Telecommunications – Radiotelephone system – Zoned or cellular telephone system
Reexamination Certificate
1997-12-23
2001-02-13
Le, Thanh Cong (Department: 2749)
Telecommunications
Radiotelephone system
Zoned or cellular telephone system
C455S433000, C455S422100, C455S439000, C455S560000, C455S432300
Reexamination Certificate
active
06188898
ABSTRACT:
This invention relates to mobile communications networks and in particular to arrangements and methods for controlling communication between mobile terminals and a base station in such networks.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A number of standard mobile communications systems are currently under development. For example, in Europe the GSM900 system operating at 900 MHz is gaining wide acceptance while in North America the near equivalent PCS1900 system is a current standard operating at 1900 MHz. Within each of these systems a set of standard operating procedures has evolved, and all equipment supplied for use in such a system must conform to the corresponding standard. This provides a significant advantage to the system operator as he can obtain equipment from a number of suppliers and be confident that it will be fully compatible. For example, the operator may purchase handsets from one manufacturer, base stations from another and mobile switching centres from a third. Although this provides the operator in that he can force down the costs of the purchased equipment, there are attendant disadvantages.
Firstly, the key protocols defining the standard must be conceived at the original installation of the system. If these protocols have not been chosen with sufficient care and forethought, adherence to the standard can preclude the adoption of more advantageous techniques that may subsequently become available. Secondly, although the key protocols may be defined, there is often considerable scope for the provision of proprietary services that can provide added value to a particular manufacturer's product. This provides the operator with the problem of supporting different equipment designs. In practice a particular operator supports only one service mix and users of equipment, e.g. handsets, capable of providing other services may well find that those services are not supported. Thirdly, there is increasing concern about the proliferation of base station installations that are required to service a variety of mobile communications systems that are operating in the same geographical region and there is thus a need to minimise the number of such installations.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the invention is to minimise or to overcome these disadvantages.
It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved mobile communications system.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a mobile communications system that can service mobile terminals having different operating protocols.
According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a mobile communications network for serving a plurality of mobile terminals each capable of being coupled to the network, wherein the network incorporates means for determining for each mobile terminal accessing the network an operating protocol employed by that terminal, and means for retrieving from a store a corresponding a corresponding operating protocol whereby to provide control instructions for the network so as to enable communication with that terminal.
According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a mobile communications network adapted to service mobile terminals having different operating protocols, the network including a plurality of multimode base stations each capable of operating selectively in at least some of said operating protocols and each having means for interrogating a said mobile terminal so as to determine that terminal's operating protocol, a store containing sets of operating instructions one for each said protocol, base station control means for controlling the operation of each said base station, and means responsive to the determination of the operating protocol of a said mobile terminal for downloading the corresponding set of operating instructions from the store to the control means whereby to operate the base station serving that mobile terminal in a mode consistent with that operating protocol.
According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of operating a mobile communications network so as to service a plurality of terminals each capable of being coupled to the network, wherein the method includes storing a plurality of operating protocols for said terminals, determining for each terminal accessing the network an operating protocol employed by that terminal, and retrieving from the stored protocols a corresponding operating protocol whereby to provide control instructions for that terminal.
By providing access to software packages appropriate to the terminals communicating with the system, a variety of terminal operating protocols can be accommodated. this is of particular advantage in a large international system as terminals that have been constructed to comply with individual country requirements and/or with a particular service mix can roam throughout the system and can receive a full or substantially full range of services in all parts of the system. This also facilitates the development and introduction of new terminals which can operate in parallel with existing devices.
In a development of the network, the operating packages provided in the system may be updated to take account of developments in mobile terminal construction and the introduction to enhanced protocols and services.
In another development, the mobile terminals may be adapted to download operating software from the network over the air interface to provide those terminals with particular operating characteristics.
In a further development of the network, both the network and the terminals may be provided with software packages which allow the particular operating protocol to be negotiated between the network and the terminal at the commencement of communication therebetween.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4829554 (1989-05-01), Barnes et al.
patent: 5289179 (1994-02-01), Beeson, Jr. et al.
patent: 5732076 (1998-03-01), Ketseoglou et al.
patent: 5802469 (1998-09-01), Nounin et al.
patent: 5822693 (1998-10-01), Harrison
patent: 5913162 (1999-06-01), Gourdin et al.
Cong Le Thanh
Lee Mann Smith McWilliams Sweeney & Ohlson
Nortel Networks Limited
Zewdu Meless N
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