KR101204789B1 - Method and apparatus for supporting mobility of mobile station - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a wireless communication method and apparatus, wherein a mobility support method in a mobile station according to the present invention provides multiple interfaces for supporting communication services so that the mobile station can be provided with a communication service that is optimal for the current location of the mobile station. Managing selective use for the device; And supporting the mobility of the mobile station by performing a required task in accordance with a change in the communication environment accompanying the selective use of the multiple interfaces, wherein the user of the mobile station having multiple interfaces is moving when the user of the mobile station is moving. You can automatically select and use the interface that supports the optimal communication service for your current location.

Description

Method and apparatus for supporting mobility in mobile station

1 is a diagram illustrating a communication environment to which preferred embodiments of the present invention are applied.

2 is a block diagram of a mobility support device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a detailed block diagram of the multi-interface manager 14 shown in FIG. 2.

4 is a flowchart of a mobility support method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a detailed flowchart of step 41 shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a detailed flowchart of 42 steps illustrated in FIG. 4.

The present invention relates to a wireless communication method and apparatus.

Cellular communications of the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) of IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11, and Bluetooth are various specifications regarding wireless communications. As such, the reason for the existence of various standards is that the support area, quality, fee, etc. of wireless communication according to each standard are different from each other. The cellular communication standard of 3GPP, which covers the widest area, is mainly used for mobile phones, and the WLAN standard of IEEE 802.11, which supports the medium area, is used for wireless communication of devices in offices. Used for wireless communication of home devices. In general, although the cellular communication standard of 3GPP has a wide area of support and excellent quality, the communication services that comply with this standard are the most expensive.

Mobile stations are available that can use a variety of communication services in an environment in which a plurality of communication services complying with different communication standards are mixed. Such mobile stations have multiple interfaces that support various communication services. A user of a mobile station having multiple interfaces selects and uses an interface that supports the communication service provided at the mobile station's current location. As the user moves, that is, as the mobile station moves, the provided communication service changes, the user recognizes this and selects and uses an interface that supports the changed communication service.

In other words, when a communication service is changed while moving, the user may disable an existing interface and enable an interface that supports the changed communication service. In addition, the user reconnects those connected through the interface that has been disabled, through the interface that has been disabled.

As described above, conventionally, when switching the interface, there is a problem in that the user has to deal with tasks required for the interface switching, causing inconvenience to the user. In addition, there is a problem that services connected through an existing interface may not be normally performed during the delay period due to a delay corresponding to a user processing tasks required for interface switching. For example, voice communication service, data communication service, etc. are temporarily suspended, and the user must reconnect the suspended services through the switched interface.

In addition, when various communication services are provided in an area, even if the interface located in the area is different from the interface currently being used, the interface switching process may be cumbersome, or other communication services may be provided. There was a problem that the existing interface was not used continuously and was not recognized.

In addition, since the interface switching is not known at the upper layer of the interface, it is not possible to perform a separate operation during the interface switching, and thus, it takes a long time to receive a complete service through the switched interface. there was.

An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for automatically selecting and using an interface supporting a communication service that is optimal for the current location of a mobile station when a user of the mobile station having multiple interfaces is moving. The present invention provides a computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for executing the method on a computer. Another technical problem to be achieved by the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for minimizing the delay incurred when switching between interfaces by supporting mobility at a higher level, which can be read by a computer having a program for executing the method on a computer. To provide a recording medium.

According to the present invention for solving the technical problem, a mobility support method in a mobile station moving in a mixed environment of a plurality of communication services according to different communication standards is the mobile station is optimal for the current location of the mobile station Managing selective use of multiple interfaces supporting the communication services to be provided with the communication service; And supporting mobility of the mobile station by performing required tasks in accordance with a change in communication environment accompanied by selective use of the multiple interfaces.

According to the present invention for solving the other technical problem, a mobility support apparatus in a mobile station moving in an environment in which a plurality of communication services complying with different communication standards are mixed, the mobile station is optimal for the current position of the mobile station A multi-interface management unit for managing selective use of the multi-interfaces supporting the communication services to receive an in-communication service; And a mobility support unit for supporting mobility of the mobile station by performing a required task according to a change in a communication environment accompanying selective use of the multiple interfaces.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for managing multiple interfaces supporting a plurality of communication services conforming to different communication standards. Selecting a supporting interface; And if the selected interface is not the interface being used for communication of the mobile station, switching the interface to be used for communication of the mobile station from the in-use interface to the selected interface.

According to an aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for managing multiple interfaces supporting a plurality of communication services conforming to different communication standards may provide a communication service that is optimal for a current location of a mobile station among the multiple interfaces. An interface selecting unit for selecting an interface to support; And an interface switching unit for switching an interface to be used for communication of the mobile station from the in-use interface to the selected interface when the interface selected by the interface selecting unit is not an interface being used for communication of the mobile station.

In order to solve the above another technical problem, the present invention provides a computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for executing the above-described mobility support method on a computer.

In order to solve the above further technical problem, the present invention provides a computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for executing on the computer the method of managing the multiple interfaces described above.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

1 is a diagram illustrating a communication environment to which preferred embodiments of the present invention are applied.

Referring to FIG. 1, a communication environment to which the present embodiments are applied is an environment in which a plurality of communication services complying with different communication standards are mixed. This communication environment includes a mobile station (1), a radio base station (RBS) (2), a Serving General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) Support Node (3), a Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN) (4), and an AP ( There are an Access Point (5), an Access Router (AR) 6, an AP 7, and an AR 8. The present communication environment is shown in a very brief manner for the sake of understanding, and the actual communication environment to be implemented may include many other devices in addition to the above-mentioned devices.

The mobile station 1 has multiple interfaces that support communication services conforming to different communication standards.

The RBS 2 conforms to the cellular communication standard of 3GPP, and connects the mobile station 1 within the effective distance of radio waves transmitted from the RBS 2, that is, the area managed by the RBS 2, to the wired network. The area managed by the RBS 2 is referred to as a base station subsystem / Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Radio Access Network (BSS / UTRAN). The SGSN 3 follows the 3GPP cellular communication standard and connects the RBS 2 and the GGSN 4 via the 3GPP backbone at an intermediate point between the RBS 2 and the GGSN 4. The GGSN 4 follows the cellular communication standard of 3GPP, and connects the SGSN 3 to an external packet-based network, that is, the Internet.

The AP 5 conforms to the WLAN standard and connects the mobile station 1 within the effective distance of radio waves transmitted from the AP 5, that is, the area managed by the AP 5, to the wired network. The area managed by the AP 5 is called a basic service set (BSS). The AR 6 follows the WLAN standard and connects the AP 5 to an external packet based network, that is, the Internet.

The AP 7 conforms to the Bluetooth standard and connects the mobile station 1 within the effective distance of radio waves transmitted from the AP 7, that is, within the area managed by the AP 7, to the wired network. The area managed by the AP 7 is called a piconet. The AR 8 follows the Bluetooth standard, and connects the AP 7 to an external packet-based network, that is, the Internet.

The user of the mobile station 1 may receive only one of several types of communication services or several at the same time, depending on the current location.

In the following embodiments, the multiple interfaces support a cellular interface supporting a communication service conforming to the cellular communication standard of 3GPP, a WLAN interface supporting a communication service conforming to the WLAN standard of IEEE 802.11, and a communication service conforming to the Bluetooth standard. Those skilled in the art may understand that the present invention may include a Bluetooth interface, or an interface supporting other communication services.

2 is a block diagram of a mobility support device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, the mobility support apparatus according to the present embodiment includes multiple interfaces 11-13, a multiple interface manager 14, and a mobility support 15. The present mobility support apparatus is mounted on a mobile station 1 moving in an environment in which a plurality of communication services complying with different communication standards are mixed. Communication standards applied to this embodiment generally include a cellular communication standard of 3GPP, a wireless LAN standard of IEEE 802.11, and a Bluetooth standard.

The multi-interface manager 14 manages the selective use of the multi-interfaces 11-13 supporting the communication services so that the mobile station 1 can be provided with the optimal communication service at the current location of the mobile station 1. do. That is, the multi-interface manager 14 selects an interface that supports a communication service that is optimal for the current location of the mobile station 1 from among the multiple interfaces 11-13, and selects the interface selected for communication of the mobile station 1. It manages in the manner of use, and notifies the upper layer of the multiple interfaces 11-13 of the interface information changed by the management.

If only one communication service is provided at the current location of the mobile station 1, the multi-interface manager 14 selects an interface that supports the communication service currently being provided. If a plurality of communication services are being provided at the current location of the mobile station 1, the multi-interface management unit 14 may determine this based on the signal strength, service charges, and bandwidths of the communication services currently provided. Select one of the interfaces that support communication services.

3 is a detailed block diagram of the multi-interface manager 14 shown in FIG. 2.

Referring to FIG. 3, the multiple interface manager 14 illustrated in FIG. 2 includes an interface detector 141, an interface selector 142, an interface switcher 143, and an interface information notifier 144. .

The interface detecting unit 141 can search for the communication environment where the mobile station 1 is currently located, thereby enabling the communication of the mobile station 1 at the current position of the mobile station 1 among the interfaces 11-13. Detect interfaces The interface detecting unit 141 communicates the mobile station 1 by measuring the strength of signals provided from a communication service conforming to the cellular communication standard of 3GPP, a communication service conforming to the wireless LAN standard of IEEE 802.11, and a communication service conforming to the Bluetooth standard. Detect the interfaces available to the.

The interface selector 142 selects an interface that supports a communication service that is optimal for the current location of the mobile station 1 from among the multiple interfaces detected as usable by the interface detector 141. In this case, the interface selector 142 selects an interface supporting a communication service that is optimal for the current location of the mobile station 1 based on the strength of the signals provided from the communication services, the bandwidth, and the fee of the communication services. In order to make the interface selection efficient, the mobile station 1 builds a database in which the strength, bandwidth, and charges of the communication services provided from the communication services are recorded in a table form.

For example, when a communication service conforming to the cellular communication standard of 3GPP and a communication service conforming to the WLAN standard of IEEE 802.11 are simultaneously provided to the current location of the mobile station 1, the interface selector 142 is stored in a database. Refer to the table to select the interface that supports the communication service with the lowest cost to signal strength and bandwidth.

If the interface selected by the interface selecting unit 142 is not the interface being used for communication of the mobile station 1, the interface switching unit 143 communicates the interface of the mobile station 1 with the interface to be used for communication of the mobile station 1. The interface selected by the interface selecting unit 142 is switched from the interface in use. The interface switching unit 143 disconnects the upper and lower layers connected to the interface being used for the communication of the mobile station 1, and performs interface switching by connecting to the interface selected by the interface selecting unit 142 again.

The interface information notifying unit 144 notifies the upper layer of the multiple interfaces 11-13 of the interface information that changes according to the switching in the interface switching unit 143. In this embodiment, the upper layer is the mobility support unit 15. In this way, the mobility support unit 15 can quickly support mobility by the interface information notifying unit 144 notifying the mobility support unit 15 of interface information that changes according to the change in the interface switch unit 143. have.

Referring again to FIG. 2, the mobility support unit 15 supports the mobility of the mobile station 1 by performing a required task in accordance with a change in the communication environment accompanying the selective use of the multiple interfaces 11-13. That is, the mobility support unit 15 performs the required task based on the interface information notified by the interface information notifying unit 144. Here, the change in the communication environment means a change of a cell, a change of a subnet, a switch to another interface, and the like. In the present embodiment, a cell means a management area of one base station, and a change of a cell requires a change at a link layer level. In this embodiment, the base station refers to the RBS 2, the AP 5, or the AP 7 shown in FIG. In addition, in the present embodiment, a subnet means an area including a plurality of cells, and a change of a subnet requires a change at a network layer level, and a change of a subnet means a change of a cell. Change is also required. In the current mobile communication environment, since each communication service adopts a different scheme at the link layer and the network layer, switching to another interface requires a change at the link layer and network layer level.

For example, if the interface information notified by the interface information notifying unit 144 means switching to another interface, the mobility support unit 15 performs a connection to a base station that provides a communication service supported by the switched interface. do. In addition, if the interface information notified by the interface information notifying unit 144 indicates a change in the subnet, the mobility support unit 15 performs an IP (Internet Protocol) address changing operation. In addition, if the interface information notified by the interface information notifying unit 144 signifies a cell change, the mobility support unit 15 performs a link layer address changing operation.

The mobility support unit 15 includes a link layer handover performer 151 and a network layer handover performer 152.

The link layer handover performing unit 151 may request a handover at the link layer of the mobile station 1 in accordance with a change in the communication environment accompanying the selective use of the multiple interfaces 11-13. Perform a handover. The link layer handover performer 151 performs handover in the link layer based on the interface information notified by the interface information notifier 144.

In more detail, if the interface information notified by the interface information notifying unit 144 means switching to another interface, changing a subnet, or changing a cell, the link layer handover performing unit 151 performs FMIPv6 (Fast Handover for). According to Mobile IPv6, the link layer connection with the node providing the communication service provided by the mobile station 1 is changed to the link layer connection with the node providing the communication service optimal for the current location of the mobile station 1. do.

The network layer handover performing unit 152 performs a handover at the network layer of the mobile station 1 in accordance with a change in the communication environment accompanying the selective use of the multiple interfaces 11-13. Perform a handover. The network layer handover performer 152 performs handover in the network layer based on the interface information notified by the interface information notifier 144.                     

In more detail, if the interface information notified by the interface information notifying unit 144 means switching to another interface or changing a subnet, the network layer handover performing unit 152 performs a mobile station according to MIPv6 (Mobile IPv6). (1) changes the IP address being used to the IP address corresponding to the current position of the mobile station (1).

4 is a flowchart of a mobility support method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, the mobility support method according to the present embodiment includes the following steps. The mobility support method illustrated in FIG. 4 includes steps that are processed in time series in the mobility support apparatus illustrated in FIG. 2. Therefore, even if omitted below, the content described with respect to the mobility support apparatus illustrated in FIG. 2 is applied to the mobility support method.

In step 41, the mobile station 1 manages the selective use of the multiple interfaces 11-13 supporting the communication services so that the mobile station 1 can receive the optimal communication service at the current location of the mobile station 1. That is, in step 41, an interface supporting a communication service optimal for the current location of the mobile station 1 is selected from the multiple interfaces 11-13, and the selected interface is used for communication of the mobile station 1. It manages and notifies the upper layer of the multiple interface 11-13 of the interface information changed by management.

If only one communication service is provided at the current location of the mobile station 1, the multi-interface manager 14 selects an interface that supports the communication service currently being provided. If a plurality of communication services are being provided at the current location of the mobile station 1, the interfaces supporting these communication services based on the signal strength, service charges, and bandwidths of the communication services presently provided. Choose one.

In step 42, the mobility of the mobile station 1 is supported by performing a required task according to a change in a communication environment accompanied by selective use of the multiple interfaces 11-13. That is, in step 42, the required task is performed based on the interface information notified in step 41.

FIG. 5 is a detailed flowchart of step 41 shown in FIG. 4.

Referring to FIG. 5, step 41 shown in FIG. 4 is composed of the following steps. Step 41 shown in Fig. 4 is composed of steps that are processed in time series in the multi-interface manager 14 shown in Fig. 3. Therefore, even if omitted below, the content described with respect to the multi-interface manager 14 shown in FIG. 3 is applied to the mobility support method.

In step 411, the mobile station 1 detects the interfaces available for communication of the mobile station 1 at the current location of the mobile station 1 among the interfaces 11-13 by searching the communication environment where the mobile station 1 is currently located. .

In step 412, an interface supporting a communication service that is optimal for the current location of the mobile station 1 is selected from the multiple interfaces detected as available in step 411. In this case, in step 412, an interface for supporting a communication service that is optimal for the current location of the mobile station 1 is selected based on the strength of the signals provided from the communication services, the bandwidth, and the fee of the communication services.

In step 413, it is determined whether the interface selected in step 412 is the interface being used for communication of the mobile station 1.

In step 414, if it is determined in step 413 that the interface is not being used for communication of the mobile station 1, the interface selector is selected from the interface being used for communication of the mobile station 1 as the interface to be used for communication of the mobile station 1. Switch to the interface selected at 142.

In step 415, the interface information changed according to the change in step 414 is notified to the upper layer of the multiple interfaces 11-13.

FIG. 6 is a detailed flowchart of 42 steps illustrated in FIG. 4.

Referring to FIG. 6, step 42 illustrated in FIG. 4 includes the following steps. Step 42 shown in FIG. 4 consists of steps processed in time series by the mobility support unit 15 shown in FIG. Therefore, even if omitted below, the content described with respect to the mobility support unit 15 illustrated in FIG. 2 is applied to the mobility support method.

In step 421, if a handover is required in the link layer of the mobile station 1 in accordance with a change in the communication environment accompanying the selective use of the multiple interfaces 11-13, the handover in the link layer is performed. In step 421, the handover is performed in the link layer based on the interface information notified in step 415.

In more detail, if the interface information notified in step 415 means switching to another interface, changing a subnet, or changing a cell, in step 421, the mobile station 1 provides a communication service provided by the mobile station 1 according to FMIPv6. The link layer connection with the node is changed to the link layer connection with the node providing the communication service that is optimal for the current location of the mobile station 1.

In step 422, if a handover is required at the network layer of the mobile station 1 in accordance with a change in the communication environment accompanying the selective use of the multiple interfaces 11-13, the handover at the network layer is performed. In step 422, a handover is performed in the network layer based on the interface information notified in step 415.

In more detail, if the interface information notified in step 415 means switching to another interface or changing a subnet, in step 422, the IP address being used by the mobile station 1 according to MIPv6 may be determined. Change to the IP address corresponding to the location.

The above-described embodiments of the present invention can be embodied in a general-purpose digital computer that can be embodied as a program that can be executed by a computer and operates the program using a computer-readable recording medium.

The computer-readable recording medium may be a magnetic storage medium (for example, a ROM, a floppy disk, a hard disk, etc.), an optical reading medium (for example, a CD-ROM, DVD, etc.) and a carrier wave (for example, the Internet). Storage medium).

So far I looked at the center of the preferred embodiment for the present invention. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Therefore, the disclosed embodiments should be considered in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all differences within the scope of equivalents thereof should be construed as being included in the present invention.

According to the present invention, when a user of a mobile station having multiple interfaces is moving, the user can automatically select and use an interface that supports a communication service that is optimal for the current location of the mobile station. It can eliminate the inconvenience of having to choose. In addition, according to the present invention, it is possible to notify the upper layer of the interface to change the interface information according to the interface switching to support the mobility quickly, thereby minimizing the delay incurred during the interface switching. In other words, regardless of the interface switching, the service that is being used can be used continuously, and the services connected through the existing interface due to the delay corresponding to the user processing the tasks required for the interface switching can be used. This can solve the problem of not performing normally during the delay period.

Claims (16)

In the mobility support method in a mobile station moving in a mixed environment of a plurality of communication services complying with different communication standards, (a) managing selective use of multiple interfaces supporting the communication services at the link layer such that the mobile station is provided with a communication service that is optimal for the current location of the mobile station; And (b) supporting mobility of the mobile station by performing required tasks in accordance with a change in communication environment accompanied by selective use of the multiple interfaces at a link layer and a network layer, The step (a) is characterized in that for selecting the interface supporting the optimal communication service among the multiple interfaces, and managing in the manner of using the selected interface for communication of the mobile station. delete The method of claim 1, The step (a) is characterized in that the selection based on the signal strength of the communication services, service charges, and bandwidths. The method of claim 1, Step (b) is (b1) if a handover is required at the link layer of the mobile station according to the change of the communication environment, performing a handover at the link layer; And (b2) if a handover is required at the network layer of the mobile station according to the change of the communication environment, performing the handover at the network layer. 5. The method of claim 4, The step (b1) is performed based on the interface information changed according to the management in the step (a), The step (b2) is performed based on the interface information changed according to the management in the step (a). 5. The method of claim 4, The step (b1) is characterized in that for changing the link layer connection with the node providing the communication service provided by the mobile station to the link layer connection with the node providing the optimal communication service. 5. The method of claim 4, The step (b2) is characterized in that for changing the IP address being used by the mobile station to the IP address corresponding to the current location. The method of claim 1, The communication standards include a cellular standard of 3GPP, a wireless LAN standard of IEEE 802.11, and a Bluetooth standard. A mobility support apparatus in a mobile station moving in an environment in which a plurality of communication services conforming to different communication standards are provided. A multi-interface management unit for managing selective use of multiple interfaces supporting the communication services at a link layer such that the mobile station can be provided with a communication service optimal for the current location of the mobile station; And A mobility support unit supporting mobility of the mobile station by performing a required task at a link layer and a network layer according to a change in a communication environment accompanying selective use of the multiple interfaces, And the multi-interface manager selects an interface supporting the optimal communication service among the multi-interfaces and manages the selected interface for use in the communication of the mobile station. A method for managing multiple interfaces in a link layer that supports multiple communication services conforming to different communication standards, (a) selecting an interface supporting a communication service optimal for a current location of a mobile station among the multiple interfaces; (b) if the selected interface is not an interface being used for communication of the mobile station, switching an interface to be used for communication of the mobile station from the busy interface to the selected interface; And and (c) notifying the upper layer of the multiple interfaces of the interface information changed according to the switching in the step (b). 11. The method of claim 10, And the step (a) is selected based on the strength of the signals provided from the communication services, the bandwidth, and the charge of the communication services. 11. The method of claim 10, Detecting, among the interfaces, the interfaces available for communication of the mobile station at the current location by searching for a communication environment where the mobile station is currently located, The step (a) is characterized in that for selecting the optimum interface from among the available interface detected. delete 11. The method of claim 10, The communication standards include a cellular communication standard of 3GPP, a wireless LAN standard of IEEE 802.11, and a Bluetooth standard. An apparatus for managing multiple interfaces in a link layer that supports multiple communication services conforming to different communication standards, An interface selection unit for selecting an interface supporting a communication service optimal to a current location of a mobile station among the multiple interfaces; An interface switching unit for switching an interface to be used for communication of the mobile station from the in-use interface to the selected interface when the interface selected by the interface selecting unit is not an interface being used for communication of the mobile station; And And an interface information notifying unit which notifies the upper layer of the multiple interfaces of the interface information changed by the interface switching unit. A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for executing the method of claim 1 or 3 to 8 or 10 to 12 or 14 on a computer.

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