MXPA06010514A - Enhancement of packet transfer mode when circuit switched resources are requested - Google Patents

Abstract

A mobile terminal and method are disclosed for use in a wireless communication system in order for the mobile terminal to be able to transition to a dual mode, in which a packet switched connection and circuit switched connection are used together, from a single mode in which packets are transferred. A packet associated control channel is used to convey a radio link control or multiple access control (RLC/MAC) message, and meanwhile packet switched resources are maintained. Then a dual transfer mode assignment message is received, as a result of using the packet associated channel to convey the radio link or multiple access control message.

Description

IMPROVEMENT OF PACKAGE TRANSFER MODE WHEN IT IS. SOL-ICITAN-CIRCUIT-RESOURCES-GTNMUTADTS - FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to wireless communication, and more particularly to packet switching and circuit switching to communicate wirelessly with a mobile terminal. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The first Global System for Mobile communication networks (GSM) was designed for voice services rather than for data services. When the use of GSM data services began, it soon became clear that Circuit Switched Bearers (CS) services were not well suited for certain types of applications with a burst nature. Therefore s-e developed the new data transmission service - from Packet Switched (PS, for its acronym in English) GPRS (General Service Packet by Radio, for its acronym in English). GPRS is a packet radio network using the GSM network, and GPRS strives to optimize the transmission of data packets by means of GPRS protocol layers at the air interface between a mobile station (hereinafter also referred to as a terminal). mobile) and a GPRS network. A mobile station PMS, by its * acronym in English) of • Ref. : 175719 GPRS can operate in one of three modes of operation, as described in 3GPP TS 23.060, "Service Description: Stage 2", Section 5.4.5. The three modes are Class-A Mode, Class B Mode, and Class C Mode. In accordance with the Class A operation mode, the MS is attached to both the GPRS and other GSM services, and therefore the mode of operation is Class A corresponds to the Transfer Mode -Dual (DTM, for its acronym in English) (hereinafter also called dual mode). The mobile user in Class A mode can make and / or receive calls in the two services simultaneously, for example, by having a normal GSM voice call and receiving GPRS data packets at the same time. In accordance with the Class B mode of operation, the MS is linked to both the GPRS and other GSM services, but the MS can only operate one set of services at a time. In accordance with the Class C mode of operation, the MS can only be attached to either the GSM network or the GPRS network; the selection is made manually and there are no simultaneous operations. With -base in the current standard (3GPP TS 44.018, "Radio Resource Control Protocol), when the MS is in packet transfer mode and a GS connection is needed (also referred to as radio resources or RR connection ), then the packet resources must first be aborted, then the RR connection is established, and packet resources can finally be requested.

This process occurs, for example, when the MS initiates a - -. L-beloved - This-te-sis-theme-e-technical-anterior-se-illustrated in Figure 1 (see also 3GPP TS 43.064, "General description of the GPRS radio interface, Stage 2" ), which also shows RR operating modes and transitions between Class A (with support for DTM) and Class B. A flow release of Temporary Block (TBF) moves the MS of the Packet Transfer Mode 106 to a state of Packet 104 Inactivity / Inactivity, after which the MS must establish a dedicated RR connection 108 in order to access the dual transfer mode 102 which includes both packet transfer capacity and RR capacity. In other words, after the release of the packet transfer connection 106, the MS is in the idle mode of packets 104 and must perform a complete acquisition of the system information and request PS resources again, in order to enter to Dual Mode 102 through the dedicated CS mode 108. Figure 2 further illustrates how the system is currently working, according to the prior art. The four vertical lines represent portions or stages of the network. Line 202 represents the mobile station (MS), line 204 represents the base station system (BSS, for its acronym in English), line 206 represents the support node of GPRS in service (SGSN, for its acronym in English), and line 208 represents the center of mobile switching (MSG -by-stis-sigtas- -in English) - The-MS -o-the network can soilicitar a connection of CS. In each case, the packet session 210 is aborted and the establishment of the CS connection is initiated. In Figure 2, a network combines the MS for a CS connection. The MS frees packet resources and transfers the inactive mode of packets 214 in which mode the MS requests CS resources as specified in 3GPP TS 44.018, "Radio Resource Control Protocol". When the MS has progressed to dedicated mode 212, then the MS must request PS resources if PS resources are desired, by sending a dual transfer mode (DTM) request as described in 3GPP TS 43.064, "Overview of the Interface of Radio GPRS; Step 2. The main problem with these prior techniques is that the MS is not allowed to immediately enter the CS 212 mode and the combined PS 216 mode (which together comprise a dual mode) until the MS has performed several consuming stages. Therefore, the mobile station will be forced to deactivate its packet switching capabilities, while configuring the circuit switching session 212. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention improves the change of the packet transfer mode to dual transfer mode by making the transition flow continuously and making it more straightforward.-The-sol-uci-on-is-to-use-a-message-e-radio link control or multiple access control (RLC / MAC, by its acronym in English) using an associated packet control channel (PACCH) in order to produce a dual transfer mode (DTM) assignment command, without No need to disable packet resources. The mobile station (MS) maintains packet switching (PS) resources during this process, and the MS then obtains better quality of service for a packet application. The RLC / MAC message uses the PACCH either to request the DTM assignment of the network, or alternatively to carry the DTM assignment of the network without any need for the request. While in packet transfer mode, the MS or a network can initiate the CS connection initiation. In the latter case (ie, in the case completed in MS), a network can immediately provide CS resources, using either a DTM ASSIGNMENT COMMAND or an IMMEDIATE ASSIGNMENT message. Since there is no need to send a PACKAGE PAGING REQUEST or a PACKET CS REQUEST message, the MS can obtain CS resources even faster when those messages are not included. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Figure 1 shows how a mobile terminal switches to dual transfer mode according to the prior art ^ ._-. -. - ._ Figure 2 details the transition to dual mode from the packet mode according to the prior art. Figure 3 details the transition to dual mode from the packet transfer mode in accordance with the present invention, in a case terminated in the MS, using a new RLC / MAC message in a packet CS request. Figure 4 details the transition to the dual transfer mode from the packet transfer mode in accordance with the present invention, otherwise terminated in the MS. Figure 5 is a flow diagram of a method according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 is a block diagram of a mobile terminal in accordance with the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Figure 3 illustrates one embodiment of the present invention in a case terminated in the MS, compared to a case originated in the MS. However, Figure 3 is completely adaptable to a case originating in the MS in whose network the paging is not used to initiate the transition to dual mode. An efficient way to establish the CS 212 connection in Figure 3, and therefore access a dual transfer mode, is to use a new message instead of abort-ary-desas-t-iv-ar-244-el - packet transfer mode as shown in Figure 2. Consequently, the MS will send a new RLC / MAC control message, for example as a PACKET CS REQUEST 310, in an associated control channel of packets (PACCH) in order to originate the CS connection, or to respond to a network paging message as shown in Figure 3. The MS makes a maximum of M + l attempts to send this CS REQUEST message OF PACKAGES 310 in the PACCH. In addition to the maximum number of transmissions, the MS will also disperse the transmission of this request message. The dispersion factor is based on the BS_CV_MAX parameter. -The dispersion factor could be, for example, radio blocks of BS_CV_MAX, where x is an additional new parameter. Having made M + l attempts to send a PACKET CS REQUEST message 310, the MS starts a new RLC / MAC 350 (Tx) timer. At the end of the timer Tx, the access procedure is aborted. dual mode, packet resources are released as in the prior art, and the mobile station initiates random access by sending the CHANNEL REQUEST message in the RACH as specified in 3GPP TS 44.018, "Radio Resource Control Protocol" .

It is possible that the MS can use retransmission -maximum and parameters T3126 (currently used with CHANNEL REQUEST message 211 when sending M + l requests), as specified in 3GPP TS 44.018, "Radio Resource Control Protocol", or alternatively new parameters can be specified . In the case completed in the MS illustrated in Figure 3, the new RLC / MAC control message sent via the PACKET CS REQUEST (PACCH) 310 may be structured in the following manner < CS request for packages > . { 0 < Global_TFI: < Global TFI IE »| 1 < TLLI: < TLLI IE »} < CS_CANAL_SOLICITY_NAME_SCRIBE: < CS channel request description IE »< filler bits >; The "CS Channel Request Description IE" is specified in subclause 9.1.8 of 3GPP TS 44.018, "Radio Resource Control Protocol". A network can respond to the MS using existing radio resource management messages. These messages are encapsulated in one or more control messages - from new RLG / MAC. For example, a -COMMUNICATION OF CS OF PACKAGES can encapsulate all messages in RR. Another approach would be to add a -new RLC / MAC message for each -one of the replicas in the network. Una_red- will be cap.a.z_de ._. AsLgnarL_tanto_recursos_de__PS, as of CS, or will not be able to allocate PS resources, or will not be able to allocate CS resources. Each of these three alternative situations will be discussed below. All these three situations are possible both in cases originating in the MS and those terminated in the MS. If a network can allocate both PS resources and CS, then sends the DTM ASSIGNMENT COMMAND message 215. When the MS receives this message it begins to establish the CS connection and finally enters the dual transfer mode. Note that the DTM ASSIGNMENT COMMAND message 215 is very large, especially the parameter size of Conditional frequency list (the length is 4-132 octets), and it is possible that the size of this parameter Frequency List may in some way be limited. However, if a network can not allocate PS resources, it then sends an IMMEDIATE ASSIGNMENT message 213.

When the MS receives this message it releases the PS connection and begins to establish a CS connection. In the dedicated CS mode, the MS may request PS resources using the prior art procedures. If, alternatively, a network can not allocate CS resources, then it sends a message to REJECT IMMEDIATE ALLOCATION. When the MS receives this message it normally continues in the packet transfer mode. - as shown in FIG. 4, with the purpose of further improving the case terminated in the MS, it is also proposed that a network directly send the message of DTM ASSIGNMENT COMMAND 215 instead of sending the PACKAGE PAGING REQUEST message 305 if the network can allocate both PS and CS resources (in this situation, the MS does not need to send the PACKET CS REQUEST message 310). In the event that none of the resources of CS and PS can be assigned, it is possible to send an IMMEDIATE ALLOCATION 213. In both the IMMEDIATE ALLOCATION COMMAND 215 and also in the IMMEDIATE ASSIGNMENT 213 message, a new parameter is needed to indicate that the message is sent due to paging. In addition, an indication is needed that the MS supports this feature in the information element (IE) of Radio Access Capability of the MS. There are at least two possibilities for the transfer of messages in the PACCH. First, it is possible to use a single RLC / MAC message to encapsulate all the RR messages already described therein. This possible approach has the advantage that only one RLC / MAC message definition is needed, which makes the present invention simpler, and uses only one RLC / MAC message code type point. This first solution would be in line with the pr_Q_v_session_ of "__ a_jnensa e de_S [en. el_ PACCH, specified for the procedure of Change of Cell Assisted by the Network introduced in 3GPP Version 4. The message, in accordance with this first possibility, could be denominated for example COMMAND OF CS OF PACKAGES. A second possibility is to use separate RLC / MAC messages. The merit of this second solution is not as great as for the first solution. In either of these two possible modes, an indication is needed that a network supports this RLC / MAC message feature in the GPRS Cell Options information element (IE). It will also be noted that, both in Figure 3 and Figure 4, there is no need for several features of the prior art shown in Figure 2, and especially there is no need for the inactivity / inactivity of Package 214. Therefore, The invention makes it possible to eliminate interruptions of the PS 210 session. Referring now to the flow chart of Figure 5, it illustrates a method of conformance to a best mode embodiment of the present invention. This method is for a mobile terminal to switch to a dual transfer mode, in which a packet switched connection and a circuit switched connection are used together, from a packet transfer mode in which the packets are transferred. In step 502, a paging-in-the-mobile-terminal-signal is received from the network. This step 502 is, of course, unnecessary if the transition is initiated by the mobile terminal instead of the network. In any case, the next step 504 is to use the PACCH to carry the RLC / MAC message to the network. In this mode, a plurality of attempts are made to carry this message, and during this process the switched packet resources are maintained, instead of aborted or deactivated as in the prior art. After a plurality of transmission attempts, a timer 506 is started at the mobile terminal. The dual transfer mode assignment message (for example, dual transfer mode assignment command) is received or not received 508 at the expiration of the stopwatch. If it is received, then the 510 dual transfer mode is accessed without deactivating the packet resources. However, if the timer expires without receiving the DTM assignment command, then the prior art method returns to: the resource pack 512 is released, 514 switched circuit resources are acquired, and the DTM is then accessed 516. Figure 6 shows a mobile terminal 602 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention for switching from a wireless communication system to a dual mode in which a packet-switched connection and a circuit-switched connection are used together , from a simple-mode-in which the packages are transferred. This mobile terminal includes a transceiver 604 for sending a paging signal 606 to a processing unit indicative that the network would like the mobile terminal to switch to dual mode. The mobile terminal 602 also includes a processing unit 610, which responds to the paging signal 606, to provide the RLC / MAC message 622 through the PACCH. At all times, packet switched (PS) 649 resources are uninterrupted. In response to the signal 622, the processing unit 610 receives a DTM assignment command 612 that allows the establishment and use of a circuit switched connection 618 in conjunction with the packet switched connection 649. The 610 processing unit includes a timer , such that if the DTM Assignment Command is not received upon the expiration of the timer, then the processing unit will be returned to the prior art method of dual mode acquisition, which includes the release of PS resources. It will be understood that all the present figures, and the narrative discussions that accompany them about the best mode modalities, are not intended to be completely rigorous treatments of the method, terminal and system under consideration. A person skilled in the art will understand that the steps and signals of the present application represent general cause and effect relationships that do not "exclude" intermediate interactions from various types, and further understand that the various steps and structures described in the present application may be implemented by 5 means of a variety of different combinations of hardware and software, in various configurations and sequences, which do not need to be further detailed here. It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known by the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is that which is clear from the present description of the invention.

Claims (30)

2. Having described the invention as above, the content of the following claims is claimed as property: 1. A method in a wireless communication system for a mobile terminal to switch to a dual mode, in which the packet switched connection and the connection of switched circuits are used together, starting from a simple mode in which packets are transferred, characterized in that it comprises the steps of: using an associated packet control channel to carry a radio link control or access control message Multiple, maintain packet switched resources, and receive a dual transfer mode allocation message as a result of using the associated packet channel to carry the control message - radio link or multiple access control. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the radio link control or multiple access control message is from the mobile terminal to a network in order to request the connection of switched circuits, and wherein the Dual transfer mode assignment message is from the network to the mobile terminal in order to initiate the establishment of circuit connection -changed ..y_as-ignar-resources ^:.
3. 3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the assignment message of the dual transfer mode is carried by the radio link or multiple access control message from a network to the mobile terminal.
4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the dual mode corresponds to a Class A mode, and the simple mode corresponds to a Class B or Class C mode.
5. 5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the maintenance step avoids deactivating packet resources.
6. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that the radio link control or multiple access control message encapsulates at least one radio resource control message, or an additional link control message is entered. radio or multiple access control for each replica of the network.
7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that the radio link control or multiple access control message is a circuit-switched command message.
8. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that the radio link or multiple access control message arises in response to paging by the network.
9. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that the radio link or multiple access control message includes a request for circuit packet switching.
10. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that: the mobile terminal makes a plurality of attempts to send the radio link or multiple access control message, the mobile terminal initiates a stopwatch after a plurality of attempts, and if the time expires then the packet resources are released.
11. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that if the network can not allocate switched packet resources then the packet resources are released.
12. 12. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that if the network can not allocate circuit-switched resources the mobile terminal continues only in the packet transfer mode.
13. 13. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that the dual transfer mode assignment message or _a immediate assignment message includes an indication that it was sent in place of a packet paging request message.
14. 14. A computer reading means characterized in that it is encoded with a software data structure sufficient to carry out the method according to claim 1.
15. 15. A mobile terminal to change from a wireless communication system to a dual mode where a switched packet connection and a switched circuit connection are used together, starting from a simple mode where the packets are transferred, characterized in that it comprises: a transceiver, to use an associated packet control channel carrying a radio link control or multiple access control message, a processing unit , to receive a dual transfer mode assignment message via the transceiver as a result of the radio link control or multiple access control message, wherein the mobile terminal is arranged to maintain the packet switched connection while the message of radio link control or multiple access is transported and the message of assignment of dual transfer mode -s received.
16. 16. The mobile terminal according to __ __ claim _15, characterized in that it additionally comprises: a packet switching device, for processing 5 and passing an uninterrupted data signal between the processing unit and the transceiver; and a circuit switching device, for processing and passing a voice signal between the processing unit and the transceiver, the signal being initiated

    10 voice after the dual transfer mode assignment message is received.
17. 17. The mobile terminal according to claim 15, characterized in that the radio link or multiple access control message is transmitted by the

    15 transceiver, in order to request the connection of switched circuits. The mobile terminal according to claim 15, characterized in that the transfer mode assignment message is carried by the radio link or access control message

    20 multiple which is received by the transceiver, in order to initiate the establishment of the connection of switched circuits and allocate resources. 19. The mobile terminal according to claim 15, characterized in that the dual mode

    25 corresponds to a Class A mode, and the simple inode corresponds to a Class B or Class C mode. 20. The "_ texminal___m il" according to claim 15, characterized in that maintaining the packet switched connection avoids deactivating the resources of packages. The mobile terminal according to claim 17, characterized in that the radio link control or multiple access control message encapsulates at least one radio resource control message, or an additional link control message is entered. radio or multiple access control for each replica of the network. 22. The mobile terminal according to claim 21, characterized in that the radio link control or multiple access control message is a circuit-switched command message. 23. The mobile terminal according to claim 21, characterized in that the radio link or multiple access control message arises in response to the paging received by the transceiver. 24. The mobile terminal according to claim 21, characterized in that the radio link or multiple access control message includes a request for packet and circuit switching. 25. The mobile terminal according to claim 21, characterized in that: the mobile terminal makes a plurality of attempts to send the radio link message or multiple access control, the mobile terminal initiates a stopwatch after a plurality of attempts , and if the time expires then the mobile terminal releases the packet resources. 26. The mobile terminal according to claim 21, characterized in that the dual transfer mode assignment message is sent instead of a packet paging request. 27. A system for switching from a wireless communication system to a dual mode where the connection of switched packets and the connection of switched circuits are used together, starting from a simple way in which the packets are transferred, characterized in that it comprises: mobile terminal, for processing a radio link control or multiple access control message that is carried by an associated packet control channel; and a base station, to provide the mobile terminal with the dual transfer mode assignment message, resulting from the use of the associated packet channel to carry the radio access or multiple access control message, wherein the base station also provides the

    -terminal - mó-vi-1 S-switched resources of uninterrupted packets. 28. The system according to claim 27, characterized in that the radio link or multiple access control message goes from the mobile terminal to the base station. 29. The system according to claim 27, characterized in that the dual transfer mode assignment message is carried by the radio access or multiple access control message from the base station to the mobile terminal. 30. The system according to claim 27, characterized in that the dual mode corresponds to a Class A mode, and the simple mode corresponds to a Class B or Class C mode.