KR20060038689A - Mobile communication terminal for handover between asynchronous communication network and wibro network and controlling method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a mobile communication terminal capable of handover between heterogeneous networks and a control method thereof in a mobile communication system in which heterogeneous mobile communication networks are mixed. After handover when the signal strength from a connected mobile communication network is smaller than a specified value, By presenting a mobile communication terminal which pre-activates the modem to be used and a control method thereof, it is possible to shorten the handover time and to prevent the connection from being terminated before the handover is made.

WiBro, WCDMA, Modem Control

Description

Mobile communication terminal for handover between asynchronous mobile network and WiBro network and its control method {Mobile Communication Terminal for Handover Between Asynchronous Communication Network and WiBro Network and Controlling Method Thereof}

1 is a block diagram of a mobile communication system in which an asynchronous mobile communication network and a WiBro network are mixed;

2 is a block diagram of a mobile communication terminal according to the present invention;

3 is a view for explaining a modem control concept in a mobile communication terminal according to the present invention;

4 is a flowchart illustrating a modem control method of a mobile communication terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention;

5 is a flowchart illustrating a modem control method of a mobile communication terminal according to another embodiment of the present invention.

<Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

10: multi-mode multi-band mobile communication terminal 20: asynchronous mobile communication system

30: WiBro system 40: IP backbone network

50: GGSN 60: Internet

210: Node B 220: Wireless Network Controller                 

230: exchanger 240: SGSN

310: base station 320: control station

110: antenna 120: asynchronous module

121: duplexer 122: asynchronous wireless transceiver

123: asynchronous modem unit 130: WiBro module

131: duplexer 132: WiBro wireless transceiver

133: WiBro modem unit 140: common module

The present invention relates to a mobile communication terminal and a control method thereof, and more particularly, to a mobile communication terminal and a control method capable of handover between heterogeneous networks in a mobile communication system in which heterogeneous mobile communication networks are mixed.

Recently, wireless Internet service using a mobile communication terminal has been provided by a communication method such as CDMA 1x EV-DO, WCDMA, and the like, and the demand thereof is increasing. However, the mobile communication terminal has a small screen size and low resolution. In addition, since the data transmission rate is low, there is a disadvantage in that the multimedia content is not appropriate. In addition, there is a limitation as a general means for accessing the Internet due to the burden on the information usage fee due to the high wireless Internet usage fee.

Meanwhile, with the expansion of laptops, PCs, and low-cost LAN equipment, there are increasing cases of free access to the Internet wirelessly at home. In addition, as a hot spot service through a public wireless LAN is provided, high-speed wireless Internet access is enabled in a public place using a portable computing terminal. Internet access services over public WLANs offer almost the same quality as wired environments, and offer lower cost benefits, while providing a more reliable and flawless service outdoors, with a smaller coverage area and less mobility. There is a limit.

Overcoming the limitations of the existing system, a service called 'mobile Internet' has been developed as a wireless Internet service that enables high-speed Internet access even when stationary or on the move with high service quality and cost, and is commonly referred to as WiBro. WiBro service is defined as a service that enables high-speed wireless Internet access anytime, anywhere, even while stationary and mobile. Currently, WiBro system is partially implemented in regions with high service utilization rate, and is overlapped with existing WCDMA system.

The WCDMA system guarantees high-speed data service and mobility of UE, and is implemented to have wider coverage than WiBro. However, WCDMA system is expensive to use data service, and it is expensive to design network such as base station and repeater, and additional cost is incurred due to severe loss of radio waves in in-building area. There is a disadvantage that occurs. On the other hand, the WiBro system has a lower guarantee of mobility than WCDMA, but can use data services at a low service fee, and has a low cost in network design. Therefore, the quality of packet data service can be improved by using both systems properly using the multi-mode multi-band mobile communication terminals available in both WCDMA and WiBro systems.

However, the multi-mode multi-band mobile communication terminal takes a lot of time to drive the modem unit to be connected to the handover network during handover, and the modem unit to be used after handover before disconnection with a previously connected communication network is disconnected. Must be driven. If the modem to be used after handover is not driven until it is completely detached from the previously connected mobile communication network, the call may be disconnected.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problem. For the multi-mode multiband mobile communication terminal for handover between an asynchronous network and a WiBro network, the received signal strength from a previously connected mobile communication network is smaller than a specified value. There is a technical problem to provide a mobile communication terminal and a control method thereof that can shorten the time required for handover by starting a modem to be used after the handover in advance.

Another technical problem of the present invention is to prevent the call from being disconnected by starting the modem unit to be used after the handover in advance.

The present invention for achieving the above-described technical problem is a mobile communication terminal that can be selectively connected to the asynchronous mobile communication network and the WiBro network, processing the wireless section protocol with the duplexer, asynchronous wireless transceiver and asynchronous mobile communication system, asynchronous mobile communication network An asynchronous module including an asynchronous modem unit configured to periodically measure the pilot signal strength from the asynchronous mobile communication network while using the service, and to activate the WiBro modem unit when the pilot signal strength becomes lower than a specified value; And processing a wireless section protocol with a duplexer, a WiBro wireless transceiver, and a WiBro mobile communication system, and periodically measuring a pilot signal strength from the WiBro network while using a service connected to the WiBro network, so that the pilot signal strength is equal to or less than a specified value. If weakened to a WiBro module including a WiBro modem unit for starting the asynchronous modem unit.

In addition, the present invention provides a control method of a mobile communication terminal having an asynchronous modem unit and a WiBro modem unit, wherein the asynchronous modem unit or the WiBro modem unit currently running in the asynchronous network or the WiBro network unit is in an idle state. Periodically measuring the pilot signal strength received by the first modem unit; And starting a second modem unit that is not activated when the pilot signal strength is smaller than a specified threshold.

In addition, the present invention is a control method of a mobile communication terminal having an asynchronous modem unit and a WiBro modem unit, which is the asynchronous modem unit or the WiBro modem unit currently active in the asynchronous network or the WiBro network area in the traffic state Periodically measuring the pilot signal strength received by the first modem unit; Starting a second modem unit that is not activated when the pilot signal strength is smaller than a specified threshold; Check whether the connection of the first modem unit is terminated, and if the connection is not terminated, recheck whether the pilot signal strength received by the first modem unit is smaller than a specified threshold, and if the second modem modem is smaller than the threshold, the second modem. Performing a handover to a mobile communication network that can communicate with the unit, and transitioning to the traffic state by the second modem unit; And turning off the second modem unit when the pilot signal strength is smaller than the specified threshold value, when the pilot signal strength is greater than or equal to the threshold value.

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

1 is a configuration diagram of a mobile communication system in which an asynchronous mobile communication network and a WiBro network are mixed.

As shown, the mobile communication terminal 10 is selectively wirelessly connected to the asynchronous mobile communication system 20 represented by WCDMA and the WiBro system 30, which is a portable Internet system, to use data services.

The asynchronous mobile communication system 20 is a Node B 210 as a base station for wireless section communication with the mobile communication terminal 10, a radio network controller (RNC, 220) for controlling a plurality of Node B, a radio network controller ( A location track of the mobile communication terminal 10 connected to the asynchronous exchange (MSC) 230 and the wireless network controller 220 to perform a call exchange for providing a voice call service to the mobile communication terminal 10. And a Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) 240 that maintains and performs access control and security functions.

In addition, the WiBro system 30 provides an access function with the mobile communication terminal 10, manages and controls radio resources, supports handoff of the mobile communication terminal 10, as well as authentication and security functions. Radio Access Station (RAS) 310, and an Access Control Router (ACR) 320 that manages IP routing and mobility, and performs IP multicast, billing, and inter-base station mobility control functions. do.

The WCDMA system 20 and the WiBro system 30 are connected through the IP backbone network 40 to exchange messages necessary for the mobile communication terminal 10 to change the connection from the WCDMA system to the WiBro system. In addition, the IP backbone network 40 is connected to a Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN) 50 that supports interworking with external packets via the Internet 60.

In such a mobile communication system, the mobile communication terminal 10 connected to the WCDMA system 20 and using the packet data service periodically measures the pilot signal strength received from the WCDMA network, and the mobile communication terminal 10 When the pilot signal strength is weakened by moving to the boundary region between the WCDMA network and the WiBro network, the asynchronous modem unit of the mobile communication terminal 10 starts the WiBro modem unit to prepare for handover to the WiBro network. Similarly, the mobile communication terminal 10 connected to the WiBro system 30 and using the packet data service periodically measures the pilot signal strength received from the WiBro network, and the mobile communication terminal is connected to the WiBro network and the WCDMA network. If the pilot signal strength is weakened, the WiBro modem section of the mobile communication terminal 10 prepares for handover to the WCDMA network by starting the asynchronous modem section.

2 is a block diagram of a mobile communication terminal according to the present invention.

As shown, the multi-mode multi-band mobile communication terminal according to the present invention includes an antenna 110, a module 120 for the asynchronous mobile communication service, a module 130 for the WiBro service and a common module 140 It is composed.

The antenna 110 may process both a frequency band for an asynchronous mobile communication service and a frequency band for a WiBro service.

The asynchronous module 120 performs a wireless section protocol with a duplexer 121 operating as a band pass filter for separating and processing respective frequencies, an asynchronous wireless transceiver 122 for separating transmission and reception radio waves into a predetermined frequency band, and a WCDMA system. Asynchronous modem unit 123 for processing, and periodically measuring the pilot signal strength from the WCDMA network while using the service connected to the WCDMA network and starting the WiBro modem unit 133 when the pilot signal strength becomes lower than a specified value. ).

On the other hand, the WiBro module 130 is a duplexer 131 that operates as a band pass filter for separating and processing each frequency, the WiBro wireless transceiver 132 for separating transmission and reception radio waves into a predetermined frequency band and the WiBro mobile communication system WiBro processes the wireless section protocol and periodically measures the pilot signal strength from the WiBro network while using a service connected to the WiBro network, and starts the asynchronous modem unit 123 when the pilot signal strength becomes lower than a specified value. The modem unit 133 is included.

The common module 140 may include an application processor, a memory, an input / output unit, other application processing units, etc. that operate as a central processing unit for controlling the asynchronous modem unit 123 and the WiBro modem unit 133 and perform multimedia functions.

In addition, the multi-mode multi-band mobile communication terminal 10 is equipped with software for user interface, supplementary services, mobility management, access / session control, resource control, and protocol processing, so that users can use various application services. Handover is performed and protocol conversion is performed according to the mobile communication system.

In the mobile communication terminal according to the present embodiment, it is also possible to perform the control of the asynchronous modem unit 123 and the WiBro modem unit 133 by the common module 140, and the asynchronous modem unit 123 and the WiBro modem unit ( It is also possible to allow any one of the modem unit 133 to control the entire mobile communication terminal.

The multi-mode multi-band mobile communication terminal 10 shown in FIG. 2 may be manufactured in an asynchronous network priority mode or a WiBro network priority mode according to an implementation method, wherein the asynchronous network priority mode coexists with a WCDMA network and a WiBro network. In this case, the mobile communication terminal preferentially acquires a signal from the WCDMA network, and the WiBro network priority mode means that the mobile communication terminal preferentially acquires a signal from the WiBro network when the WCDMA network and the WiBro network coexist. .

3 is a view for explaining a modem control concept in a mobile communication terminal according to the present invention.

The multi-mode multi-band mobile communication terminal 10 of the present invention is connected to an asynchronous or WiBro network and the modem is in an OFF state when the pilot signal strength received from the access network is lower than a specified threshold value TH _ON while using a service. By activating the unit, the time required for handover to the WiBro network or the asynchronous network can be shortened. At this time, when the signal strength received from the access network is maintained for a predetermined time (H _D ) in a state below the threshold, it is preferable to start the modem unit in the off state.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling a modem of a mobile communication terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. When the asynchronous modem unit and the WiBro modem unit are idle in a multimode multiband mobile communication terminal of a WiBro priority mode, Modem control method for the case of entering the WiBro network from the network.

The multi-mode multiband mobile communication terminal (S110) of the WiBro priority mode existing in the asynchronous network region periodically measures the pilot signal strength received from the asynchronous network to the asynchronous modem unit of the mobile communication terminal, and the pilot signal strength is designated. Check whether it is smaller than the threshold (S120). When the mobile communication terminal moves to, for example, the boundary region between the WCDMA network and the WiBro network and the pilot signal strength is smaller than the specified threshold value, the asynchronous modem unit starts the WiBro modem unit (S130).

Thereafter, when the mobile communication terminal completes the handover to the WiBro network, the asynchronous modem unit is switched off to switch the modem unit (S140), and the WiBro modem unit transitions to an idle state (S150).

Here, when the pilot signal strength from the WCDMA network is smaller than the threshold value, it is preferable not to drive the WiBro modem portion unconditionally, but to drive the WiBro modem portion when the pilot signal strength is maintained for a predetermined time less than the threshold value.

5 is a flowchart illustrating a modem control method of a mobile communication terminal according to another embodiment of the present invention, in which the asynchronous modem portion of a multimode multiband mobile communication terminal in a WiBro priority mode is in a traffic state. Modem control method for the case of entering the asynchronous network from the wibro network.

The multi-mode multi-band mobile communication terminal (S210) of the WiBro priority mode existing in the asynchronous network region periodically measures the pilot signal strength received from the asynchronous network to the asynchronous modem unit of the mobile communication terminal, and the pilot signal strength is designated. Check whether it is smaller than the threshold (S220). When the mobile communication terminal moves to, for example, the boundary area between the WCDMA network and the WiBro network, and the pilot signal strength is smaller than a specified threshold, the asynchronous modem unit starts the WiBro modem unit (S230) and handover to the WiBro network can be made. Make sure

At this time, before performing the handover, it is checked whether the call from the WCDMA network is terminated, and if the call is not terminated, it is again checked whether the strength of the pilot signal received by the asynchronous modem unit is smaller than the specified threshold value (S240). If the strength is smaller than the threshold, handover to the WiBro network is performed. On the other hand, when the pilot signal strength is greater than the threshold value in step S240, the WiBro modem unit that is started is turned off again (S250). In other words, by checking the connection state with the WCDMA network at once, the WiBro modem unit is unnecessarily driven to prevent power consumption.

On the other hand, before performing the handover, it is checked whether the call from the WCDMA network is terminated (S260), and when the connection is terminated, it is checked whether a signal from the WCDMA network is retrieved (S270). If a signal from the WCDMA network is not detected, a handover to the WiBro network is performed, the asynchronous modem unit is turned off to switch the modem unit (S280), and the WiBro modem unit transitions to an idle state (S290). On the other hand, when a signal from the WCDMA network is retrieved in step S270, the asynchronous modem unit transitions to the idle state (S300).

In step S220, if the pilot signal strength from the WCDMA network is less than the threshold unconditionally driving the WiBro modem portion, if the pilot signal strength is maintained for a first time specified in the state less than the threshold value, and drives the WiBro modem portion, In step S240, when the pilot signal strength is maintained for a second time specified to be greater than the threshold value, it is preferable to turn off the WiBro modem unit.

As such, when the pilot signal strength from the network (for example, WCMDA network) previously connected is lower than the threshold value, the modem unit (for example, the WiBro modem unit) to be used after the handover is activated in advance, and the modem in use is already used. The unit (e.g., asynchronous modem unit) and the modem unit (e.g., the WiBro modem unit) to be used after the handover are kept ON at the same time, so that the modem unit is needed to start the actual handover if necessary. It can save time.

In the present embodiment, the case in which the multimode multi-band mobile communication terminal in the WiBro priority mode moves from the WCDMA network to the WiBro network in the idle state is not limited thereto. In the case of moving from the WiBro network to the WCDMA network, and asynchronous priority Even when the multi-mode multi-band mobile communication terminal of the mode is moved from the WiBro network to the WCDMA network, the asynchronous modem unit is driven by a procedure similar to the above procedure.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention can be implemented in other specific forms without changing the technical spirit or essential features thereof. Therefore, the above-described embodiments are to be understood as illustrative in all respects and not as restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown by the following claims rather than the detailed description, and all changes or modifications derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and their equivalents should be construed as being included in the scope of the present invention. do.

According to the present invention described above, in a mobile communication system in which heterogeneous mobile communication networks are mixed, when a signal strength from a connected mobile communication network is smaller than a specified value, the handover time is shortened by starting the modem unit to be used after the handover in advance. In addition, it is possible to prevent the termination of the connection before the handover is made, thereby improving the quality of service.

Claims (11)

A mobile communication terminal selectively connectable to an asynchronous mobile communication network and a WiBro network, A duplexer that operates as a band pass filter for classifying radio frequencies, processes an asynchronous radio transceiver for separating transmission and reception radio waves into a predetermined frequency band, and a wireless section protocol with an asynchronous mobile communication system. An asynchronous module including an asynchronous modem unit for periodically measuring the pilot signal strength from the asynchronous mobile communication network and activating the WiBro modem unit when the pilot signal strength becomes lower than a specified value; And Duplexer acts as a band pass filter for classifying and processing radio frequencies, and processes wireless section protocols with a WiBro wireless transceiver and a WiBro mobile communication system that separates transmission and reception radio waves into predetermined frequency bands. A WiBro module including a WiBro modem unit for periodically measuring the pilot signal strength from the WiBro network and starting the asynchronous modem unit when the pilot signal strength becomes lower than a specified value; Mobile communication terminal comprising a. The method of claim 1, The mobile communication terminal further comprises a common module for controlling the asynchronous modem unit and the WiBro modem unit. The method of claim 1, And the asynchronous module and the WiBro module are controlled by the asynchronous modem unit. The method of claim 1, And the asynchronous module and the WiBro module are controlled by the WiBro modem unit. A control method of a mobile communication terminal having an asynchronous modem unit and a WiBro modem unit, Periodically measuring a pilot signal strength received by the first asynchronous modem unit of the asynchronous modem unit or a WiBro modem unit currently active in the asynchronous network or the WiBro network area; And Starting a second modem unit that is not activated when the pilot signal strength is smaller than a specified threshold; Mobile communication terminal control method comprising a. The method of claim 5, wherein And if the pilot signal strength is smaller than a specified threshold value, checking whether the pilot signal strength is kept below the threshold value for a specified time before starting the second modem unit. The method of claim 5, wherein And after the step of starting the second modem unit, performing a handover to a mobile communication network that can communicate with the second modem unit, and translating the second modem unit to an idle state. Way. A control method of a mobile communication terminal having an asynchronous modem unit and a WiBro modem unit, Periodically measuring pilot signal strength received by the first asynchronous modem unit or a first modem unit which is currently active of the mobile communication terminal existing in the asynchronous network or the WiBro network area in a traffic state; Starting a second modem unit that is not activated when the pilot signal strength is smaller than a specified threshold; Check whether the connection of the first modem unit is terminated. If the connection is not terminated, recheck whether the pilot signal strength received by the first modem unit is smaller than a specified threshold. Performing a handover to a mobile communication network that can communicate with the second modem unit, and transitioning to a traffic state by the second modem unit; And Turning off the second modem unit when the pilot signal strength is smaller than a predetermined threshold, when the pilot signal strength is greater than or equal to the threshold; Control method of a mobile communication terminal comprising a. The method of claim 8, Checking whether the connection of the first modem unit is terminated and checking whether a signal is received by the first modem unit when the connection is terminated; Performing a handover to a mobile communication network capable of communicating with the second modem unit when no signal is received by the first modem unit, and transitioning the second modem unit to an idle state; And Transitioning the first modem unit to an idle state when a signal is received by the first modem unit; Control method of a mobile communication terminal comprising a. The method of claim 8, Checking whether the pilot signal strength received by the first modem unit is less than a specified threshold value is a step of checking whether the pilot signal strength is kept below the threshold value for a specified first time. Terminal control method. The method of claim 8, Re-confirming whether the pilot signal strength received by the first modem unit is smaller than a specified threshold value is checking whether the pilot signal strength is kept below the threshold value for a specified second time. Terminal control method.

Images