WO2000074274A1 - Method and apparatus for providing simultaneous voice and data communication in a communication system - Google Patents
Method and apparatus for providing simultaneous voice and data communication in a communication system Download PDFInfo
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- WO2000074274A1 WO2000074274A1 PCT/US2000/007035 US0007035W WO0074274A1 WO 2000074274 A1 WO2000074274 A1 WO 2000074274A1 US 0007035 W US0007035 W US 0007035W WO 0074274 A1 WO0074274 A1 WO 0074274A1
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- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 418
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 30
- 230000001413 cellular effect Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000010295 mobile communication Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 8
- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 description 5
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000004044 response Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000013459 approach Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000006870 function Effects 0.000 description 1
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
- H04W28/00—Network traffic management; Network resource management
- H04W28/16—Central resource management; Negotiation of resources or communication parameters, e.g. negotiating bandwidth or QoS [Quality of Service]
- H04W28/18—Negotiating wireless communication parameters
Definitions
- the present invention relates generally to communication systems and, in particular, to providing simultaneous voice and data communication in wireless communication systems.
- GSM Global System for Mobile communications
- Multiplexing requires additional channel overhead and burdens the wireless communication units and the infrastructure equipment with necessary multiplexing and demultiplexing processing.
- FIG. 1 is a block diagram depiction of a communication system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 2 is a block diagram depiction of wireless communication resources in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 3 is a logic flow diagram of steps executed by a wireless communication unit in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 4 is a logic flow diagram of steps executed by a communication infrastructure in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
- the present invention addresses the need for an apparatus and method for providing simultaneous voice and data communication in a wireless communication system efficiently.
- the present invention discloses the use of two half-rate portions of a full-rate wireless communication resource. One half-rate portion is used for voice communication and the other half-rate portion for data communication. In the preferred embodiment, the half-rate portions are individual time slots, two of which make up the full-rate wireless communication resource.
- a communication infrastructure provides the ability to switch between a simultaneous voice and data communication service and a full-rate voice communication service. The communication infrastructure further provides for handing off the full-rate wireless communication resource between wireless coverage areas.
- the present invention encompasses a method for a wireless communication unit to support simultaneous voice and data communication.
- the wireless communication unit receives half-rate voice communication via a first half-rate portion of a full-rate wireless communication resource and data communication via a second half-rate portion of the full-rate wireless communication resource.
- the full-rate wireless communication resource comprises the first half-rate portion and the second half-rate portion, the first half-rate portion and the second half- rate portion are each portions in time that are non-overlapping and contiguous.
- the present invention encompasses a method for a communication infrastructure to provide a communication sen/ice that supports simultaneous voice and data.
- the communication infrastructure receives a request for the communication service and transmits to a wireless communication unit half-rate voice communication via a first half- rate portion of an outbound, full-rate wireless communication resource.
- the outbound, full-rate wireless communication resource comprises the first half-rate portion and a second half-rate portion, wherein the first half- rate portion and the second half-rate portion are each portions in time that are non-overlapping and contiguous.
- the communication infrastructure transmits to the wireless communication unit data communication via the second half-rate portion of the outbound, full-rate wireless communication resource.
- the present invention encompasses a wireless communication unit.
- the wireless communication unit comprises a receiver and a processor.
- the receiver receives half-rate voice communication via a first half-rate portion of a full-rate wireless communication resource and receives data communication via a second half-rate portion of the full-rate wireless communication resource.
- the full-rate wireless communication resource comprises the first half-rate portion and the second half-rate portion, and the first half-rate portion and the second half-rate portion are each portions in time that are non- overlapping and contiguous.
- the processor produces a voice signal using the half-rate voice communication and a data stream using the data communication.
- FIG. 1 is a block diagram depiction of a communication system 100 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
- the preferable communication system 100 comprises a communication infrastructure 112 and wireless communication unit 104.
- the communication infrastructure 112 comprises a base site 114, a transcoding unit 118, and a switching center 116 capable of interfacing with a public switched telephone network (PSTN) 120.
- PSTN public switched telephone network
- the communication system 100 comprises an "iDEN" communication system that is commercially available from Motorola, Inc. of Schaumburg, Illinois.
- the wireless communication unit 104 preferably comprises an "iDEN” radiotelephone
- the communication infrastructure 112 comprises infrastructure equipment, preferably “iDEN” infrastructure equipment, such as an "iDEN” Enhanced Base Transceiver System (EBTS) for base site 114, an "iDEN” Enhanced Transcoder (EXCDR) and an "iDEN” Interworking Function (IWF) for transcoding unit 118, and an "iDEN” Mobile Switching Center (MSC) for switching center 116.
- the wireless communication unit 104 comprises a processor 110 that preferably comprises a microprocessor and memory. Coupled to the processor 110 are a receiver 108 and a transmitter 106. The receiver 108 and the transmitter 106 are each known components of wireless phones that comprise conventional circuitry operated and controlled by routinely developed software.
- the wireless communication unit 104 and the base site 114 communicate via wireless communication resources 101 and 102.
- FIG. 2 is a block diagram depiction of the wireless communication resources 101 and 102 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
- the wireless communication unit 104 and the communication infrastructure 112 preferably employ time division multiplexing over wireless links.
- inbound wireless channel 200 comprises time division multiplexed (TDM) time slots 201-212 and outbound wireless channel 220 comprises TDM time slots 221-232.
- inbound full-rate wireless communication resource 101 comprises two contiguous TDM time slots in every six TDM time slot frame
- outbound full-rate wireless communication resource 102 comprises two contiguous TDM time slots in every six TDM time slot frame.
- wireless communication resource 101 comprises TDM time slots 201 , 202, 207, and 208
- wireless communication resource 102 comprises TDM time slots 221 , 222, 227, and 228 as shown in FIG. 2.
- Operation of preferred communication system 100 in accordance with the present invention occurs substantially as follows.
- the processor 110 preferably instructs the transmitter 106 to transmit a request to the communication infrastructure 112 for a communication service that supports simultaneous voice and data communication.
- the communication infrastructure 112 receives the request for the communication service and preferably routes the voice communication through a voice transcoding unit in the transcoding unit 118 and the data communication through a data transcoding unit also in the transcoding unit 118.
- the voice transcoder preferably comprises an "iDEN" EXCDR that converts the voice communication between Vector Sum Excited Linear Predicting (VSELP) voice and pulse code modulation (PCM) voice.
- VSELP Vector Sum Excited Linear Predicting
- PCM pulse code modulation
- the data transcoder preferably comprises an "iDEN" IWF that converts the data communication between "iDEN” compressed data and 64kbps PCM data.
- the switching center 116 preferably obtains infrastructure resources to establish a data path and a voice path through the communication infrastructure 112.
- data communication is preferably routed via the data path and voice communication via the voice path.
- the wireless communication unit 104 then receives an indication from a communication infrastructure that the full-rate wireless communication resources 101 and 102 are associated with the communication service that supports simultaneous voice and data communication. More specifically, the indication preferably indicates that the inbound, full-rate communication resource 101 and the outbound, full-rate communication resource 102 have been allocated by the communication infrastructure for the communication service.
- the inbound, full-rate communication resource 101 comprises a first half-rate portion and a second half-rate portion, TDM time slots 201 , 207 and 202, 208 respectively.
- the outbound, full-rate communication resource 102 also comprises a first half-rate portion and a second half- rate portion, TDM time slots 221 , 227 and 222, 228 respectively.
- the transmitter 106 preferably transmits half-rate voice communication via the first half-rate portion of the inbound, full-rate wireless communication resource 101 and transmits data communication via the second half-rate portion of the inbound, full-rate wireless communication resource 101.
- TDM time slots 201 and 207 are used by the wireless communication unit 104 to convey inbound voice communication and TDM time slots 202 and 208 are used to convey inbound data communication.
- TDM time slots 221 , 227 are used by the communication infrastructure 112 to convey outbound voice communication and TDM time slots 222 and 228 are used to convey outbound data communication.
- Transmitter 106 transmits half-rate voice communication via the first half-rate portion 201 , 207 of the inbound, full-rate wireless communication resource 101 and data communication via the second half-rate portion 202, 208 of the inbound, full-rate wireless communication resource 101.
- the communication infrastructure 112 receives the voice communication via the first half-rate portion 201 , 207 of the inbound, full- rate wireless communication resource 101 and data communication via the second half-rate portion 202, 208 of the inbound, full-rate wireless communication resource 101.
- the communication infrastructure 112 preferably routes the voice communication through the voice transcoding unit, the data communication through a data transcoding unit, and both the voice and the data communication on to the destination communication device via the PSTN 120.
- Voice and data communication from the destination communication device is further received by the communication infrastructure 112 via the PSTN 120.
- the voice communication from the destination communication device is then transmitted by the communication infrastructure 112 via the first half-rate portion 221 , 227 of the outbound, full-rate wireless communication resource 102
- the data communication from the destination communication device is transmitted by the communication infrastructure 112 via the second half-rate portion 222, 228 of the outbound, full-rate wireless communication resource 102.
- the receiver 108 receives the half-rate voice communication via the first half-rate portion 221 , 227 of the full-rate wireless communication resource 102 and receives the data communication via the second half-rate portion 222, 228 of the full-rate wireless communication resource 102.
- the processor 110 then produces a voice signal using the received half-rate voice communication and a data stream using the received data communication.
- communication system 100 provides simultaneous voice and data communication between a destination communication device and a wireless communication unit.
- the wireless communication unit 104 may wish to switch to voice-only communication to increase the voice quality of the connection. Because the present invention splits a full-rate wireless communication resource into two half- rate portions to provide simultaneous voice and data communication, only half-rate voice communication is available. Half-rate voice communication provides a lower voice quality connection than full-rate voice communication since only half of the wireless communication resource capacity is used for voice communication.
- the processor 110 instructs the transmitter 106 to transmit a request to switch from the communication service that supports simultaneous voice and data communication to a communication service that supports full-rate voice communication.
- the receiver 108 After switching to the communication service that supports full-rate voice communication, the receiver 108 receives full-rate voice communication from the destination communication device via the full-rate wireless communication resource. Should the user request to switch back to the simultaneous voice and data communication service, the processor 110 will instruct the transmitter 106 to transmit a request to switch from the full-rate voice communication service to the communication service that provides simultaneous voice and data communication using the full-rate wireless communication resource.
- the present invention discloses a wireless communication system that provides simultaneous voice and data communication more efficiently than simply multiplexing voice and data communication together on a single channel.
- a full-rate wireless communication resource i.e. channel
- simultaneous voice and data communication is provided without incurring any additional channel overhead and with minimal additional processing.
- No channel overhead is required because nothing needs to be transmitted on the channel to indicate whether voice or data is being transmitted.
- one time slot conveys voice and the other data.
- Only minimal additional processing is required because wireless communication systems that currently support both full- rate and half-rate voice communication simply need to process the voice communication of one of the half-rate portions of the full-rate channel as if it were a single half-rate channel.
- the present invention allows a user to freely switch between full-rate voice and simultaneous voice and data communication services during a single call.
- FIG. 3 is a logic flow diagram 300 of steps executed by a wireless communication unit in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
- the logic flow begins (302) when the wireless communication unit requests (304) a communication service that provides simultaneous voice and data communication from a communication infrastructure.
- the wireless communication unit preferably receives (306) an indication from the communication infrastructure that a full-rate wireless communication resource is allocated for and associated with the requested communication service.
- the wireless communication unit determines (308) whether it needs to handoff from its present wireless coverage area, i.e. a first wireless coverage area, to a second wireless coverage area. If so, the wireless communication unit preferably hands off (310) the full-rate wireless communication resource to a second full-rate wireless communication resource in the second wireless coverage area.
- the full- rate wireless communication resource is preferably processed as a single, atomic resource.
- the wireless communication unit uses the simultaneous voice and data communication service, receives (312 and 314) half-rate voice communication via a first half-rate portion of the full-rate wireless communication resource and data communication via a second half-rate portion of the full-rate wireless communication resource.
- the wireless communication unit also transmits (316 and 318) balf-rate voice communication via a first half-rate portion of an inbound, full-rate wireless communication resource and data communication via a second half-rate portion of the inbound, full-rate wireless communication resource.
- the inbound, full-rate wireless communication resource is preferably allocated along with the full-rate wireless communication resource, i.e. the outbound, full-rate wireless communication resource.
- the wireless communication unit Unless a user of the wireless communication unit indicates a desire to switch to a full-rate voice communication sen/ice, the wireless communication unit continues to determine whether it needs to handoff while also continuing to use the simultaneous voice and data service.
- the wireless communication unit requests (322) the communication infrastructure to switch from the communication service that provides simultaneous voice and data communication using the full-rate wireless communication resource to a communication service that provides full-rate voice communication using the full-rate wireless communication resource.
- the wireless communication unit determines (324) whether it needs to handoff to another wireless coverage area. If so, the wireless communication unit hands off (326) the full-rate wireless communication resource to a another full-rate wireless communication resource in the new wireless coverage area.
- handoffs occur independent of the communication service while having substantially no effect on the communication service.
- the wireless communication unit uses the full-rate voice communication service, receives (328) full-rate voice communication via the full-rate wireless communication resource and preferably transmits full-rate voice communication via the inbound, full- rate wireless communication resource. If (330) a user of the wireless communication unit indicates a desire to switch back to the communication service that provides simultaneous voice and data communication, the wireless communication unit requests (332) the communication infrastructure to switch from the communication service that provides full-rate voice communication to a communication -service that provides simultaneous voice and data communication using the full- rate wireless communication resource. The logic flow then returns to step 308. However, if a user of the wireless communication unit does not indicate a desire to switch communication services, the wireless communication unit continues to determine whether it needs to handoff while also continuing to use the full-rate voice communication service.
- FIG. 4 is a logic flow diagram 400 of steps executed by a communication infrastructure in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
- the logic flow begins (402) when the communication infrastructure receives (404) a request from a PSTN, to preferably establish an ISDN call with a wireless communication unit using the simultaneous voice and data communication service.
- the communication infrastructure can receive a call request for the wireless communication unit, using the simultaneous voice and data communication service, from a second wireless communication unit rather than a PSTN.
- the communication infrastructure preferably routes (406) voice communication through a voice transcoding unit in the communication infrastructure and data communication through a data transcoding unit in the communication infrastructure.
- the communication infrastructure uses the simultaneous voice and data communication service to transmit (408 and 410) to the wireless communication unit half-rate voice communication via a first half-rate portion of an outbound, full-rate wireless communication resource and data communication via a second half-rate portion of the outbound, full- rate wireless communication resource.
- the communication infrastructure also receives (412 and 414) from the wireless communication unit voice communication via a first half-rate portion of an inbound, full-rate wireless communication resource and data communication via the second half-rate portion of the inbound, full-rate wireless communication resource. If (416) the wireless communication unit needs to handoff to a second wireless coverage area, the communication infrastructure allocates (418) a second full-rate wireless communication resource in the second wireless coverage area for use by the wireless communication unit upon handing off to the second wireless coverage area.
- the logic flow then returns to step 406 in which the communication infrastructure re-routes the voice and data communication as a result of switching to the second full-rate wireless communication resource. If (416) the wireless communication unit does not need to handoff, the wireless communication unit continues receiving and transmitting voice and data via the simultaneous voice and data service. Thus, communication services requiring a full-rate wireless communication resource are maintained through handoffs.
- the preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises an "iDEN" infrastructure
- alternative embodiments of the present invention may comprise a GSM infrastructure, a U.S. Digital Cellular (USDC) infrastructure, a Japanese Digital Cellular (JDC) infrastructure, or a Personal Communication Network (PCN) infrastructure.
- USDC U.S. Digital Cellular
- JDC Japanese Digital Cellular
- PCN Personal Communication Network
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Abstract
The present invention addresses the need for an apparatus and method for providing simultaneous voice and data communication in a wireless communication system efficiently. The present invention discloses the use of two half-rate portions of a full-rate wireless communication resource (101). One half-rate portion (e.g., 201, 207) is used for voice communication and the other half-rate portion (e.g., 202, 208) for data communication. The half-rate portions are preferably individual time slots, two or which make up the full-rate wireless communication resource. A communication infrastructure (112) provides the ability to switch between a simultaneous voice and data communication service and a full-rate voice communication service. The communication infrastructure further provides for handing off the full-rate wireless communication resource between wireless coverage areas.
Description
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING SIMULTANEOUS VOICE AND DATA COMMUNICATION IN A COMMUNICATION SYSTEM
Cross-Reference To Related Application
This application is related to co-pending applications entitled "METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FACILITATING DISTRIBUTED SPEECH PROCESSING IN A COMMUNICATION SYSTEM" (Attorney Docket Number CM03903) and "METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR
PERFORMING DISTRIBUTED SPEECH PROCESSING IN A COMMUNICATION SYSTEM" (Attorney Docket Number CM03907), filed on even date herewith, and assigned to the assignee of the instant application.
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to communication systems and, in particular, to providing simultaneous voice and data communication in wireless communication systems.
Background of the Invention
Software applications that allow users to converse while at the same time exchanging information such as note pad drawings, documents, pictures, etc. are quite useful in a variety of contexts. Such applications often require communication services that provide a simultaneous voice and data connection between users. In the wireline world, Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) services meet this need. Wireless technologies, however, fall short of providing such a simultaneous voice and data connection. Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) provides an alternate speech and data service, but this service only allows for either voice or data communication at a given time, not simultaneous voice and data. Other approaches to providing simultaneous voice and data involve the multiplexing of voice
and data communication on the same channel. Multiplexing, however, requires additional channel overhead and burdens the wireless communication units and the infrastructure equipment with necessary multiplexing and demultiplexing processing.
Therefore, a need exists for an apparatus and method for efficiently providing simultaneous voice and data communication in a wireless communication system.
Brief Description of the Drawings
FIG. 1 is a block diagram depiction of a communication system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram depiction of wireless communication resources in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a logic flow diagram of steps executed by a wireless communication unit in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a logic flow diagram of steps executed by a communication infrastructure in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Description of a Preferred Embodiment
The present invention addresses the need for an apparatus and method for providing simultaneous voice and data communication in a wireless communication system efficiently. The present invention discloses the use of two half-rate portions of a full-rate wireless communication resource. One half-rate portion is used for voice communication and the other half-rate portion for data communication. In the preferred embodiment, the half-rate portions are individual time slots,
two of which make up the full-rate wireless communication resource. A communication infrastructure provides the ability to switch between a simultaneous voice and data communication service and a full-rate voice communication service. The communication infrastructure further provides for handing off the full-rate wireless communication resource between wireless coverage areas.
The present invention encompasses a method for a wireless communication unit to support simultaneous voice and data communication. The wireless communication unit receives half-rate voice communication via a first half-rate portion of a full-rate wireless communication resource and data communication via a second half-rate portion of the full-rate wireless communication resource. The full-rate wireless communication resource comprises the first half-rate portion and the second half-rate portion, the first half-rate portion and the second half- rate portion are each portions in time that are non-overlapping and contiguous.
Secondly, the present invention encompasses a method for a communication infrastructure to provide a communication sen/ice that supports simultaneous voice and data. The communication infrastructure receives a request for the communication service and transmits to a wireless communication unit half-rate voice communication via a first half- rate portion of an outbound, full-rate wireless communication resource. The outbound, full-rate wireless communication resource comprises the first half-rate portion and a second half-rate portion, wherein the first half- rate portion and the second half-rate portion are each portions in time that are non-overlapping and contiguous. The communication infrastructure transmits to the wireless communication unit data communication via the second half-rate portion of the outbound, full-rate wireless communication resource. Thirdly, the present invention encompasses a wireless communication unit. The wireless communication unit comprises a receiver and a processor. The receiver receives half-rate voice communication via a first half-rate portion of a full-rate wireless communication resource and receives data communication via a second half-rate portion of the full-rate wireless communication resource. The
full-rate wireless communication resource comprises the first half-rate portion and the second half-rate portion, and the first half-rate portion and the second half-rate portion are each portions in time that are non- overlapping and contiguous. The processor produces a voice signal using the half-rate voice communication and a data stream using the data communication.
The present invention can be more fully understood with reference to FIGs. 1-4, wherein like numerals designate like components. FIG. 1 is a block diagram depiction of a communication system 100 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The preferable communication system 100 comprises a communication infrastructure 112 and wireless communication unit 104. The communication infrastructure 112 comprises a base site 114, a transcoding unit 118, and a switching center 116 capable of interfacing with a public switched telephone network (PSTN) 120. In the preferred embodiment, the communication system 100 comprises an "iDEN" communication system that is commercially available from Motorola, Inc. of Schaumburg, Illinois. Accordingly, the wireless communication unit 104 preferably comprises an "iDEN" radiotelephone, and the communication infrastructure 112 comprises infrastructure equipment, preferably "iDEN" infrastructure equipment, such as an "iDEN" Enhanced Base Transceiver System (EBTS) for base site 114, an "iDEN" Enhanced Transcoder (EXCDR) and an "iDEN" Interworking Function (IWF) for transcoding unit 118, and an "iDEN" Mobile Switching Center (MSC) for switching center 116. The wireless communication unit 104 comprises a processor 110 that preferably comprises a microprocessor and memory. Coupled to the processor 110 are a receiver 108 and a transmitter 106. The receiver 108 and the transmitter 106 are each known components of wireless phones that comprise conventional circuitry operated and controlled by routinely developed software. The wireless communication unit 104 and the base site 114 communicate via wireless communication resources 101 and 102.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram depiction of the wireless communication resources 101 and 102 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The wireless communication unit 104 and the
communication infrastructure 112 preferably employ time division multiplexing over wireless links. Thus, inbound wireless channel 200 comprises time division multiplexed (TDM) time slots 201-212 and outbound wireless channel 220 comprises TDM time slots 221-232. In the preferred embodiment, inbound full-rate wireless communication resource 101 comprises two contiguous TDM time slots in every six TDM time slot frame, and outbound full-rate wireless communication resource 102 comprises two contiguous TDM time slots in every six TDM time slot frame. Thus, wireless communication resource 101 comprises TDM time slots 201 , 202, 207, and 208, and wireless communication resource 102 comprises TDM time slots 221 , 222, 227, and 228 as shown in FIG. 2.
Operation of preferred communication system 100 in accordance with the present invention occurs substantially as follows. To initiate a call with another communication device (a communication device connected to the communication infrastructure via the PSTN 120, for example) the processor 110 preferably instructs the transmitter 106 to transmit a request to the communication infrastructure 112 for a communication service that supports simultaneous voice and data communication. The communication infrastructure 112 receives the request for the communication service and preferably routes the voice communication through a voice transcoding unit in the transcoding unit 118 and the data communication through a data transcoding unit also in the transcoding unit 118. The voice transcoder preferably comprises an "iDEN" EXCDR that converts the voice communication between Vector Sum Excited Linear Predicting (VSELP) voice and pulse code modulation (PCM) voice.
The data transcoder preferably comprises an "iDEN" IWF that converts the data communication between "iDEN" compressed data and 64kbps PCM data. To route the voice and data as such, the switching center 116 preferably obtains infrastructure resources to establish a data path and a voice path through the communication infrastructure 112. Thus, data communication is preferably routed via the data path and voice communication via the voice path. In the preferred embodiment, the wireless communication unit 104 then receives an indication from a communication infrastructure that the full-rate wireless communication resources 101 and 102 are associated with the communication service
that supports simultaneous voice and data communication. More specifically, the indication preferably indicates that the inbound, full-rate communication resource 101 and the outbound, full-rate communication resource 102 have been allocated by the communication infrastructure for the communication service.
The inbound, full-rate communication resource 101 comprises a first half-rate portion and a second half-rate portion, TDM time slots 201 , 207 and 202, 208 respectively. The outbound, full-rate communication resource 102 also comprises a first half-rate portion and a second half- rate portion, TDM time slots 221 , 227 and 222, 228 respectively. The transmitter 106 preferably transmits half-rate voice communication via the first half-rate portion of the inbound, full-rate wireless communication resource 101 and transmits data communication via the second half-rate portion of the inbound, full-rate wireless communication resource 101. Thus, TDM time slots 201 and 207 are used by the wireless communication unit 104 to convey inbound voice communication and TDM time slots 202 and 208 are used to convey inbound data communication. Further, TDM time slots 221 , 227 are used by the communication infrastructure 112 to convey outbound voice communication and TDM time slots 222 and 228 are used to convey outbound data communication.
Transmitter 106 transmits half-rate voice communication via the first half-rate portion 201 , 207 of the inbound, full-rate wireless communication resource 101 and data communication via the second half-rate portion 202, 208 of the inbound, full-rate wireless communication resource 101. The communication infrastructure 112 receives the voice communication via the first half-rate portion 201 , 207 of the inbound, full- rate wireless communication resource 101 and data communication via the second half-rate portion 202, 208 of the inbound, full-rate wireless communication resource 101. The communication infrastructure 112 preferably routes the voice communication through the voice transcoding unit, the data communication through a data transcoding unit, and both the voice and the data communication on to the destination communication device via the PSTN 120.
Voice and data communication from the destination communication device is further received by the communication infrastructure 112 via the PSTN 120. The voice communication from the destination communication device is then transmitted by the communication infrastructure 112 via the first half-rate portion 221 , 227 of the outbound, full-rate wireless communication resource 102, and the data communication from the destination communication device is transmitted by the communication infrastructure 112 via the second half-rate portion 222, 228 of the outbound, full-rate wireless communication resource 102. The receiver 108 receives the half-rate voice communication via the first half-rate portion 221 , 227 of the full-rate wireless communication resource 102 and receives the data communication via the second half-rate portion 222, 228 of the full-rate wireless communication resource 102. The processor 110 then produces a voice signal using the received half-rate voice communication and a data stream using the received data communication. Thus, communication system 100 provides simultaneous voice and data communication between a destination communication device and a wireless communication unit.
When simultaneous voice and data communication is no longer needed with the destination communication device, a user of the wireless communication unit 104 may wish to switch to voice-only communication to increase the voice quality of the connection. Because the present invention splits a full-rate wireless communication resource into two half- rate portions to provide simultaneous voice and data communication, only half-rate voice communication is available. Half-rate voice communication provides a lower voice quality connection than full-rate voice communication since only half of the wireless communication resource capacity is used for voice communication. At the user's request, the processor 110 instructs the transmitter 106 to transmit a request to switch from the communication service that supports simultaneous voice and data communication to a communication service that supports full-rate voice communication. After switching to the communication service that supports full-rate voice communication, the receiver 108 receives full-rate voice communication from the destination communication device via the full-rate wireless communication resource. Should the user request to
switch back to the simultaneous voice and data communication service, the processor 110 will instruct the transmitter 106 to transmit a request to switch from the full-rate voice communication service to the communication service that provides simultaneous voice and data communication using the full-rate wireless communication resource.
The present invention discloses a wireless communication system that provides simultaneous voice and data communication more efficiently than simply multiplexing voice and data communication together on a single channel. By dividing a full-rate wireless communication resource, i.e. channel, into two half-rate channels and using one for voice and the other for data, simultaneous voice and data communication is provided without incurring any additional channel overhead and with minimal additional processing. No channel overhead is required because nothing needs to be transmitted on the channel to indicate whether voice or data is being transmitted. In the preferred embodiment, one time slot conveys voice and the other data. Only minimal additional processing is required because wireless communication systems that currently support both full- rate and half-rate voice communication simply need to process the voice communication of one of the half-rate portions of the full-rate channel as if it were a single half-rate channel. Further, the present invention allows a user to freely switch between full-rate voice and simultaneous voice and data communication services during a single call.
FIG. 3 is a logic flow diagram 300 of steps executed by a wireless communication unit in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The logic flow begins (302) when the wireless communication unit requests (304) a communication service that provides simultaneous voice and data communication from a communication infrastructure. In response, the wireless communication unit preferably receives (306) an indication from the communication infrastructure that a full-rate wireless communication resource is allocated for and associated with the requested communication service. The wireless communication unit then determines (308) whether it needs to handoff from its present wireless coverage area, i.e. a first wireless coverage area, to a second wireless coverage area. If so, the wireless communication unit preferably hands off (310) the full-rate wireless communication resource to a second
full-rate wireless communication resource in the second wireless coverage area. Thus, for the purposes of allocation and handoffs the full- rate wireless communication resource is preferably processed as a single, atomic resource. Whether handing off or not, the wireless communication unit, using the simultaneous voice and data communication service, receives (312 and 314) half-rate voice communication via a first half-rate portion of the full-rate wireless communication resource and data communication via a second half-rate portion of the full-rate wireless communication resource. The wireless communication unit also transmits (316 and 318) balf-rate voice communication via a first half-rate portion of an inbound, full-rate wireless communication resource and data communication via a second half-rate portion of the inbound, full-rate wireless communication resource. The inbound, full-rate wireless communication resource is preferably allocated along with the full-rate wireless communication resource, i.e. the outbound, full-rate wireless communication resource.
Unless a user of the wireless communication unit indicates a desire to switch to a full-rate voice communication sen/ice, the wireless communication unit continues to determine whether it needs to handoff while also continuing to use the simultaneous voice and data service.
When (320) a user of the wireless communication unit does indicate a desire to switch to a full-rate voice communication service, the wireless communication unit requests (322) the communication infrastructure to switch from the communication service that provides simultaneous voice and data communication using the full-rate wireless communication resource to a communication service that provides full-rate voice communication using the full-rate wireless communication resource. The wireless communication unit then determines (324) whether it needs to handoff to another wireless coverage area. If so, the wireless communication unit hands off (326) the full-rate wireless communication resource to a another full-rate wireless communication resource in the new wireless coverage area. Thus, handoffs occur independent of the communication service while having substantially no effect on the communication service.
Whether handing off or not, the wireless communication unit, using the full-rate voice communication service, receives (328) full-rate voice communication via the full-rate wireless communication resource and preferably transmits full-rate voice communication via the inbound, full- rate wireless communication resource. If (330) a user of the wireless communication unit indicates a desire to switch back to the communication service that provides simultaneous voice and data communication, the wireless communication unit requests (332) the communication infrastructure to switch from the communication service that provides full-rate voice communication to a communication -service that provides simultaneous voice and data communication using the full- rate wireless communication resource. The logic flow then returns to step 308. However, if a user of the wireless communication unit does not indicate a desire to switch communication services, the wireless communication unit continues to determine whether it needs to handoff while also continuing to use the full-rate voice communication service.
FIG. 4 is a logic flow diagram 400 of steps executed by a communication infrastructure in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The logic flow begins (402) when the communication infrastructure receives (404) a request from a PSTN, to preferably establish an ISDN call with a wireless communication unit using the simultaneous voice and data communication service. Alternatively, the communication infrastructure can receive a call request for the wireless communication unit, using the simultaneous voice and data communication service, from a second wireless communication unit rather than a PSTN. In response, the communication infrastructure preferably routes (406) voice communication through a voice transcoding unit in the communication infrastructure and data communication through a data transcoding unit in the communication infrastructure. Using the simultaneous voice and data communication service, the communication infrastructure transmits (408 and 410) to the wireless communication unit half-rate voice communication via a first half-rate portion of an outbound, full-rate wireless communication resource and data communication via a second half-rate portion of the outbound, full- rate wireless communication resource. The communication infrastructure
also receives (412 and 414) from the wireless communication unit voice communication via a first half-rate portion of an inbound, full-rate wireless communication resource and data communication via the second half-rate portion of the inbound, full-rate wireless communication resource. If (416) the wireless communication unit needs to handoff to a second wireless coverage area, the communication infrastructure allocates (418) a second full-rate wireless communication resource in the second wireless coverage area for use by the wireless communication unit upon handing off to the second wireless coverage area. The logic flow then returns to step 406 in which the communication infrastructure re-routes the voice and data communication as a result of switching to the second full-rate wireless communication resource. If (416) the wireless communication unit does not need to handoff, the wireless communication unit continues receiving and transmitting voice and data via the simultaneous voice and data service. Thus, communication services requiring a full-rate wireless communication resource are maintained through handoffs.
The descriptions of the invention, the specific details, and the drawings mentioned above, are not meant to limit the scope of the present invention. For example, the preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises an "iDEN" infrastructure, however, alternative embodiments of the present invention may comprise a GSM infrastructure, a U.S. Digital Cellular (USDC) infrastructure, a Japanese Digital Cellular (JDC) infrastructure, or a Personal Communication Network (PCN) infrastructure. It is the intent of the inventors that various modifications can be made to the present invention without varying from the spirit and scope of the invention, and it is intended that all such modifications come within the scope of the following claims and their equivalents.
What is claimed is:
Claims
1. A method for a wireless communication unit to support simultaneous voice and data communication, the method comprising the steps of: receiving half-rate voice communication via a first half-rate portion of a full-rate wireless communication resource, wherein the full-rate wireless communication resource comprises the first half-rate portion and a second half-rate portion, and wherein the first half-rate portion and the second half-rate portion are each portions in time that are non-overlapping and contiguous; and receiving data communication via the second half-rate portion of the full-rate wireless communication resource.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the steps of: transmitting half-rate voice communication via a first half-rate portion of an inbound, full-rate wireless communication resource; and transmitting data communication via a second half-rate portion of the inbound, full-rate wireless communication resource.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of receiving full- rate voice communication via the full-rate wireless communication resource as provided by a first communication service of a communication infrastructure.
4. The method of claim 3, further comprising the step of requesting to switch from the first communication service to a second communication service that provides simultaneous voice and data communication using the full-rate wireless communication resource.
5. The method of claim 3, further comprising the step of requesting to switch from a second communication service that provides simultaneous
voice and data communication using the full-rate wireless communication resource to the first communication service.
6. A method for a communication infrastructure to provide a communication service that supports simultaneous voice and data communication, the method comprising: receiving a request for the communication service; transmitting, to a wireless communication unit, half-rate voice communication via a first half-rate portion of an outbound, full-rate wireless communication resource, wherein the outbound, full-rate wireless communication resource comprises the first half-rate portion and a second half-rate portion, and wherein the first half-rate portion and the second half-rate portion are each portions in time that are non-overlapping and contiguous; and transmitting, to a wireless communication unit, data communication via the second half-rate portion of the outbound, full-rate wireless communication resource.
7. The method of claim 6, further comprising the steps of: receiving, from a wireless communication unit, voice communication via a first half-rate portion of an inbound, full- rate wireless communication resource, wherein the inbound, full-rate wireless communication resource comprises the first half-rate portion and a second half-rate portion, and wherein the first half-rate portion and the second half-rate portion are each portions in time that are non-overlapping and contiguous; and receiving, from a wireless communication unit, data communication via the second half-rate portion of the inbound, full-rate wireless communication resource.
8. A wireless communication unit comprising: a receiver that receives half-rate voice communication via a first half-rate portion of a full-rate wireless communication resource and receives data communication via a second half-rate portion of the full-rate wireless communication resource, wherein the full-rate wireless communication resource comprises the first half-rate portion and the second half-rate portion, and wherein the first half-rate portion and the second half-rate portion are each portions in time that are non-overlapping and contiguous; and a processor, coupled to the receiver, that produces a voice signal using the half-rate voice communication and a data stream using the data communication.
9. The wireless communication unit of claim 8, further comprising a transmitter, coupled to the processor, that transmits half-rate voice communication via a first half-rate portion of an inbound, full-rate wireless communication resource and transmits data communication via a second half-rate portion of the inbound, full-rate wireless communication resource, wherein the inbound, full-rate wireless communication resource comprises the first half-rate portion and the second half-rate portion, and wherein the first half-rate portion and the second half-rate portion are each portions in time that are non-overlapping and contiguous.
10. The wireless communication unit of claim 9, wherein the receiver further receives full-rate voice communication via the full-rate wireless communication resource as provided by a first communication service of a communication infrastructure, and wherein the processor further instructs the transmitter to transmit a request to switch from the first communication service to a second communication service that provides simultaneous voice and data communication using the full-rate wireless communication resource.
WO 00/74274 AMENDED CLAIMS PCT/US00/07035
[received by the International Bureau on 18 August 2000 (18.08.00); original claims 1. - 5 and 8 - 10 cancelled; original claim 6 amended; new claims 1 1 - 16 added; other claims unchanged (3 pages)]
6. A method for a communication infrastructure to provide a communication service that supports simultaneous voice and data communication, the method comprising: receiving a request for the communication service; transmitting, to a wireless communication unit, half-rate voice communication via a first half-rate portion of an outbound, full-rate wireless communication resource, wherein the outbound, full-rate wireless communication resource comprises the first half-rate portion and a second half-rate portion, and wherein the first half-rate portion and the second half-rate portion are each portions in time that are non-overlapping and contiguous; transmitting, to a wireless communication unit, data communication via the second half-rate portion of the outbound, full-rate wireless communication resource; and allocating a second full-rate wireless communication resource in a second wireless coverage area for use by the wireless communication unit upon handing off to the second wireless coverage area.
7. The method of claim 6, further comprising the steps of: receiving, from a wireless communication unit, voice communication via a first half-rate portion of an inbound, full- rate wireless communication resource, wherein the inbound, full-rate wireless communication resource comprises the first half-rate portion and a second half-rate portion, and wherein the first half-rate portion and the second half-rate portion are each portions in time that are non-overlapping and contiguous; and receiving, from a wireless communication unit, data communication via the second half-rate portion of the inbound, full-rate wireless communication resource.
11. The method of claim 7, wherein the outbound, full-rate wireless communication resource comprises a channel with two time division multiplexed (TDM) time slots, wherein the first and second half-rate portions of the outbound, full-rate wireless communication resource each comprise one of the two TDM time slots, wherein the inbound, full-rate wireless communication resource comprises a channel with two time division multiplexed (TDM) time slots, and wherein the first and second half-rate portions of the inbound, full-rate wireless communication resource each comprise one of the two TDM time slots.
12. The method of claim 6, further comprising the step of routing, prior to the steps of transmitting, the voice communication through a voice transcoding unit in the communication infrastructure and the data communication through a data transcoding unit in the communication infrastructure.
13. The method of claim 6, wherein the step of receiving a request for the communication service comprises the step of receiving, from a public switched telephone network, a request for the communication service involving the wireless communication unit.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the public switched telephone network requires the communication infrastructure to provide a connection to the wireless communication unit using a simultaneous voice and data communication service to establish an Integrated Services Digital Network
(ISDN) call.
15. The method of claim 6, wherein the step of receiving a request for the communication service comprises the step of receiving, from a second wireless communication unit, a request for the communication service involving the wireless communication unit.
16. A method for a communication infrastructure to provide a communication service that supports simultaneous voice and data communication, the method comprising: receiving a request for the communication service; transmitting, to a wireless communication unit, half-rate voice communication via a first half-rate portion of an outbound, full-rate wireless communication resource, wherein the outbound, full-rate wireless communication resource comprises the first half-rate portion and a second half-rate portion, and wherein the first half-rate portion and the second half-rate portion are each portions in time that are non-overlapping and contiguous; and transmitting, to a wireless communication unit, data communication via the second half-rate portion of the outbound, full-rate wireless communication resource, wherein the communication infrastructure comprises a communication infrastructure that employs time division multiplexing over wireless links and [The method of claim 17,] wherein the communication infrastructure comprises a communication infrastructure selected from the group consisting of an integrated Dispatch Enhanced Network (iDEN) infrastructure, a Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) infrastructure, a U.S. Digital Cellular (USDC) infrastructure, a Japanese Digital Cellular (JDC) infrastructure, and a Personal Communication Network
(PCN) infrastructure.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US32256399A | 1999-05-28 | 1999-05-28 | |
| US09/322,563 | 1999-05-28 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| WO2000074274A1 true WO2000074274A1 (en) | 2000-12-07 |
Family
ID=23255435
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US2000/007035 WO2000074274A1 (en) | 1999-05-28 | 2000-03-16 | Method and apparatus for providing simultaneous voice and data communication in a communication system |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| AR (1) | AR026861A1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2000074274A1 (en) |
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| FR2812508A1 (en) * | 2000-07-28 | 2002-02-01 | Sagem | Simultaneous voice and data transmission method, for mobile phone system, using half-rate voice signal transmission to allow inclusion of packet data |
| EP1213940A1 (en) * | 2000-12-08 | 2002-06-12 | Motorola, Inc. | Channel allocation in a communication system |
| US9253773B2 (en) | 2013-08-29 | 2016-02-02 | Motorola Solutions, Inc. | Method and apparatus for wirelessly transacting simultaneous voice and data on adjacent timeslots |
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| US5404355A (en) * | 1992-10-05 | 1995-04-04 | Ericsson Ge Mobile Communications, Inc. | Method for transmitting broadcast information in a digital control channel |
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Cited By (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR2812508A1 (en) * | 2000-07-28 | 2002-02-01 | Sagem | Simultaneous voice and data transmission method, for mobile phone system, using half-rate voice signal transmission to allow inclusion of packet data |
| GB2378855A (en) * | 2000-07-28 | 2003-02-19 | Sagem | Simultaneous transmission of speech and data on a single channel |
| GB2378855B (en) * | 2000-07-28 | 2005-08-17 | Sagem | Method for the simultaneous transmission of speech and data signals between a base station and a mobile telephone |
| DE10140549B4 (en) * | 2000-07-28 | 2006-05-04 | Sagem Sa | Method for the simultaneous transmission of voice signals and data signals between a base station and a mobile telephone and mobile telephone, which can be used for the use of the method |
| EP1213940A1 (en) * | 2000-12-08 | 2002-06-12 | Motorola, Inc. | Channel allocation in a communication system |
| WO2002047416A1 (en) * | 2000-12-08 | 2002-06-13 | Motorola Inc. | Channel allocation in a communication system |
| US9253773B2 (en) | 2013-08-29 | 2016-02-02 | Motorola Solutions, Inc. | Method and apparatus for wirelessly transacting simultaneous voice and data on adjacent timeslots |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| AR026861A1 (en) | 2003-03-05 |
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