illustrated that it comprises multiple logic interfacing with another schematic block diagram of the WLAN of TETRA exchange and management infrastructure (SwMI) interoperability;

Fig. 3 has illustrated the mechanism that is used for supporting at WLAN master control channel (MCCH) business according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 4 has illustrated the protocol infrastructure of ToW according to a preferred embodiment of the invention (TETRA on the WLAN) terminal;

Fig. 5 has illustrated the preferred packet configuration that uses in the TETRA framework on WLAN;

Fig. 6 has illustrated the preferred packet configuration by the control plane grouping that comprises D-SETUP message of IWF emission; And

Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 have illustrated the exemplary signaling flow of the TETRA on the wlan system according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Embodiment

Generally speaking, the preferred embodiments of the present invention propose WLAN technology and wireless communication system based on the sub-district integrated, and utilize control channel to control communication between it.Utilization by the control channel between reference WLAN and the specialized mobile radio system, the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, such as the terrestrial trunked radio system that (ETSI) defines as European Telecommunications StandardsInstitute (ETSI).The system configuration that is proposed of above-mentioned two kinds of technology has been described in the schematic block diagram in Fig. 1, that is, and with the WLAN of TETRA exchange and management infrastructure (SwMI) interoperability.Those skilled in the art will appreciate that inventive concept of the present invention is applicable to any wireless system based on the sub-district that can utilize control channel (such as cellular communication system) with being equal to.

The preferred embodiments of the present invention have proposed a kind of dual mode radio communication unit.This dual-mode operation utilizes first special use (or public) mobile wireless power technology, such as TETRA, and the 2nd WLAN technology.This wireless communication terminal, it is called as (ToW) terminal 112,116 of TETRA (TETRA over WLAN) on the WLAN hereinafter, by WLAN radio interface 115, joins with TETRA exchange and management infrastructure (SwMI) 160.This is opposite with traditional TETRA terminal 132, and this traditional TETRA terminal 132 strengthens base station transceiver (EBTS) 134 via traditional TETRA, by traditional TETRA radio interface and communication link 135, joins with TETRA SwMI 160.Therefore, a kind of terminal of supporting double mode TETRA and WLAN has been described.

Under environment of the present invention, the TETRA on the WLAN (Tetra-over-WLAN) is terminal the 112, the 116th (ToW), is configured to join and use any WLAN terminal of TETRA service herein by means of the agreement that indicates and function with TETRA SwMI 160.ToW terminal 112,116 is preferably by using specific service set identifiers (SSID) to link with WLAN.Be entitled as " Wireless LAN Medium Access Control (MAC) andPhysical Layer (PHY) Specification " IEEE standard 802.11, describing the preferred exemplary of SSID among the edition 1999.By means of this specific SSID, WLAN can distinguish ToW terminal and non-ToW terminal, and therefore uses different routes and/or Access Control Policy.

WLAN110 has realized that preferably the particular way of ToW terminal 112,116 is by implementation strategy (routing enforcement policy).That is, WLAN will be sent to interworking function (IWF) 150 from the uplink packet tunnel of all ToW terminals 112,116 on the Ft tunnel.Therefore, the preferably operation between WAG 142 and IWF 150 of Ft interface, and be used to realize the tunnel transfer scheme, this tunnel transfer scheme comes the tunnel to transmit the IP grouping by the IP network 140 between WAG 142 and the IWF 150.

Although preferred embodiment has utilized " Ft tunnel ", it is contemplated that, can use any feasible tunnel transfer scheme, for example, IP encapsulation, GRE etc.In the situation with WAG 142 interconnection, can eliminate the tunnel and transmit on leased line at IWF 150.Therefore, the grouping that is derived from any ToW terminal 112,116 is routed to IWF 150 via the Ft tunnel.

Each ToW terminal preferably realizes the protocol infrastructure and the process that hereinafter indicate, so that support the TETRA service on the WLAN.Physically, it is contemplated that ToW 112,116 can be the Wireless Telecom Equipment with any classification of WLAN interface, i.e. personal computer (PC), laptop computer, PDA, double mode WALN/TETRA terminal etc.

From the SwMI aspect, ToW terminal 112,116 can be regarded as any TETRA terminal.Promptly, ToW terminal 112,116 preferably is assigned the independent short subscriber identity (ISSI) of TETRA, and therefore can initiate with participation in group call, can receive/send short data service (SDS) message, and all authorization service that can utilize TETRA SwMI 160 to provide usually.Therefore ToW terminal 112,116 can be according to their subscription profiles among the SwMI 160, with other ToW terminal, traditional TETRA terminal, scheduler, PSTN user and communication of other TETRA entity.

ToW terminal 112,116 is preferably used all known TETRA services, comprises groupcall, the transmission of short data service (SDS) message, packet service etc.From the SwMI aspect, ToW terminal 112,116 does not have different with any other traditional TETRA terminal 132.

Advantageously, the characteristic of WLAN radio interface 115 has realized the capacity of expansion and new feature, such as the call setup and the voice transfer of the voice quality of high-speed data service, voice-and-data, improvement simultaneously, minimizing postpones, receives many groupcalls the time, master control channel (MCCH) when receiving voice and/or data is professional supervision, or the like.Therefore, TETRA terminal (for example, the ToW terminal 112,116) is benefited from the known advantage of WLAN technology.

ToW terminal 112,116 is operated on the WLAN website, and it can be regarded as the geographic area, wherein provides WLAN to cover and by single WLAN IAD 142 controls.The WLAN website typically comprises one or more AP.The wave point that ToW terminal 112,116 has WLAN access point 114.WLAN access point 114 for example, use IEEE 802.11WLAN technology, WLAN interface by any classification joins with the WLAN terminal, this IEEE 802.11WLAN technology such as IEEE announce in the document of edition 1999 being entitled as " Wireless LAN Medium Access Control (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY) Specification " IEEE standard 802.11.The WLAN access point has the interface 115 to Internet protocol (IP) network 140 via one or more WLAN IADs 142.IP network 140 is in operation via the critical component of proposition system, and promptly interworking function (IWF) 150 is coupled to TETRA SwMI 160.

IWF 150 is configured to connect 155 to SwMI by the mode similar to TETRA traditional base station 134.IWF 150 also joins with one or more WLAN IADs (WAG) 142.In fact, WAG 142 is routers, and the perhaps combination of router and Ethernet switch is used to control single WLAN website.WAG typically joins by the same or a plurality of AP 114 of Ethernet 100BaseT media.Preferably, to WAG of each WLAN website assignment.When preferably existing the ToW terminal in its WLAN website, creates WAG 142 Ft tunnel with IWF 150.It is contemplated that, can use any known tunnel to set up agreement, for example, PPTP, L2TP, IPsec.WAG 142 uses suitable route implementation strategy subsequently.In addition, when preferably not existing the ToW terminal in its WLAN website, WAG 142 discharges the Ft tunnel, so that the release capacity.It is contemplated that also may have static Ft tunnel, it is not dynamic creation/release.

It should be noted that, WAG and AP are ready-made equipment (off-the-shelfdevice), and except being suitable for supporting the signal processing function of TETRA SSID, their configuration is typical for known WAG and AP, and according to this TETRA communication of definite route as a result of SSID.

IWF 150 uses known IP multileaving technology, is used for TETRA (ToW) terminal 112,116 transmission control Packet Data Unit (PDU) and the packets of voice on WLAN.

Therefore, under this mode, that move or fixing ToW terminal 112,116 can insert the exemplary service that TETRA SwMI 160 provides, as the skilled personnel to recognize by means of wlan network interface 115 and corresponding software driver and application program.ToW terminal 112,116 is reused most TETRA air interface protocol, as European Telecommunication Standards Institute (ETSI) document-EN 300 392-2v2.3.10 " Terrestrial Trunked Radio (TETRA) (ETSI); Voice plus Data (V+D); Part 2:Air Interface (AI) ", ETSI illustrates among the June2003.It should be noted that ToW terminal 112,116 reuses most of TETRA air interface protocol on the WLAN radio interface.TETRA SwMI 160 preferably is based upon on IP multileaving and voice IP (VoIP) technology, is direct relatively with joining of IWF 150 thus, as the skilled personnel to recognize.

Interworking function (IWF) the 150th, the key function element, it joins with TETRA SwMI 160 by any suitable interface (such as special purpose interface), and joins by the same or a plurality of WAG 142 of Ft interface.A function it should be noted that IWF 150 is the characteristic to SwMI 160 concealment WLAN, and it is integrated therefore to make that they are easier to SwMI 160.

As noted, the preferred embodiments of the present invention have proposed the WLAN technology integrated with wireless communication system based on the sub-district (for example, such as the PMR system of TETRA), and utilize control channel to control communication between it.The utilization of the control channel between WLAN and the TETRA system has hereinafter been described in further detail.

With reference now to Fig. 2,, illustrated that it comprises the logic interfacing of the system of Fig. 1 with another schematic block diagram of the WLAN of TETRA exchange and management infrastructure (SwMI) interoperability.As can be seen, many system/infrastructure elements are similar to the similar element of describing with reference to figure 1.Like this, here, will no longer further describe them.

Again, WLAN preferably by on Ft tunnel preferably, will be sent to interworking function (IWF) 150 from the uplink packet tunnel of all ToW terminals, realized specific route implementation strategy.Therefore, the Ft interface is preferably operated between WAG 142,225 and IWF150.Special purpose interface 115 is illustrated as between TETRA SwMI 160 and IWF150.It is contemplated that IWF 150 can also use the logical links to ToW terminal 112,116 on the Ut 210,215.In this, Ut 210,215 is supported the agreement and the process of communication between management ToW 112,116 and the IWF 150.As discussed later, new agreement is operated on this logic interfacing 210.

And logic interfacing Wt is applied to WAG 142,225 and ToW communication between terminals link.The agreement and the process of communicating by letter between Wt interface support management ToW terminal (fixing or move) and the AP.This interface is preferably deferred to IEEE 802.11 fundamental norms.

With reference now to Fig. 3,, WLAN has been described in further detail and based on the use of the control channel between the communication system of sub-district.As shown in Figure 3, in each traditional TETRA website 340, there is a master control channel (MCCH) 360, on this master control channel (MCCH) 360, traditional control signaling takes place between TETRA terminal 350 and the serving BS transceiver (EBTS) 330 that is associated thereof.More specifically, MCCH 360 is preferably used for carrying mobile management signaling, authentication and key management signaling, call control signalling, short message signaling and part packet data control signaling.It also is preferably used for the specific and network-specific information of broadcast cell, and this information helps service level that identity, service and the neighbor cell of identity, the neighbor cell (such as WLAN website 110) of radio terminal identification service sub-district 330 provide etc.This broadcast message is important for sub-district gravity treatment purpose.

Therefore,, be necessary to provide a kind of standard mechanism, be used to transmit all types of message of on traditional MCCH, launching usually in order on WLAN, to realize the TETRA service.For this purpose, use specific multicast address and portal number (it is denoted as MCCH-mcast and MCCH-port respectively) in communication 310,320, it is predefined and all ToW terminals 112,116 are understood in advance.

Interworking function (IWF) 150 guarantees that all information of typically launching go up multileaving at this predefined (MCCH-mcast, MCCH-port) socket (socket) on down link MCCH 310.One ToW terminal, 112,116 same access points (AP) 114 are related and be assigned the IP address, then its reception and handle the multileaving of this socket (socket) of definition being gone up emission at this (MCCH-mcast, MCCH-port).This processing is to be carried out by new protocol layer, and it is called as adaptation layer.Like this, ToW terminal 112,116 receives the information of broadcasting usually on the down link of traditional MCCH channel 360.

This information helps terminal recognition that the identity of the WLAN website 110 of serving based on the sub-district is provided, and determines whether it should be registered to this service.This information also helps the potential neighbour's website of ToW terminal 112,116 sign (realizing based on WLAN or traditional TETRA technology) and monitor these websites under the background of the cell reselection process of its standard.

In order to transmit the signaling of up link MCCH in the common use tradition TETRA website, use identical (MCCH-mcast, MCCH-port).Especially, each ToW terminal 112,116 of wishing transmission of uplink MCCH business 320 (for example, to the request of new groupcall or to the request of new short message) is to predefined (MCCH-mcast, MCCH-port) socket (socket) emission particular message.This message (similar to all up link TETRA particular messages) will route to IWF 150 by WLAN infrastructure 114,142,140.IWF 150 also listens on (MCCH-mcast, MCCH-port) socket (socket), and handles the business of importing on this socket (socket).Therefore, by IP multileaving and predefined multileaving socket (socket), on wlan network, support the function of traditional MCCH channel.

Should be noted that the example for TETRA MCCH, MCCH is implemented as fixing TDMA channel.Therefore, its capacity is restricted (total bit rate is 7.2 kbps).For the control channel capacity of the increase in the TETRA sub-district is provided, can be time control channel (SCCH) with extra TDMA channel configuration, the operation of its additional MCCH.Yet in the environment of WLAN, it can be very high being used to carry the capacity that common MCCH point services transfer channel (MCCH-mcast, MCCH-port) supported, and does not need to provide time multileaving channel.

With reference now to Fig. 4,, the overview of the communication layers that is associated with the communication of the TETRA on the wlan system has been described.Preferred communication construction is similar to ETSI EN 300 392-2 TETRA standards.That is, control plane 410 information comprise SNDCP 415, mobile management (MM) 420 and call manager controlled entity (CMCE) 425.Also support mobile link entity (MLE) 430 and logic link control (LLC) layer 435.

In user plane 440, real-time protocol (rtp) or compressed rtp agreement 450 are used for according to ETS 300 395, the block of speech 445 of linear prediction (ACELP) coding that transmission TETRA adaptive code activates between ToW and IWF.Usually, every 30msec generates a block of speech.On control plane, reuse all the TETRA air interface protocols except TETRA MAC and physical layer protocol (it is not suitable for the WLAN radio and inserts).The LLC layer is supported basic link service and senior link service, as ETSI, and EN 300 392-2 V2.3.10 " Terrestrial Trunked Radio (TETRA); Voice plus Data (V+D); Part 2:Air Interface (AI) ", ETSI describes among the June 2003.The LLC layer operate among the ToW and IWF in (perhaps part operates among the SwMI).

It should be noted that in the TETRA system on WLAN to have indicated new communication layers, that is, and adaptation layer 460.Adaptation layer 460 provides the required adaption function that is used for necessity of operation TETRA air interface protocol on WLAN.Adaptation layer 460 realizes in ToW and IWF, and service is provided, and the subclass of the service that is provided by TETRA MAC layer is provided in this service.Especially, the encryption of TETRA and the addressing of use TETRA SSI are deferred in its support.

This adaptation layer is joined with the UDP layer by control plane Service Access Point (CP-SAP) 465 and one or more user plane Service Access Point (UP-SAP) 470.CP-SAP 465 always exists, and is used to carry the control plane business that is not associated with ongoing calling, i.e. control business of launching on TETRA MCCH or SCCH usually.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, multicast IP address and portal number adaptive is called as MCCH-multicast and MCCH-port respectively and describes with reference to figure 3 as mentioned, is used to transmit such other business.

On the contrary, user-plane traffic carries on UP-SAP 470.When new calling begins, create new UP-SAP 470 examples, to support and to call out especially.UP-SAP 470 examples use the multicast IP address and the portal number of dynamic assignment.As hereinafter discussing, this multicast IP address and portal number be by the IWF assignment, and be passed to ToW in signalisation is newly called out the grouping of beginning.UP-SAP 470 is dynamic creations, to support user data, business and to call out related control business.It should be noted that UP-SAP 470 also supports the control plane business 410 that is associated with ongoing calling (for example, D-TX-CEASED PDU).The user-plane traffic that adaptation layer is used to distinguish on the identical UP-SAP is professional with the related control of calling.

It is further processed the grouping of adaptation layer 460 each reception of analysis among the ToW and the reply of (based on the SSI that points out) sign still and it should be abandoned.If desired to its further processing, then adaptation layer indicates whether to use deciphering (that is whether, receiving message is through encrypting), and if it is received on UP-SAP, then it is forwarded to LLC entity or RTP entity with it.

Fig. 4 has illustrated the other aspect of the protocol infrastructure of ToW terminal.WLAN physical layer 490 and WLAN MAC layer 485 are used to set up the broadband wireless connectivity with AP.These layers are preferably deferred to IEEE 802.11 standards, as be entitled as and describe in the document of " Wireless LAN Medium AccessControl (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY) Specification ", and, announce among the edition 1999 at IEEE standard 802.11.Yet, it is contemplated that, can use any WLAN.

These layers are also deferred to IEEE Std.802.11e/D8.0 Part 11, service quality (QoS) enhanced scheme that indicates among " Wireless MediumAccess Control (MAC) and physical layer (PHY) specifications:MediumAccess Control (MAC) Quality of Service (QoS) Enhancements " February2004.

It is contemplated that, these layers can also be supported IEEE, " Port-Based Network AccessControl ", IEEE standard 802.1x, edition 2001 and IEEE Std.802.11i/D10.0, " Part 11:Wireless Medium Access Control (MAC) and physical layer (PHY) specifications:Medium Access Control (MAC) SecurityEnhancements ", the security features that indicates among the April 2004.

By the IP layer, by means of its route and addressing service, provide connectivity with IWF, describe in the paper that is entitled as " Internet Protocol " as J.Postel, and in RFC 791, announce in September, 1981.The UDP layer provides error detection and multiplexed service, describes in the paper that is entitled as " User Datagram Protocol " as J.Postel, and announces in RFC 0768 in 1980.

In the IP network of ToW terminal, IWF and centre, realize IP layer (as shown in Figure 1).The IP layer is guaranteed all IP datagram from ToW are routed to IWF, and from IWF route all IP datagram at ToW.If necessary, it can also realize the route to the different service quality (QoS) of different classes of IP datagram, and this is according to the type of service (tos) field in their IP headers separately.Need this QoS service to be used for providing the prioritised transmission service to the IP datagram of voice-bearer grouping.

With reference now to Fig. 5,, the preferred packet configuration 500 that uses in the TETRA framework on WLAN has been described.In Fig. 5, the control plane 510 of exchange (that is, transmitting) on Ut and the general format of user plane 550 groupings have been described between IWF and ToW terminal.

The normal TETRA LLC PDU 530 of control plane grouping 510 carryings, it is encapsulated among the IP/UDP.The structure of adaptation layer header is the key element of notion of the present invention described herein.The structure of every other protocol fields (for example, IP 515, UDP 520, RTP, LLC, CMCE, MLE, MM, SNDCP 535) is designed to defer to known protocol specification.

That is, at document ETSI EN 300 392-2 v2.3.10, " Terrestrial Trunked Radio (TETRA); Voice plus Data (V+D); Part 2:Air Interface (AI) ", ETSI has further described LLC, CMCE, MLE, MM and SNDCP protocol fields among the June2003.At the document " Internet Protocol " of J.Postel, RFC 791, further described the IP protocol fields among the September 1981.At the document " User DatagramProtocol " of J.Postel, RFC has further described the udp protocol field in 0768,1980 year.

It is contemplated that the TETRA PDU of other classifications also can be encapsulated in the control plane grouping, for example, is used for the broadcast safe relevant information, such as universal code key (CCK) identifier or static password key (SCK) version number.

Adaptation layer header the 525, the 565th, key message in the TETRA mac header constitutes by being usually included in.More specifically, adaptation layer header 525,565 preferably includes TETRA SSI and " encryption mode " field, and it points out whether the LLC or the RTP PDU that embed be encrypted.In the down link direction, TETRA SSI sign (one or more) is divided the TETRA address of group of recipient, and in uplink direction, the TETRA address of its identification packet originators.

In addition, the more information that adaptation layer 525,565 preferably comprises in the grouping, new the starting of calling out of its signalisation (any kind).In this case, adaptation layer 525,565 preferably also comprises multicast address and portal number, and it is used to transmit the packets of voice of calling on the horizon.At last, adaptation layer header 525,565 preferably includes and points out whether to exist the LLC PDU that is encapsulated in the grouping or the information field of RTP PDU.

With reference now to Fig. 6,, the example that how to constitute multiple header in the grouping 600 of the known TETRA D-SETUP message of carrying has been described.

For example, grouping 610 is sent by IWF.Grouping 610 has pointed out that the initial terminal of SSI=46635 is to the groupcall of GSSI=8388888.The IP address 615 of IWF is x.y.z.w, and corresponding to the multicast address and the port of known MCCH address and MCCH port 620, is appointed as MCCH-mcast and MCCH-port respectively.This grouping sends to previous all WAG that set up the Ft tunnel by IWF, perhaps only sends to following WAG, i.e. the known member who has group GSSI=8388888 under this WAG.Therefore, this grouping finally can be broadcast to all the WLAN websites by this IWF control.Therefore, all the ToW terminals in these websites will receive the decode this grouping.Therefore the ToW terminal that is under the jurisdiction of GSSI=8388888 will be configured to, and by creating new UP-SAP example, receive the user plane information of this groupcall on the horizon.The new UP-SAP of adaptation layer header 620 is bound to multicast address g1.g2.g3.g4 and port Gp.

And for example, grouping 650 is sent by ToW.Grouping 650 has pointed out that the ToW terminal has SSI=46, so that be under the jurisdiction of the group of GSSI=8388888.The IP address 655 of ToW is designated as a.b.c.d.It should be noted that in this grouping 650 adaptation layer 665 does not comprise that multicast IP address and port are right, this is the new calling because grouping is not started.

With reference now to Fig. 7 and Fig. 8,, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the exemplary signaling flow of the TETRA system on the WLAN has been described.Especially, Fig. 7 has illustrated the signaling flow 700 that comprises that WLAN is related and the position is upgraded.

Fig. 7 has illustrated the typical message sequence 700 that occurs between the AP of ToW terminal 710, WLAN 715 and WAG and IWF720.In step 725, when the WLAN terminal is used SSID=" TETRA " request with the WLAN association, send message.This preferably when the WLAN starting up of terminal, perhaps selects to change radio access technologies at it, takes place when promptly leaving the TETRA website and adding the WLAN website.It should be noted that all control signalings appear on the WLAN radio net, and traditional TDMA channel of non-bearing MCCH signaling.

In step 730, WLAN preferably affirmative acknowledgement should request.

At point 1735 places, if there is no suitable tunnel, then WAG 715 utilizes the pre-defined address creation Ft tunnel of IWF 720.WAG 715 also is provided with its forwarding capability, so that will be forwarded to IWF 720 via the Ft tunnel from the subsequent packets of ToW 710.Next step, ToW710 initiates the DCHP process, to obtain the IP address, as shown in step 740 and step 745.Typically, in step 745, IWF 720 uses internal DC HP server or may use outside Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol server, this IP address of assignment.

At point 2750 places, ToW 710 begins to receive and has destination IP that equals MCCH-multicast and the grouping that equals the udp port of MCCH-port.The value of supposing MCCH-multicast and MCCH-port is pre-configured in ToW 710.Yet, it is contemplated that, if necessary, also can develop other device, be used for these parameters are sent to ToW 710.

After point 2750, the adaptation layer among the ToW 710 begins to receive and emission grouping 755,760,765,770,772,775, and it comprises the TETRA business of launching usually on the MCCH channel.

Going up all groupings that receive by ToW terminal 710 at socket (socket) (MCCH-mcast, MCCH-port) is launched (promptly by IWF 720, IPsrc=x.y.z.w) and comprise the information of usually on TETRA down link MCCH, launching, initiate message, system information, short message etc. such as groupcall.Whether encrypted and all these groupings comprise expection recipient or an a plurality of expection recipients' the short subscriber identity (SSI) of TETRA, and LLCPDU the sign that indicates embedding.Similarly, going up any grouping that receives at socket (socket) (MCCH-mcast, MCCH-port) by IWF 720 is launched by independent ToW 710, and comprise the information of on TETRA up link MCCH, launching usually, such as location registration request, call control message etc.

In Fig. 7, after ToW 710 received a D-MLE-SYSINFO message 755, ToW 710 determined the identity of TETRA networks and corresponding to the cell identity of WLAN 715, and decision is registered to this sub-district.Therefore ToW 710 sends U-LOCATION-UPDATE-DEMAND PDU 760 to IWF 720, so that its reposition of request SwMI registration, and upgrade its membership to specific T ETRA talk group.As previously mentioned, by IP address, destination that equals MCCH-mcast and the destination udp port that equals MCCH-port, launch this PDU 760.IWF 720 determines the TETRA identity of ToW 710 by checking the SSI field.

Continue D-AUTHENTICATION-DEMAND 765, U-AUTHENTICATION-RESPONSE 770 and D-AUTHENTICATION-RESULT 772, be used for 710 authentications, and obtain the dynamic encryption key in the mode that meets TETRA fail safe standard to ToW.Suppose that authentication is successful, then launch U-AUTHENTICATION-RESPONSE 770 all message afterwards by the mode of encryption enabled.

At last, in message 775, IWF 720 affirmative acknowledgement ToW 710 are before to upgrading its position and to the request of the membership of specific T ETRA talk group 760.After this point, the SwMI network will be forwarded to WLAN 715 about all other business of this ToW 710 by IWF 720.This business comprises control plane message (such as to the request of special use or groupcall, to request of short message etc.) and user-plane message (such as block of speech).

It should be noted that top message sequence meets the message sequence that indicates in the TETRA standard about authentication and location management.Yet, it is contemplated that, above message sequence can be suitable for any message sequence of adopting by based on the communication system of sub-district, such as cellular communication system or other PMR networks, such as Project 25 (referring to TIA/EIA-102.BAAA, " Project 25 FDMA Common Air Interface ", May 1998).

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that Fig. 7 has only described the simple examples of related request and location update message, purpose is not to be to illustrate each feasible communication plan.

With reference now to Fig. 8,, signaling flow 800 has been described, it comprises the message sequence that groupcall is initiated and participated in.This signaling flow 800 has illustrated ToW terminal 805, the AP of WLAN 810 and the communication between WAG and the IWF 815.

Receive the indication of the new groupcall 820 of the ToW terminal that is under the jurisdiction of group ' 8388888 ' at IWF 815 places.The destination multicast address and the destination udp port of grouping 825 are respectively known MCCH-mcast and MCCH-port.Adaptation layer header in this grouping has pointed out that new calling will be used IP multicast address g1.g2.g3.g4 and udp port Gp.This explanation the MCCH D-SETUP message 825 that is transmitted into ToW terminal 805 from IWF 815.All ToW terminals in the WLAN zone of IWF receive this grouping, no matter and whether it participates in calling out.Be under the jurisdiction of the ToW terminal that group ' 8388888 ' and hope participate in this groupcall, will create new UP-SAP example, and bind it to appointment multicast address and udp port (being g1.g2.g3.g4/Gp).The ToW terminal 805 of SSI=' 90 ' receives this groupcall.

After receiving MCCH D-SETUP message 825, a series of IP multileaving datagram is transmitted into ToW 805 from IWF 815.Each datagram 830,835 carrying is from the packets of voice of originators.Datagram 830,835 and possible subsequent data newspaper are pointed out the group's of their carrying GSSI=8388888 encryption RTP PDU in the adaptation layer header.

Datagram 840 is to call out related control grouping, its carrying D-TX Ceased PDU.Therefore adaptation layer among the ToW805 is understood this and has been carried LLC PDU (relative with RTP PDU) and it has been forwarded to LLC layer as pointing out in the Info field.After datagram message 840, ToW 805 these groupcalls of decision control of being considered, and therefore send the related control grouping 845 of up link calling.Up link is called out related control grouping 845 carrying U-TX RequestPDU, its request SwMI permission emission.

In response, SwMI authorizes by D-TX Granted message 850 emission of ToW 805 is permitted.Therefore, by message 855 beginnings, a series of user plane packets of ToW 805 emissions, it comprises the RTP PDU of encryption.

In the embodiment of enhancing of the present invention, can be easily fail safe and authentication process be incorporated in the TETRA system on the WLAN.Can easily support authentication process by suitable layer 3 message of exchange between ToW and IWF, for example D-AUTHENTICATIONDEMAND and U-/D-AUTHENTICATION RESPONSE, as ETSI, EN 300392-7 v2.1.1, " Terrestrial Trunked Radio (TETRA); Voice plus Data (V+D); Part 7:Security ", describe among the Feb.2001.

In the process of this process, the adaptation layer among the ToW is responsible for moving suitable security algorithm, and creates the cryptographic key (DCK) of deriving.This key is used by adaptation layer subsequently, with all LLC on the encryption and decryption Ut and RTP PDU.Support static and universal code key (SCK, CCK) also is feasible.This CCK is generated by SwMI, with protection group addressing signaling and business, and protection SSI identity.

In addition, it is contemplated that, of the present invention another strengthen embodiment will with above-described about the similar mode of the signaling flow of groupcall, support independent calling out with interconnect call.Those skilled in the art will appreciate that and use previously described principle and agreement, can for example easily adapt to and incorporate into, about other processes and the corresponding signaling flow of SDS and packet data transmission/reception.Especially, for packet data transmission, specific multicast IP address and portal number (by being appointed as PDCH-mcast and PDCH-port respectively) set can be by the IWF assignment, and when ToW request accessing group data channel, transmits on control channel.

Therefore, notion of the present invention has proposed a kind of mechanism, be used for WLAN and such as the TETRA network based on the communication system of sub-district between communication the time utilize control channel.

Should be appreciated that aforementioned framework, equipment, function element, agreement and signaling flow, embodied above-described notion of the present invention, purpose is to provide at least one or a plurality of following advantage:

(i) WLAN is with integrated new ability and the benefit that wide region is provided based on the network of sub-district, and it will cause product differentiation and competitive advantage.

(ii) the business user of official and other can be at the scene and working environment and/or on special-purpose WLAN, use double mode based on the sub-district /the WLAN terminal.

(iii) on WLAN, can the terminad user provide enhanced service.For example:

(a) the speech coding scheme of Zeng Qianging is used to provide the voice quality (that is, not needing to be limited to the limited capacity that is provided by the Traffic Channel based on the sub-district) of very big improvement;

(b) can support broadband data services;

(c) can provide the voice-and-data service simultaneously;

(iv) can in the voice and/or data session of existence activity, receive the control business of on MCCH, launching usually now based on the sub-district.In traditional communication based on the sub-district, the terminal that is in the voice conversation can not also go up the control business that receives at master control channel (MCCH), and this is because voice are launched on different channels with the MCCH business.Yet according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, by the communication based on the sub-district on the WLAN, this is feasible now.

(v) those skilled in the art will appreciate that the multileaving by means of IP, sole user etc. can monitor many groupcalls simultaneously.

(vi) WLAN is characterised in that big air-interface capacity, and therefore can support many voice/data call based on the sub-district simultaneously with efficient and cost effective and efficient manner.

(vii) those skilled in the art it will also be appreciated that and can reduce delay in call establishment and voice transfer delay considerablely.Like this, because WLAN supports higher bit speed, so control messages and speech data newspaper can be launched more quickly.

(viii) support WLAN to insert and traditional ability: promptly based on the seamless roam between the access of sub-district, processing mode to the mobile device that enters the WLAN zone is similar to the processing mode that it enters new cell-site zone, they use typical mobile management process based on the sub-district in this cell-site zone, upgrade SwMI with the reposition by them.

(ix) can easily support to replenish some feature of feature based on the sub-district (for example, entering evening such as (LateEntry), dynamically heavily grouping etc.)-wherein has less SwMI and handles or disturb (for example, priority monitors).

(x) terminal based on the sub-district can participate in (one or more) groupcall, (one or more) data session simultaneously, and receives the information that sends on MCCH usually.This has produced traditional based on the new ability that can not obtain on the radio system of sub-district.

(xi) preferred architecture has minimum influence to TETRA SwMI.IWF can be regarded as the cell base station of special category, and it can easily connect with the SwMI nuclear phase.

(xii) the local sites cluster (perhaps retreating (fallback) pattern) (that is, even when the connection that does not exist with SwMI, still support control channel and call treatment) in the WLAN zone can be easily supported in the suitable engineering design by IWF.

(xiii) kept ToW terminal and traditional based on the comprehensive compatibility between the terminal of sub-district.

Although described specific implementation of the present invention, should be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, those skilled in the art can easily use other the variation scheme and the modification of this implementation.

Therefore, described a kind of wireless communication system, a kind of WLAN (WLAN) IAD (WAG), a kind of interworking function (IWF) and a kind of wireless terminal, it is suitable for promoting the control channel communication between cell communication systems and the WLAN (WLAN).And, described a kind of in WLAN (WLAN) and between based on the communication system of sub-district method for communicating with and agreement.

Claims (10)

1. a wireless communication system (100,200,300), comprise WLAN (WALN), this WLAN is coupled to the radio communications system (160) based on the sub-district in operation, described wireless communication system (100,200,300) is characterised in that, described WLAN (WLAN) is suitable for supporting the use of control channel (360), be used for to or communicate from described radio communications system (160) based on the sub-district.

2. wireless communication system as claimed in claim 1 (100,200,300), its feature further is, dual mode radio communication unit (112,116), this dual mode radio communication unit (112,116) is configured to and can communicates by letter with described radio communications system based on the sub-district (160) with described WLAN (WLAN), upward uses specific multicast address (MCCH-mcast) to be used for control channel with portal number (MCCH-port) by described dual mode radio communication unit (112,116) at described control channel (360) thus and communicates by letter.

3. wireless communication system as claimed in claim 2 (100,200,300), wherein said dual mode radio communication unit (112,116) is by using particular set of services identifier (SSID), go up at described control channel (360) related with described WLAN so that described WLAN can distinguish can be in terminal of communicating by letter on the WLAN (116) and the terminal that can not communicate by letter on WLAN.

4. as the described wireless communication system of any one claim of front (100,200,300), its feature further is, described WLAN comprises or is coupled in operation, WLAN IAD (WAG) (142) and interworking function (IWF) (150), this interworking function (IWF) (150) are configured to make the communication between described WLAN and the described communication system based on the sub-district (160) to join.

5. as the described wireless communication system of any one claim (100,200,300) in the claim 2～4, wherein a plurality of dual mode radio communications unit (112,116) is configured to use described control channel (360), is configured to carry out following one or multinomial:

(i) set up groupcall;

(ii) Location Registration process;

(iii) sub-district reselection operation;

(iv) support call control messages;

(v) carry the mobile management signaling;

(vi) support authentication and key management signaling;

(vii) support short message signaling;

(the viii) specific and/or network-specific information of broadcast cell.

6. method, this method is by utilizing dual-mode terminal (112,116), between WLAN (WLAN) and communication system (160), communicate based on the sub-district, this dual-mode terminal (112,116) can be gone up operation at described WLAN and described communication system based on the sub-district (160), and described method is characterised in that following steps:

Provide control channel, to promote the control channel communication between described WLAN (WALN) and the described communication system (160) based on the sub-district.

7. communication means as claimed in claim 6, its feature are that further the described step that control channel is provided is to be carried out by the adaptation layer in the agreement of described communication system based on the sub-district (160) use.

8. as claim 6 or 7 described communication meanss, its feature further is following steps:

To described dual-mode terminal (112,116) assignment WLAN associated identifiers; And

Specific multicast address (MCCH-mcast) and portal number (MCCH-port) by on described dual-mode terminal (112,116) the use control channel (360) are used for control channel communication.

9. as the described communication means of any one claim in the claim 6～8, its feature further is following steps:

Use described identifier by described WLAN, differentiation can be in the terminal (112,116) and the terminal of communicating by letter that can not carry out on WLAN based on the sub-district of carrying out on the WLAN based on the communication of sub-district.

10. as the described communication means of any one claim in the claim 6～9, its feature further is following steps: before allowing the described control channel of described dual-mode terminal (112,116) use, described dual-mode terminal (112,116) is carried out authentication.

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