Operation of machine-type communication devices

Abstract

The invention relates to operating a Machine-Type Communication (MTC) device for communication with a cellular radio network. A transmission is made from the MTC device to the cellular radio network to register the MTC device with the cellular radio network. The transmission includes a message from the MTC device to the cellular radio network, identifying the MTC device as an MTC device to the cellular radio network. Also, the MTC device has an associated HPLMN. An instruction is received at the MTC device from the network not to make a transmission from the MTC device for accessing the network. The instruction specifies a criteria for the MTC device's HPLMN or preferred list of networks. The MTC Device compares the criteria with the HPLMN associated with the MTC device and avoids making a transmission to access the network for a period of time based on the result comparing step.

1 . A method of operating a Machine-Type Communication, MTC, device for communication with a cellular radio network, comprising:
 making a transmission from the MTC device to the cellular radio network to register the MTC device with the cellular radio network, the transmission including a message from the MTC device to the cellular radio network, identifying the MTC device as an MTC device to the cellular radio network.   
     
     
         2 . A method of operating a Machine-Type Communication, MTC, device for communication with a cellular radio network, comprising:
 receiving a transmission from the MTC device at the cellular radio network to register the MTC device with the cellular radio network, the transmission including a message from the MTC device to the cellular radio network, identifying the MTC device as an MTC device to the cellular radio network.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the message from the MTC device to the cellular radio network further identifies the MTC device as a low throughput device to the cellular radio network, a low throughput device being a device configured to transmit less than 1 MB of data per day. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the message is comprised in one of: an Intra Domain Non-Access Stratum Node Selector Information Element; a Location Updating Request message; the Temporary Logical Link Identifier used in a Logical Link Control frame carrying an Attach Request; and a Radio Resource Connection establishment message. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the cellular radio network is a Visitor Public Land Mobile Network, VPLMN, for the MTC device. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the MTC device has been registered with a different cellular radio network prior to the step of registering and wherein the step of registering further comprises one or more of: performing an Attach procedure without performing a Routing Area Update, RAU; and performing a Packet Switch, PS, domain Attach procedure or Circuit Switch, CS, domain Location Update procedure using the International Mobile Subscriber Identity, IMSI, for the MTC device. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 transmitting a command from the cellular radio network to the MTC device to adjust a Periodic Update Timer of the MTC device, in response to the message received by the cellular radio network from the MTC device identifying the MTC device as an MTC device.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 detecting, at the cellular radio network, an overload event in respect of another cellular radio network;   transmitting a rejection message from the cellular radio network to the MTC device in response to the detected overload and the message received by the cellular radio network from the MTC device identifying the MTC device as an MTC device, the rejection message instructing the MTC device to stop transmissions for registering the MTC device with the cellular network.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the rejection message instructs the MTC device to stop transmissions for registering the MTC device with the cellular network for at least a predetermined time period. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 transmitting a Network Mode of Operation, NMO, indicator from the cellular radio network to the MTC device, the NMO indicator instructing the MTC device to perform combined Packet Switched and Circuit Switched mobility management.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the MTC device has an associated Home Public Land Mobile Network, HPLMN, the method further comprising:
 receiving an instruction at the MTC device from the cellular radio network not to make a transmission from the MTC device for accessing the cellular network, the instruction specifying a criteria for the MTC device's HPLMN or preferred list of cellular networks;   comparing, at the MTC Device, the criteria specified by the instruction with the HPLMN associated with the MTC device; and   avoiding making further transmissions from the MTC device to access the cellular radio network for a period of time based on the result of the step of comparing.   
     
     
         12 . A method of controlling access by a Machine-Type Communication, MTC, device to a cellular radio network, the MTC device having an associated Home Public Land Mobile Network, HPLMN, the method comprising:
 receiving an instruction at the MTC device from the cellular radio network not to make a transmission from the MTC device for accessing the cellular network, the instruction specifying a criteria for the MTC device's HPLMN or preferred list of cellular networks;   comparing, at the MTC Device, the criteria specified by the instruction with the HPLMN associated with the MTC device; and   avoiding making a transmission from the MTC device to access the cellular radio network for a period of time based on the result of the step of comparing.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the criteria specifies one or more of: that the cellular radio network is the HPLMN associated with the MTC device; that the cellular radio network is an equivalent of the HPLMN associated with the MTC device; and that the preferred list of cellular networks associated with the MTC device comprises the cellular radio network. 
     
     
         14 . A computer program, configured when operated on a processor to carry out the method of any preceding claim. 
     
     
         15 . A Machine-Type Communication, MTC, device, comprising:
 a transmitter; and   a processor, configured to control the transmitter to make a transmission to the cellular radio network to register the MTC device with the cellular radio network, the transmission including a message identifying the MTC device as an MTC device to the cellular radio network.