JP5325232B2 - Method for detecting WLAN, base station, mobile station, communication system, and computer program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for operating a base station, such a base station, a mobile station, a communication system, and a computer program. In particular, the present invention relates to an improved approach for cellular networks and generic access networks that exist within the coverage area of the cellular network.

  Generic Access Network (GAN) is a technology that allows communication services such as GSM and WCDMA services to be distributed over a broadband access network, a wireless local area network (WLAN), or Bluetooth® wireless technology. It is.

  For example, a cellular phone or other similar mobile device with GAN communication capability via WLAN or the like is usually continuously connected to access at least one of WLAN and Bluetooth access point. Alternatively, the search is performed periodically. This has been found to consume a non-negligible amount of battery power. Therefore, various attempts have been made to reduce power. For this reason, it is reported that the mobile station exists in a cell in which the mobile station is operating, as disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1 or Patent Document 2. The cellular system suggests whether there is a specific WLAN. Patent Document 1 discloses a method and apparatus for detecting and selecting a WLAN service. The remote station may use one or two tuners to scan the cellular call indicator and the WLAN beacon. If WLAN coverage is available, a packet data session may be transferred there.

International Publication No. 2007/117190 Pamphlet US Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0165563

Thus, in the absence of a WLAN, the mobile station does not have to waste energy searching for the WLAN. However, in certain circumstances, when it comes CDMA450, communication cell may cover an area of about 7500km ^2. On the other hand, WLAN is not only to cover slightly the number 100km ^2. In such a case, it is questionable whether the information that a WLAN is present in that cell is used, and the mobile station user thinks his mobile station is operating in power saving mode, nevertheless This can be especially annoying if you are draining battery power and probably never find a guided WLAN. Therefore, there is a need to improve the efficiency of WLAN search with respect to power consumption.

  A base station may search for a WLAN for access to communications via a generic access network (GAN), but there may be an available WLAN, but it wastes a lot of energy and therefore a lot of battery capacity. The present invention is based on the understanding that in some cases. The invention is further based on the understanding that a mobile station typically performs information acquisition about its cellular environment. By the above, the inventor has clarified understanding and preparation of the design using a cellular mechanism to alert the mobile station when WLAN is available. The inventors have found that this not only reduces power consumption, but also improves the prediction of successful access to the WLAN for mobile station users.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, a method for operating a base station is provided. Its operation is to provide synchronization to a plurality of mobile stations, and broadcast information having information about access points that enable communication via a generic access network (GAN) from a broadcast dedicated cell base station. Become. Here, the access area of the access point and the broadcast dedicated cell are substantially different so that a plurality of mobile stations capable of receiving information to be broadcast become aware of the accessibility to the access point. To cover the same area. The advantage of this is that the mobile station does not have to perform a search for WLAN access until it notices the availability of the WLAN through the cellular mechanism. This approach saves power compared to continuously searching for WLAN access according to traditional traditional approaches.

  The broadcasted information may further include advertisement information. Advertising does not mean strictly selling products or services to the general public, but political parties, interest groups, the military, or other organizations that provide new members, employees, or information. It may also include seeking public service information. The advantage of this is that the mobile station can acquire local information by guidance. Another advantage is that the WLAN provision may be sponsored advertisements. Yet another advantage allows the advertisement to access the WLAN to make it more user-friendly, for example, the advertisement information may include help information for establishing a connection to the WLAN. Sometimes.

  The method may further include providing information about the broadcast dedicated cell by another base station operating another communication cell. Here, the another communication cell has a coverage area that is much larger than the access area of the access point and larger than the broadcast dedicated cell, and the broadcast dedicated cell is substantially the other communication. Present in the cell. The advantage of this is that the mobile station gets knowledge about the broadcast dedicated cell from the cell that the mobile station may already be communicating with. Providing information about the broadcast dedicated cell further includes including the broadcast dedicated cell in a neighbor cell list and including the neighbor cell list in the other communication cell or in the other communication cell. Providing to nearby mobile stations. The advantage of this is that existing tools for obtaining knowledge about the cell can be used to call attention to broadcast-only cells, ie available WLANs.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, a base station configured to operate a broadcast dedicated cell is provided. The base station has a transmitter configured to broadcast information having information about an access point that enables communication over a generic access network (GAN). The base station, together with the access point, is configured such that the broadcast dedicated cell and the access area of the access point cover substantially the same area. This has the advantage of providing an economically promising base station that operates a broadcast-only cell that is functionally limited compared to the communication cell. A further advantage is that such base stations are also suitable for co-location and cooperation with WLAN access points.

  The broadcast dedicated cell may be substantially disposed in another communication cell operated by another base station. The another communication cell may have a coverage area that is significantly larger than the access area of the access point and larger than the broadcast dedicated cell. Information on the broadcast dedicated cell may be provided from the another base station of the other communication cell. The base station may be further configured to broadcast advertisement information. This is an advantage similar to what has been set forth with respect to similar features of the first aspect of the invention.

  If this invention is seen from the 3rd side surface, it has the function of both cellular communication and a generic access network (GAN), and the mobile station which has the mode of operation is provided. Here, when the mobile station operates in the mode of operation, the mobile station synchronizes with the base station dedicated to broadcasting, and broadcast messages from the base station dedicated to broadcasting are transmitted to the GAN access point. It is configured to receive from the broadcast dedicated base station operating the cell. Here, the access area of the access point and the broadcast dedicated cell are aware of the possibility of access to the access point if the mobile station can receive the broadcast information. Covering substantially the same area. This has the advantage that the mobile station does not have to perform a search for WLAN access until it notices the availability of the WLAN through the cellular mechanism. This approach saves power compared to continuously searching for WLAN access according to traditional traditional approaches.

  The mobile station further includes the same from the base station operating the currently operating bi-directional communication cell having a coverage area significantly larger than the access area of the access point and the broadcast dedicated cell. It may be configured to allow a transition to a secondary mode of operation when receiving information about the presence of a dedicated cell for reporting. The reception includes information about the broadcast dedicated cell that is substantially located within the currently operating communication cell. The advantage of this is that the mobile station can handle the base station according to the second aspect of the present invention.

  The mobile station may be further configured to start accessing the WLAN for GAN communication when receiving the broadcast information about the access point from the broadcast dedicated base station. The mobile station may be further configured to receive advertisement information broadcast from the broadcast-dedicated base station. The mobile station may be further configured to receive a neighbor cell list including information about the broadcast dedicated cell. The advantages of this are similar to those specified for similar features of the first aspect of the invention.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a communication system is provided. The communication system is configured to operate at least one access point configured to provide access to a generic access network (GAN) and a broadcast dedicated cell associated with the access point. At least one base station according to the second aspect of the present invention and at least one mobile station according to the third aspect of the present invention configured to operate with the base station and the access point.

  The communication system may further include at least one other base station configured to operate a cell for communication, and the another base station may provide information about the broadcast dedicated cell. Here, the broadcast dedicated cell is substantially located in a region of the cell for the communication, the cell for the communication is more than the access region of the access point, and the broadcast communication It has a much larger coverage area than a dedicated cell. The advantages of these features are similar to those specified for similar features of the first aspect of the invention.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a computer program is provided. The computer program has instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to execute a method as viewed from the first aspect of the invention. The advantages of this are the same as specified for similar features of the first aspect of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a part of a cellular communication system in which a base station is arranged together with an access point according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a part of a cellular communication system having a base station operating a cell according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a part of a cellular communication system including a plurality of cells operated by a base station according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating a broadcast-only base station according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a state diagram which shows the operation mode of the mobile station which exists in a communication cell. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating a broadcast-only base station according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the method of operating the base station only for a broadcast. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method for providing information about a broadcast dedicated cell.

  1 to 3 illustrate a receiver and a transmitter in a typical environment of a communication cell and coverage of a wireless communication device. These figures are drawn to illustrate the principles of the invention, and the drawings should not be considered to be drawn to scale.

  FIG. 1 illustrates a portion of a cellular communication system 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention that communicates over a generic access network (GAN) such as a wireless local area network, a transceiver such as Bluetooth®. The base station 102 is located at the same location as the access point 104 for the mobile station 104, and the cell 106 provided by the base station 102 substantially covers the same area as the access area 108 of the access point 104. Base station 102 is a base station dedicated to broadcast communication. That is, there is no handover from the base station where the mobile station 110 is staying to the base station 102. Instead, the mobile station can only synchronize with the base station 102 and can receive broadcast messages from the base station 102. The broadcast message includes information about the access point 104. Since the access area 108 and the cell 106 cover substantially the same area, the mobile station 110 can synchronize with the base station 102 and receive a broadcast message from the base station 102. Knowledge can be gained about whether access to 104 is possible, or at least possibly. The broadcast message preferably includes information about accessing the access point 104, such as protocol and frequency.

  FIG. 2 illustrates a portion of a cellular communication system 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention, which includes a base station 202 that operates a cell 204. There are several mobile stations 206-1, 206-2,..., 206-m in the cell 204 and stay in the base station 202, i.e. according to the capacity of the cellular communication system 200, e.g. Or a base station 202 that provides services such as receiving calls, messaging, and performing data communication.

  Within the cell 204 is a broadcast dedicated base station 102 located at the same location as the access point 104, as clearly shown with respect to FIG. The base station 202 provides a neighbor cell list to a plurality of mobile stations. The list also includes information about neighboring cells (not shown) and information about broadcast-only cells. The neighbor cell list preferably has an indication that the broadcast dedicated cell 106 cannot be handed over. In addition, it is preferable that there is information on the frequency, code, etc. that enables listening to the base station 102 dedicated to broadcast communication.

  Since the mobile stations 206-1, 206-2,..., 206-m have a neighbor cell list, these mobile stations can listen to the base station 102 dedicated to broadcast communication, and the mobile stations 206-1, When any one of 206-2,..., 206-m can receive a signal from the base station 102 dedicated to broadcast communication, and can receive the signal in synchronization with the broadcast message, the mobile station Can also access the access point 104 based on information provided by the broadcast message. Thus, the mobile station does not need to scan for WLAN access at the frequency for WLAN, all that is required is to alert cellular neighbors to gain knowledge of whether there is an accessible WLAN. Use a mechanism that is already running. Therefore, power can be saved compared to continuously scanning for any of the frequencies available for WLAN access.

  More specifically, the knowledge of the broadcast dedicated cell operated by the broadcast dedicated base station 102 that the mobile stations 206-1, 206-2,... , A cell that suggests the presence of the access point 104. This information may include a broadcast dedicated cell identifier, an absolute frequency channel number, and a base station identifier code. The information is sent directly to the mobile station in question in the control information channel or in a message by a messaging service activated by the mobile station user or application. This causes the mobile station to begin acquiring synchronization information from the broadcast dedicated cell, while a mobile station, eg, a mobile station that is not capable of GAN communication, ignores the broadcast dedicated cell. This is because the cell is only a nuisance cell for such a mobile station, and the cell cannot communicate with the mobile station in the usual way in a cellular communication network. An indication that the cell is a foul cell is included in the synchronization information, for example, by sending only a limited set of synchronization information.

  Furthermore, a high degree of frequency reuse is preferred for broadcast dedicated cells in order to provide provision for easily handling broadcast dedicated cells. For example, the same frequency is assigned to all broadcast dedicated cells.

  FIG. 3 illustrates a portion of a cellular communication system 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention, which system is operated by a plurality of base stations 304-1, 304-2,..., 304-n, respectively. Cells 302-1, 302-2,..., 302-n are provided. In some cells 302-2, 302-4, 302-5, 302-6, one or more broadcasts that are substantially present in the cells 302-1, 302-4, 302-5, 302-6. There are dedicated cells 306-1, 306-2, 306-3, ..., 306-p. As clearly shown with respect to FIG. 1, the broadcast-only cells are located at the same location as the access points so that their coverage areas substantially overlap. For example, cell 302-6 can have several such broadcast-only cells 306-3,..., 306-p in its region, where broadcast-only cell 306-2 includes two neighboring cells 302. -4 and 302-5. That is, the broadcast dedicated cell 306-2 is located in the boundary region between the adjacent cells 302-4 and 302-5, and the cell 302-2 has a single broadcast dedicated cell 306-1 in the region. be able to.

  FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram illustrating a dedicated base station 400 for broadcast communication according to an embodiment of the present invention. Base station 400 includes a cellular transmitter 402 with a WLAN transceiver 404 that is configured to broadcast information about access points that allow GAN communication. As depicted in FIG. 4, that is, it may be configured as an integrated cellular WLAN unit, or it may be a separate unit but installed in the same location. Here, the base station 400 is configured together with the access point so that the broadcast dedicated cell and the access area of the access point cover substantially the same area. Such an embodiment of the cellular part will be further described with reference to FIG. Here, returning to FIG. 4 and continuing the description, the term “cellular transmitter” is a transmitter that performs the part of the operation that is normally performed in a cellular base station, eg, an eNodeB, These operations are limited to transmitting signals, meaning that no two-way communication is provided. Therefore, handover to the cellular transmitter 402 is not possible. On the other hand, the cellular transmitter 402 has a function of transmitting synchronization and broadcast signals, and cell identifiers are assigned so that the presence is indicated in the neighboring cell list used in the cellular system. The functions of the cellular transmitter and the WLAN transceiver are controlled by the controller 406. However, the controller 406 should be interpreted functionally, which can also be a controller at each of the access point holding the WLAN transceiver 404 and the base station holding the cellular transmitter 402. These controllers can communicate with each other to control their integration functions, such as assignment of at least one of frequency, code, and protocol. Furthermore, these controllers need not communicate with each other if their integrated functions are predetermined and their operations can be performed without communicating with each other.

  FIG. 5 is a state transition diagram showing a plurality of operation modes of a mobile station existing in a communication cell, for example, as depicted in FIG. Here, there are one or more base stations dedicated to broadcast communication arranged at the same position as the access point specified above. When a mobile station is operating in a normal cellular mode 500, i.e., communicating with a cell's base station in a manner normal to the mobile station in a cellular communication network, i.e., generally "residing in the base station". When called, the mobile station becomes aware of the presence of a base station dedicated to broadcast by the information given in the neighbor list provided by the base station in which the mobile station resides. Based on this, if the signal transmitted by the broadcast dedicated base station is received by the mobile station at the current location, the mobile station operates in synchronization with the broadcast dedicated base station. The secondary mode 502 can be entered. If not received, the mobile station returns to normal cellular mode 500. If the synchronization is successful, the mobile station configured to receive the broadcast message from the broadcast dedicated base station for the access point is the broadcast dedicated base operating the broadcast dedicated cell. A broadcast message is received from the station. Since the access area of the access point and the broadcast dedicated cell cover substantially the same area, the mobile station that can receive the broadcast information becomes aware of the accessibility to the access point. . The mobile station can then transition to the GAN communication dedicated mode 504, i.e., the communication is handed over to the WLAN access point, or the mobile station can transition to the combined cellular and GAN communication mode 506. In the communication mode 506, communication is performed both via the WLAN access node and the normal cellular system via the base station where the mobile station resides. In addition, although WLAN communication is possible, the mobile station can select not to perform communication by GAN, and then the mobile station can return to the normal cellular mode 500. The base station is also configured to return to the normal cellular mode 500 from the GAN communication mode 504 or the combination communication mode 506 of cellular and GAN.

  Although WLAN is used as the above example, Bluetooth (registered trademark) wireless communication technology may be used as well, and the access point may provide access to the generic access network controller.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a base station 600 dedicated to broadcast communication according to an embodiment of the present invention. The base station 600 is preferably arranged at the same position as the access point so that the broadcast dedicated cell and the access area of the access point cover substantially the same area. The transmitter 602 is provided with a synchronization signal transmitted from the synchronization signal generator 604. The transmitter 602 is also provided with a broadcast signal transmitted from the broadcast signal generator 606. The synchronization signal and the broadcast signal are respectively transmitted on the synchronization channel and the broadcast channel according to the technical specifications of the cellular system configured to operate the base station 600.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a method for operating the base station dedicated to broadcast communication described above with reference to FIGS. 4 and 6. The operation consists of providing synchronization for a plurality of mobile stations in synchronization providing step 700 and broadcasting information including information about the access point in broadcasting step 702.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method for providing information about the broadcast dedicated cell described above with reference to FIGS. 4 and 6. It is executed by another base station operating another communication cell described with reference to FIGS. Here, another communication cell has a coverage area that is considerably larger than the access area of the access point and that of the broadcast dedicated cell. The broadcast dedicated cell is located substantially in another communication cell. The information is provided in the neighbor cell list generation step 800 by using the broadcast dedicated cell, that is, the identifier of the broadcast dedicated cell, and preferably the parameters related to the broadcast dedicated cell such as frequency and code. A step of including in the list. This step 800 is preferably performed at system setup. The information provision further includes a neighbor cell list provision step 802. In that step, the generated neighbor cell list is provided to a mobile station that is residing in another base station. Accordingly, this step 802 is frequently performed during operation of the cellular communication system.

  Although the device of the present invention can be implemented in hardware, the operation of the device is preferably performed with the aid of software. The computer program is preferably stored on a computer readable medium and includes program code that can be loaded and executed by processing means, which causes the program code to perform the above-described method of operating a base station. Its operation consists of providing synchronization for a plurality of mobile stations and broadcasting information including information about access points from a base station operating a broadcast dedicated cell.

  The program code can further cause the processing means to execute a process of providing information about the broadcast dedicated cell by another base station that operates another communication cell. The processing means further includes a broadcast dedicated cell in the adjacent cell list by the program code, and provides the adjacent cell list to a mobile station in another communication cell or in the vicinity of the other communication cell. Can be executed. The program code can further cause the processor to execute processing for including the advertisement information in the broadcast information. Advertising does not mean strictly selling products or services to the general public, but political parties, interest groups, the military, or other organizations provide new members, employees, and information. It may include seeking information on organizations and public services.

  The program code is also configured to operate the mobile station as described above with respect to FIG. The processing means and the computer program product are configured to sequentially execute the program code when the operation is executed step by step, but in most cases the operation depends on the need and availability of data. When executed, the program code is executed in real time.

Claims (9)

The base station (102,402,600), the access point that allows to provide synchronization for a plurality of mobile stations (110,206-m) and (700) step, the communication by the Generic Access Network (GAN) Broadcasting the information having the information from the base station (702) to perform an operation consisting of:
Providing information about the broadcast dedicated cell by another base station (202, 302-1... 302-n) operating another communication cell (204, 304-1, 304-n). Have
The base station to operate the broadcast dedicated cell (106,306-1 ...... 306-p),
The access area (108) of the access point and the broadcast dedicated cell are substantially arranged so that the plurality of mobile stations capable of receiving the information to be broadcast become aware of the accessibility to the access point. Cover the same area ,
The other communication cell has a coverage area that is much larger than the access area of the access point and larger than the broadcast dedicated cell;
The broadcast-only cell is substantially in the other communication cell .   The method of claim 1, wherein the broadcast information further comprises advertising information. Providing information about the broadcast dedicated cell further includes:
Including the broadcast dedicated cell in a neighbor cell list (800);
3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of providing the neighboring cell list to a mobile station in the other communication cell or in the vicinity of the other communication cell. A mobile station (110, 206-1... 206-m) that has both cellular communication and generic access network (GAN) communication functions and has a mode of operation,
When the mobile station operates in the mode of operation,
Synchronize with the dedicated broadcast base station (102,400,600)
For the access point (104) that enables GAN communication, the broadcast message from the broadcast dedicated base station is sent to the broadcast dedicated cell (106, 306-1... 306-p). Configured to receive from a base station of
A currently operating bi-directional communication cell (204, 304-1... 304-n) having a significantly larger coverage area than the access point access area and the broadcast dedicated cell is operated. Configured to enable transition to the mode of operation when receiving information about the presence of the broadcast dedicated cell from a base station (202, 302-1... 302-n);
Wherein said access area (108) and said broadcast dedicated cell of the access point, receives if the information which the mobile station is broadcast, so become aware the accessibility to the access point Covering substantially the same area ,
The mobile station characterized in that the reception includes information on the broadcast dedicated cell substantially located in the currently operating bidirectional communication cell . 5. The mobile of claim 4 , further configured to start accessing the GAN when receiving the broadcast information about the access point from the broadcast dedicated base station. Bureau. The mobile station according to claim 4 or 5 , further configured to receive broadcast advertisement information from the broadcast-dedicated base station. The mobile station according to any one of claims 4 to 6 , further configured to receive a neighbor cell list including information about the broadcast dedicated cell. At least one access point (104) configured to provide access to a generic access network (GAN);
Said access point and the relationship with the broadcast dedicated cell (106,306-1 ...... 306-p) 1 one base station even without least configured to operate as (102,400,600),
8. At least one mobile station (110, 206-1, 206-m) according to any one of claims 4 to 7 configured to operate with the base station and the access point ;
At least one other base station (202, 302-1, 302-n) configured to operate a cell for communication (204, 304-1 ... 304-n);
The other base station provides information about the broadcast dedicated cell;
The broadcast dedicated cell is substantially located within the area of the cell for the communication;
A communication system characterized in that the cell for communication has a coverage area that is considerably larger than the access area of the access point and larger than the broadcast dedicated cell . The step (800) of including the broadcast dedicated cell in an adjacent cell list according to claim 3, and the adjacent cell list to a mobile station in the other communication cell or in the vicinity of the other communication cell. A computer program comprising instructions for causing the processor of another base station to execute the providing step (802) .

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