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Patent US20070123252 - Systems, methods and computer program products for mobility management in ... - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Advanced Patent Search | Sign inAdvanced Patent SearchPatentsApparatus, methods and computer program products that support inter-PLMN coordination in registration and handover operations are provided. Hysteresis is introduced in registration of radioterminals in a hybrid terrestrial/satellite mobile communications environment. Inter-PLMN handover techniques are...http://www.google.com/patents/US20070123252?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US20070123252 - Systems, methods and computer program products for mobility management in hybrid satellite/terrestrial wireless communications systemsPublication numberUS20070123252 A1Publication typeApplicationApplication numberUS 11/548,825Publication dateMay 31, 2007Filing dateOct 12, 2006Priority dateOct 12, 2005Also published asUS8249585, US20100159922, WO2007047370A2, WO2007047370A3Publication number11548825, 548825, US 2007/0123252 A1, US 2007/123252 A1, US 20070123252 A1, US 20070123252A1, US 2007123252 A1, US 2007123252A1, US-A1-20070123252, US-A1-2007123252, US2007/0123252A1, US2007/123252A1, US20070123252 A1, US20070123252A1, US2007123252 A1, US2007123252A1InventorsJerome Tronc, Christian Calamarte, Michel Mouly, Santanu DuttaOriginal AssigneeAtc Technologies, LlcReferenced by (12), Classifications (15), Legal Events (4) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetSystems, methods and computer program products for mobility management in hybrid satellite/terrestrial wireless communications systemsUS 20070123252 A1Abstract Apparatus, methods and computer program products that support inter-PLMN coordination in registration and handover operations are provided. Hysteresis is introduced in registration of radioterminals in a hybrid terrestrial/satellite mobile communications environment. Inter-PLMN handover techniques are provided, including techniques for coordination of communication of timing information and traffic channel controls. Images(7) Claims(73)
DETAILED DESCRIPTION Specific exemplary embodiments of the invention now will be described with reference to the accompanying drawing. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being �connected� or �coupled� to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. Furthermore, �connected� or �coupled� as used herein may include wirelessly connected or coupled. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms �a�, �an� and �the� are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless expressly stated otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms �includes,� �comprises,� �including� and/or �comprising,� when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. It will be understood that although the terms first and second are used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. Thus, a first radioterminal below could be termed a second radioterminal, and similarly, a second radioterminal may be termed a first radioterminal without departing from the teachings of the present invention. As used herein, the term �and/or� includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. The symbol �/� is also used as a shorthand notation for �and/or�. The present invention is described below with reference to block diagrams, message flow diagrams and/or flowchart illustrations of methods, apparatus (systems and/or devices) and/or computer program products according to embodiments of the invention. It is understood that a block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustrations, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustrations, can be implemented by computer program instructions, These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, and/or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer and/or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means (functionality) and/or structure for implementing the functions/acts specified in the block diagrams and/or flowchart block or blocks. These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture including instructions which implement the function/act specified in the block diagrams and/or flowchart block or blocks. The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide steps for implementing the functions/acts specified in the block diagrams and/or flowchart block or blocks. Accordingly, the present invention may be embodied in hardware and/or in software (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.). Furthermore, the present invention may take the form of a computer program product on a computer-usable or computer-readable storage medium having computer-usable or computer-readable program code embodied in the medium for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system. In the context of this document, a computer-usable or computer-readable medium may be any medium that can contain, store, communicate, propagate, or transport the program for use by or in connection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. The computer-usable or computer-readable medium may be, for example but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, device, or propagation medium. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer-readable medium would include the following: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber, and a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM). Note that the computer-usable or computer-readable medium could even be paper or another suitable medium upon which the program is printed, as the program can be electronically captured, via, for instance, optical scanning of the paper or other medium, then compiled, interpreted, or otherwise processed in a suitable manner, if necessary, and then stored in a computer memory. It should also be noted that in some alternate implementations, the functions/acts illustrated may occur out of the illustrated order. For example, two blocks or message flows shown in succession may in fact be executed substantially concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved. Moreover, the functionality of a given block of a flowcharts, block diagrams and/or signal flow diagram may be separated into multiple blocks and/or the functionality of two or more blocks of the flowcharts and/or block diagrams may be at least partially integrated. FIG. 1 illustrates a hybrid terrestrial/satellite wireless communications environment according to some embodiments of the present invention. In particular, FIG. 1 illustrates a terrestrial PLMN 110, which includes infrastructure including a plurality of geographically-distributed terrestrial base stations 112 (also referred to base transceiver stations (BTSs) that serve respective coverage areas 116 (e.g., cells), and other PLMN infrastructure 114 (e.g., base station controllers (BSCs), a mobile switching center (MSC) and functional equivalents thereof) that supports call routing, mobility management, billing and other operations in concert with the base stations 112 and provides connectivity with an interconnecting network 130, such as a public switched telephone network (PSTN) and/or packet network. It will be appreciated that the infrastructure of the terrestrial PLMN 110 may be arranged in a number of different ways depending, for example, on the cellular communications standard (e.g., GSM, CDMA, W-CDMA, etc.) supported by the PLMN 110. As further illustrated in FIG. 1, a satellite PLMN 120 has a coverage area 126. For purposes of illustration, the satellite coverage area 126 is shown overlapping the coverage areas 116 of the terrestrial PLMN 110, but it will be appreciated that, in various embodiments of the present invention, a coverage area of a satellite PLMN that provides service in conjunction with a terrestrial PLMN may completely overlap, partially overlap and/or complement the coverage area of the terrestrial PLMN. Still referring to FIG. 1, the satellite PLMN 120 includes one or more satellites 122 configured to send/receive signals from radioterminals in the coverage area 216, and supporting ground-based infrastructure 124 that provides call management, billing, mobility management and other functions, and that is configured to provide connectivity to the interconnecting network 130. It will be appreciated that the one or more satellites 122 and infrastructure 124 may, for example, support multiple spot beams that support communication in respective subareas (e.g., cells) of the coverage area 216, and that the infrastructure 124 may include, for example, equipment that supports mobility management and other functions to support communication of a radioterminal as it moves about these various subareas. Radioterminals 10 may be configured to communicate with both the terrestrial PLMN 110 and the satellite PLMN 120 such that, for example, the satellite PLMN 120 provides coverage when a radioterminal is not within a coverage area of the terrestrial PLMN 110. The terrestrial PLMN 110 may also provide service to a radioterminal 10 when in an area of high user density, to prevent overload of the satellite PLMN 120. It will be appreciated the PLMNs 110, 120 may be operated by the same network operator or by separate operators. As farther illustrated in FIG. 1, according to some embodiments of the present invention, a handover controller 140 may be provided to support handover between the terrestrial PLMN 110 and the satellite PLMN 120. According to various embodiments of the present invention, the handover controller 140 may control various aspects, such as conditions, timing and charging, associated with transferring a call or other communications session of a radioterminal 10 between the PLMNs. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the handover controller 140 may be implemented in components of the terrestrial PLMN and/or the satellite PLMN, e.g., in BSCs and MSCs of the terrestrial PLMN 110 and/or functionally equivalent components of the satellite PLMN 120. It will be understood that, generally, functions of the handover controller 140 may be implemented in a device or devices used to couple the PLMNs (egg., in the interconnecting network 130) and/or may be implemented in various components of the PLMNs, and that such apparatus may provide handover control operations independent of and/or in concert with operations, such as signal monitoring, conducted by the radioterminal 10. In some embodiments of the present invention, a registration with a satellite network, e.g., a Location Area (LA) update, such as one conducted along the lines described in the aforementioned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/948,606, is delayed by a predetermined time period on entering a terrestrial coverage hole. The delaying may involve, for example: (a) the mobile terminal (MT) may start a timing counter when it senses that the received signal strength, for example, a average signal strength Tavg over a predetermined period, exceeds a threshold value Tth; (b) if Tavg remains continuously below Tth for a counted period, say C, then the MT registers to the satellite subnetwork; (c) if Tavg exceeds Tth before the count reaches C, the counter is reset and the MT stays registered in the terrestrial subnetwork. Variations of the above-described delaying procedures may be implemented in further embodiments of the invention, and generally may be viewed as providing hysteresis in the subnetwork switching process. The above procedure may ensure that mobiles that are in a coverage hole for a very brief period will not add to the capacity load of the satellite subnetwork. This may eliminate a substantial subset of MTs that pass through a coverage hole from tile global set of mobiles that would otherwise immediately want to register on to the satellite subnetwork. However, it is recognized that, during this delay period, the MTs are denied communications service by any subnetwork. Therefore, this technique may be thought as a means to achieve a trade-off or compromise, between user experience and network complexity and capacity. A similar process may be followed by the MT for deregistering from the satellite network and switching to the terrestrial subnetwork. In other words, the MT may wait a first predetermined period of time, during which the terrestrial signal, averaged over a second predetermined period of time, continuously exceeds a predetermined threshold value, before a subnetwork switch is initiated. Given that the terrestrial subnetwork may be preferred, the delay period in the switch from the satellite to the terrestrial subnetwork may be shorter than its opposite counterpart. This approach may also be used to add hysteresis to satellite-to-terrestrial mode transitions, regardless of which method (e.g., one based on delay as described in the present application, or any of the methods based on explicit or explicit registration taught in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/948,606), is used to control the terrestrial-to-satellite mode transition. FIG. 2 illustrates exemplary operations for handover between terrestrial and satellite networks according to some embodiments of the present invention. A communications session, e.g., a call, of a radioterminal is established with the terrestrial network (block 205). A degradation of coverage is detected (block 210). For example, passage of the radioterminal into a coverage hole of the terrestrial network may be detected using signal strength, bit error and/or other measurements. If the degradation does not persist for greater then a first threshold time period, the session is continued with the terrestrial network (blocks 215, 220). If, however, the degradation persists beyond the first threshold, the session is handed over to the satellite network (blocks 215, 225), and the session continues using the satellite infrastructure. An improvement of coverage by the terrestrial network is subsequently detected (block 230). For example, the radioterminal may pass out of the coverage hole of the terrestrial network and back into a terrestrial coverage area, which may be detected using signal strength, bit error and/or other measurements. If the improvement does not persist for greater than a second threshold time period, the session is continued with the satellite network (blocks 235, 240). If the improvement persists for a sufficient time, however, the session may be handed over to the terrestrial network (block 245). In conventional wireless protocols, such as GSM, LA update is typically performed in the idle mode (i.e., when a call is not in progress), so that, when a call (either incoming or outgoing) occurs, the MT registration is up to date. An exception to this may occur if an LA change occurs during a call, the LA update may be performed after the call is completed. However, in conventional systems, this may apply only to intra-PLMN handovers. It is noteworthy that, in intra-PLMN handover, there typically is no risk of unauthorized access (as the mobiles credentials have already been checked), which is an issue that can be addressed by the techniques described in the aforementioned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/948,606. In some embodiments of the present invention, an alternative to these techniques includes a post-call location update used in intra-PLMN handover adapted and extended to inter-PLMN handovers. In some embodiments, this may be complemented by MT credentials checking at the source. Referring to FIG. 3, according to some embodiments of the invention, substantially all handovers from a source Mobile Switching Center (MSC), MSC-A, of a first network PLMN-A to a destination MSC MSC-B of a second network PLMN-B may be accepted as valid, where the source MSC MSC-A acts as a �filter� to bar MTs not having access rights to the destination satellite network PLMN-B from being handed over. A trust arrangement may be set up between the two networks PLMN-A, PLMN-B. For example, if the destination MSC MSC-B corresponds to a satellite network PLMN, and the source MSC MSC-A belongs to a terrestrial PCS PLMN, the source MSC MSC-A could check the MT's subscription to see if it had the right to roam to the satellite network before handing it over to the satellite network. Besides MT credentials checking, all other information exchange between the source MSC MSC-A and the destination MSC MSC-B may be performed in a manner similar to conventional intra-PLMN/inter-MSC handover, with the addition of appropriate messages between the two MSCs to implement the exchange of information not required in legacy GSM. Exemplary operations may include: exchange of cell-related information between the two PLMNs, e.g., through operations and maintenance centers (OMCs); implementation of routing Signaling System 7 (SS7) tables allowing the MSCs MSC-A, MSC-B to route to each other (an existing optional function in GSM); and keeping a record of the call time spent in the different networks PLMN-A, PLMN-B in the same call to determine how to apportion the air time bill to the two networks PLMN-A, PLMN-B. The current GSM standard does not support inter-PLMN handovers. In a hybrid satellite/terrestrial system according to some embodiments of the present invention, a first possible approach to inter-PLMN handover is to adopt handover principles similar to those used in GSM, i.e., the handover decision is taken by the function in charge of the connection prior to the handover (e.g., the Base Station Controller (BSC) or Service Rating Application Protocol (SRAP)), and the MT has essentially a slave role during the whole process. In the following exemplary embodiments described with reference to FIG. 3, a source BSC BSC-A is the BSC in charge of the MT prior the handover, a source MSC MSC-A is the MSC handling the call (the anchor MSC), a destination BSC-B is the BSC (or SRAP) in charge of the target cell and a destination MSC MSC-B (or satellite MSC) in charge of destination BSC BSC-B. It is assumed that the inter-MSC intra-PLMN handover functionality is supported in both networks. The inter-PLMN case will be analyzed through its differences with inter-MSC intra-PLMN handovers. Generally, no substantial modifications are required in the MT or in the radio interface procedures, inter-MSC procedures directly related to calls can be used as they are currently specified in GSM, and modifications may be made in configurations (such as setting routing tables) and in call charging. The existing GSM handover process does not require the MT to be aware of which PLMN cells its measurements belong to. For a MT, measurements are done on frequencies that it assumes carry a Broadcast Control Channel (BCCH), taken from a list provided by the source BSC BSC-A prior to the handover. Typically, no information is provided concerning the PLMN to which those frequencies belong, and the MT does not have to fetch or process information that depends on those PLMNs. In some embodiments of the present invention, the source BSC BSC-A is aware of these frequencies so that it can send them to the MTs. To support inter-PLMN, the source BSC BSC-A is made aware of the frequencies of the cells the MTs might be handed over to. According to some embodiments of the present invention, the first network PLMN-A may know the frequencies of the relevant cells in the second network PLMN-B, and may distribute them to the relevant BSCs. This may require some geographical information on the cells. Other cell-related information may also be required. The exchange of such configuration data typically is not supported by conventional standardized protocols. In some embodiments of the present invention, a BSC receives information pertaining to cells in other BSCs from an OMC. The implementation of the modification described above could be done by connecting OMCs. It should be noted that the information may change over time. If the update time is short, automatic means might be used, rather than manually entered data. The MT may report power measurements and the Base Station Identity Code (BSIC) of synchronized-on cells, where one of the cells could be a satellite spotbeam. The BSIC allows solution of ambiguities between cells having the same BCCH frequencies. Such an ambiguity could prevent handing-over to the correct MSC. PLMN A then needs to know the BSIC of the relevant cells in PLMN B, at least in the ambiguous cases. This information is part of the cell-related data, and can be handled as described below. A handover may be decided by the source BSC BSC-A on the basis of measurements reports from the MT, of measurements done by radio functions and/or on configuration parameters such as threshold values and weighting factors. Some of these parameters are related to the target cells, and are part of the cell-related information. In the case of two terrestrial networks, some other parameters may require comparisons between the originating cell and the target cell (e.g., to establish the boundary). Setting such parameters might require closer collaboration than just sending cell specific parameters. Once the handover is decided, a new route may be established from the source MSC MSC-A to destination MSC MSC-B to destination BSC BSC-B. The source MSC MSC-A determines destination MSC MSC-B, e.g., source MSC MSC-A is aware of a SS7 address of destination MSC MSC-B. On the other hand, source BSC BSC-A may know the target cell by a pair of parameters (e.g., frequency, BSIC). A first step may be a translation by the source BSC BSC-A of the parameters (e.g., frequency, BSIC) to a cell identity. The SS7 may route on the basis of the cell identity, e.g., on the Location Area Identity (LAI) part of it, and modification may be needed in the source MSC MSC-A for this phase. The LAI is unique worldwide because it is made up of Mobile Country Code (MCC), Mobile Network Code (MNC) and Local Area Code (LAC), which clearly identify the network and the MSC/VLR in charge of the subscriber. This routing is possible if the SS7 networks are connected (this is the case usually, since this typically is needed for roaming between the two networks) and if SS7 nodes have in their routing tables the data needed to reach the MSCs in the other PLMN. The latter is not necessarily the case in conventional systems. It may be necessary to augment SS7 routing tables to route signaling between MSCs of the two PLMNs. As mentioned, this exists already as an optional function described in GSM specifications. The routing to destination BSC BSC-B may be done in a conventional manner, as the fact that the MT will come from a different PLMN has no impact on this function. The message back from destination MSC MSC-B to source MSC MSC-A allows the establishment of a PSTN connection, assuming the PSTNs are connected. Still referring to FIG. 3, a RIL3 RR HANDOVER COMMAND message may be generated by the source BSC-B and carried over the different interfaces in different envelopes. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, between the source BSC BSC-B and the source MSC MSC-B, it is encapsulated in a BSSMAP HANDOVER REQUEST ACK, between destination MSC MSC-B and source MSC MSC-A in a MAP/E PREPARE HANDOVER ACK and between source MSC MSC-A and source BSC BSC-A in a BSSMAP HANDOVER COMMAND. When handovers are restricted to the same PLMN, the source MSC (at the start of the call and managing the call from start to end) may establish a call record covering all radio usage. With inter-PLMN handovers this may no longer be the case, and it may be necessary to maintain some record of the radio usage on a per-PLMN basis. If modifications on the source side are to be limited, one approach is to add a call record in destination MSC MSC-B. However, with the GSM inter-MSC handover procedure, destination MSC MSC-B conventionally would have limited access to subscriber data, and then might have no knowledge of the charging center where to send such a call record. According to some embodiments of the present invention, there are ways to provide this functionality. For instance, if the network PLMN-B (e.g., satellite network) has a specific Home Location Register (HLR) keeping track of all subscribers (including from other networks) allowed to access network PLMN-B, then missing information may be limited to the international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI), and this can be obtained from the MT itself. With modifications on the terrestrial side, call records may be augmented to keep track of the time spent in each LAI in the call. For existing GSM-based architectures, this may require modifications of source MSC MSC-A, of the OMA node handling call records and of the exchange protocol between the two. This tracking of LAI might already be implemented for other reasons than inter-PLMN handovers. In the above-described embodiments, modifications to support inter-PLMN handovers between two networks that already support inter-MSC handovers include: exchange of cell-related information between the two PLMNs, e.g., through OMCs; implementation of the routing SS7 tables allowing MSCs to route to each other, an already existing optional function; and recording of call time spent in different PLMNs in the same call. A possible reason for not substantially following GSM practices is to minimize the impact on a PCS network in a handover from PCS to satellite. In such a case, the PCS is on the terrestrial side as described above with reference to FIG. 3. A way to reduce impact on the terrestrial side would be to remove the need to handle configuration data pertaining to the satellite network. One way is to have MT-triggered handovers. If this simplifies the terrestrial side for the handover decision, the impacts resulting from allowing the transfer, the re-routing, from the source MSC-A to the destination MSC MSC-B may be very significant. Conventionally, GSM supports a form of MT-triggered handover (call re-establishment), but only inter-BSC, not inter-MSC. One reason is because of the complexity of the re-routing between two MSCs. The timing advance resolution required in a conventional GSM TDMA system is 3.7 microseconds and is the inverse of the channel data rate (270 kbps) of GSM. At the speed of light, this corresponds to a propagation distance of 1.11 km. Further, the GSM frame structure allows approximately 8 channel bits for guard time in the traffic channel bursts. This means that, if the range to the satellite from the base station is known to approximately this resolution, and if the distance of the MT from the base station is also known to this resolution, the combined error will be well within the specified guard time of 8 channel bits. According to some embodiments of the present invention, the following approach may be used for establishing a priori information about the timing advance. GSM is used as an example but the principles could be applied to other air interfaces containing a TDM component, or any kind of time-framing component, as is present in CDMA2000 (including EVDO), WCDMA and WiMax, and satellite adaptations of the above air interfaces, where time epochs of waveforms transmitted from a plurality of mobile satellite terminals distributed over a large geographic area may be aligned. The location of the base station tower may be surveyed and determined to a requisite accuracy. During a terrestrial-to-satellite handover, the location of the base station tower may be indicated to the satellite network, which, in turn, may tell the terrestrial BSC/BTS the current range of the satellite. While satellites in geostationary orbit nominally maintain a fixed orbital location relative to the Earth, in practice, their orbital location describes a figure-of-eight pattern about the nominal location, with a periodic North-South and East-West variation. These variations are slow compared to the time epochs in an air interface, such as GSM, and can be predicted quite accurately as a function of absolute time. Thus, predicting the range to the satellite from the BTS tower is feasible. Based on the latter, the terrestrial BSC may, in the handover command to the MT, advise it of the timing advance to use on the satellite link. According to some embodiments of the present invention, the base station tower may be used as an approximation for the MT position. Owing to the requirements of E911 and location based services, this information is often available in the terrestrial wireless communication system, either at the MT or at the BTS/MSC or both. If the MT position information is available, it may be used instead of the base station tower location with a corresponding increase in the handover performance. The MT position information may be obtained in a variety of ways. For example, determination of MT position may encompass the use of Global Positioning Satellites (GPS) and/or triangulation from multiple base stations. All methods of MT geolocation are within the scope of the present invention. FIG. 4 shows a handshaking protocol that may be used to implement synchronous handover using a priori information as described above according to some embodiments of the present invention. The initial phase of the exchange is �call in progress� between the MT and the terrestrial infrastructure, comprising the terrestrial base transceiver station (BTS) BTS-A, terrestrial BSC BSC-A and terrestrial MSC MSC-A. Based on signal strength quality measurements performed by the MT and terrestrial BTS BTS-A, and possibly other criteria, a decision is made by terrestrial BSC BSC-A to handover the call to the satellite network. A �RSM Channel Activation� message is sent to the satellite BTS BTS-B via the hybrid network's core, which includes both the terrestrial core network and the satellite core network (including the satellite MSC MSC-B and the satellite BSC BSC-B). According to some embodiments of the present invention, the cell identity may be included in this message. The information may be included, for example, as the latitude and longitude of the base station tower or as a base station tower ID which points to similar information in a database carried by the satellite gateway. On receipt of the RSM Channel Activation message, the satellite network allocates radio resources (power, frequency and bandwidth) to the new call and responds with a �RSM Channel Activation Acknowledgement� message from satellite BTS-B back to the terrestrial infrastructure (e.g., BTS-A/BSC-A/MSC-A). The current satellite range from the satellite gateway may be included in this message. Knowing its own location and the location of the satellite gateway, the terrestrial BSC BSC-A may calculate the range to the satellite from the base station tower. Based on this calculation, BSC-A may also calculate the timing advance that the MT should use on the satellite channel. This information may be communicated to the MT as a part of a modified �RIL3-RR Handover Command� message. In the above discussion, the satellite may be viewed as an equivalent of the BTS tower in a handover context. For timing advance and handover functions, the time reference may be established at the satellite, not at the satellite gateway, although the latter is where the signal demodulation and modulation may be performed. This is because differential time delays with respect to different mobile terminals exist only with respect to the satellite�the transit delay between the satellite and the gateway is identical for all mobile terminals. As an alternative to the techniques described above, in order to reduce changes to terrestrial infrastructure, the timing advance may be calculated by the satellite BSC BSC-B using knowledge of the cell tower's location supplied in the �RSM Channel Activation� message and the timing advance information supplied to terrestrial BSC BSC-A in the �RSM Channel Activation Acknowledgement.� Other variations of how the computation of timing advance is distributed may be implemented in other embodiments of the invention. On receipt of the handover command with the timing advance, the MT proceeds to send access probes, called �RIL3-RR Handover Access,� on the satellite channel. These probes can be used to confirm to the satellite BTS BTS-B that the correct MT is using the channel and that the correct timing advance is being used. These probes are optional. After sending a predetermined number of probes, the MT may send a �RR Handover Complete� message to the satellite BSC BSC-B and resume traffic communication on the satellite channel. Ancillary messages between the satellite and terrestrial subnetworks, reflecting GSM practice, are also shown in FIG. 4. These may switch the call on the core network side in an orderly manner. When the destination network involves a long-delay channel, such as a satellite channel, the extent of handshaking in legacy protocols, such as GSM, may introduce an excessively long delay between the onset of handover and the time when the timing advance is known to the MT. During this time, no communication path may be available from the MT to the core networks of either the terrestrial or satellite subnetworks. This may be perceived by the user as a temporary loss of signal. Such delay could be 750 ms or greater, which would tend to produce a negative user experience. By anticipating this delay and delaying the switchover of the traffic channel from the originating to the destination channel, the problem may be mitigated. According to some embodiments of the invention, a predetermined delay is introduced in the communication of an acknowledgement signal from a MT to a terrestrial BSC responsive to a handover command message from the BSC. For example, in some exemplary embodiments of the invention, a 500 ms delay is provided in sending an ACK message from the MT in response to a RR Handover Command message from a terrestrial BSC. This ACK causes the terrestrial path to be shut down. The delay may be set at the minimum possible time that would be required to determine and communicate the new timing advance to the MT, e.g., a 250 ms propagation delay for the first �RR Handover Access� message from the MT to the Satellite BSC and another 250 ms propagation delay from the Satellite BSC to the MT. Even if the MT started transmitting traffic immediately on the satellite channel on receipt of RR Physical Info, there could be another 250 ms propagation delay before the traffic signals would reach the satellite core network, resulting in the above mentioned net delay of 750 ms. According to some embodiments of the present invention, when a handover occurs from terrestrial network to satellite network or within satellite networks, the MT is already pre-synchronized with the target cell or spotbeam. The example shown below is for a hybrid satellite/terrestrial system employing geostationary satellite(s). It will be appreciated that the specific times discussed herein are provided for exemplary purposes, and that the present invention encompasses systems and methods using other times. For emission from a MT, a timing advance may be used. A coarse timing advance (CTA) may be independent from the MT position, and can be sent in a HANDOVER COMMAND message. The MT may determine a Fine Timing Advance (FTA) before starting emission. Two possible solutions for determining FTA include: 1) The satellite gateway BSC computes the Fine Timing Advance only on the basis of the Terrestrial ATN or PCS Cell Id. The Fine Timing Advance can then be provided to the MT by the satellite gateway BSC in the HANDOVER COMMAND message between satellite gateway and terrestrial network (PCS and ATN). This may entail that each network will have to provide to the satellite system operators a detailed radio coverage map. Furthermore, terrestrial cell may need to be small enough to take into account the delay variations within a terrestrial cell (FTA computed on cell center position). 2) An S-RACH message is sent to the satellite gateway in order to compute the Fine Timing Advance of the terminal. This solution is explained below and takes place after the reception of RR HANDOVER COMMAND message. When a network control center (NCC) detects a random access transmission from the MT, it may determine the delay advance of the MT signal relative to a signal timing that would be expected from a MT relative to the coarse timing advance. The delay may be assessed in such a way that the assessment error (due to noise and interference as well as all timing uncertainties in the RF/IF and signaling equipment paths within the NCC) is less than � return bit periods for stationary MT and for MT moving at speeds up to 100 km/h. The gateway may derive a FTA parameter equivalent to the delay. When the MT accesses the radio resource(s) of the new base station subsystem (BSS) with a HANDOVER ACCESS burst which contains the received handover reference number: 1) the new BSS may check the handover reference number to ensure that it is the same as expected, and hence that there is a high probability that the correct MT has been captured (if the handover reference is not as expected then the new BSS shall wait for an access by the correct MS); 2) if the handover reference number is as expected, the new BSS may send a HANDOVER DETECT message to the MSC; 3) when the MT is successfully in communication with the network, e.g., the RR message HANDOVER COMPLETE has been received from the MT, then the new BSS may immediately send a BSSMAP message HANDOVER COMPLETE to the MSC; and 4) the SEND END SIGNAL may be sent to the anchor MSC in order to terminate the procedure. A time interval (e.g., t least 500 ms) may be necessary for the FTA allocation (e.g., best case when the first HANDOVER ACCESS message is handled by the satellite gateway). But only uplink (from MT to gateway) may be impacted by the post synchronization issue. As a stream of RR HANDOVER ACCESS messages is sent by the MT to the new BSC, a short interval (e.g., a few milliseconds) may be needed to complete the procedure if the first message is not answered (worst case). A longer interval (e.g., 250 ms) may be needed between MT transmission and gateway reception after handover. Even though a delay (e.g., 750 ms) can be a constraint to a seamless handover for post-synchronization purposes, according to some embodiments of the present invention, existing post handover synchronization procedures used in GSM may be used in a hybrid system by modifying these procedures to include such a delay. In order to provide a seamless handover from terrestrial to satellite mode, the proposed post synchronization phase may require modifications in relation to GSM procedures. The time necessary to complete post handover synchronization takes into account long satellite transmission delay. In post handover synchronization phase in a conventional GSM environment, an MT receives and transmits speech/data with a first BSC until the reception of the RR HANDOVER COMMAND message. Then the MT waits for the RR PHYSICAL INFO of a second BSC in order to re-start speech/data reception/transmission on the target cell. In a conventional terrestrial GSM environment, only few milliseconds of suspended transmission/reception typically are necessary and this generally has no impact on user perception of call continuity. In a hybrid terrestrial-to-satellite handover using such an approach, a MT may: 1) send a RR HANDOVER ACCESS to the satellite BSC (e.g., about 250 ms); 2) suspend transmission and reception with the terrestrial system and wait for RR PHYSICAL INFO (e.g., about 250 ms); and 3) start reception/transmission with the satellite network (e.g., about 250 ms between transmission from MT or gateway and reception on the other side). As a consequence, more than 750 ms may be used to complete post synchronization. It may be noted that Layer 2 exchanges (SABM-UA) may happen during communication phase after the MT is in the satellite-connected mode. As a result, SABM and UA messages for the satellite delay do not need to be taken into account. According to some embodiments of the present invention illustrated in the message flow diagram of FIG. 5, in order to reduce the time in which transmission/reception are suspended, shutdown of the traffic channel with the terrestrial system is delayed for a time sufficient to allow all or most of synchronization operations needed to initiate communications with the satellite system while allowing the MT to continue transmission reception with the terrestrial system, In some embodiments, for example, a timer (eg., a 500 ms timer) is started when a MT receives from terrestrial network BSC BSC-A the RR HANDOVER COMMAND. The MT doesn't immediately send an ACK message to the terrestrial BSC BSC-A. Instead, the MT switches to the satellite frequency and transmits the RR HANDOVER ACCESS message to the satellite BSC USC-B. Then, within terrestrial network, the MT may continue radio transmission and reception, which is possible because the ACK message has not been received by the terrestrial BSC BSC-A. This is not a conventional GSM procedure. When timer expires, the ACK message is sent to the terrestrial BSC BSC-B and the call is handed over to the satellite BSC BSC-B. The approach described above may be modified by making the delay variable rather than fixed. For example, for the example of FIG. 5, instead of waiting for expiration of a predetermined time interval, the delay may be terminated by the receipt of a RR Physical Info message from the Satellite BSC USC-B. If the first RR Handover Access message is not received correctly by the satellite BSC BSC-B, the ACK may be delayed by additional rounds of handshake delays until the new path is truly open. Whether a fixed or variable delay is used may, for example, depend on the tolerance of the terrestrial infrastructure for departures from legacy practices. Some embodiments of the invention may combine both approaches. FIG. 6 illustrates a radioterminal 600 according to some embodiments of the present invention. The radioterminal 600 includes a radio transceiver 610 operatively associated with a processor 620 configured to support radio communications with satellite and terrestrial networks via the transceiver 610 as discussed above with reference to FIGS. 1-5. In particular, the processor 610, e.g., a microprocessor, microcontroller, digital signal processor (DSP) or the like, is configured to implement a handover control process 625 that may implement handover control functions, such as signal strength measurements, handover candidate channel identification, handover message interpretation and generation, and other functions along the lines discussed above with reference to FIGS. 1-5. As shown, the processor 620 may also be configured to interoperate with user interface circuitry 630, such as a display, keypad, microphone, speaker, etc. It will be appreciated that the apparatus and operations described above are illustrative examples, and that other architectures and operations fall within the scope of the present invention. More generally, in the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed exemplary embodiments of the invention. Although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being defined by the following claims. Referenced byCiting PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS8145218 *Sep 22, 2008Mar 27, 2012Motorola Solutions, Inc.Method and system for wireless handoffsUS8180357Oct 15, 2008May 15, 2012Sprint Communications Company L.P.Frequency band class control for a wireless communication deviceUS8351953Apr 6, 2012Jan 8, 2013Sprint Communications Company L.P.Frequency band class control for a wireless communication deviceUS20090318140 *Jun 18, 2008Dec 24, 2009Embarq Holdings Company, LlcSystem and Method for Enhanced Automatic RoamingUS20100081437 *Oct 29, 2007Apr 1, 2010Steffen BeckmannMethod, System and Device for Performing a Registration Procedure of a Mobile Terminal Device in A Mobile Communications NetworkUS20100322196 *Jan 5, 2010Dec 23, 2010George CherianMethods and Apparatus for Providing Broadcast Content Over a Unicast ChannelUS20110069674 *Sep 21, 2009Mar 24, 2011Starent Networks, CorpRouting of calls to core network based on the location of the femto cellUS20130121229 *Nov 16, 2011May 16, 2013Nokia CorporationMethod and System to Enable Handover in a Hybrid Terrestrial Satellite NetworkWO2009031108A2 *Sep 3, 2008Mar 12, 2009Volker BreuerReduced ping pong occurrence during handoverWO2009096496A1 *Jan 23, 2009Aug 6, 2009Stuart FindlayPlmn selection in multi-network environmentWO2010045278A2 *Oct 14, 2009Apr 22, 2010Sprint Communications Company L.P.Frequency band class control for a wireless communication deviceWO2012094591A2 *Jan 6, 2012Jul 12, 2012Numerex Corp.Method and system for managing subscriber identity modules on wireless networks for machine-to-machine applications* Cited by examinerClassifications U.S. Classification455/427International ClassificationH04W36/14, H04W88/06, H04W28/04, H04W24/00, H04W84/06Cooperative ClassificationH04B7/18591, H04W88/06, H04W84/06, H04B7/18563, H04W36/14, H04W36/30European ClassificationH04W36/30, H04B7/185S14, H04B7/185M12Legal EventsDateCodeEventDescriptionOct 7, 2010ASAssignmentFree format text: RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON AS COLLATERAL AGENT;REEL/FRAME:025105/0605Effective date: 20011001Owner name: ATC TECHNOLOGIES, LLC, VIRGINIAOwner name: LIGHTSQUARED LP, VIRGINIAOwner name: LIGHTSQUARED FINANCE CO., VIRGINIAApr 18, 2008ASAssignmentOwner name: BANK OF NEW YORK, THE, NEW YORKFree format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNORS:MSV FINANCE CO.;MOBILE SATELLITE VENTURES LP;REEL/FRAME:020831/0189Effective date: 20060330Owner name: BANK OF NEW YORK, THE,NEW YORKFree format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNORS:MSV FINANCE CO.;MOBILE SATELLITE VENTURES LP;REEL/FRAME:20831/189Mar 1, 2007ASAssignmentOwner name: ATC TECHNOLOGIES, LLC, VIRGINIAFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:MOBILE SATELLITE VENTURES, LP;REEL/FRAME:018947/0899Effective date: 20070116Feb 15, 2007ASAssignmentOwner name: MOBILE SATELLITE VENTURES, LP, VIRGINIAFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:TRONC, JEROME;CALAMARTE, CHRISTIAN;MOULY, MICHEL;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:018894/0001;SIGNING DATES FROM 20070213 TO 20070215RotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services©2012 Google

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O Fallon, MO Environmental Services & Restoration
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text:
overview for Martzilla
reddit.com Martzilla
[–]Martzilla 1 point2 points3 points 1 day ago (0 children)
Seeing a lot of hunters. Exodia not doing well at rank 10-8.
[–]Martzilla 0 points1 point2 points 1 day ago (0 children)
If secret steps up then exodia will dip out
[–]Martzilla 8 points9 points10 points 2 days ago (0 children)
Eater is a sure win vs exodia but a dead card vs the majority of matchups. It's not even good vs hunter or paladin secrets. Rat isn't a sure win vs exodia, you have to get the Antonidas - and even that's not a sure thing because 4 apprentices + damage done + tome spells can kill over two turns.
However I wouldnt still play rat over eater because it's good vs aggro.
[–]Martzilla 52 points53 points54 points 2 days ago (0 children)
This is why I'll be running exodia mage. Not only do I think people will continue to play Jade, but possibly Priests will be emboldened and Pirate Warriors will be depressed. The innervate nerf makes the exodia matchup even better for mages.
Four Horsemen Uther by HidaHayabusa in CompetitiveHS
[–]Martzilla 1 point2 points3 points 6 days ago (0 children)
-1 forbidden healing +1 Burnbristle?
[–]Martzilla 2 points3 points4 points 7 days ago (0 children)
I've tried it. Doesn't work well. First, Mukla is hard to play because he's a 6 mana do nothing. Second, the bananas clog your already bloated hand. Third, you have to get an emp proc to make them cheap enough to use for your combo. It's nice that he's pulled by curator, but it just doesn't work.
Curator helps a little. Plenty of good targets with the best IMO: Primordial, Kodo, Hydrologist. Alternatively there are: Alexstrasza, the crabs, and coldlight.
Discussion Of Balance Changes In 9.1 w/ Brian Kibler by MedicalMalePractice in hearthstone
[–]Martzilla 0 points1 point2 points 7 days ago (0 children)
You are completely overlooking exodia mage, which ruins rakakus priest
There are many counters to exodia that completely ruin it though. Eye for an eye, eater of secrets, ice block, counterspell, potion of poly, flare, spellbender, nerubian unraveler are all tech cards that can be used to shut it down Exodia mage. Priests stealing 1 ice block make the match up 100% harder.
[–]Martzilla 1 point2 points3 points 7 days ago (0 children)
Sap, hex, and polymorph also handle big priest nicely. They ruin the entire gameplan of the deck. Not so much for razakus.
I love Exodia mage, and think it will definitely rise - although I think it's currently good, but there aren't many good pilots.
However, Exodia is also horrible to lose to. It's gotta feel really bad to new players (if there are any?). So this is just another boogie man to add to the pile.
[DeckGuide] Legend within first week of the season with Naga Demon Handlock by clickpwn in CompetitiveHS
[–]Martzilla 3 points4 points5 points 13 days ago (0 children)
The Naga giant interaction must truly be an oversight by blizz, right? It can't possibly have been their plan to open up this ridiculous combo to every single class.
[Megathread] Legendary beasts - sightings and first experiences! by ZoomBoingDing in TheSilphRoad
[–]Martzilla -2 points-1 points0 points 20 days ago (0 children)
[–]Martzilla 0 points1 point2 points 20 days ago (0 children)
True, but knowing Blizz's logic they will claim that it has 'limited design space' - which it more than likely has.
I think there are better non-giants lists in wild. They still have conceal after all. Valeera the Hollow is 9 and with most miracle decks you are looking for a win on turn 6-8.
Tavern Brawl Thread | Wednesday, August 23, 2017 by AutoModerator in CompetitiveHS
[–]Martzilla 2 points3 points4 points 28 days ago (0 children)
Malygos shaman!
Knights of the Frozen Throne Meta Snapshot #1 - MetaStats by MetaStats in CompetitiveHS
[–]Martzilla 1 point2 points3 points 29 days ago (0 children)
You run emp too, and barnes.
[–]Martzilla 0 points1 point2 points 29 days ago (0 children)
It's for Wild right now. Great in Maly rogue too.
Curator/Mukla lists are definitely inferior. You can cast Tome's with apprentices already on the board. Curator/Mukla are almost impossible to cast as they do nothing.
This is it. I've played a ton of quest exodia and it takes many many games to learn how to use it properly. After you learn it, priests and jade druids are typically auto win. Warlock and shaman are also ez mode.
[Question] How the hell do I beat Jade druid? by bobbiejim in CompetitiveHS
[–]Martzilla 1 point2 points3 points 1 month ago (0 children)
Quest mage doesn't run giants anymore and with simalcrum gets its combo off way more consistently. Plague does nothing. Board space is a non issue.
[–]Martzilla 6 points7 points8 points 1 month ago (0 children)
Quest mage. Don't care about their heals, don't care about their unleash the scarabs, and can freeze their board (which is their only way to deal damage).
[–]Martzilla 9 points10 points11 points 1 month ago (0 children)
This would make Blizz's head explode. It's just too much for them to consider rotations. They already lack the foresight and testing to be able to predict how decks will work (quest rogue). They'll never be bale to see how rotating cards out will be.
Having said that, I do agree that a rotation would be fun and interesting.
[–]Martzilla 12 points13 points14 points 1 month ago (0 children)
Yea but there are other tools in Wild that can be used to deal with it better than in standard. Let wild be wild.
[Roundup] Best Knights Of The Frozen Throne Decks So Far - Day 5 by stonekeep in CompetitiveHS
[–]Martzilla 0 points1 point2 points 1 month ago (0 children)
What you're saying is also a problem. What I'm describing is when it's not in your hand and you have both of your apprentices down already - in this case it's a dead draw. There have been many games I've won by throwing down two apprentices and digging to complete quest or look for antonidas or the second molten.
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Kumon franchise opens its first learning center in the city of Boston
Dec 05, 2017, 12:00 EST
TEANECK, N.J., Dec. 5, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Thousands of additional parents in Greater Boston will now have access to an individualized learning program for their preschool to high school aged children. Kumon, the world's largest after-school math and reading program, is expanding in the area with the opening of its first learning center in Dorchester.
There are 47 Kumon Math and Reading Centers in Massachusetts, including 37 in Greater Boston. The new learning center in Dorchester is the first Kumon location to open in the city of Boston. It's part of Kumon's 2017 expansion plan of opening 100 new centers nationwide.
"Due to the amount of emphasis placed on education in the region, with Boston considered a world leader in innovation and entrepreneurship, we found it to be an ideal location for Kumon's expansion," said Larry Lambert, vice president of franchise recruitment at Kumon North America. "We have a rich history in Greater Boston dating back to the early eighties, but we are particularly excited to open a Kumon Center in the city of Boston."
Kumon's Presence in Greater Boston
5,963 subject enrollments at 37 centers
50 percent increase in the number of centers in last 10 years
90 percent increase in subject enrollments in last 10 years
Kumon Franchise Business:

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