Abstract:
A wireless communication device (WCD) is configured to receive and maintain concurrently in data storage at least two different IMS transfer-addresses, such as one for use when the WCD's transition between radio access networks (RANs) is a single-radio transition and the other for use when the WCD's transition between RANs is a dual-radio transition, and/or one for use when the WCD's transition between RANs is packet-to-packet and the other for use when the WCD's transition between RANs is packet-to-circuit. Upon transitioning between RANs, the WCD may then select the appropriate one of these IMS transfer-addresses and transmit the selected IMS transfer-address to a network node to facilitate handover of an ongoing call to be via the WCD's new serving RAN.
Abstract:
A method and system for controlling a circuit-switched fallback (CSFB) process is disclosed. A first wireless network serving a wireless communication device (WCD) receives from an interworking server an indication of an incoming call that the WCD can receive via a second wireless network. The first wireless network sends the interworking server an indication of a location related to the WCD. The interworking server determines a load level of the second wireless network in an area proximate the indicated location. The interworking server selects a control message based on the load level and sends the selected control message to the first wireless network. The first wireless network determines whether to transition the WCD to the second wireless network to receive the incoming call based on the selected control message from the interworking server.
Abstract:
Disclosed is an arrangement in which a radio access network detects a trigger such as the RAN being threshold loaded, and the RAN responsively causes each of one or more served UEs to transition from operating in a mode in which the UE would engage in call initiation signaling via the RAN to set up the call extending through the RAN, so the UE would then engage in the call served by the RAN to operating in a mode in which the UE would engage in call initiation signaling via the RAN to instead set up the call extending through another RAN and would transition to be served by the other RAN, so the UE would engage in the call served by the other RAN. As disclosed, one RAN may be an LTE RAN, and the other RAN may be a fallback RAN such as a CDMA or GSM RAN.
Abstract:
Illustrative methods and systems may help to more efficiently use network resources in fall back scenarios. An illustrative method involves a network component: (a) receiving a first paging request directed to a target user-entity (UE) for a first communication of a first communication type, (b) initiating a first paging process to page the target UE for the first communication, (c) before the first paging process is complete, receiving a second paging request directed to the target UE, wherein the second paging request for a second communication of a second communication type, wherein the second communication type that has a higher priority than the first communication type, and (d) in response: (i) refraining from assigning network resources for the first communication, and (ii) using a result of the first paging process to determine whether or not to assign network resources for the second communication.
Abstract:
A method and system for vertical handoff of a mobile station from a first-protocol RAN to a second-protocol RAN. The method and system provide a make-before-break vertical handoff, by having the first-protocol RAN (i) acquire, on behalf of the mobile station, a traffic channel assignment defining one or more traffic channel parameters for air interface communication in the second-protocol RAN, and (ii) pass to the mobile station, via the first air interface protocol, the one or more traffic channel parameters so that the mobile station can then readily switch over to communication under the second-protocol RAN. Optimally, the acquisition and passing of the one or more second-protocol traffic channel parameters may occur without the mobile station having requested the handoff, without the mobile station having asked for the traffic channel assignment, and without the mobile station having yet begun communication with the second-protocol RAN.
Abstract:
In order to provide better wireless service to wireless communication devices (WCDs) at different altitudes (e.g., on different levels of a high-rise structure), a radio access network (RAN) may include antennas that are configured to provide coverage at these different altitudes. The RAN may assign resources, such as transmit power or frequencies, to wireless coverage areas serving particular altitude ranges in a proportion that is commensurate with the number of WCDs being served by these particular altitude ranges. As a result, RAN and WCD performance may improve.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for handing off packet-transmission between sectors of a wireless communication system is disclosed herein. During transmission of a packet from an access network to an access terminal, the access terminal determines that the packet should theoretically be transmitted to the access terminal in fewer timeslots in another sector than the number of allowed timeslots remaining for the packet transmission in a current sector. In response, the access terminal abandons packet transmission in the current sector and hands off to the other sector, in an effort to increase throughput and save air interface resources.
Abstract:
In normal operation, a primary signaling controller in a first RAN manages bearer connectivity and tracking area updates for a UE and further interfaces with a second RAN over a primary signaling interface to facilitate inter-RAN signaling related to transition of the UE from being served by the first RAN to being served by the second RAN, such as circuit-switched fallback signaling. Upon detecting failure of the primary signaling interface, the first RAN is dynamically reconfigured to have such inter-RAN signaling for the UE pass over a secondary signaling interface between the second RAN and a secondary signaling controller of the first RAN, while the primary signaling controller continues to manage bearer connectivity and tracking area updates for the UE.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for handing off packet-transmission between sectors of a wireless communication system is disclosed herein. During transmission of a packet from an access network to an access terminal, the access terminal determines that the packet should theoretically be transmitted to the access terminal in fewer timeslots in another sector than the number of allowed timeslots remaining for the packet transmission in a current sector. In response, the access terminal abandons packet transmission in the current sector and hands off to the other sector, in an effort to increase throughput and save air interface resources.
Abstract:
An example embodiment may involve defining a time-division multiplexed, orthogonal frequency-division multiplexed wireless air interface containing a primary signaling channel. The primary signaling channel may be formed by a first set of modulation symbols that are allocated to a fixed time position of each time-division multiplexed subframe across a plurality of contiguous subcarrier frequencies. A first set of the subcarrier frequencies may be powered at a first level and a second set of subcarrier frequencies may be powered at a second level. The example embodiment may also involve defining a secondary signaling channel. The secondary signaling channel may be formed in the air interface by a second set of modulation symbols that are allocated to dynamic time positions on the first set of the subcarrier frequencies. The example embodiment may further involve transmitting signaling messages to one or more WCDs via the secondary signaling channel.