Abstract:
A method for reporting interworking capabilities of a multimode capable wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) includes the WTRU transmitting a first message, including network interworking capability of the WTRU, the WTRU transmitting a second message including radio interworking capability of the WTRU, and the WTRU receiving a third message including network availability.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of provisional application No. 60/888,785, filed Feb. 8, 2007 which is incorporated by reference as if fully set forth. 
     
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention is related to wireless communication. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    A goal of the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Long Term Evolution (LTE) program is to develop new technology, new architecture and new methods for settings and configurations in wireless communication systems in order to improve spectral efficiency, reduce latency and better utilize the radio resource to bring faster user experiences and richer applications and services to users with lower costs. 
         [0004]    A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) may possess multiple mode capability. For example, some WTRUs may have multiple radio units that support General Packet Radio Service/Global System for Mobile Communications (GPRS/GSM) air interfaces, Universal Mobile Telephone Service (UMTS) air interfaces, Enhanced UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) air interfaces, Wireless local area network (WLAN) interworking with GSM/GPRS/GSM/EDGE Radio Access Network (GERAN) (GAN), I-WLAN air interfaces (802.11, 802.16, and the like), Trusted non-3GPP systems (802.11, WiMAX, 802.16, and the like), and Fixed Broadband Interworking. 
         [0005]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a baseline architecture of a 3GPP system  100  in accordance with the prior art. The system  100  may include a first WTRU  102  in direct communication with a GERAN  130 , a second WTRU  104  in direct communication with a UTRAN  128 , and a third WTRU  106  in direct communication with a WLAN  108 . The GERAN  130  and the UTRAN  128  may connect at a serving GPRS support node (SGSN)  126  that communicates directly with a short message service-gateway/interworking mobile switching center (SMS-GMSC/SMS-IWMSC)  132  and a gateway GPRS support node  124 . The SMS-GMSC/SMS-IWMC may communicate directly with a short message service swith center (SMS-SC)  134  while the GGSN  124  communicates directly with a public data network (PDN)  118 , a multimedia resource function planner (MRFP)  122  and an IP multimedia subsystem-media gateway (IMS-MGW)  120 , which are all tied to an IMS  116 . The PDN  118  and the IMS  116  may be directly connected to a Packet Data Gatway (PDG)  114 , which directly communicates with a wireless access gateway (WAG)  112 . The WAG  112  may access the WLAN  108  directly, and the WLAN  108  has a direct link to the Internet  110 . 
         [0006]    A WTRU may receive and transmit information elements (IEs). An Information Element is a group of information that may be included within a signalling message, such as set parameters, user identifiers and the like. For example, an existing IE in the 3GPP specification is a network capability IE. The MS_Network_Capability IE indicates general WTRU characteristics and is independent of frequency band. TABLE 1 shows a prior art network capability IE. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 MS network capability value [24.008] 
               
               
                   
                 :=&lt;GEA1 bits&gt; 
               
               
                   
                 &lt;SM capabilities via dedicated channels: 
               
               
                   
                 bit&gt; 
               
               
                   
                 &lt;SM capabilities via GPRS channels: 
               
               
                   
                 bit&gt; 
               
               
                   
                 &lt;UCS2 support: bit&gt; 
               
               
                   
                 &lt;SS Screening Indicator: bit string(2)&gt; 
               
               
                   
                 &lt;SoLSA Capability : bit&gt; 
               
               
                   
                 &lt;Revision level indicator: bit&gt; 
               
               
                   
                 &lt;PFC feature mode: bit&gt; 
               
               
                   
                 &lt;Extended GEA bits&gt; 
               
               
                   
                 &lt; LCS VA capability: bit &gt; 
               
               
                   
                 &lt;Spare bits&gt;; 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0007]    The MS network capability IE includes 1 bit to indicate a GPRS encryption algorithm (GEA), 1 bit to indicate short messaging (SM) capabilities via dedicated channels, 1 bit to indicate SM capabilities via GPRS channels, 2 bits to indicate supplemental service (SS) screening, 1 bit to indicate Support of Localized Service Area (SoLSA) capability, 1 bit to indicate Universal Character Set 2 (UCS2) support, 1 bit to indicate revision level, one bit to indicate support for Packet Flow Control (PFC) feature mode (Base Station Subsystem (BSS) packet flow), 1 bit to indicate support for Location Services value added (LCS VA) location request notification and extended GEA bits. 
         [0008]    Another IE typically used in the 3GPP scheme is a radio access capability IE. The MS Radio Access IE is used to provide part of the network with information concerning the radio aspects of the WTRU. Table 2 shows an existing radio access capability IE. 
         [0009]    The MS radio access capability IE is a large IE that has multiple bits indicating support for a large number of radio technologies. In general, the IE includes 4 bits to indicate support for the access technology type, and bits that indicate support, for example, for Frequency Domain Division (FDD), Time Domain Division (TDD) and Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) radios, among others. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE 2 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 &lt;MS RA capability value part := [24.008] 
               
               
                   
                 &lt;Access Technology Type &gt; 
               
               
                   
                 &lt;Access capabilities : bit&gt; 
               
               
                   
                 &lt; UMTS FDD Radio Access Technology 
               
               
                   
                 Capability : bit &gt; 
               
               
                   
                 &lt; UMTS 3.84 Mcps TDD Radio Access 
               
               
                   
                 Technology Capability : bit &gt; 
               
               
                   
                 &lt; CDMA 2000 Radio Access Technology 
               
               
                   
                 Capability : bit &gt; 
               
               
                   
                 &lt; UMTS 1.28 Mcps TDD Radio Access 
               
               
                   
                 Technology Capability: bit &gt; 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0010]    Accordingly, it would be beneficial if a system and method existed that allowed a WTRU to provide multiple mode capability information to the network, particularly in one or more IEs. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0011]    The present invention is related to a method and apparatus for reporting Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) and non-3GPP interworking capabilities of a multimode wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU). The multi-mode WTRU may inform a core network about its multimode interworking service capability during an attachment procedure by transmitting an IE that includes WTRU interworking capability data. 
         [0012]    Additionally, the core network may inform the WTRU of the availability of interworking to other technologies such as I-WLAN or an evolved core network. This may also be done with an IE that includes network interworking capability data. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    A more detailed understanding may be had from the following description, given by way of example and to be understood in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  an overview of a 3GPP and Non-3GPP interworking network architecture in accordance with the prior art; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  shows an example of a wireless communication system in accordance with one embodiment; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  shows a functional block diagram of a WTRU and an Node B of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is an functional block diagram of network components in accordance with one embodiment; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a signal diagram of an attachment procedure with interworking capability updating in accordance with one embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    When referred to hereafter, the terminology “wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU)” includes but is not limited to a user equipment (UE), a mobile station, a fixed or mobile subscriber unit, a pager, a cellular telephone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a computer, or any other type of user device capable of operating in a wireless environment. When referred to hereafter, the terminology “base station” includes but is not limited to a Node-B, a site controller, an access point (AP), or any other type of interfacing device capable of operating in a wireless environment. 
         [0020]      FIG. 2  shows a wireless communication system  200  including a plurality of WTRUs  210  and a e Node B  220 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the WTRUs  210  are in communication with the Node B  220 . Although three WTRUs  210  and one Node B  220  are shown in  FIG. 2 , it should be noted that any combination of wireless and wired devices may be included in the wireless communication system  200 . 
         [0021]      FIG. 3  is a functional block diagram  300  of the WTRU  210  and the Node B  220  of the wireless communication system  200  of  FIG. 2 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the WTRU  210  is in communication with the Node B  220  and both are configured receive and transmit IEs as necessary. 
         [0022]    In addition to the components that may be found in a typical WTRU, the WTRU  210  includes a processor  315 , a receiver  316 , a transmitter  317 , and an antenna  318 . The processor  315  is configured to process IEs as necessary. The receiver  316  and the transmitter  317  are in communication with the processor  315 . The antenna  318  is in communication with both the receiver  316  and the transmitter  317  to facilitate the transmission and reception of wireless data. 
         [0023]    In addition to the components that may be found in a typical Node B, the Node B  220  includes a processor  325 , a receiver  326 , a transmitter  327 , and an antenna  328 . The processor  325  is configured to process IEs as necessary. The receiver  326  and the transmitter  327  are in communication with the processor  325 . The antenna  328  is in communication with both the receiver  326  and the transmitter  327  to facilitate the transmission and reception of wireless data. 
         [0024]      FIG. 4  is a block diagram of network components in accordance with one embodiment. A WTRU may comprise, but is not limited to, a handset  402 , a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)  404 , a legacy laptop computer  406  and a modern laptop computer  408 , for example. The handset  402  and the PDA  404  may communicate with a GSM radio access network (RAN)  410  and a RAN  412  compliant with 3GPP or its predecessor (2G/3G RAN). The legacy computer  406  may communicate with the 2G/3G RAN  412  and an I-WLAN access point (AP)  414 . The modern laptop  408  may communicate with the 2G/3G RAN, the I-WLAN AP, or the E-UTRAN  416 . Each of the WTRUs ( 402 ,  404 ,  406  and  408 ) may transmit their capability to function on multiple networks to the various networks ( 410 ,  412 ,  414 ,  416 ). In turn, the GSM RAN  410  may pass the capability information to a mobile switching center (MSC)  418  and a visited location register (VLR)  421 . The 2G/3G RAN  412  may pass the capability information to a GPRS support node (GSN)  420 . The I-WLAN AP  414  may pass the capability information to a wireless access gateway (WAG)  422  which may communicate with a home location register ( 425 ). The E-UTRAN  416  may pass the capability information to an Evolved Core Network (ECN)  424 , which may communicate with the HLR  425 . Each of the networks ( 410 ,  412 ,  414 ,  416 ) may transmit a Network Capability Update to the WTRUs ( 402 ,  404 ,  406 ,  408 ) containing information about the existence of I-WLAN interworking capabilities and the different types of services that can be provided over the E-UTRAN either directly from a WAG, or indirectly from a GSN or an MSC through a SMS-GSMC/IW-MSC and a service center. 
         [0025]    The WTRU capability reporting contains an information element (IE), which indicates the support of E-UTRAN at the terminal level. The IE may include, but is not limited to, technology information (e.g., Orthoganol Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA), Wideband CDMA (WCDMA), and the like), supported bandwidth (e.g., 5 MHz, 10 MHz, 15 MHz, 20 MHz, and the like), bit rates, and Quality of Service (QoS) support. 
         [0026]    Table 3 below shows a network capability IE in accordance with one embodiment. The network capability IE contains 3 bits to indicate support for six non-3GPP technologies. Although 3 bits are shown, on skilled in the art would realize that a fewer or greater number of bits may be unitized, depending upon how many different types of technologies must be indicted in the IE. For example, the bits may indicate support for 802.11 and 802.16 GAN cells, I-WLAN cells, WiMAX cells, and fixed broadband cells. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE 3 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                  MS network capability value [24.008] :=&lt;GEA1 
               
               
                   
                  bits&gt; 
               
               
                   
                  &lt;SM capabilities via dedicated channels: bit&gt; 
               
               
                   
                  &lt;SM capabilities via GPRS channels: bit&gt; 
               
               
                   
                 &lt;Non-3GPP system Interworking Capability: 3 
               
               
                   
                  bits, 
               
               
                   
                   000 GAN Cell (802.11) 
               
               
                   
                   001 GAN Cell (802.16) 
               
               
                   
                   010 I-WLAN (802.11) 
               
               
                   
                 011 I-WLAN (802.16) 
               
               
                   
                   100 WiMAX 
               
               
                   
                   011 Fixed Broadband &gt; 
               
               
                   
                  &lt;UCS2 support: bit&gt; 
               
               
                   
                  &lt;SS Screening Indicator: bit string(2)&gt; 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0027]    Table 4 below shows a radio access capability IE in accordance with an embodiment. The radio access capability IE contains 3 bits to indicate support for six non-3GPP technologies. For example, bits may indicate support for 802.11 and 802.16 GAN cells, I-WLAN cells, WiMAX cells, and fixed broadband cells. 
         [0028]    Both the MS Network Capability Access IE and the MS Radio Capability Access IE include information that may inform the network about the multimode interworking capabilities of the WTRU. The Radio Access Capability IE carries all aspects of the EUTRAN capabilities including, but not limited to, technology information, bandwidth information, scalability, bit rates, quality of service (QoS), and may also include terminal type (PDA, Laptop, phone), memory size, screen size, and processing power. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE 4 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 &lt;MS RA capability value part := [24.008] 
               
               
                   
                 &lt;Access Technology Type &gt; 
               
               
                   
                 &lt;Access capabilities : bit&gt; 
               
               
                   
                 &lt; UMTS FDD Radio Access Technology 
               
               
                   
                 Capability : bit &gt; 
               
               
                   
                 &lt; UMTS 3.84 Mcps TDD Radio Access 
               
               
                   
                 Technology Capability : bit &gt; 
               
               
                   
                 &lt;Non-3GPP system Interworking Capability: 
               
               
                   
                 3 bits, 
               
               
                   
                  000 GAN Cell (802.11) 
               
               
                   
                  001 GAN Cell (802.16) 
               
               
                   
                  010 I-WLAN (802.11) 
               
               
                   
                  011 I-WLAN (802.16) 
               
               
                   
                  100 WiMAX 
               
               
                   
                  011 Fixed Broadband &gt; 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0029]      FIG. 5  is a signal diagram of an attachment procedure  500  with interworking capability updating between a WTRU  502 , an RNC  504 , an SGSN  506  and an HLR  508 . When a WTRU  502  is powered up, it first communicates via UMTS channels. The WTRU begins a non-access stratum (NAS) “ATTACH” procedure  510  to exchange information with a core network. 
         [0030]    The WTRU  502  transmits a message with a RRC_Connecton_Request  512  to an RNC  504 . The message may also include a packet temporary mobile subscriber ID (PTMSI), a routing area ID (RAI) and a CAUSE IE. The RNC  504  processes the request, performs admission control and checks the availability of resources  514 . The RNC  504  transmits a message including an RRC_CONNECTION_SETUP  516  with a UTRAN Radio Network Temporary Identifier (URTNI) to the WTRU  502 . The WTRU  502  may then transmit an RRC_CONNECTION_SETUP_COMPLETE message  518  to the RNC  504 , followed by an ATTACH Request  520 . The ATTACH request  522  may then be forwarded by the RNC  504  to the SGSN  506 . The Network Capability IE and/or the Radio_Access Capability IE may be included in the ATTACH request  522 . 
         [0031]    The ATTACH request may also include the PTMSI and an international mobile subscriber ID (IMSI). The WTRU  502 , RNC  504  and SGSN  506  perform authentication and ciphering  524 , the SGSN  506  authenticates  526  the WTRU  502  and the SGSN  506  sends an update  528  to the HLR  508  containing the WTRU multimode capabilities. An Attach accept message  530  is transmitted from the SGSN  506  to the RNC  504 . The RNC  504  forwards the attach accept  532  to the WTRU  502 . 
         [0032]    Although the features and elements are described in particular combinations, each feature or element can be used alone without the other features and elements or in various combinations with or without other features and elements. The methods or flow charts provided may be implemented in a computer program, software, or firmware tangibly embodied in a computer-readable storage medium for execution by a general purpose computer or a processor. Examples of computer-readable storage mediums include a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a register, cache memory, semiconductor memory devices, magnetic media such as internal hard disks and removable disks, magneto-optical media, and optical media such as CD-ROM disks, and digital versatile disks (DVDs). 
         [0033]    Suitable processors include, by way of example, a general purpose processor, a special purpose processor, a conventional processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in association with a DSP core, a controller, a microcontroller, Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) circuits, any other type of integrated circuit (IC), and/or a state machine. 
         [0034]    A processor in association with software may be used to implement a radio frequency transceiver for use in a wireless transmit receive unit (WTRU), user equipment (UE), terminal, base station, radio network controller (RNC), or any host computer. The WTRU may be used in conjunction with modules, implemented in hardware and/or software, such as a camera, a video camera module, a videophone, a speakerphone, a vibration device, a speaker, a microphone, a television transceiver, a hands free headset, a keyboard, a Bluetooth® module, a frequency modulated (FM) radio unit, a liquid crystal display (LCD) display unit, an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display unit, a digital music player, a media player, a video game player module, an Internet browser, and/or any wireless local area network (WLAN) module.