TWI399944B - Method and system for reporting evolved utran capabilities - Google Patents

Description

Report has developed UTRAN capability methods and systems

This invention relates to wireless communication systems, and more particularly to a method and system for reporting the capabilities of the Global Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN).

Today, many different forms of wireless access systems provide different forms of service. For example, wireless access systems include wireless local area networks (WLANs) (such as IEEE 802-based networks) and cellular networks. (such as UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN), Global Packet Radio Service (GPRS) / Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) Deployment (EDGE) Wireless Access Network (GERAN) Enhanced Data Rate...etc. ), each network has been developed and offers a specific application.

Plans for E-UTRAN have been proposed to improve wireless system capacity and enhance performance. E-UTRAN will have significant advantages over existing wireless communication systems and can also provide additional services through E-UTRAN. Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of an integrated wireless communication system 100, which also includes the E-UTRAN. The system 100 includes an access system hierarchy 110, a network hierarchy 120, and a multimedia hierarchy 130. The access system hierarchy 110 includes a plurality of RANs, a core network (CN) 116, and a developed CN 117. The RANs include a General Access Network (GAN) 111, a GERAN 112, a UTRAN 113, an E-UTRAN 114, and an Interworking Radio Area Network (I-WLAN) 115. The RANs 111-115 are connected to the CN 116 or the deployed CN 117 to provide services (such as multimedia services provided by a Networked Network Protocol (IMS) Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) 111) One or more WTRUs, via a Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN) 118 or a Packet Data Gateway (PDG) 119, with an Authorization, Authentication and Charging (AAA) Server 121, and a Mobile IP (MIP) The server 122, or other network entities in the network hierarchy 120, interact.

Currently, there are already multi-mode WTRUs that are useful to support several wireless communication systems, and the capabilities of each WTRU may vary. For example, some WTRUs can only support UMTS, while other WTRUs support I-WLAN, and WTRUs that support E-UTRAN will also appear in the future. When the WTRU supports E-UTRAN, we expect to be able to report the capabilities of the WTRU to the CN and report additional E-UTRAN services to the WTRUs so that the WTRUs can receive and/or use additional services.

The present invention relates to a method and system for reporting E-UTRAN capabilities. The WTRU sends a first message to report the WTRU's E-UTRAN capabilities to the CN. The CN then updates the WTRU capabilities based on the first message. The first message may include a Radio Access Capability Information Element (IE) carrying information about the E-UTRAN capabilities of the WTRU and/or including a Network Capabilities IE carrying network capabilities for the WTRU News. The CN may send a second message to the WTRU to report the capabilities of the Radio Access Network (RANs) connected to the core network, as well as the services available at the E-UTRAN.

When referred to hereinafter as "wireless transmission/reception unit (WTRU)", including but not limited to, a user equipment, a mobile station, a fixed or mobile subscriber unit, a pager, or any other available for wireless Equipment in the environment.

Features of the invention may be integrated into an integrated circuit (IC) or on a circuit comprising a plurality of interconnected components.

2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of an integrated wireless communication system 200 that is configured in accordance with the present invention. In FIG. 2, different forms of WTRUs 202a-202d having different capabilities are in communication with the integrated system 200, which includes a number of different forms of RANs 212, 214, 216, and 218. For example, a mobile phone 202a and a personal data assistant (PDA) 202b communicate with the Mobile Communications Worldwide Standard (GSM) RAN 212 and UMTS/GPRS RAN 214, and a laptop 202c communicates with the UMTS/ GPES 214 and I-WLAN 216 communicate, while another laptop 202d communicates with UMTS/GPRS 214, I-WLAN 216, and E-UTRAN 218. All WTRUs 202a-202d have the capability to communicate with the UMTS/GPRS RAN 214. As noted above, the system 200 of FIG. 2 is merely one embodiment, and thus, there may be different forms of WTRUs with different capabilities, and different forms and combinations of RANs are also possible.

Each of the RANs 212-218 is connected to a CN entity. For example, the GSM RAN 212 is coupled to a Mobile Switching Center (MSC) 222 for handling calls using GSM Radio Access Technology (RAT). The UMTS/GPRS RAN 214 is coupled to a GPRS Support Node (GSN) 224 for supporting UMTS and GPRS services. The I-WLAN 216 is coupled to a PDG and/or a WLAN Access Gateway (WAG) 226 for supporting WLAN services. The E-UTRAN 218 is coupled to the deployed CN 228 to support E-UTRAN services. The CN entity 222-228 is further connected to other network entities, such as a Visitor Location Register (VLR) 230, a Local Location Regulator (HLR) 234, and a Short Message Service (SMS) Gateway Action Switching Center (GMSC). / Interactive Action Switching Center (IW-MSC) 232 to provide services, such as providing SMS services from a service center 236. The SMS-GMSC/IW-MSC 232 acts as a communication gate between the service center 236 and the MSC 232, the GSN 224, or the PDG/WAG 226. The SMS-GMSC/IW-MSC 232 accepts the termination of the action, or generates a message by the MSC 222, the GSN 224, or the PDG/WAG 226, and delivers a message to the MSC 222, the GSN 224, or the PDG/WAG 226.

In accordance with the present invention, a WTRU 202a-202d reports E-UTRAN capable WTRU capabilities to the CN through the UMTS/GPRS RAN 214. After the CN learns the capabilities of the WTRUs 202a-202d, the CN can report network capabilities, such as interactive capabilities and other forms of services (e.g., available), to the WTRUs 202a-202d via the UMTS/GPRS RAN 214. Services used by E-UTRAN capable WTRUs).

Figure 3 is a flow diagram 300 of a procedure 300 for reporting E-UTRAN capabilities of multi-mode WTRU 302, implemented in accordance with the present invention. The WTRU 302 includes a plurality of wireless units for supporting a variety of wireless communication interfaces, such as an E-UTRAN air interface, a UTRAN air interface, an I-WLAN air interface, a GPRS/GSM air interface, and the like. Preferably, the WTRU 302 notifies the CN about its E-UTRAN capabilities during the attach procedure (i.e., registration) with the UMTS system.

After the power is turned on in step 312, the WTRU 302 sends a Radio Resource Control (RRC) Connection Request message to a Radio Network Controller (RNC) 304 of the UMTS/GPRS RAN to establish a UMTS/GPRS RAN with the UMTS/GPRS RAN. Connected (step 314). The RNC 304 executes a grant control procedure based on a plurality of factors, such as resource validity, etc. (step 316). If the RNC 304 decides to grant the WTRU 302, the RNC 304 sends an RRC Connection Setup message to the WTRU 302 (step 318). The WTRU 302 then sends an RRC Connection Complete message to the RNC 304 (step 320).

The WTRU 302 then sends an attach request message to the RNC 304 to receive the GPRS service (step 322). According to the invention, the E-UTRAN capability information is transmitted with the dependency request message. The RNC 304 selects a Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) to serve the WTRU 302 and forwards the Attach Request message to the selected SGSN along with the E-UTRAN Capability Information (step 324). Authentication and security functions are then performed between the WTRU 302 and the SGSN 306 (step 326). Once the WTRU 302 obtains the authentication at step 328, the SGSN 306 sends an Update WTRU Capability message to the HLR 308 to update the WTRU's capabilities (step 330). The SGSN 306 then sends an attach receipt message to the WTRU 302 via the RNC 304 (steps 332, 334). The SGSN 306 can include a message reporting the capabilities of the network in the attach accept message.

In accordance with the present invention, a Radio Access Capability IE and a Network Capability IE for an existing GPRS/UMTS Capability message have been modified to include a new value for reporting the E-UTRNN Capability Information to the CN.

Figures 4A and 4B show network capability IEs before and after correction according to the present invention. The Network Capabilities IE reports the WTRU characteristics to the CN. As shown in FIG. 4B, in accordance with the present invention, the Network Capabilities IE includes a new value of 400 to indicate the WTRU's E-UTRNN capabilities, such as I-WLAM interaction capabilities.

Figures 5A and 5B show the radio access capability IEs before and after correction according to the present invention. The radio access capability IEs report information about the radio status of the WTRU to the CN. As shown in FIG. 5B, the Radio Access Capability IE includes a new value 500 that reports the WTRU's multi-mode capabilities to the CN (eg, supporting E-UTRAN and/or other technologies). The new value 500 in the Radio Access Capability IE carries all of the WTRU's E-UTRAN Capability Status, which includes support techniques (eg, Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access ( OFDMA), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), etc., support bandwidth (eg 5MHz, 10MHz, 15MHz, 20MHz, etc.), scalability, support bit rate, quality of service (QoS) Support, terminal form (eg PDA, laptop, phone), memory size, screen size, processing power, etc.

As described above, after updating the WTRU's capabilities, the CN may send a second message to the WTRU 302 to report the validity of the new network capabilities (such as I-WLAN capabilities and deployed CN capabilities), or A service that can be provided on the E-UTRAN. The second message may be included in the attachment accept message or included in any other message. The effectiveness of the new network capability can be indicated by using the same network capability IE as in Figure 4B.

Although the features and elements of the present invention are described in a particular combination of the embodiments, each feature or element of the embodiments can be used alone, without being combined with other features or elements of the preferred embodiment, or with / No combination of other features and elements of the invention. While the invention has been described in terms of the preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art

100. . . Integrated wireless communication system

110. . . Access system hierarchy

111. . . General access network

112, 113. . . Wireless access network

114,218. . . Terrestrial wireless access network

115. . . Wireless local area network

117. . . Developed core network

118. . . Gateway Global Packet Wireless Service Support Node

119. . . Packet data communication gate

121. . . Authorization, Authentication and Charge (AAA) Server

122. . . Mobile IP (MIP) server

131. . . Multimedia subsystem

200. . . Integrated wireless communication system

232. . . SMS Service Gateway Operation Switching Center / Interactive Action Switching Center

234, 308. . . Local location registrar

230. . . Visitor location registrar

222. . . Action switching center

212. . . Mobile Communications Worldwide Standard Radio Access Network

202a. . . mobile phone

202b. . . Personal Data Assistant (PDA)

202c, 202d. . . Laptop

224. . . Global packet wireless service support node

214. . . Global Mobile Telecommunications System/Global Packet Radio Service Wireless Access Network

226. . . Packet data gateway and/or a wireless LAN access gateway

216. . . Interactive wireless local area network

302. . . Wireless transmission/reception unit

304. . . Wireless network controller

306. . . Service Global Packet Wireless Service Support Node

The invention will be more fully understood by the following description of the preferred embodiments, the examples given, and the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a conventional example of an integrated wireless communication network, which includes an E-UTRAN and an expanded CN;

Figure 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of an integrated wireless communication network, implemented in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 3 is a flow chart showing the procedure for reporting the E-UTRAN capability of a multi-mode WTRU, which is implemented in accordance with the present invention;

4A and 4B are respectively a schematic diagram of a network capability IEs according to the prior art and the present invention;

Figures 5A and 5B are respectively a schematic diagram of a radio access capability IEs according to the prior art and the present invention.

300. . . Program flow chart

302. . . Wireless transmission/reception unit

304. . . Wireless network controller

306. . . Service GPRS support node

308. . . Local location registrar

Claims (12)

A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU), comprising: a transmitter configured to send an attach request message to a core network (CN) via a wireless access network, the attach request message including a network capability An information element and a wireless access capability information element, wherein the wireless access capability information element indicates an extended Global Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) capability of the WTRU; and a receiver And configured to: receive an attach accept message from the CN via the wireless access network; and receive a service from the CN via the wireless access network. The wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) of claim 1, wherein the wireless access capability information component comprises at least one of: a supported technical information, a supported bandwidth information, and an adjustable Capability information, a supported bit rate information, a quality of service (QoS) message, a terminal form information, a memory size information, a screen size information, and a processing power information. The WTRU of claim 1, wherein the receiver is configured to support at least one of: an E-UTRAN air interface, a UTRAN air interface, an interactive wireless Area Network (I-WLAN) air interface, and a Global Packet Radio Service (GPRS) and Mobile Communications Global Standard (GSM) air interface. A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the network capability information element comprises information about an interaction capability with an interactive wireless local area network (I-WLAN). A WTRU as claimed in claim 1, wherein the receiver is configured to receive a message from the CN indicating one or more Radio Access Networks (RANs), the CN It can be accessed by the one or more radio access networks (RANs). The WTRU of claim 5, wherein the one or more radio access networks (RANs) comprise an interactive wireless area network (I-WLAN). The WTRU of claim 5, wherein the one or more radio access networks (RANs) comprise an E-UTRAN. A method for use in a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU), the method comprising: transmitting an attach request message to a core network (CN) via a wireless access network, the attach request message including a network capability An information element and a wireless access capability information element, wherein the wireless access capability information element indicates an extended Global Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) capability of the WTRU; The fetch network receives an attach accept message from the CN; and receives a service from the CN via the wireless access network. The method of claim 8, wherein the wireless access capability information element comprises one or more of the following: a supported technical information, a supported bandwidth information, an adjustable capability information, and a supported Bit rate information, a quality of service (QoS) information, a terminal form information, a memory size information, a screen size information, and a processing power information. The method of claim 8, further comprising: receiving, from the CN, a message indicating a second radio access network (RAN), the CN being available through the second radio access network (RAN) And was accessed. The method of claim 10, wherein the second radio access network (RAN) comprises an interactive wireless area network (I-WLAN). The method of claim 10, wherein the second radio access network (RAN) comprises an E-UTRAN.