Channel activation messaging in an unlicensed mobile access telecommunications system

Abstract

Methods and messages for performing assignment and activation of voice bearer channels for mobile stations (MSs) in an unlicensed mobile access network (UMAN). URR (UMA radio resource) channel activation messages are exchanged between an MS and a UMA network controller (UNC) operating in the UMAN to assign a voice bearer channel to the MS and verify the channel is available for uplink. The MS may access the UMAN via a wireless access point (AP) that is communicatively coupled to the UNC via an IP network. The URR channel activation messages are sent between the MS and the UNC using an Up interface comprising a set of layered protocols over an underlying IP transport.

1 - 29 . (canceled) 
   
   
       30 . A method comprising:
 a) from a network controller of a first communication network that communicatively couples a plurality of service regions of the first communication network to a licensed wireless second communication network, sending a first message to a particular region of the first communication network; said first message for initiating assignment of a voice bearer channel for the particular region; and   b) receiving a second message from the particular region, the second message for acknowledging successful activation of the voice bearer channel;   wherein the first and second messages comprise a set of information elements.   
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the set of information elements comprises:
 a) a protocol discriminator;   b) a skip indicator; and   c) a message type by which the message is identified.   
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the first message further comprises a set of channel mode data comprising information specifying a channel mode to be used for the voice bearer channel. 
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 30  further comprising sending an activate channel complete message to the region to indicate the voice bearer channels availability for uplink. 
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 30  further comprising receiving an activate channel failure message from the region indicating the region failed to activate the voice bearer channel. 
   
   
       35 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the first message further comprises cipher mode setting information. 
   
   
       36 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the licensed wireless second communication network comprises a Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) EDGE Radio Access Network (GERAN). 
   
   
       37 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the first message further comprises at least one set of data comprising information identifying parameters to be employed in a uplink portion of the voice bearer channel, the information identifying at least one of: an IP address for the uplink to the network controller; a transport port address; a transport protocol; a sample size; and a payload type. 
   
   
       38 . The method of  claim 30  further comprising:
 a) establishing a link between the network controller and the particular region prior to sending the first message; and   b) establishing a dedicated connection between the network controller and the region.   
   
   
       39 . A computer readable medium storing a computer program for execution by a network controller of a first communication network that communicatively couples a plurality of service regions of the first communication network to a licensed wireless second communication network, the computer program comprising sets of instructions for:
 a) sending a first message to a particular region of the first communication network; said first message for initiating assignment of a voice bearer channel for the particular region; and   b) receiving a second message from the particular region, the second message for acknowledging successful activation of the voice bearer channel;   wherein the first and second messages comprise a set of information elements.   
   
   
       40 . The computer readable medium of  claim 39 , wherein the set of information elements comprises:
 a) a protocol discriminator;   b) a skip indicator; and   c) a message type by which the message is identified.   
   
   
       41 . The computer readable medium of  claim 39 , wherein the first message further comprises a set of channel mode data comprising information specifying a channel mode to be used for the voice bearer channel. 
   
   
       42 . The computer readable medium of  claim 39 , wherein the computer program further comprises a set of instructions for sending an activate channel complete message to the region to indicate the voice bearer channels availability for uplink. 
   
   
       43 . The computer readable medium of  claim 39 , wherein the computer program further comprises a set of instructions for receiving an activate channel failure message from the region indicating the region failed to activate the voice bearer channel. 
   
   
       44 . The computer readable medium of  claim 39 , wherein the first message further comprises cipher mode setting information. 
   
   
       45 . The computer readable medium of  claim 39 , wherein the licensed wireless second communication network comprises a Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) EDGE Radio Access Network (GERAN). 
   
   
       46 . The computer readable medium of  claim 39 , wherein the first message further comprises at least one set of data comprising information identifying parameters to be employed in a uplink portion of the voice bearer channel, the information identifying at least one of: an IP address for the uplink to the network controller; a transport port address; a transport protocol; a sample size; and a payload type. 
   
   
       47 . The computer readable medium of  claim 39 , wherein the computer program further comprises a set of instructions for:
 a) establishing a link between the network controller and the particular region prior to sending the first message; and   b) establishing a dedicated connection between the network controller and the region.