CA2026141A1 - Automatic system steering of roamer units in a networked trunking environment - Google Patents
Automatic system steering of roamer units in a networked trunking environmentInfo
- Publication number
- CA2026141A1 CA2026141A1 CA 2026141 CA2026141A CA2026141A1 CA 2026141 A1 CA2026141 A1 CA 2026141A1 CA 2026141 CA2026141 CA 2026141 CA 2026141 A CA2026141 A CA 2026141A CA 2026141 A1 CA2026141 A1 CA 2026141A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- communication
- roaming
- units
- trucked
- communication unit
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 112
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 10
- 230000011664 signaling Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000013459 approach Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001413 cellular effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005187 foaming Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000009827 uniform distribution Methods 0.000 description 1
Landscapes
- Mobile Radio Communication Systems (AREA)
Abstract
AUTOMATIC SYSTEM STEERING OF ROAMER
UNITS IN A NETWORKED TRUNKING ENVIRONMENT
Abstract of the Disclosure A method for providing load management and talkgroup steering for roaming communication units in a trunked communication environment having overlapping coverage areas.
UNITS IN A NETWORKED TRUNKING ENVIRONMENT
Abstract of the Disclosure A method for providing load management and talkgroup steering for roaming communication units in a trunked communication environment having overlapping coverage areas.
Description
I, ho "S ',~
AUTOMATIC SYSTEM STEERING OF ROAMER
UNITS IN A NETWORKED TRUCKING ENVIRONMENT
10 Technical Field This invention relates generally to communication systems that provide nationwide roaming capability and in particular to trucked communication systems that are I interconnected to provide this capability, and is more particularly directed toward systems in areas having multiple service providers with overlapping coverage.
Backgr~urld of the Invention An infrastructure for supporting roaming communication units in a trucked radio communication system is described in U.S. Patent No. 4,833,701, to Camaro et at., which is fully incorporated by reference 25 thereto as if fully set forth herein. The Camaro invention provides for support of a foaming communication unit that roams from a first trucked communication system to a second (as used herein, "trucked communication system" refers generally to a 30 trucked RF system, including both those that offer dispatch and cellular service). Camaro, however, does net address providing load management and talk group steering capabilities in geographic regions having multiple service providers with overlapping coverage areas.
Trucked communication systems are well known.
5 In a typical trucked system, a limited number of communication resources may be shared by a group of communication units through the use of a resource controller that assigns communication resources to a communication unit or group of communication units 10 upon request. Groups of communication units are often prearranged at the central controller, and are generally known as taikgroups.
The communication unit desiring service on a particular trucked system will monitor thy trucked 15 system's control resource. The communication unit requests service by signaling the trucked system via an Inbound Signaling Word (ISSUE. Upon receiving the IS, the trucked system allocates a communication resource to the requesting communication unit (if one is 20 available) via an Outbound Signaling Word (OW). The communication unit then uses the assigned communication resource to begin voice and/or data communications.
Through prior arrangement, trucking system 25 communication units may roam from their home systems to other trucked systems. A communication unit's service level and talk group assignment are stored in the home system. One method for providing this roaming capability is to equip selected trucked systems with 30 local computers that communicate with a central computer.
AUTOMATIC SYSTEM STEERING OF ROAMER
UNITS IN A NETWORKED TRUCKING ENVIRONMENT
10 Technical Field This invention relates generally to communication systems that provide nationwide roaming capability and in particular to trucked communication systems that are I interconnected to provide this capability, and is more particularly directed toward systems in areas having multiple service providers with overlapping coverage.
Backgr~urld of the Invention An infrastructure for supporting roaming communication units in a trucked radio communication system is described in U.S. Patent No. 4,833,701, to Camaro et at., which is fully incorporated by reference 25 thereto as if fully set forth herein. The Camaro invention provides for support of a foaming communication unit that roams from a first trucked communication system to a second (as used herein, "trucked communication system" refers generally to a 30 trucked RF system, including both those that offer dispatch and cellular service). Camaro, however, does net address providing load management and talk group steering capabilities in geographic regions having multiple service providers with overlapping coverage areas.
Trucked communication systems are well known.
5 In a typical trucked system, a limited number of communication resources may be shared by a group of communication units through the use of a resource controller that assigns communication resources to a communication unit or group of communication units 10 upon request. Groups of communication units are often prearranged at the central controller, and are generally known as taikgroups.
The communication unit desiring service on a particular trucked system will monitor thy trucked 15 system's control resource. The communication unit requests service by signaling the trucked system via an Inbound Signaling Word (ISSUE. Upon receiving the IS, the trucked system allocates a communication resource to the requesting communication unit (if one is 20 available) via an Outbound Signaling Word (OW). The communication unit then uses the assigned communication resource to begin voice and/or data communications.
Through prior arrangement, trucking system 25 communication units may roam from their home systems to other trucked systems. A communication unit's service level and talk group assignment are stored in the home system. One method for providing this roaming capability is to equip selected trucked systems with 30 local computers that communicate with a central computer.
3 CM-00~85H
I
The central COmpUt0f, or hub as it is sometimes known, authorizes service on foreign systems by means of a resident list of communication units that are permitted to roam away from their home systems. When one of these roaming communication units approaches a system that is not its home system and attempts to register, this registration attempt is communicated to the hub computer. The hub checks the table of authorized communication units to determine whether the roaming communication unit will be permitted to register with the selected trucked system.
Although each trucked system may have a relatively large number of currently active home communication units, the addition of occasional roaming communication units would not ordinarily create an unmanageable increase in loading. In urban areas, however, there are often multiple trucked service providers that have overlapping coverage areas. Since urban areas have many users of trucked communications, each of the systems in an urban area may be heavily loaded, so that the addition of a significant number of roaming communication units to a particular system may deprive home system users of effective operation. In addition, in the event that on or more roaming communication units sharing a common talk group roams into two same geographic area, it is desirable that these communication units be assigned to the same trucked system to facilitate inter-communication among these particular users.
Accordingly, a need arises for a method of load management in geographic areas with multiple trucked service providers that have overlapping coverage areas.
I
The central COmpUt0f, or hub as it is sometimes known, authorizes service on foreign systems by means of a resident list of communication units that are permitted to roam away from their home systems. When one of these roaming communication units approaches a system that is not its home system and attempts to register, this registration attempt is communicated to the hub computer. The hub checks the table of authorized communication units to determine whether the roaming communication unit will be permitted to register with the selected trucked system.
Although each trucked system may have a relatively large number of currently active home communication units, the addition of occasional roaming communication units would not ordinarily create an unmanageable increase in loading. In urban areas, however, there are often multiple trucked service providers that have overlapping coverage areas. Since urban areas have many users of trucked communications, each of the systems in an urban area may be heavily loaded, so that the addition of a significant number of roaming communication units to a particular system may deprive home system users of effective operation. In addition, in the event that on or more roaming communication units sharing a common talk group roams into two same geographic area, it is desirable that these communication units be assigned to the same trucked system to facilitate inter-communication among these particular users.
Accordingly, a need arises for a method of load management in geographic areas with multiple trucked service providers that have overlapping coverage areas.
In addition, there is a need for some form of talk group management so that roaming communication units belonging to the same talk group can systematically be assigned to the same trucked service provider.
Summary Of the invention According to the invention, in a communication system having a plurality of communication service 10 providers with overlapping coverage areas, communication services are provided to roaming communication units based upon a prearrangement. In one embodiment, the prearrangement includes maintaining assignment data within a processing 15 resource in which each roaming communication unit is associated with at least one predetermined communication service provider.
In another embodiment, the prearrangement includes assigning roaming communication units to the 20 communication service providers based substantially upon a round-robin priority.
In yet another embodiment, the prearrangement is substantially geographic in nature, wherein communication service providers adjacent to the 25 overlapping coverage areas transmit identification of a predetermined communication service provider within the overlapping coverage area. Roaming communication units then request communication services from the communication service provider so identified. This 30 geographic prearrangement can also be modified so that identification of a predetermined communication service CM-0058~H
I` h :. . ` ' provider is based, at least in part, on assignment data maintained within a processing resource.
Brief Descri~on of the Drown Fig. 1 illustrates a plurality of trucked communication systems interconnected with a hub computer;
Fig. 2 depicts a plurality of trucked communication 10 systems interconnected through a packet-switched data network; and Fig. 3 illustrates assignment of roaming communication unit units to trucked communication systems within an area of overlapping coverage.
Todd D~lption of thy Invention Fig. 1 illustrates a network of trucked communication systems (as generally depicted by the 20 number 100) interconnected through a hub computer (101). The interconnections (102 and 103) to the individual trucked systems may be through a variety of media, such as telephone lines or microwave links. In the central portion of Fig. 1, a geographic area having 25 four trucked systems with overlapping coverage areas is illustrated. The systems are designated as systems Al through A (110-113, respectively). Note that system B
(104) is North of the overlapping coverage area, while system C (105) is shown on the West, system D (106) on 30 the East, and system E (109) on the South of the overlapping coverage area. A roaming communication unit So (107) is shown leaving system C and heading in a ,, generally easterly direction toward the area of overlapping coverage. Similarly, a communication unit So (108) is illustrated leaving system D in a westerly direction .
To ensure timely registration onto an adjacent system, each of the roaming communication units So and So ~107 and 108) has the capability to receive and store Osseous containing the ID's of neighboring systems in order to minimize the time necessary far searching for the proper control resource. Each of the systems B
(104), C ~105), D (106), and E (109) are thus required to maintain and broadcast a list of neighboring trucked system ID's In order to ensure that one or more of the systems in the overlapping coverage area is not overloaded by arbitrary assignment of roaming communization units, system C (105) transmits the ID code of the preferred system within the overrule area from which roamers leaving system C (105) should first attempt to obtain service. In this example, system C (105) broadcasts the ID of system Al (110), while System D (106~ broadcasts the ID of system A (111), making system Al (110) the system of firs choice for roaming communication units approaching the coverage overlap area from the West, while A (111) becomes the system ox first choice for communication units approaching the coverage overlap area from the East.
Multiple trucked systems interconnected through a packet-switched data network (PSDN) (201 ) are illustrated in Fix. 2. The PSDN (201) connects a plurality of trunk ins systems with a central computer resource or hub (101). Within the hub, a cross-reference table (202) 7 , CM-00585H
Jo Jo J ' that associates particular communication units with specific groups is stored. In the preferred embodiment, the cross-reference table (202) contains a list of communication units that are associated with the same 5 talk groups or share other relevant characteristics. A
first set of communication units labeled X1, X2, X3, etc., and sharing relevant characteristics, is shown assigned to Group 1 (203). Another group of communication units labeled Ye, Ye, etc., it assigned to Group 2 (204). This 10 grouping of communication units continues until all communication units on the list have been assigned to appropriate groups. Of course, this identification and grouping of communication units is useful not only for purposes of assigning roaming communication units in 15 areas having overlapping coverage, but also for subsequent talk group management. For example, if a communication unit were leaving system B (104) en route to a geographic area having multiple systems with overlapping coverage, the roaming communication unit 20 would monitor the control resources stored within the communication unit's memory to determine if another system is within range. Upon attempting to register in this, fashion, the communication unit might first attempt to obtain service from system Al (110). This attempt at 25 registration would be communicated back to the hub (101), where the cross-reference table (202) would be checked for the roaming unit's ID. After the hub determines to which group the roaming communication unit belongs, the hub decides whether the communication 30 unit has attempted to register with the proper system.
If, in this example, the communication unit ware associated with Group 2 (204), which has a preferred system of A (111), the hub (101) would not permit the communication unit to register on system Al (110), but would instead direct system Al to transmit an OW
denying the roamer's request to register on system Al, and compelling registration with the next system the the roamer detects. If, on the other hand, the system on which the roaming communication unit attempts to register matches the service provider associated with its group in the cross-reference table ~202~, the hub 10 (101 ) will not interfere with the selected system providing communicatiorl services.
In the embodiment discussed previously with reference to Fig. 1, the hub computer ~101) can make reassignments of roaming communication units based 15 upon load or talk group affiliation, even though initial assignment of communication units is predicated on a geographic prearrangement.
Fig. 3 depicts a plurality of communication units converging on a geographic area having multiple systems 20 with overlapping coverage. Under the guidance of the hub, roaming communication units socking communication services would by assigned to appropriate systems using a round-robin priority. The round-robin priority assigns a first communication unit 25 to a first system, a second communication unit to a second system, etc., and then repeats the process to ensure a uniform distribution of reqllesting communication units among available systems. For example, a first roaming communication unit (301 ) is 30 assigned to system Al (110), a second roaming communication unit t302) is assigned to system A
(111), a third roaming communication unit (303~ is 9 ;. CM-00585H
assigned to system A (112), while a fourth roarnin~
communication unit (304) is assigned to system A
(113). When a fifth communication unit enters the coverage area, the round-robin priority dictates that this communication unit be assigned to system Al (110).
What is claimed is:
Summary Of the invention According to the invention, in a communication system having a plurality of communication service 10 providers with overlapping coverage areas, communication services are provided to roaming communication units based upon a prearrangement. In one embodiment, the prearrangement includes maintaining assignment data within a processing 15 resource in which each roaming communication unit is associated with at least one predetermined communication service provider.
In another embodiment, the prearrangement includes assigning roaming communication units to the 20 communication service providers based substantially upon a round-robin priority.
In yet another embodiment, the prearrangement is substantially geographic in nature, wherein communication service providers adjacent to the 25 overlapping coverage areas transmit identification of a predetermined communication service provider within the overlapping coverage area. Roaming communication units then request communication services from the communication service provider so identified. This 30 geographic prearrangement can also be modified so that identification of a predetermined communication service CM-0058~H
I` h :. . ` ' provider is based, at least in part, on assignment data maintained within a processing resource.
Brief Descri~on of the Drown Fig. 1 illustrates a plurality of trucked communication systems interconnected with a hub computer;
Fig. 2 depicts a plurality of trucked communication 10 systems interconnected through a packet-switched data network; and Fig. 3 illustrates assignment of roaming communication unit units to trucked communication systems within an area of overlapping coverage.
Todd D~lption of thy Invention Fig. 1 illustrates a network of trucked communication systems (as generally depicted by the 20 number 100) interconnected through a hub computer (101). The interconnections (102 and 103) to the individual trucked systems may be through a variety of media, such as telephone lines or microwave links. In the central portion of Fig. 1, a geographic area having 25 four trucked systems with overlapping coverage areas is illustrated. The systems are designated as systems Al through A (110-113, respectively). Note that system B
(104) is North of the overlapping coverage area, while system C (105) is shown on the West, system D (106) on 30 the East, and system E (109) on the South of the overlapping coverage area. A roaming communication unit So (107) is shown leaving system C and heading in a ,, generally easterly direction toward the area of overlapping coverage. Similarly, a communication unit So (108) is illustrated leaving system D in a westerly direction .
To ensure timely registration onto an adjacent system, each of the roaming communication units So and So ~107 and 108) has the capability to receive and store Osseous containing the ID's of neighboring systems in order to minimize the time necessary far searching for the proper control resource. Each of the systems B
(104), C ~105), D (106), and E (109) are thus required to maintain and broadcast a list of neighboring trucked system ID's In order to ensure that one or more of the systems in the overlapping coverage area is not overloaded by arbitrary assignment of roaming communization units, system C (105) transmits the ID code of the preferred system within the overrule area from which roamers leaving system C (105) should first attempt to obtain service. In this example, system C (105) broadcasts the ID of system Al (110), while System D (106~ broadcasts the ID of system A (111), making system Al (110) the system of firs choice for roaming communication units approaching the coverage overlap area from the West, while A (111) becomes the system ox first choice for communication units approaching the coverage overlap area from the East.
Multiple trucked systems interconnected through a packet-switched data network (PSDN) (201 ) are illustrated in Fix. 2. The PSDN (201) connects a plurality of trunk ins systems with a central computer resource or hub (101). Within the hub, a cross-reference table (202) 7 , CM-00585H
Jo Jo J ' that associates particular communication units with specific groups is stored. In the preferred embodiment, the cross-reference table (202) contains a list of communication units that are associated with the same 5 talk groups or share other relevant characteristics. A
first set of communication units labeled X1, X2, X3, etc., and sharing relevant characteristics, is shown assigned to Group 1 (203). Another group of communication units labeled Ye, Ye, etc., it assigned to Group 2 (204). This 10 grouping of communication units continues until all communication units on the list have been assigned to appropriate groups. Of course, this identification and grouping of communication units is useful not only for purposes of assigning roaming communication units in 15 areas having overlapping coverage, but also for subsequent talk group management. For example, if a communication unit were leaving system B (104) en route to a geographic area having multiple systems with overlapping coverage, the roaming communication unit 20 would monitor the control resources stored within the communication unit's memory to determine if another system is within range. Upon attempting to register in this, fashion, the communication unit might first attempt to obtain service from system Al (110). This attempt at 25 registration would be communicated back to the hub (101), where the cross-reference table (202) would be checked for the roaming unit's ID. After the hub determines to which group the roaming communication unit belongs, the hub decides whether the communication 30 unit has attempted to register with the proper system.
If, in this example, the communication unit ware associated with Group 2 (204), which has a preferred system of A (111), the hub (101) would not permit the communication unit to register on system Al (110), but would instead direct system Al to transmit an OW
denying the roamer's request to register on system Al, and compelling registration with the next system the the roamer detects. If, on the other hand, the system on which the roaming communication unit attempts to register matches the service provider associated with its group in the cross-reference table ~202~, the hub 10 (101 ) will not interfere with the selected system providing communicatiorl services.
In the embodiment discussed previously with reference to Fig. 1, the hub computer ~101) can make reassignments of roaming communication units based 15 upon load or talk group affiliation, even though initial assignment of communication units is predicated on a geographic prearrangement.
Fig. 3 depicts a plurality of communication units converging on a geographic area having multiple systems 20 with overlapping coverage. Under the guidance of the hub, roaming communication units socking communication services would by assigned to appropriate systems using a round-robin priority. The round-robin priority assigns a first communication unit 25 to a first system, a second communication unit to a second system, etc., and then repeats the process to ensure a uniform distribution of reqllesting communication units among available systems. For example, a first roaming communication unit (301 ) is 30 assigned to system Al (110), a second roaming communication unit t302) is assigned to system A
(111), a third roaming communication unit (303~ is 9 ;. CM-00585H
assigned to system A (112), while a fourth roarnin~
communication unit (304) is assigned to system A
(113). When a fifth communication unit enters the coverage area, the round-robin priority dictates that this communication unit be assigned to system Al (110).
What is claimed is:
Claims (5)
1. In a communication system having a plurality of communication service providers with overlapping coverage areas, a method for providing communication services to roaming communication units, the method comprising the steps of:
a) requesting communication services for a roaming communication unit;
b) allowing communication services to be provided by one of the communication service providers based upon a prearrangement.
a) requesting communication services for a roaming communication unit;
b) allowing communication services to be provided by one of the communication service providers based upon a prearrangement.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the prearrangement includes maintaining pre-assignment data within a processing resource, in which each roaming communication unit is associated with at least one predetermined communication service provider.
3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the prearrangement includes assigning roaming communication units to the communication service providers based upon a round-robin priority.
4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step (b) of allowing communication services to be provided by one of the communication service providers further includes the steps of:
b1) transmitting, from communication service providers adjacent to the overlapping coverage areas, identification of a predetermined communication service provider within the overlapping coverage area;
and b2) requesting, by a roaming communication unit, communication services from the communication service provider identified in step (b1).
b1) transmitting, from communication service providers adjacent to the overlapping coverage areas, identification of a predetermined communication service provider within the overlapping coverage area;
and b2) requesting, by a roaming communication unit, communication services from the communication service provider identified in step (b1).
5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the step of transmitting the identification of a predetermined communication service provider is based, at least in part, on assignment data maintained within a processing resource.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US41483789A | 1989-09-29 | 1989-09-29 | |
| US414,837 | 1989-09-29 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2026141A1 true CA2026141A1 (en) | 1991-03-30 |
Family
ID=23643183
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2026141 Abandoned CA2026141A1 (en) | 1989-09-29 | 1990-09-25 | Automatic system steering of roamer units in a networked trunking environment |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2026141A1 (en) |
-
1990
- 1990-09-25 CA CA 2026141 patent/CA2026141A1/en not_active Abandoned
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Dead |