EP1468579A1

EP1468579A1 - Parameter election method balloting method for the selection of parameters in protocols (e.g. tandem free operation tfo)

Info

Publication number: EP1468579A1
Application number: EP02701226A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Clemens Suerbaum
Original assignee: Siemens AG
Current assignee: Nokia Solutions and Networks GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 2002-01-24
Filing date: 2002-01-24
Publication date: 2004-10-20
Also published as: AU2002234509A1; US20050108088A1; DE10296438D2; CN1618245A; WO2003067909A1; US7337959B2

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for defining parameters (12,65/ 14,25/ 15,85/ 19,85) that are to be used for transmitting data between a first user (1) and at least one second user (2), or for selecting protocol options or functions, which permits an efficient, flexible and adaptable selection of codec modes. According to said method, each user (1...N) has a number (20; 30) of votes that can be cast for the selection of parameters (Fig. 3a Fig. 3h), whereby a decision device (1...N; Fig. 2 control centre) determines which parameters (ACS: 12,65, 14,25, 15,85, 19,85) are to be used by the users for transmitting data, according to a predetermined election method, taking into consideration the number of votes (20; 30).

Description

description

"Parameter selection procedure - coordination procedure for parameter selection in protocols (e.g. TandemFreeOperation TFO)"

The invention relates to methods for defining parameters to be used for the transmission of data between a first subscriber and at least one> second subscriber, in particular codecs modes in TFO.

Mobile radio networks are known to the person skilled in the art from various standards such as GSM etc. In the case of a transmission from a mobile radio subscriber to another mobile radio subscriber via a mobile radio network, data (voice data or other data) are transmitted coded on the air interface of the mobile radio network in accordance with predetermined parameters (relating to bit rate, coding etc., so-called codecs). In a rate adaptation unit (TRAU) of a base station, the data is reformatted (“transcoded”) in a different format (usually the PCM format, which is customary in the fixed network, etc.), transmitted further by circuit or packet transfer and before transmission to the second Via a second air interface, the subscriber is recoded (“transcoded”) into parameters known to the second subscriber (= a codec mode known to the subscriber) that is suitable for transmission via the air interface. The repeated recoding deteriorates the speech quality. If two communicating participants of a mobile radio network know at least one same transmission format (or this defining parameter), that is to say at least one same codec, data can be transmitted from one telecommunication subscriber to another telecommunication subscriber without transcoding. This type of transmission, also called tandem free operation (operation without double = tandem transcoding) increases the quality and reduces the bandwidth required, since a lower bandwidth could be used for transcoder-free transmission than transcoded.

For a multirate codec AMR-WB (which divides the radio bandwidth into useful and protective signals depending on the radio conditions and enables eight out of nine different modes), the (at least) two participants exchange which of the modes are to be supported for communication between them ( supported Codec Set) and which are currently being used (active Codec Set). Then it is decided according to a defined algorithm which modes (maximum 4 in GSM) the two participants agree on. Speech quality is usually taken into account for this. There are e.g. a rule that states for certain constellations that at least one of the lower three (for AMR half-rate) or five (for AMR full-rate) modes must be available for TFO communication.

The object of the present invention is to provide a method which makes a balanced decision when choosing from the two participants offered parameter sets (codec modes, etc.). The object is achieved in each case by the subject matter of the independent claims.

The fact that the (at least) two participants select the parameter sets (codec modes, etc.) to be used from the parameter sets known to them, for example based on the candidate selection based on a choice, makes the process very flexible with regard to a possible later introduction of new parameters Rates or when changing the evaluation criteria for the parameter rates.

For this purpose, a weighting, that is to say a number of votes, can be provided for each parameter set that a subscriber knows (for example codec mode). Depending on which modes a participant of the connection offers in the so-called active codec set, he receives a total number of votes. The participant who ten votes determines which mode is selected first from the modes that the two participants support (common supported codec set, CSCS). After a selection procedure (corresponding to DeHondt or StLague / Schepers, for example), it is determined which participant can choose a second mode, etc., until all the modes to be selected (the minimum of the maximum number of modes in the participants' active code set "MACS") So that the procedure leads to the same result for all participants independently, the same procedure should be known to both participants.For example, the following can be specified for TFO: If one participant only offers low modes and the other only offers high modes, he must use the high modes Participants offering first choose their lowest modes and participants offering low modes first select their highest modes Another example is that the next possible mode from your own offering with the highest number of votes must be chosen.

The method can be used above all for the definition of the parameter sets (codec modes) for TFO in the mobile radio area, but is also suitable for other areas.

The method enables dynamic selection of parameters. It also allows the interests of at least two participants to be taken into account. In addition, it can be flexibly adapted to changing conditions.

Further features and advantages result from the following description of an exemplary embodiment with reference to the drawing. It shows:

1 shows a method according to the invention, in which an identical definition of parameter sets takes place independently of one another on the part of all participants (MS), 2 shows a further method according to the invention, in which parameters (parameter sets) are set for the participants by a central point which is trustworthy for them,

3 shows an example of the application of the method for AMR-WB TFO,

Fig. 4 shows another method according to the invention.

Figure 1 shows several participants 1-N, between which data is to be transmitted, parameters for the transmission of data between the participants are to be negotiated, which specify how the data are to be transmitted (sampling rate, bandwidth, coding, etc., in particular codec Modes for TFO) or e.g. also which options could be supported in a protocol.

For this purpose, the participants inform each other of the number of parameter sets they support (number of supported codec modes, supported protocol options, etc.), the individual parameter weighting, supported parameters and currently used parameters in step A 1, in order to determine the parameters - Prepare for voting through an election process.

In step A 2, the parameters to be used for the transmission of data to other participants are determined for each participant, taking into account that participant and parameter sets (codecs, etc.) supported by other participants according to a predetermined method. For this purpose, a weighting factor (a number of votes) for the parameters is first determined in step A 2.1 if these are not specified in a protocol (known to all participants) where the weighting factors indicate for which parameter set (codec) which number of votes a participant has in each case. Based on the weighting factors (negotiated or determined by a protocol) and the parameter sets offered by this and the other participant, the total number of voices of the participants and the number of parameter sets to be selected are determined. In step A 2.3 it is determined how, based on the number of votes available to a participant (whereby a participant in the method shown in FIG. 1 knows how many voices the other participants have and how they use them) determines which voting method is used becomes. For example, analogous to the election of candidates for a parliament for the choice of parameter sets (codec modes, etc.) for transmission in a mobile radio network, etc., this can be the DeHondtian method or another method.

In step A 2.4 (corresponding to a parliamentary election but with different numbers of votes for the voting participants), the participants (mobile stations, PDA, etc.) dial, whereby each participant determines 1-N according to an identical procedure, which participant, for example Which codec mode is selected (whereby, for example, a protocol known to all participants can stipulate that each participant chooses the highest (or lowest) available codec mode or assigns certain amounts to codec modes according to their level). In step A 2.5 there is thus a result of the election in the form of a list of the parameters to be used by all subscribers 1-N (e.g. mobile radio codecs).

Then (step A 3), the parameters determined in this way are used for the transmission of data (voice data etc.) between the participants for each participant 1-N. In FIG. 2, instead of a (choice for) setting the parameters in each subscriber (= mobile station, PDA, etc.), the parameters are set in a central station using an identical method. For this purpose, information relevant to the choice of parameters is sent to the central point in step B1 (for example the examples of information given for this in FIG. 2). In step B 2 the parameters (codecs etc.) are selected in the central office.

In step B 3, the parameters determined by the central office and now usable for the transmission of data are sent to each subscriber 1-N. In step B 4, the determined parameters (available and / or currently selected codecs) are used by each participant for the transmission of data (voice data etc.) to another participant.

In FIG. 2, instead of a (choice for) setting the parameters in each subscriber (= mobile station, PDA, etc.), the parameters are set in a central station using an identical method.

In Fig. 4, instead of a (choice for) setting the parameters in each subscriber (= mobile station, PDA, etc.)), the parameters are set in a plurality of decision-making devices assigned to the subscribers in the network (= transcoder (TC), transcoder rate) Adapter Unit (TRAU), BaseStation Subsystem (BSS), RadioNetworkController (RNC) etc.). For this purpose, in step C 1 information relevant to the parameter selection is sent to the decision-making devices (for example the examples of information given for this in FIG. 2). In step B 2, the parameters (codecs, etc.) are selected in the decision-making facilities.

In step C 3, the ones determined by the decision-making devices that can now be used for the transmission of data are used Parameters sent to each participant 1-N. In step C 4, the determined parameters (available and / or currently selected codecs) are used by each participant for the transmission of data (voice data etc.) to another participant.

3 shows an application example for the application of the method for determining codecs for TFO communication (AMR-EB-TFO) between subscribers. In Fig. 3a different modes are indicated by their transmission rate parameters (6, 65, 8, 85 to 23.85 kbit / s). For example, the method can be defined in such a way that the number of votes (2.4, ..., 1) specified for this is available to the participant who supports these modes (i.e. 2 votes for the first mode, 4 for the second, etc.) ).

3b, for example, the first subscriber (side B) can use the parameter sets specified under SCS (codec modes 6.65 / 8.85 / 12.65 / 14.25 / 15.85 / 19.86 kbits / s) support and propose the modes 6.65 / 8.85 / 12.65 / 14.25 shown in bold under ACS, for which he receives the number of votes 2 + 4 + 6 + 8 = 20 ..

According to FIG. 3c, the second subscriber (side A) supports the modes 8.85-23.85 indicated in bold under SCS and beats the modes 15.85 / 18.25 / 19.85 / 23.05 / 23 indicated in bold under ACS , 85 for which he receives 10 + 9 + 7 + 3 + 1 = 30 votes.

While (FIG. 3b, MCAS = 4) the first subscriber (= B) wishes a maximum of four modes to be used, the second subscriber (= A) according to FIG. 3c (MACS = 5) wants a maximum of 5 modes to be supported. Therefore, in Fig. 3d the number of parameters (modes) to be assigned is set to the minimum of the maximum number of modes supported by the two participants (minimum of 4 and 5), ie 4, so that 4 parameter sets (modes) from the two Known participants (under SCS in Fig. 3b and 3c Modes indicated in bold), i.e. from the 4 modes 8.85 / 12.65 / 14.25 / 15.85 / 19.85 specified under CSCS (common supported codec set). On the basis of the number of votes determined in FIGS. 3b and 3c, it is determined, for example, according to the German or StLague / Schepers method, etc., who has which right to choose, namely subscriber A the right to vote 1 and the right to vote 3, but subscriber B the right to vote 3 and the right to choose 4 (i.e. for the second and fourth codec modes to be selected). In the simplest case, the election process can consist of alternating voting after the first election.

3e shows that B selects mode 15, 85, which can result, for example, from the fact that A automatically selects the largest mode (which should be known to a central point according to FIG. 2 or to all subscribers according to FIG. 1).

According to FIG. 3f, A now selects mode 14, 85 because, for example, it is specified that B chooses the highest possible mode proposed by A as the first mode.

According to FIG. 3g, B now selects mode 19.85, because it is predefined that A selects a mode that is as low as possible and (as shown in FIG. 3d) supported by B as CSCS, 19.85 being the lowest here.

3h A then selects the next highest mode proposed by A and contained in the CSCS set, that is to say 12.65. The final result is that modes 12.65, 14.25, 15.85 and 19.85 have been selected and are now available or have been defined for the transmission of data between the participants. The method can also be used very flexibly with codec modes that may be introduced in the future and can be quickly adjusted to different assessments of the speech quality of the AMR-WB modes by changing the number of votes for the codec modes in the dialing method.

Claims

claims

1. Method for setting (Fig. 3a - Fig. 3h) of for the transmission of data between a first participant

(1, B) and at least one second participant (2, B) parameters to be used (12.65 / 14.25 / 15.85 / 19.85), each participant (1 ... N) having a number of votes (20th ; 30) of castable votes for the parameter selection (Fig. 3a - 3h), whereby from a decision-making device (Fig. 1: 1 ... N; Fig. 2 control center) according to a predetermined selection process, taking into account the number of votes (20; 30 ) it is decided which parameters (ACS: 12.65, 14.25, 15.85, 19.85) are to be used by the participants for the transmission of data.

2. The method, in particular, according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a decision device decides which protocol options are to be used by the participants for the transmission of data, taking into account the number of votes, taking into account the number of votes.

3. The method in particular according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a decision device decides which functionalities are to be activated by the participants according to a predetermined voting method, taking into account the number of votes.

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the parameters define bit rates and / or data formats and / or TFO codec modes for the transmission of the data. _ _

10

5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the number of the maximum (MACS) usable parameters is defined as the minimum of the number of parameters (MACS / A, MACS / B) usable by the participants.

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the number of votes (20; 30) of a participant (1, 2) depending on the number of parameters proposed by the participant and / or a weighting of the proposed parameters (2, 4, 6, 8/10, 9, 7, 3, 1).

7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the participant with the highest number of votes (participant 1 = B) selected parameters as the first participant.

8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that from the parameters of a participant according to a predetermined order, in particular first the lowest or highest mode, is selected from the parameters proposed by this participant.

9. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the further selection of parameters is carried out according to a predetermined method, in particular analogous to DeHondt or StLague / Schepers.

10. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the parameters are AMR codec modes for a mobile radio transmission in the TrFO or TFO method.

11. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that all participants ne decision device that uses the same method for setting (Fig. 3a - 3h) of parameters to be used for the transmission of data between the participants.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1-10, characterized in that a decision device (Fig. 2, headquarters) decides for all participants (1-N).

13. The method according to any one of claims 1-10, characterized in that several decision devices assigned to the participants (Fig. 4) decide for one or more participants (1-N).

14. Decision device for performing the method according to one of the preceding claims.

15. Transcoder (TC) or transcoder rate adapter unit (TRAU) or base station subsystem (BSS) or radio network controller (RNC) or other decision devices assigned to a mobile radio subscriber in the mobile radio network for carrying out the method according to one of the preceding claims.

16. Mobile radio terminal with a decision device for performing the method according to one of the preceding claims.