Patent Abstract:
A method includes, at a user equipment, combining a message requesting the radio resource connection and a message requesting at least one service into a single message. The single message is transmitted from the user equipment to a network element in a wireless network. Another method includes receiving, from a user equipment, a single message including both a message requesting a radio resource connection and a message requesting at least one service. In response to the message requesting radio resource connection, performing radio resource control connection establishment for the user equipment in order to establish the radio resource control connection between the user equipment and at least one of a plurality of network elements of a wireless network. In response to the message requesting at least one service, performing service request procedures for the user equipment, wherein at least part of the radio resource control connection establishment and at least part of the service request procedures are performed in parallel.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/709,509, filed on Aug. 19, 2005. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The exemplary and non-limiting embodiments of this invention relate generally to wireless communications systems and, more specifically, relate to connection setup methods, apparatus and computer program products for use in a digital wireless communications network. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    The architecture of the Circuit Switched (CS) and Packet Switched (PS) call establishment in Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) networks requires first that a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection establishment between the User Equipment (UE) and the Radio Network Controller (RNC) as shown in  FIG. 1 . Typically this is done so that the UE is moved from an idle mode to a CELL_DCH state (Dedicated Channel, DCH). After this signaling exchange, the signaling between the UE and the CN (core network, PS or CS) can begin. This signaling is initiated by a service request message sent towards the PS CN (e.g., or a CM (Connection Management) service request message to the CS CN). The purpose of the Service Request procedure is to transfer the PMM (Packet Mobility Management) mode from a PMM-IDLE to a PMM-CONNECTED mode, and/or to assign a radio access bearer in the case that a Packet Data Protocol (PDP) context is activated without a radio access bearer being assigned. Reference in this regard can be had to 3GPP TS 24.008, 3 rd  Generation Partnership Project; Technical Specification Group Core Network; Mobile radio interface Layer 3 specification; Core network protocols; Stage 3 (Release 5). 
         [0004]    If no PDP context is active, the UE continues with the PDP (Packet Data Protocol) context activation procedure to activate the PDP context (or setup for CS voice) as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0005]    It should be noted that as currently specified the service request is carried within the RRC: Initial Direct transfer and RANAP: Initial UE Message over Uu and Iu interfaces as transparent NAS-PDU (Non-Access Stratum-Packet Data Unit). The Uu interface is the interface between the UTRAN and the UE, while the Iu is the interconnection point between the RNC or a BSC (Base Station Controller) and 3G (Third Generation) core network (CN). RANAP (Radio Access Network Application Part) is the Radio Network Layer signaling protocol for the Iu interface (e.g., between the UTRAN and Core Network). The RANAP resides in the UTRAN and the Core Network (CN).  FIG. 2  presents the logical signaling transfer. 
         [0006]    As can be seen, since the RRC connection setup and service request are performed sequentially, the current specifications inherently containing the setup delay of each of these sequential procedures. It can be shown that the RRC connection setup delay can be approximately 500 milliseconds (ms) and the Service Request setup delay can be approximately 70 ms. If one includes PDP context activation of about 1200 ms, it can be appreciated that even if using more optimized signaling transfer, such as by utilizing High Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA) and High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) for the Signaling Radio Bearers (SRBs), since these procedures are performed in sequence, achieving further delay reductions are extremely difficult. 
         [0007]    Recent observations from commercial WCDMA networks have shown that this sequence of different procedures can introduce an unacceptable amount of delay during CS and PS call establishment. 
         [0008]    It is known that in the GSM (Global System for Mobile communication) CS, mobile-originated call establishment case, the service request message (CM SERVICE REQUEST) is sent piggy-backed, i.e., contained in the GSM Level 2 (L2) (LAPDm; Link Access Protocol on the D-Channel, modified) messages requesting the establishment of the L2 link (which in turn, after successfully established, creates a successful Radio Resource connection). For PS services, however, the situation is different, as for any signaling or link establishment between the MS and the network a TBF (temporary block flow) establishment procedure takes place. This establishment procedure itself does not carry any Layer 3 (L3) signaling or service request. The inventors have realized that the call establishment process for PS (and CS) services is not as efficient as the process could be. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0009]    In an exemplary embodiment, a method is disclosed that includes, at a user equipment, combining a message requesting the radio resource connection and a message requesting at least one service into a single message. The method also includes transmitting the single message from the user equipment to a network element in a wireless network. 
         [0010]    In another exemplary embodiment, a user equipment is disclosed that includes a transceiver and processing logic coupled to the transceiver. The processing logic is configured to combine a message requesting a radio resource connection and a message requesting at least one service into a single message. The processing logic is further configured to cause the transceiver to transmit, using the transceiver, the single message from the user equipment to a network element in a wireless network. 
         [0011]    In yet another exemplary embodiment, a computer program product is disclosed that tangibly embodies a program of machine-readable instructions executable by one or more data processors to perform operations. The operations include, at a user equipment, combining a message requesting the radio resource connection and a message requesting at least one service into a single message. The operations also include causing the single message to be transmitted from the user equipment to a network element in a wireless network. 
         [0012]    In a further exemplary embodiment, a method is disclosed that includes receiving, from a user equipment, a single message including both a message requesting the radio resource connection and a message requesting at least one service. The method includes, in response to the message requesting the radio resource connection, performing radio resource control connection establishment for the user equipment in order to establish the radio resource control connection between the user equipment and at least one of a plurality of network elements of a wireless network. The method also includes, in response to the message requesting the at least one service, performing service request procedures for the user equipment, wherein at least part of the radio resource control connection establishment and at least part of the service request procedures are performed in parallel. 
         [0013]    In an additional exemplary embodiment, a wireless network is disclosed that includes a transceiver and processing logic coupled to the transceiver. The processing logic is configured to receive, from the transceiver and from a user equipment, a single message including both a message requesting a radio resource connection and a message requesting at least one service. The processing logic is further configured, in response to the message requesting the radio resource connection, to perform radio resource control connection establishment for the user equipment in order to establish the radio resource control connection between the user equipment and at least one network element of a wireless network. The processing logic is additionally configured, in response to the message requesting the at least one service, to perform service request procedures for the user equipment, wherein at least part of the radio resource control connection establishment and at least part of the service request procedures are performed by the processing logic in parallel. 
         [0014]    In yet another exemplary embodiment, a computer program product is disclosed that tangibly embodies a program of machine-readable instructions executable by one or more data processors to perform operations. The operations include receiving from a user equipment a single message including both a message requesting the radio resource connection and a message requesting at least one service. The operations also include, in response to the message requesting the radio resource connection, causing radio resource control connection establishment to be performed for the user equipment in order to establish a radio resource control connection between the user equipment and at least one network element of a wireless network. The operations further include, in response to the message requesting the at least one service, causing service request procedures for the user equipment to be performed, wherein at least part of the radio resource control connection establishment and at least part of the service request procedures are performed in parallel. 
         [0015]    In another exemplary embodiment, a method is disclosed that includes, at a user equipment, combining a message requesting a radio resource connection and a message requesting at least one service into a single message, and transmitting the single message from the user equipment to a first network element in a wireless network. The method also includes, at the first network element, receiving the single message and, in response to the message requesting the radio resource connection, and performing radio resource control connection establishment for the user equipment in order to establish a radio resource control connection between the user equipment and at least one of a plurality of network elements of a wireless network. The method further includes, at a second network element in the wireless network, in response to the message requesting the at least one service, performing service request procedures for the user equipment, wherein at least part of the radio resource control connection establishment and at least part of the service request procedures are performed in parallel. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    The foregoing and other aspects of embodiments of this invention are made more evident in the following Detailed Description of Exemplary Embodiments, when read in conjunction with the attached Drawing Figures, wherein: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  shows a signaling diagram of a conventional RRC connection establishment (idle to CELL_DCH state); 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  shows a signaling diagram of a conventional Mobile Originated Packet Connection Setup; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  shows a signaling diagram of a combined RRC connection request and service request in accordance with exemplary embodiments of this invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a simplified block diagram of various electronic devices that are suitable for use in practicing the exemplary embodiments of this invention; 
           [0021]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  illustrate exemplary embodiments of a RRC Connection Request message; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is a block diagram of an apparatus suitable for use in performing embodiments of the disclosed invention; and 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  shows another signaling diagram of a combined RRC connection request and service request in accordance with exemplary embodiments of this invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
       [0024]    As described above, in the GSM CS, mobile-originated call establishment case, the service request message (CM SERVICE REQUEST) is sent piggy-backed, i.e., contained in the GSM Level 2 (L2) (LAPDm) messages requesting the establishment of the L2 link (which in turn, after successfully established, creates a successful Radio Resource connection). The request for establishment of the L2 link is a request to establish one or more logical channels and the request is communicated using L2 messaging. In GSM CS, mobile-originated call establishment case, the UE already has a radio channel (e.g., frequency and timeslot) and therefore the UE already has a “radio link” prior to when the CM SERVICE REQUEST message is communicated to set up a logical channel. After a number of different steps, a completion of an RR connection occurs. Although GSM and WCDMA are different systems, in WCDMA, the L2 layer includes Radio Link Control (RLC). 
         [0025]    By contrast, in exemplary embodiments of the disclosed invention, Layer 3 (L3) signalling, Radio Resource Control (RRC) signalling, is used. Thus, a radio resource connection is created in response to an RRC: Connection Request message. No such radio resource connection is created in the GSM CS, mobile-originated call establishment case, as an LAPDm connection creates a logical channel and not a radio resource connection. 
         [0026]    Reference is made first to  FIG. 4  for illustrating a simplified block diagram of various electronic devices that are suitable for use in practicing the exemplary embodiments of this invention. In  FIG. 4 , a wireless network  1  includes a UE  10 , a Node B (base station)  12 , a RNC  14  and a PS/CS CN  16 . The Node B  12 , RNC  14  and PS/CS CN  16  are examples of network nodes, as are the SGSN and GGSN shown in  FIG. 2 . Aspects of the disclosed invention are suitable for both packet switched (PS) and circuit switched (CS) core networks (CNs). For simplicity, the disclosure below concentrates on PS CNs, and the “PS/CS CN  16 ” will typically be referred to as the “PS CN  16 ”. It is to be understood, however, that The UE  10  includes a data processor (DP)  10 A, a memory (MEM)  10 B that stores a program (PROG)  10 C, and a suitable radio frequency (RF) transceiver  10 D for bidirectional wireless communications with the Node B  12 , which also includes a DP  12 A, a MEM  12 B that stores a PROG  12 C, and a suitable RF transceiver  12 D. The Node B  12  is coupled via a data path  13  to the RNC  14  and the PS CN  16 , each of which include a DP  14 A,  16 A, a MEM  14 B,  16 B, each storing an associated PROG  14 C,  16 C. At least the PROGs  10 C,  14 C and  16 C are assumed to include program instructions that, when executed by the associated DP, enable the electronic device to operate in accordance with the exemplary embodiments of this invention, as will be discussed below in greater detail with regard to  FIG. 3 . The MEMs  10 B,  12 B,  14 B, and/or  16 B may contain computer program products tangibly embodying programs of machine-readable instructions executable by one or more data processors to perform operations disclosed herein. 
         [0027]    Note that the PS CN  16  may comprise the Serving Gateway Support Node (SGSN) and the Gateway GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) Support Node (GGSN) shown in  FIG. 2 . Note further that the Node B  12  and the RNC  14  may be referred to below collectively as the UTRAN (UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications Service) Terrestrial Radio Access Network). 
         [0028]    In general, the various embodiments of the UE  10  can include, but are not limited to, cellular telephones, personal digital assistants (PDAs) having wireless communication capabilities, portable computers having wireless communication capabilities, image capture devices such as digital cameras having wireless communication capabilities, gaming devices having wireless communication capabilities, music storage and playback appliances having wireless communication capabilities, Internet appliances permitting wireless Internet access and browsing, as well as portable units or terminals that incorporate combinations of such functions. 
         [0029]    The embodiments of this invention may be implemented by computer software executable by the DP  10 A of the UE  10  and the other DPs, or by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware. 
         [0030]    The MEMs  10 B,  12 B,  14 B and  16 B may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment and may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor-based memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory and removable memory. The DPs  10 A,  12 A,  14 A, and  16 A may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment, and may include one or more of general purpose computers, special purpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs) and processors based on a multi-core processor architecture, as non-limiting examples. 
         [0031]    It should be noted that while the Node B  12  is shown containing the PROG  12 C, in order to practice this invention the PROG  12 C may not need to be modified from a conventional Node B program. Further, it will be shown below that in at least some embodiments of this invention the PROG  16 C of the CN  16  may not need modification so as to operate with the enhanced UE/UTRAN signaling in accordance with the invention. 
         [0032]    As can be seen in  FIG. 3 , an aspect of this invention combines the RRC: RRC Connection Request message and the RRC: Initial Direct Transfer message (Step A), which contains the service request message sent by the UE  10  to the PS CN  16  (e.g., a CM service request to be sent to CS CN  16 ). In an exemplary embodiment, the CM service request message contains, e.g., a mobile identity, a mobile station classmark 2, a ciphering key sequence number, and a CM service type identifying the requested type of transaction (e.g., mobile originating call establishment, emergency call establishment, short message service, supplementary service activation, location services). See, e.g., 3GPP TS 24.008 V6.9.0 (2005-06), sections 4.5.1.1, 9.2.9, and 10.5.3.3. In particular, in section 10.5.3.3, four bits (one octet) are used to determine which service is requested in the CM service request message according to the following table: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Bits 
                 Service 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 0 0 0 1 
                 Mobile originating call establishment 
               
               
                   
                   
                 or packet mode connection 
               
               
                   
                   
                 establishment 
               
               
                   
                 0 0 1 0 
                 Emergency call establishment 
               
               
                   
                 0 1 0 0 
                 Short message service 
               
               
                   
                 1 0 0 0 
                 Supplementary service activation 
               
               
                   
                 1 0 0 1 
                 Voice group call establishment 
               
               
                   
                 1 0 1 0 
                 Voice broadcast call establishment 
               
               
                   
                 1 0 1 1 
                 Location Services 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0033]    It should be noted that, depending on implementation, one or more services could be requested using a service request message. As both messages are sent using a single message from the UE  10  to the wireless network, the RRC connection establishment and the service request procedures are enabled to be performed in a parallel manner in the UTRAN  20  and PS CN  16 , respectively. This parallel execution of these procedures beneficially removes the RRC connection establishment delay, which is currently inherent in the specifications, from the total connection setup delay. Thus, in an exemplary embodiment, CN procedures to activate PDP context are performed simultaneously with UTRAN  20  procedures to establish the RRC connection. It is noted that an Initial Direct Transfer message is used to initiate a signalling connection based on indication from upper layers and to transfer a NAS message. The RRC Connection Request message is the first message transmitted by the UE  10  when setting up an RRC connection to the network. 
         [0034]    In a case where the network (e.g., UTRAN  20 ) supports this feature of parallel execution of the RRC connection establishment request and service request procedures, the UTRAN  20  indicates this capability in, for example, System Information Broadcast (SIB) messages to the UE  10 . In this case the UE  10  establishes a PS or CS connection to the network by sending the RRC Connection Request message to the UTRAN  20 . This message contains also the NAS: Service Request message, which is considered as a transparent bit string for radio protocols in similar manner as is done for a RRC: Initial Direct Transfer message (that currently contains the NAS service request message as a transparent container). 
         [0035]    The conventional RRC Connection Request message can be found in tabular format in subclause 10.2.39 of 3GPP TS 25.331 (e.g., 3GPP TS 25.331, version 6.6.0, Release 6, 6-2005). This section states that the RRC Connection Request is the first message transmitted by the UE when setting up an RRC Connection to the network. The conventional Initial Direct Transfer can be found in sub-clause 10.2.16c of 3GPP TS 25.331, where it can be seen that the Initial Direct Transfer contains a NAS message, described in section 10.3.1.8. The NAS message contains the service request message. Section 10.2.16c states that the Initial Direct Transfer message is used to initiate a signalling connection based on indication from the upper layers and to transfer a NAS message. The Abstract Syntax Notation One (ASN.1) coding, used for RRC messages, is provided in section 11 of 3GPP TS 25.331. 
         [0036]    A first exemplary embodiment of a new message format for the RRC Connection Request (e.g., inclusion of an Initial Direct Transfer message) is shown in  FIG. 5A  as message  50 . Portion  50 A represents the current RRC Connection Request, while portion  50 B represents a space for a BIT STRING that the RNC  14  may be assumed does not know how to decode. Within this bit string the Initial Direct Transfer message (IDT  51 ) is encoded (as received from NAS) and the RNC  14  passes the encoded IDT message directly to upper layers via the Iu interface. Forwarding occurs in step  320  of  FIG. 3 . Encoding is a function where readable text is encoded to bits, with specific encoding rules. RRC utilizes ASN.1 encoding/decoding, and a receiver (such as RNC  14 ) needs to decode the bits to readable format again based on the same encoding rules. In the example of  FIG. 5A , the RRC receiver (e.g., RNC  14 ) does not “understand” (i.e., implement the protocol suitable for decoding) the information in the BIT STRING. Note, however, that the PS CN  16  then interprets (e.g., understands the bit string through implementation of a protocol suitable for decoding the bit string) the bit string (BIT STRING)  50 B in Step  330  and determines a first Initial Direct Transfer message and its associated service request. The PS CN  16  interprets the bit string, BIT STRING,  50 B because the PS CN  16  can interpret information formatted in accordance with the NAS protocol. When the message  50  is transmitted in Step A, the Initial UE message in Step B is not performed and instead Steps  320  and  330  are performed. 
         [0037]    One advantage of this first embodiment is that the first embodiment is backwards compatible, and no new combination message is required (i.e., legacy networks that have not implemented this embodiment may simply ignore the BIT STRING). 
         [0038]    However, the UE  10  does not know if the RNC  14  has decoded the message  50 , so thus the UE  10  may still need to send the Initial Direct Transfer on its own once the RRC connection has been setup. This occurs in Step  340 , when the UE  10  sends a second Initial Direct Transfer message having a service request. It is noted that Step  340  is performed in response to the message in Step  310  not being received. Step  340  allows for backward compatibility. In this example, the UTRAN  20  indicates support of parallel execution of radio resource control connection establishment and service request procedures through the use of the message in Step  310 . If the message in Step  310  is not received, the UE  10  needs to fallback to a Re199 (Release 99) solution, where the IDT is only sent after RRC Connection Setup Complete (Step I). As for a Re199 solution, 3GPP TS 25.331, section 8.1.3 (e.g., 3GPP TS 25.331, version 6.6.0, Release 6, 6-2005), shows an RRC connection establishment procedure. The IDT procedure is shown in TS 25.331, section 8.1.8. To avoid passing the Initial Direct Transfer message information twice, the RNC  14  would need to ignore the second message. This occurs in Step  350 , where the RNC  14  ignores an Initial Direct Transfer message after the message  50 . An amount of coding in ASN.1 may also be needed. 
         [0039]    A second exemplary embodiment of a new message format for the RRC Connection Request (e.g., creation of enhanced RRC Connection Request) is shown in  FIG. 5B  as message  52 . As described above, in  FIG. 5A , the IDT message is just a bit string  51 B for RRC, as all information is encoded in accordance with a NAS protocol, which is not implemented in RRC (e.g., is not implemented in the UTRAN  20 ). In contrast, in  FIG. 5B , the IDT message  52 B is not encoded in accordance with NAS protocol but is instead encoded in accordance with a protocol (e.g., ASN.1) used by RRC and implemented in the UTRAN  20  for communication with the PS/CS CN  16  and implemented in the PS/CS  16  for decoding the IDT message  52 B. Portion  52 A in  FIG. 5B  represents the current RRC Connection Request, while portion  52 B represents the message coding for the Initial Indirect Transfer, where both  52 A and  52 B are encoded using the same protocol (e.g., ASN.1). 
         [0040]    In this embodiment, the UTRAN  20  may broadcast a capability bit in system information for informing the UE  10  that the UE  10  is permitted to transmit an “enhanced RRC Connection Request”  52 . For instance, see the capability bit  312  in System Information Broadcast (SIB)  311  of the message  310 , indicating capability of parallel execution of radio resource control connection establishment and service request procedures, in  FIG. 3 . It should be noted that the location of the capability bit  312  is merely exemplary. If this capability is indicated, the UE  10  can then use the new message  52  that is coded (e.g., optimally) with the content of both the RRC Connection Request and the Initial Direct Transfer. 
         [0041]    When the UTRAN  20  receives the RRC Connection Request message (Step A), the UTRAN  20  processes the information elements (1Es) as is specified by current standards. For instance, in the example of  FIG. 5B , both the RRC Connection Request message portion  52 A and the Initial Direct Transfer portion  52 B could be encoded using, e.g., the ASN.1 protocol. The UTRAN  20  (e.g., RNC  14 ) converts (Step  370 ) the Initial Direct Transfer portion  52 B from ASN.1 protocol (or any other protocol implemented by the UTRAN  20 ) to a protocol (e.g., the NAS protocol) implemented by the PS CN  16 . In this example, the Initial Direct Transfer portion  52 B is converted from the first protocol (e.g., ASN.1) implemented by the UTRAN  20  to a RANAP: Initial UE message encoded using a second protocol (e.g., a NAS protocol). The UTRAN  20  then sends (Step F) the RRC connection setup message to the UE  10  after making a positive admission decision (e.g., as in Release 99). The UTRAN  20  also sends the NAS: Service Request message to the correct CN entity within the RANAP: Initial UE message (Step B). Note that Step B is performed in response to message  52  and Steps  320  and  330  are not performed in this example. In principle, the Service Request message sent in Step B can be identical to a currently specified Service Request message, thereby concealing the enhanced functionality of the UTRAN  20  completely from the NAS layers (as part of PROG  16 C, for instance). Note, however, that the Service Request message may also be modified. After the PS CN  16  receives the Service Request message, the PS CN  16  begins its own Iu establishment procedure, security command procedure and, if the PDP context is already active, SGSN can begin RAB assignment procedure towards the UTRAN  20  (Step L). 
         [0042]    It is noted that if the RRC connection setup is performed to the CELL_DCH state, a security mode command can be sent after L1 synchronization to the UE via DCH following the RB (Radio Bearer) setup procedure. If the CELL_FACH state is utilized, the security mode command and the RB setup can be sent after the RRC connection setup. As shown in  FIG. 3 , when the UE  10  receives the RRC connection setup message (Step F), its RRC protocol layer (part of PROG  10 C and an L3 layer) acts on the IE and begins the Layer 1 (L1, physical layer) synchronization procedure if the CELL_DCH state is required. The RRC protocol layer also indicates to the NAS layer that the service request message is successfully transferred to the network and it can continue by sending a PDP context activation message to the PS CN  16  if the PDP context was not already active (Setup CN). In the case where the PDP context was already active (a typical implementation for IMS UEs is that one PDP context is constantly active after an attach procedure performed during power on), the UE  10  receives the RB (Radio Bearer) setup message as presented in  FIG. 3 , Step M, for presenting the call setup signaling. If the UTRAN  20  prefers to setup the RRC connection in a CELL_FACH (Fast Associated Control Channel) state the security command (Step H) and RB setup (Step M) can be sent from the UTRAN  20  immediately after an L2 acknowledgement confirms successful transmission of the RRC connection setup message (Step F). 
         [0043]      FIG. 7  shows a signaling diagram of a combined RRC connection request and service request in accordance with exemplary embodiments of this invention.  FIG. 3  was directed to PS techniques, whereas  FIG. 7  is directed to CS techniques. As compared with  FIG. 3 , in  FIG. 7 , there are also a Setup message from the UE  10  to the CS CN  16 , a Call Proceeding message from the CS CN  16  to the UE  10 , an Alerting message from the CS CN  16  to the UE  10 , a Connect message from the CS CN  16  to the UE  10 , and a Connect Acknowledge from the UE  10  to the CS CN  16 . Note also that the PDP Context Activation Accepted message from  FIG. 3  is not in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0044]    In principle, an RRC: Cell Update message could also contain the NAS message (i.e., the. IDT message including a CM Service Request message) as this would speed up the CS call setup in the case where the UE  10  is already in the RRC Connected state in the URA/CELL PCH state. Instead of waiting to use Cell Update and Cell Update Confirm signaling procedures before being able to send the CM Service Request to the CS CN  16 , the inclusion of the CM Service Request message to the RRC: Cell Update message (e.g., a portion of which contains the original RRC: Cell Update message) allows the Cell Update and Cell Update Confirm signaling procedures to be performed in parallel with the RRC cell update procedures. 
         [0045]    Advantages that are realized by the use of the non-limiting embodiments of this invention include, but are not limited to, a more rapid call setup for CS and PS connections when the UE  10  is in the idle mode; changes can be limited to only the RRC Connection Request message (Step A of  FIG. 3 ); the enhanced signaling may introduced in a backwards compatible manner for existing UEs; and further the enhanced signaling may be introduced by using the existing PS/CS core network (e.g., the enhanced signaling between the UE  10  and the UTRAN  20  can be transparent to the PS/CS CN  16 ). 
         [0046]    It can be noted that fitting the RRC Connection Request message and the Service Request in one transport block (TB) may require that some optimization be made to the Service Request message, which may then require a corresponding modification to the PS/CS CN  16 . 
         [0047]    It can be further noted that even though the exemplary embodiments of this invention are related to current WCDMA radio access and PS and CS core networks, they may also be applicable for other networks, such as for the 3.9G network architecture depending on implementation. 
         [0048]    Based on the foregoing it should be apparent that the exemplary embodiments of this invention provide a method, apparatus and computer program product(s) to combine the RRC: RRC Connection Request message and the RRC: Initial Transfer message, which contains the Service Request message sent by the UE  10  to the PS CN  16  (e.g., the CM service request is sent to the CS CN  16 ), where both messages are sent in a single message from UE  10  to the network, and where both RRC connection establishment and service request procedures are performed in a parallel manner in the UTRAN  20  and the PS/CS CN  16 , respectively, so as to reduce the overall connection setup delay of the PS or CS connection, by performing parallel processing for setting up the RRC connection between the UE  10  and the UTRAN  20 , and the Service Request between the UE  10  and the PS/CS CN  16 . 
         [0049]    In general, the various embodiments may be implemented in hardware (e.g., special purpose circuits) or software or any combination thereof. For example, some aspects may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in software (e.g., firmware) which may be executed by a controller, microprocessor or other computing device, although the invention is not limited thereto. While various aspects of the invention may be illustrated and described as block diagrams, flow charts, or using some other pictorial representation, it is well understood that these blocks, apparatus, systems, techniques or methods described herein may be implemented in, as non-limiting examples, hardware (e.g., special purpose circuits, general purpose hardware or a controller or other computing device) or software (e.g., firmware), or some combination thereof. 
         [0050]    Embodiments of the inventions may be practiced in various components such as integrated circuit modules. The design of integrated circuits is by and large a highly automated process. Complex and powerful software tools are available for converting a logical level design into a semiconductor circuit design ready to be etched and formed on a semiconductor substrate. 
         [0051]    Programs, such as those provided by Synopsys, Inc. of Mountain View, Calif. and Cadence Design, of San Jose, Calif. automatically route conductors and locate components on a semiconductor chip using well established rules of design as well as libraries of pre-stored design modules. Once the design for a semiconductor circuit has been completed, the resultant design, in a standardized electronic format (e.g., Opus, GDSII, or the like) may be transmitted to a semiconductor fabrication facility or “fab” for fabrication. 
         [0052]    As an example,  FIG. 6  shows a block diagram of one or more integrated circuits that can be used for any of the UE  10 , Node B  12 , RNC  14 , UTRAN  20 , or CN  16 . The one or more integrated circuits comprise one or more data processors  610 , each data processor coupled to one or more memories  640  and hardware elements  660  (e.g., an application specific integrated circuit portion). The program PROG  620  in memory includes processing logic  630 , and the hardware elements  650  include processing logic  660 . The processing logic  630 ,  660  are suitable for carrying out embodiments of the disclosed invention. The processing logic may be distributed as shown or may be included only in the program  620  or in the hardware elements  650 . It is also noted that the processing logic could be distributed amongst two or more of the DP  10 A,  12 A,  14 A,  16 A, depending upon implementation. 
         [0053]    Various modifications and adaptations may become apparent to those skilled in the relevant arts in view of the foregoing description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, any and all modifications of the teachings of this invention will still fall within the scope of the non-limiting embodiments of this invention. 
         [0054]    Furthermore, some of the features of the various non-limiting embodiments of this invention may be used to advantage without the corresponding use of other features. As such, the foregoing description should be considered as merely illustrative of the principles, teachings and exemplary embodiments of this invention, and not in limitation thereof.

Technology Classification (CPC): 7