System and method for voice processing and transporting in a protocol independent tandem free operation manner

A wireless communication system including an originator media gateway to encode voice data into an IP packet depending on whether tandem free operation (TFO) or normal operation is being used. The media gateway makes such determination independent of the TFO protocol being used. In particular, the media gateway determines that TFO is being used by determining whether bits in particular fields of a predetermined number N of voice octets are filler bits or not. If they are filler bits, then TFO is being used, otherwise, normal operation is being used. If TFO is being used, the media gateway forms an IP packet with data from only another particular fields of the voice octets. If normal operation is used, the media gateway forms an IP packet with data from the entire voice octets. A target media gateway determines TFO or normal operation by examining the size of the received IP packet.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to wireless communication systems, and in particular, to a system and method for voice processing and transporting over a packet data network in a protocol independent and efficient tandem free operation (TFO) manner.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In conventional wireless communication systems, voice transmissions between a base station (BS) and a mobile station (MS) (e.g., a cellular and/or dispatch handset) are typically encoded (e.g., compressed) to make efficient use of the assigned spectrum for wireless communications. On the other hand, voice transmissions across the wired network are typically not encoded (e.g., uncompressed). Such conventional wireless communication systems typically include a transcoder and rate adapter unit (TRAU) to encode voice data for transmission via the wireless medium, and decode voice data for transmission via the wired network. The following example further illustrates this aspect of conventional wireless communication systems.

FIG. 1illustrates a block diagram of a conventional wireless communication system100. The system100includes a first mobile switching center (MSC)102, a first TRAU104, and a first base station106coupled together by way of a wired communications network. The system100also includes a second MSC110, a second TRAU112, and a second base station (BS)114coupled together by another wired communications network. The first and second MSCs102and110may be coupled to a public switched telephone network (PSTN)120. In this example, base station (BS)106is assigned to communicate with MS108via the wireless medium, and base station114is assigned to communicate with MS116via the wireless medium.

When voice data is sent from the originator MS108to the target MS116, the voice data is first encoded (e.g., compressed) by the originator MS108and then sent to the base station106via the wireless medium. The base station106then sends the encoded voice data to the first TRAU104. The transmission of the encoded voice data from the MS108to the base station106and subsequently to the first TRAU104is typically at a rate lower than the full voice transmission rate (e.g., typically less than the 64 kbps full voice rate). The first TRAU104then decodes (e.g., decompresses) the voice data, and sends it to the first MSC102at the full voice transmission rate (e.g., 64 kbps).

The first MSC102forwards the decoded voice data to the second MSC110at the full voice transmission rate (e.g., 64 kbps). This transmission may be made by way of a private network, or the PSTN120. The second MSC110then forwards the decoded voice data to the second TRAU112at the full voice transmission rate (e.g., 64 kbps). The second TRAU112encodes (e.g., compresses) the encoded voice data and sends it to the target MS116by way of the base station114at a rate lower than the full voice transmission rate (e.g., <64 kbps).

It was noted in the industry that the conventional wireless communication system100has several drawbacks. First, if the originator MS108and base station106use the same encoding for voice transmission as that of the target MS116and base station114, the decoding and encoding processes performed respectively by the first and second TRAUs104and112are unnecessary. Second, in such case, the decoding and then re-encoding of the voice data unnecessarily uses processing power of the first and second TRAUs104and112. Third, the decoding and then re-encoding of the voice data degrades the voice quality of the delivered speech.

As a result of these drawbacks, tandem free operation (TFO) was developed to eliminate the decoding and encoding performed by the first and second TRAUs104and112under certain condition. That is, if it is determined that the encoding protocol of the voice transmission of the originator MS108and base station106is the same as that of the target MS116and base station114, then the first and second TRAUs104and112may be configured to automatically eliminate the decoding and encoding processes, respectively, when it is not necessary to do so. This process is typically dynamic, such as in cases when during a voice call, the TRAUs104and112have to change from encoding-enabled mode to encoding-disabled mode or vice versa. For example, a voice call can begin in tandem free operation (TFO) mode, but when the # key of the originator MS108is pressed, the originator MS108sends out a dual tone multi-frequency (DTMF) signal intended for the target MS116. In such case, the TRAUs104and112disable the tandem free operation (TFO) so that the DTMF signal is sent across the network and to the target MS116in an uncompressed format.

In order to operate under tandem free operation (TFO) mode, the TRAU104still uses full voice transmission rate (e.g., 64 kps) medium to send compressed voice data across the network. For each octet of data, only a portion of each octet contains voice data information. The remaining portion of each octet is populated with filler bits containing no information. For example, if the encoded voice data bit rate is 16 kbps, then only two (2) bits out of the eight (8) bits in each octet contain voice information. The originator and target TRAUs104and112exchange TFO protocol information by embedding protocol data in the two useful bits of each octet transported between the two TRAUs.

Protocols for TFO have been developed for GSM- and CDMA-based networks (See GSM 02.53, Tandem Free Operation (TFO) Service Description, version 8.0.1 Release 1999; and 3GPP2 A.S0004-B v2.0, CDMA tandem Free Operation, Aug. 5, 2002).

Wireless communication systems are now being developed to provide voice transmissions via an Internet Protocol (IP) packet network. Accordingly, instead of the voice transmission, in this example, being sent from the first MSC102to the second MSC110by way of a private network or the PSTN120, such transmission would be by way of an IP packet network. It would be desirable for such IP network-based wireless communication systems to have TFO capability. It would also be desirable for the voice transmission across the IP network to be made in an efficient manner and independent of the TFO protocol used by the TRAUs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An aspect of the invention relates to a wireless communication system, comprising a base station, a transcoder and rate adapter unit (TRAU), and a media gateway. The media gateway is adapted to examine a predetermined number N of voice data groups received from the TRAU, wherein each of the voice data groups comprises first and second fields; determine whether bits in respective second fields of the N groups are filler bits; and form a data packet (1) including data in the first fields but not in the second fields of the N groups if the bits in the second fields of the N groups are filler bits, or (2) including data in the first and second fields of the N groups if the bits in the second fields of the N groups are not filler bits.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a wireless communication system, comprising a base station, a transcoder and rate adapter unit (TRAU), and a media gateway. The media gateway is adapted to receive a data packet; determine a size of the data packet; and form a predetermined number N of voice data groups, wherein each of the voice data groups comprises a first field and a second field, wherein the first field includes data from the data packet and the second field includes filler bits if the size of the data packet is relatively small, or the first and second fields include data from the data packet if the size of the data packet is relatively large.

Yet another aspect of the invention relates to a network device (e.g., an originator media gateway) comprising a first network interface, a second network interface, and a processor. The processor is adapted to examine a predetermined number N of voice data groups received from a transcoder and rate adapter unit (TRAU) by way of the first network interface, wherein each of the voice data groups comprises first and second fields; determine whether bits in respective second fields of the N groups are filler bits; form a data packet (1) including data in the first fields but not in the second field of the N groups if the bits in respective second fields of the N groups are filler bits, or (2) including data in the first and second fields of the N groups if the bits in respective second fields of the N groups are not filler bits; and send the data packet to another network device by way of the second network interface.

Still another aspect of the invention relates to a network device (e.g., a target media gateway), comprising a first network interface, a second network interface, and a processor. This network device operates under the assumption that the packet size is determined at the time the connection is made between the target media gateway and the originator media gateway. If the originator media gateway is sending voice data in a non-tandem free operation (TFO), the negotiated packet size is the same as a predetermined size. If, on the other hand, the originator media gateway is sending voice data in a tandem free operation (TFO), the negotiated packet size is smaller than the predetermined size.

More specifically, the processor is adapted to receive a data packet by way of the first network interface; determine a size of the data packet; form a predetermined number N of voice data groups, wherein each of the voice data groups comprises a first field and a second field, wherein the first field includes data from the data packet and the second field includes filler bits if the size of the data packet is smaller than the predetermined size, or the first and second fields include data from the data packet if the size of the data packet is at the predetermined size; and send the predetermined number N of voice data groups to a transcoder and rate adapter unit (TRAU) by way of the second network interface.

Other aspects, features, and techniques of the invention will be apparent to one skilled in the relevant art in view of the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 2illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary wireless communication system200in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The system200comprises a first media gateway202, a first transcoder and rate adapter unit (TRAU)204, and a base station206all coupled together by a communications network. The system200further comprises a second media gateway210, a second TRAU212, and a second base station214all coupled together by another communications network. It shall be understood that the exemplary wireless communication system200may be more complicated, including more base stations, TRAUs and media gateways. In this example, the base station206is assigned to communicate with a mobile station (MS)208via a wireless medium, and the base station214is assigned to communicate with MS216via a wireless medium. The first and second media gateways202and210may be coupled to each other by way of an internet protocol (IP) packet network220.

For illustrative purposes, the first media gateway202serves as the originator media gateway and the second media gateway210serves as the target media gateway because, in this example, a voice transmission is being sent from the originator MS208to the target MS216. It shall be understood that the voice transmission may be sent from the MS216to the MS208; in which case, the second media gateway210becomes the originator media gateway and the first media gateway202becomes the target media gateway. As discussed in more detail below, the operation performed by a media gateway depends on whether it is serving as the originator media gateway or the target media gateway.

In summary, the first (originator) media gateway202examines a predetermined number N of octets (bytes) of voice data it receives from the first TRAU204to determine whether the voice transmission should be sent in a tandem free operation (TFO) manner or in a normal manner (i.e., not in a TFO manner). More specifically, the first TRAU204receives the encoded voice data from the originator MS208by way of its assigned base station (BS)206. The first TRAU204receives the encoded voice data at a rate lower than the standard full voice transmission rate (e.g., <64 kpbs).

Pursuant to TFO, the first TRAU204does not decode the encoded voice data it has received from the originator MS208. The first TRAU204then sends the encoded voice data to the first (originator) media gateway202at the standard full voice transmission rate (e.g., 64 kpbs). Since the transmission rate from the first TRAU204to the first (originator) media gateway202is higher than the transmission rate from the MS208to the first TRAU204, in order to maintain a substantially constant voice data transmission rate, the first TRAU204configures the voice data octets (bytes) it sends to the first (originator) media gateway202in a manner that each octet includes a first field (i.e., a first subset of bit(s)) containing voice data and a second field (i.e., a second subset of bit(s)) containing filler bits (e.g., a predetermined pattern, such as all ones or all zeros). As a specific example, the first TRAU204configures each voice data octet to include voice data in its two (2) least significant bits (LSB) and include the filler bits in its remaining six (6) most significant bits (MSB).

In the case of normal voice transmission operation (i.e., non-TFO operation), the first TRAU204decodes the encoded voice data it receives from the originator MS208. The first TRAU204then sends the decoded voice data to the first (originator) media gateway202at the standard full voice transmission rate (e.g., 64 kpbs). Since the transmission rate from the first TRAU204to the first (originator) media gateway202is higher than the transmission rate from the MS208to the first TRAU204, in order to maintain a substantially constant voice data rate, the first TRAU204configures the voice data octets (bytes) it sends to the first (originator) media gateway202in a manner that both the first and second fields include voice data. As a specific example, the first TRAU204configures each voice data octet to include voice data in all of its eight (8) bits.

By examining the voice data octets it receives from the first TRAU204, the first (originator) media gateway202can determine whether the voice transmission is to be performed in a TFO manner or in a normal manner. More specifically, the first (originator) media gateway202examines the respective second fields of a predetermined number N of voice data octets it receives from the first TRAU204. If the first (originator) media gateway202does not detect a change in the bits of the second fields of the N octets (meaning that the second fields contain filler bits), then the first (originator) media gateway202determines that the voice transmission should be sent in a TFO manner. On the other hand, if the first (originator) media gateway202does detect a change in the bits of the second fields of the received N octets (meaning that the second fields contain voice data), then the first (originator) media gateway202determines that the voice transmission should be sent in a normal manner.

In this manner, the first (originator) media gateway202can determine whether the voice transmission is to be sent across the IP network220in a TFO manner or in a normal manner independent of the protocol used by the first TRAU204. Thus, the first TRAU204may use the GSM-TFO protocol or the CDMA-TFO protocol, and the first (originator) media gateway202can determine the manner of voice transmission without needing to recognized these specific protocols. This is a significant advantage because modification of existing wireless communication systems to IP network based communication systems with regard to TFO operation is substantially simplified.

If the first (originator) media gateway202determines that the voice transmission is in a TFO manner, the first media gateway202forms an IP packet containing data present only in the first fields of the N voice octets received from the first TRAU204. If, on the other hand, the first (originator) media gateway202determines that the voice transmission is in a normal manner, the first (originator) media gateway202forms an IP packet containing data present in both the first and second fields of the N voice octets received from the first TRAU204. The first (originator) media gateway202then sends the IP packet to the second (target) media gateway210by way of the IP packet network220. In this manner, the voice transmission across the IP network220is very efficient.

After receiving the IP packet, the second (target) media gateway210examines the size of the packet. By examining the size of the IP packet, the second (target) media gateway210can determine whether the voice transmission is in a TFO manner or in a normal manner. More specifically, if the size of the received IP packet is smaller than a predetermined size, the second (target) media gateway210determines that the voice transmission is in a TFO manner. If, on the other hand, the size of the received IP packet network is substantially at the predetermined size, then the second (target) media gateway210determines that the voice transmission is in a normal manner. The reason why the IP packet size is deterministic of the voice transmission manner is that in a TFO manner, only data in the first field of the voice data octet is used to form the IP packet, whereas in a normal manner, data in both the first and second fields of the voice data octet is used to form the IP packet.

If the second (target) media gateway210determines that the voice transmission is in a TFO manner, the second (target) media gateway210forms N octets of voice data from the received IP packet, wherein each octet includes a first field containing the encoded voice data and a second field containing filler bits. As a specific example, the second (target) media gateway210configures each voice data octet to include voice data in the two (2) LSBs and include the filler bits in the remaining six (6) MSBs. If, on the other hand, the second (target) media gateway210determines that the voice transmission is in a normal manner, the second (target) media gateway210forms N octets of voice data from the received IP packet, wherein each octet includes first and second fields containing decoded voice data. As a specific example, the second (target) media gateway210configures each voice data octet to include voice data in all eight (8) bits. The second (target) media gateway210then sends the N octets to the second TRAU212.

By examining the embedded information in the first field of the N octets received from the second (target) media gateway210, the second TRAU212can determine, based on the TFO protocol used, whether the voice transmission is in a TFO manner or in a normal manner. If the second TRAU212determines that the voice transmission is in a TFO manner, the second TRAU212sends the encoded voice data to the target MS216by way of its assigned base station (BS)214. If, on the other hand, the second TRAU212determines that the voice transmission is in a normal manner, the second TRAU212encodes the decoded voice data, and sends the encoded voice data to the target MS216by way of its assigned base station214.

FIG. 3Aillustrates a block diagram of an exemplary media gateway300in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. The media gateway300comprises a processor302, a first network interface304, a second network interface306, and a memory308. The processor302performs the various operations of the media gateway300, including those described with reference toFIGS. 3B and 3C. The first network interface304provides an interface to an IP packet network used to communicate with another media gateway. The second network interface306provides an interface to a network used to communicate with a corresponding TRAU. And, the memory308, serving generally as a computer readable medium, stores one or more software module(s) adapted to control the processor302in performing its various operations.

FIG. 3Billustrates a flow diagram of an exemplary method320of processing voice data to be sent over an internet protocol (IP) network in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. According to the method320, the processor302receives a predetermined number N of octets of voice data from a corresponding TRAU by way of the second network interface306(block322). The processor302then determines whether the second fields of the N octets (e.g., the six (6) MSBs of the octets) have changed (block324). If the processor302determines that the second fields of the N octets have changed (block326), the processor302forms an IP packet containing all bits of the N octets (block328). If, on the other hand, the processor302determines that the second field of the N octets have not changed (block326), the processor302forms an IP packet containing only the bits from the first fields of the N octets (block332). Once the IP packet is formed, the processor302sends the IP packet to a target media gateway by way of the first network interface304(block334).

FIG. 3Cillustrates a flow diagram of an exemplary method340of processing voice data received from an internet protocol (IP) network in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. According to the method340, the processor302receives an IP packet from an originator media gateway by way of the first network interface304(block342). The processor302then determines the size of the IP packet (block344). This may be performed in a number of ways, such as by counting the number of bits in the packet or its payload, by measuring the time length of the packet, or by other techniques. If the processor302determines that the size of the IP packet is relatively large (e.g., above a threshold or of a particular size) (block346), the processor302generates N octets of voice data each having two fields containing voice data (block348). If, on the other hand, the processor302determines that the size of the IP packet is relatively small (block346), the processor generates N octets each having a first field containing voice data and a second field containing filler bits (block350). The processor302then sends the N octets to a corresponding TRAU by way of the second network interface306(block352).