Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (publ)

Bo S P Wallentin

Thomas Rimhagen

Ulf Peter Hansson

Per H A Willars

Per O G Bark

Leif P Lindskog

Göran Rune

Ina Widegren

Harri Tapani Vilander

Lars Håkan Palm

P&auml;r I Gustavsson

Par Beming

Harri P Vilander

Anders V H Fred&eacute;n

In the context of a radio communications system that includes a core network coupled to a radio access network (RAN) and a plurality of mobile terminals, a connection may be established between the core network and one of the plurality of mobile terminals through the radio access network. A temporary RAN identifier is associated with the mobile terminal for the established connection. The temporary RAN identifier is used to assist in the transfer of information pertaining to the established connection or to the establishment of that connection through the radio access network. The radio access network includes a first RAN node associated with a first geographical coverage area and a second RAN node associated with a second geographical coverage area. When the mobile terminal moves from the first coverage area to the second coverage area, the connection is re-established through the RAN by way of the first and second RAN nodes using the temporary RAN identifier. The temporary RAN identifier in packets corresponding to the established connection is used to direct those packets to and from the first and second RAN nodes. The first and second RAN nodes analyze packets corresponding to the established connection including the temporary RAN identifier included in each packet. From analysis of the temporary RAN identifier, the first and second RAN nodes determine where packets are to be routed. The temporary RAN identifier is also advantageously employed to facilitate mobile terminal registration and paging operations.

Method and apparatus for transferring information between mobile terminals and entities in a radio access network

In a mobile communications system that provides packet data services, a packet data connection is established between a mobile station and a radio access network. The state of the connection specifies one of plural different types of radio channels bearing the connection over the radio interface. The connection state preferably also may specify other parameters including for example, one of plural different mobility management schemes tailored to the selected channel type or channel bit rate(s). The connection is dynamically adapted to an optimal state based on one or more conditions relating to the connection. For example, one or more traffic parameters are determined for the connection and used to predict a future value of that parameter. Based on the predicted parameter value or values, an optimal connection state is determined and implemented. If the traffic parameter value changes later in the connection, another connection state may be dynamically selected that is better suited in accordance with the newly predicted parameter.

Method and apparatus for dynamically adapting a connection state in a mobile communications system

The present invention provides flexible radio access and resource allocation in a Universal Mobile Telephone System (UMTS). A UMTS Terrestrial access network (UTRAN) in response to a radio access bearer service request, flexibly and efficiently allocates resources necessary to support a communication with a mobile radio. The UTRAN includes plural base stations for communicating with mobile radios over a radio/air interface using radio channel resources allocated by a radio network controller connected to the base stations. External network service nodes interfacing with external networks communicate with the UTRAN over a radio access network interface. The UTRAN provides a radio access bearer service to the external network service nodes, and radio access bearers are dynamically assigned to radio channel resources by the UTRAN. When establishing each bearer, the UTRAN flexibly maps or allocates the radio access bearer to physical transport resources through the UTRAN and radio channel resources over the radio/air interface. In an example embodiment, the transport between nodes and the UTRAN includes an ATM connection, and a radio channel over the air interface includes one or more CDMA spreading codes. The mapping is based on one or more parameters including for example one or more quality of service parameters and/or current traffic conditions. In addition, if the one or more parameters changes during the life of the connection, the connection may be switched to a more appropriate channel type.

Flexible radio access and resource allocation in a universal mobile telephone system

In a mobile communications system that provides packet data services, a packet data connection is established between a mobile station and a radio access network. The state of the connection is used to specify one of plural different types of radio channels bearing the connection over the radio interface. The connection state preferably also may specify other parameters including, for example, one of plural different mobility management schemes tailored to the selected channel type or channel bit rate(s). The connection is dynamically adapted to an optimal state based on one or more conditions relating to the connection. For example, one or more traffic parameters are determined for the connection and may be used to predict a future value of that parameter. Based on the predicted parameter value or values, an optimal connection state is determined and implemented. If the predicted parameter value changes later in the connection, another connection state may be dynamically selected that is better suited in accordance with the newly predicted parameter value. One example embodiment is based on the amount of data in queue for a packet data connection. Comparison is made with one or more thresholds to decide which type of radio channel should bear the connection. Other factors, parameters, and conditions may be employed along with threshold comparisons to select the optimal radio channel type.

The present invention reduces signaling between a mobile control node and one or more base stations. A common controller at each base station controls allocation of communication resources related to communications with mobile communication units. A single message is sent from the mobile control node to at least one of the base stations including information that identifies plural communication resources at the one base station, e.g., channel units corresponding to plural sector cells supported by the base station. The common controller at the one base station distributes the single message to the plural communication resources to be communicated ultimately by one of those communications resources to the mobile communication units. Signaling between a control node and plural base stations is therefore reduced by sending a single message from the control node to the base station that identifies plural communication resources at the base station rather than sending a separate message to each of the communications resources.

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Ljungsbro, Sweden

Bo S P Wallentin