Assignment and Handover in a Radio Communication Network

Abstract

Systems and methods related to performing an assignment and a handover in a radio communication network are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a method performed by a Mobile Switching Center (MSC) of a radio communication network may include seizing resources for a Time Division Multiplexed (TDM) bearer and an Internet Protocol (IP) bearer for use on a terrestrial A-interface of the radio communication network for an activity to be performed by a target Base Station Controller (BSC) of the radio communication network. Further, the method may include sending, to the target BSC, an indication that requests the activity be performed by the target BSC and that also identifies the seized resources for the TDM bearer and the IP bearer for use on the terrestrial A-interface for the activity.

1 . A method performed by a Mobile Switching Center (MSC) of a radio communication network, comprising:
 seizing a first resource and a second resource for use on a terrestrial A-interface of the radio communication network for an activity to be performed by a target Base Station System (BSS) of the radio communication network; and   sending, to the target BSS, a message comprising a circuit identifier of the first resource and a transport address of the second resource for use on the terrestrial A-interface for the activity.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the message further requests the activity be performed by the target BSS, the method further comprising:
 receiving, from the target BSS, an acknowledgement that acknowledges the target BSS receiving the activity request; and   determining that the first resource or the second resource is selected based on the acknowledgement;   wherein the acknowledgement indicates which of the first resource and the second resource is selected for use on the terrestrial A-interface for the activity.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the message further requests the activity be performed by the target BSS, the method further comprising:
 receiving, from the target BSS, an acknowledgement that acknowledges the target BSS receiving the activity request;   determining that one of the first and second resource is selected based on the acknowledgement; and   releasing an unselected one of the first and second resources for use on the terrestrial A-interface responsive to said determining.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving, from a source BSS of the radio communication network, an indication that the activity is required; and   wherein said seizing and said sending is responsive to receiving the activity required indication.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the activity is one of a handover and an assignment. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the circuit identifier comprises a circuit identifier code (CIC) of a selected TDM circuit associated with the first resource. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the transport address comprises a transport address of a media gateway (MGw) that will terminate an IP connection associated with the second resource. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said seizing comprises:
 sending, to a media gateway (MGw), a request indication to seize resources for the first and second resources for use on the terrestrial A-interface for the activity; and   in response to sending the request indication, receiving, from the MGw, a reply indication that identifies the seized first and second resources for use on the terrestrial A-interface for the activity.   
     
     
         9 . A Mobile Switching Center (MSC) for a radio communication network, comprising:
 a processing circuit configured to:
 seize a first resource and a second resource for use on a terrestrial A-interface of the radio communication network for an activity to be performed by a target Base Station System (BSS) of the radio communication network; and 
 send, to the target BSS, a message comprising a circuit identifier of the first resource and a transport address of the second resource for use on the terrestrial A-interface for the activity. 
   
     
     
         10 . The MSC of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a network interface circuit operationally coupled to the processing circuit and through which the message is sent.   
     
     
         11 . The MSC of  claim 9 :
 wherein the message further requests the activity be performed by the target BSS:   wherein the processing circuit is further configured to:
 receive, from the target BSS, an acknowledgement that acknowledges the target BSS receiving the activity request; and 
 determine that one of the first and second resources is selected based on the acknowledgement; and 
 wherein the acknowledgement indicates which of the first and second resources is selected for use on the terrestrial A-interface for the activity. 
   
     
     
         12 . The MSC of  claim 9 , wherein the message further requests the activity be performed by the target BSS, and wherein the processing circuit is further configured to:
 receive, from the target BSS, an acknowledgement that acknowledges the target BSS receiving the activity request;   determine that one of the first and second resources is selected based on the acknowledgement; and   release an unselected one of the first and second resources for use on the terrestrial A-interface responsive to said determining.   
     
     
         13 . The MSC of  claim 9 , wherein the processing circuit is further configured to:
 receive, from a source BSS of the radio communication network, an indication that the activity is required; and   wherein said seizing and said sending is responsive to receiving the activity required indication.   
     
     
         14 . The MSC of  claim 9 , wherein the activity is one of a handover and an assignment. 
     
     
         15 . The MSC of  claim 9 , wherein said seizing includes the processing circuit being further configured to:
 send, to a media gateway (MGw), a request indication to seize the first and second resources for use on the terrestrial A-interface for the activity; and   in response to sending the request indication, receive, from the MGw, a reply indication that identifies the seized first and second resources for use on the terrestrial A-interface for the activity.   
     
     
         16 . A method of operating a Base Station System (BSS) of a radio communication network, comprising:
 receiving, from a Mobile Switching Center (MSC) of the radio communication network, a message that identifies a seized first resource and a seized second resource for use on a terrestrial A-interface of the radio communication network for an activity to be performed by the BSS;   selecting one of the first and second resources for use on the terrestrial A-interface for the activity; and   allocating a radio channel of the radio communication network that is associated with the activity.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the activity is one of a handover and an assignment. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the message includes a circuit identifier code (CIC) of a selected TDM circuit associated with the first resource. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the message includes a transport address of a media gateway (MGw) that will terminate an IP connection associated with the second resource. 
     
     
         20 . A Base Station System (BSS) of a radio communication network, comprising:
 a processing circuit configured to:   receive, from a Mobile Switching Center (MSC) of the radio communication network, a message that identifies a seized first resource and a seized second resource for use on a terrestrial A-interface of the radio communication network for an activity to be performed by the BSS;   select one of the first and second resources for use on the terrestrial A-interface for the activity; and   allocate a radio channel of the radio communication network that is associated with the activity.   
     
     
         21 . The BSS of  claim 20 , further comprising:
 a network interface circuit operationally coupled to the processing circuit and through which the message is received.   
     
     
         22 . The BSS of  claim 20 , wherein the activity is one of a handover and an assignment. 
     
     
         23 . The BSS of  claim 20 , wherein the message includes a circuit identifier code (CIC) of a selected TDM circuit associated with the first resource. 
     
     
         24 . The BSS of  claim 20 , wherein the indication includes a transport address of a media gateway (MGw) that will terminate an IP connection associated with the second resource.