GB2437127A

GB2437127A - Controlling the operation state of a mobile communication device

Info

Publication number: GB2437127A
Application number: GB0606974A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Lecompte; Michael Roberts; Ajay Vachhany; Frederic Gabin
Original assignee: NEC Technologies UK Ltd
Current assignee: NEC Technologies UK Ltd
Priority date: 2006-04-06
Filing date: 2006-04-06
Publication date: 2007-10-17
Also published as: GB0606974D0

Abstract

In PoC calls, the traffic channel needs to be kept open during silences, since re-opening the link causes noticeable delay. The invention provides for a method of controlling a state of operation of the mobile radio communications device within a mobile radio communications network and including the steps of, signalling from the mobile radio communications device to the network an indication of service requirement of the mobile radio communications device, and, in reply, providing signalling from the network to the mobile radio communications device serving to allocate a state appropriate to the service requirement and to maintain the mobile radio communications device in that state.

Description

MOBILE RADIO COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE AN]) RELATED METHOD

OF CONTROL

The present invention relates to a mobile radio communications device and to a related method of controlling the state of the operation of the device within a mobile radio communications network.

Certain services available within 3G networks, such as push to talk over cellular (PoC), voice over internet protocol (VoIP) and gaming over internet protocol (G0IP), and other generally high level services, dictate specific requirements of both the Radio Access Network (RAN) and the User Equipment (UE) so as to ensure that such high level services can be fully implemented. Such requirements can comprise fast call set-up times for applications requiring a short delay before transmission commences, primarily to save radio resources. Additionally, or alternatively, the required capabilities can comprise the provision of continuous connectivity.

I-Iowever, it is found that, for example, such fast call set-up scenarios are only available in some network configurations. More specifically, with regard to universal mobile telecommunication systems (UMTS) configurations, fast call set-up scenarios are only available when the UE is held in certain states, such as the CELL PCI-I, CELL DCH and CELL FACH states With regard to GPRS, fast call set-up scenarios are available only in the "ready" state and for LTE configurations such high level services may only prove to be available in LTE ACTIVE states.

Disadvantageous limitations can therefore arise if the operation of the user equipment is not initiated, and subsequently retained, in an appropriate state supporting such high level services.

While it could prove possible to maintain the user equipment for a relatively long period of time in a state that is likely to prove most appropriate to a potential future high level service, for example keeping the UE in a CELL DCH of CELL FACH state so as to ensure support such high level services, disadvantageously limiting operational characteristics are then experienced such as excessive drain on the power supply of the UE, and the unnecessary use of radio resources.

The present invention seeks to provide for a method of controlling the state of operation of the mobile radio communications device, to a related mobile radio communications device and to a mobile radio communication network device, offering advantages over currently known methods and devices.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of controlling the state of operation of a mobile radio communications device within a mobile radio communications network and including the steps of, signalling from the mobile radio communications device to the network an indication of the service requirement of the mobile radio communications device, and in reply providing signalling from the network to the mobile radio communications device serving to allocate a state appropriate to the said service requirement and to retain the mobile radio communications device in that said allocated state.

The present invention therefore advantageously allows the UE to indicate to a network that services requiring for example such as continuous connectivity and/or fast call set-up are activated in the UE, and such notification can then be advantageously employed by the network to control the UE in a specific manner so as to ensure that the high level services required can be supported in the correct manner and with the tJE in an appropriate state.

The network can then readily advantageously identify that high level applications enabled within the UE require the network to maintain the mobile in the state that is most suitably adapted to the requirements of such high level services.

Once provided with such a clear indication that such high level services and related requirements are activated within the UE, the network can then readily control subsequent state of operation of the UE so as to ensure that the most appropriate state is, and continues to be, employed.

In one particular embodiment, the methods is employed within a UMTS arrangement and the said states of operation can comprise one of the CELL PCH, CELL DCH or CELL FACH states.

The method can advantageously include an initial step of the network signalling to the mobile radio communications device that a particular service is supported by the network.

Yet further, the method can include the step of providing signalling from the network that a particular service is supported by the Core Network (CN).

Advantageously, the network can provide such signalling on a BCCH channel.

The method can also include the step of the mobile radio communications device signalling to the RAN/CN the said service capabilities.

Of course, it will be appreciated that the said service requirement can comprise continuous connectivity and/or fast call set-up procedures.

The application requiring such services can comprise PoC, VoIP and also GoIP.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a mobile radio communications device having a plurality of states of operation within a mobile radio communications network, the device being arranged for signalling to the network an indication of service requirement and, further, being arranged to receive signalling from the network serving to allocate a state appropriate to the said service requirement, such signalling so received serving to retain the mobile radio communications device in the said allocated state.

The mobile radio communications device can advantageously be arranged for operation with a UMTS services, and the said plurality of states can include at least one of CELL PCH, CELL DCH, CELL FACH states.

The mobile radio communications device can also advantageously be arranged to receive network signalling serving to indicate that a particular service is supported by the network.

in particular, the mobile radio communications device can be arranged to receive signalling serving to indicate that a particular service is supported by CN.

Advantageously, the mobile radio communications device is arranged to receive signalling from the network by way of a BCCH channel.

Yet further, the mobile radio communications device can be arranged to signal to the RAN/CN/, the said service capability.

The service requirement can comprise at least one of continuous connectivity and fast call set-up arrangement.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a mobile radio communications network device arranged to exchange signalling with a mobile radio communications device having a plurality of states, the mobile radio communications network device being arranged to receive signalling from the said mobile radio communications device serving to indicate the service requirement of the mobile radio communications device, and further being arranged to provide signalling to the mobile radio communications device serving to allocate a state appropriate to the said service requirement and to retain the said mobile radio communications device in the said allocated state.

Preferably the mobile radio communications network device comprises a tJMTS device and the said plurality of states include at least one of CELL PCH, CELL DCH and CELL FACH states.

The mobile radio communications network device can be arranged to signal to the mobile radio communications device that a particular service is supported by the network: The mobile radio communications network device can further be arranged to signal that a particular service is supported by the CN.

Advantageously, this said signalling is provided via the network to the mobile radio communications device by way of a BCCH channel.

As noted above, the said service capability can comprise at least one of continuous connectivity and a fast call set-up arrangement.

The present invention is therefore advantageous in that it arranges for a mobile radio communications device to indicate to a network that particular services requiring, for example, continuous connectivity and/or fast call set-up times, are activated therein and subsequently request the network to handle the mobile radio communications device in a specific manner so as to ensure that such services can be continuously served in the correct manner.

Generally, this requires that, and depending upon the service requirements of the mobile radio communications device, the network should retain the mobile radio communications device in the most appropriate state such as for example, the CELL PCH, CELL DCH or CELL FACH states for UMTS devices.

For other RANS the particular state (s) concerned will be different. Of course, the optimum state can be determined by either user subscription, the activated service within the mobile radio communications device, and the capabilities of both mobile radio communications device and the network.

The invention is described further hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawing, which illustrates a sequence of message signalling arising in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

As noted from the foregoing, the present invention has arisen from identification of the need for a mobile radio communications network to become aware that applications activated within a mobile radio communications device will require the network to maintain the mobile radio communications device in a particular state.

As will be appreciated, in order to allow for a call to a mobile radio communications device to be set-up for mobile terminated cases, the network needs to know the precise location of the mobile. Currently, the quickest way to establish a call to a mobile radio communications device is when the device is operating within a CELL DCII or CELL FACH state. When, however, the mobile radio communications device is moved into one of CELL PCH, URA PCH and IDLE states, the length of time required to set up a call becomes progressively longer due in particular to the fact that the mobility of the mobile radio communications device is unknown to the network. Also, in such a state, the mobile radio communications device is arranged to operate in a discontinuous reception (DRX) mode in order to reduce power consumption and therefore enhance battery lifetime.

If, however, it is desired to maintain a mobile radio communications device in CELL 1)CH and CELL FACH states for relatively long lived connection, ready for the eventuality of the mobile terminated packet arriving, this would however present several disadvantageously negative characteristics. First, in such states the power drain on the battery is significant and so one would not wish to retain the mobile radio communications device in such states for any longer than is absolutely necessary. The power drain on the battery cannot be reduced since, in these states, the mobile radio communications device cannot operate in a DRX mode. Secondly, it is noted that the operation of the mobile radio communications device in these states disadvantageously places high demands on the available radio resources.

It is considered that the most appropriate state for achieving fast call set-up times is the CELL PCH state since it is considered to represent a compromise between the CELL FACH and IJRA PCH states there the mobile radio communications device is known, at cell-level, to the system and the power consumption can be reduced through the application of DRX. In addition, there are various Rel-7 features such as continuous connectivity which allow a mobile radio communications device to remain in its CELLDCI-1 state, and such that power saving configurations can be implemented.

Co-pending UK patent applications of the applicant allotted filing numbers 0602569.6 and 0601592.9 include proposals for reducing the DRX delay. However, independent of the manner in which DRX might be employed, the present invention advantageously allows for the network to become aware of the fact that the applications available within the mobile radio communications device require the network to maintain the device in a state which is most appropriately adapted to the needs of the particular high level application.

The invention advantageously overcomes the current absence of any means for informing the network of the requirements of the application activated in the mobile radio communication device having regard for example to service requirements such as continuous connectivity and fast call set-up times. Current networks cannot therefore be employed to assist in the selection of the most appropriate state of operation of the mobile radio communications device, nor to maintain the mobile radio communications device in that state.

Yet further, the service offered by the present invention can be offered as part of a subscription service and, therefore, stored on the SIM/USIM and in the network HLR/VLRJSGSN in which an allowed quality of service for continuous connectivity and fast call set-up may be negotiated between the CN, the RAN and the mobile radio communications device.

The network can advantageously inform the mobile radio communications device that, for example, continuous connectivity is available and that fast call set-up times are supported. The availability of such service requirements can advantageously be displayed in the mobile radio communications device in order to allow for correct network selection during roaming of the mobile radio communications device between networks.

In one particular embodiment, the UTRAN is arranged to send an indication by way of the BCCH that continuous connectivity is supported and that fast call set-up techniques arc supported.

The UTRAN can also advantageously indicate the particular types of fast call set-up techniques that are supported by the UTRAN and by the call networks.

Further in relation to this embodiment, the mobile radio communication device is arranged to indicate, via signalling, to the RAN/CN that Continuous RRC connectivity is requested, and that a particular quality of service is required based on the requirements of the currently running application.

This advantageously provides an opportunity for the network to verify the level of subscription of the mobile radio communications device, to verify the network services both at CN and RAN level, and to control operation of the mobile radio communications device by placing it into the most appropriate state.

Yet further, lu and NAS protocols between the mobile radio communications device and the RAN/CN can be advantageously updated to indicate if continuous connectivity and fast call set-up arrangements are allowed. If so, the particular quality of service that is allowed for when continuous connectivity is requested. Such arrangements can advantageously allow verification and negotiation of the quality of service for continuous connectivity, and fast call set-up, and thus appropriate levels of charging to network subscriber.

Within the concept of this invention, continuous connectivity and fast call set-up times are considered to be new services for which subscription can be applied by the HPLMN operator and as such follow the general rules of subscription service with GSM and UMTS.

Such rules generally dictate service restrictions when roaming internationally and that national and regional restrictions of service also apply.

The new services have characteristics which can be defined by the availability of, for example, continuous connectivity. That is, the mobility of the UE is controlled in the most optimal way in order to precipitate fast call set-up (i.e. maintenance of the mobile on a cell level (CELL PCH, CELL FACH, or CELL DCH in UMTS) or any state for GSM/GPR or LTE where the mobility of the UE is maintained to within a limited geographical area, for example at cell level, It should be appreciated that such continuous connectivity can be identified by a request for continuous connectivity, a reference to priority or a mobility description, such as for example, for GPRS the Routing Area or Cell description; and for LTE the Routing Area, and Tracking Area,

Cell and description.

Continuous connectivity can also be identified on the basis of a period of time for which such connectivity is required in the event that if there is no activity whereupon the connection can he dropped by the network.

With regard to the fast call set-up service a particular quality of service can be identified by one of the following characteristics: namely priority handling particularly in the case of simultaneous fast call set-up negotiation; the time in seconds until the user plane is connected; the time in seconds until the control plane is connected; and/or a service such as PoC or GoIP.

Turning now to the accompanying drawing, this serves to illustrate an implementation of the present invention based upon current protocols along with extensions provided so as to allow for the transport of the necessary service specific data.

The message sequence charts illustrated in the drawing show a homogeneous network in which both the CN and RAN support continuous connectivity and fast call set-up services on a PLMN-wide area.

The message signalling sequence commences, with regard to the normal case in which continuous connectivity is activated. A message 12 comprising a PDP context activation is signalled from the UE protocol stack, via the UTRAN, to the CN. En reply, a PDP context confirmation signal 14 is returned from the CN via the UTRAN to the UE protocol stack. The radio access bearer set-up signal 16 is then delivered from the CN to the UTRAN and is subsequently sent on as signalling 18 to the UE protocol stack.

Confirmation signal 20 is then returned from the UE protocol stack to the UTRAN, and, in turn, a radio access bearer set-up complete signal 22 is delivered from the UTRAN to theCN.

Subsequently, and with a particular application, such as in this illustrated example PoC being activated, a fast connection requested signal from a call relating to a particular quality of service is sent from the UE PoC application to the UE protocol stack.

PDP context modification signalling 26 is then sent from the UE protocol stack via the UTRAN to the CN and, in reply, a radio access bearer modification signal 28 is returned from the CN to the UTRAN and, in turn, the UTRAN delivers a radio access bearer re-configuration signal 30 to the UE protocol stack.

This, in turn, initiates a confirmation signal 32 from the UE protocol stack to the UTRAN which eventually appears as radio access bearer modification signalling 34 which then initiates radio access bearer modification signal 34 to the CN.

As a final step, a PDP context modification confirmation signal 36 is returned from the CN to the UE protocol stack.

In the above manner, the UTRAN can advantageously maintain the UE in the most appropriate RRC state for continuous connectivity and can further attempt to maintain permanently the mobility of the UE within the RAN.

It should be appreciated that in situations where there is a partial service from the PLMN, or where there are roaming restrictions, either nationally or internationally, or on the basis of regional subscriptions, there will be a requirement, when the UE perform the radio access update, to re-negotiate the continuous connectivity and fast call set-up quality of service attributes. This can advantageously be performed by means of standard procedures and, in such a case, the RAU may cause a change in the PDP context and the RAB attributes and, as a result, the service may be somewhat restricted.

However, as will be appreciated from the above, and irrespective of the particular network configuration employed, the present invention advantageously provides for a mechanism by which a mobile radio communication device can indicate to a network that services requiring particular capabilities such as continuous connectivity and/or fast call set-up are activated, and are required to be controlled, within the mobile radio communications device.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A method of controlling the state of operation of a mobile

radio communications device within a mobile radio communications network and including the steps of, signalling from the mobile radio communications device to the network an indication of the service requirement of the mobile radio communications device, and in reply providing signalling from the network to the mobile radio communications device serving to allocate a state appropriate to the said service requirement and to retain the mobile radio communications device in that said allocated state.

2. A method as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the method is employed within a UMTS system and the said states of operation comprise one of the CELL PCH, CELL DCH or CELL FACH states.

3. A method as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, and including an an initial step of the network signalling to the mobile radio communications device that a particular service is supported by the network.

4. A method as claimed in Claim 1, 2 or 3, and including the step of providing signalling from the network that a particular service is supported by the CN.

5. A method is claimed in Claim 4, wherein the signalling from the network is provided on the BCCH channel.

6. A method as claimed in any one or more of the preceding claims and includeing the step of the mobile radio communications device signalling to the RAN/CN the said service requirement.

7. A method as claimed in any one or more of the preceding claims wherein the said service requirement comprise, continuously connectivity and/or a fast call set-up procedure.

8. A mobile radio communications device having a plurality of states of operation within a mobile radio communications network, the device being arranged for signalling to the network an indication of service requirement and, further, being arranged to receive signalling from the network serving to allocate a state appropriate to the said service requirement, such signalling so received serving to retain the mobile radio communications device in the said allocated state.

9. A device as claimed in Claim 8 and arranged for operation within a UMTS system, and wherein the said plurality of states include at least one of CELL PCI-I, CELL DCH, CELL FACH states.

10. A device as claimed in Claim 8 or 9, and arranged to receive network signalling serving to indicate that a particular service is supported by the network.

II. A device as claimed in Claim 8, 9 or 10, and arranged to receive signalling serving to indicate that a particular service is supported by the CN.

12. A device as claimed in any one or more of Claims 8 to 11 arranged to receive signalling from the network by way of a BCCH channel.

13. A device as claimed in any one or more of Claims 8 to 12 arranged to signal to the RAN/CN the said service capability.

14. A device as claimed in any one or more of Claims 8 to 13, wherein the said service requirement can comprise at least one of continuous connectivity and fast call set-up times.

15. A mobile radio communications network device arranged to exchange signalling with a mobile radio communications device having a plurality of states, the mobile radio communications network device being arranged to receive signalling from the said mobile radio communications device serving to indicate a service requirement of the mobile radio communications device, and further being arranged to provide signalling to the mobile radio communications device serving to allocate a state appropriate to the said service requirement and to retain the said mobile radio communications device in the said allocated state.

16. A network device as claimed in Claim 15 and comprising UMTS device and wherein the said plurality of states include at least one of CELL PCH, CELL DCH and CELL FACH states.

17. A network device as claimed in Claim 15 or 16 and be arranged to signal to the mobile radio communications device that a particular service is supported by the network.

18. A network device as claimed in Claim 15, 16 or 17 and arranged to signal that a particular service is supported by the CN.

19. A network device as claimed in claim 15, 16, 17 or 18, wherein the said signalling to the mobile radio communication device is provided by way of a BCCH channel.

20. A network device as claimed in any one or more wherein of Claim 15 to 19 the said service requirement comprises at least one of continuous connectivity and a fast call set-up procedure.

21. A method of controlling the state of operation of a mobile radio communications device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawing.

22. A mobile radio communications device having a plurality of states of operation within the mobile radio communications network and substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

23. A mobile radio communications network device, arranged to exchange signal with a mobile radio communications device having a plurality of states, and substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.