Apparatus and method for extending the coverage area of a licensed wireless communication system using an unlicensed wireless communication system
View Patent ↗An unlicensed wireless service is adapted to generate the interface protocols of a licensed wireless service to provide transparent transition of communication sessions between a licensed wireless service and an unlicensed wireless service. In one embodiment, a mobile station includes level 1, level 2, and level 3 protocols for licensed wireless service and an unlicensed wireless service. An indoor base station and indoor network controller provide protocol conversion for the unlicensed wireless service into a standard base station controller interface of the licensed wireless service.
1. A system, comprising: a mobile station, including: a first level 1, a first level 2, and a first level 3 protocol for a licensed wireless service having a licensed wireless channel serviced by a telecommunications network; and a second level 1, a second level 2, and a second level 3 protocol for an unlicensed wireless service activated when said mobile station is within an unlicensed wireless service area; an indoor base station operable to communicate with said mobile station through an unlicensed wireless channel; and an indoor network controller coupled to said indoor base station and adapted to exchange signals with said telecommunications network; wherein said indoor network controller is configured to convert said second level 1, said second level 2, and said second level 3 protocol into a standard base station controller interface protocol recognized by said telecommunications network; wherein said indoor base station operates transparently to said second level 3 protocol; wherein said mobile station and said indoor network controller are configured to establish a communication session on said unlicensed wireless channel, said indoor network controller using said standard base station controller interface protocol to communicate with said licensed network; wherein said second level 3 protocol comprises a radio resource sublayer adapted for said unlicensed wireless system, wherein an access mode switch is triggered to utilize a mobility management sublayer and a call management sublayer shared with said first level 3 protocol.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein said telecommunication network comprises a mobile switch center for voice data.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein said mobile station is configured to register its location with said indoor network controller subsequent to detection that it is within said unlicensed wireless service area.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein said second level 1 protocol comprises a Bluetooth protocol.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein said second level 1 protocol comprises a wireless local area network protocol.
6. The system of claim 1 , wherein said second level 1 protocol comprises 802.11 IEEE wireless standard protocol.
7. A method of establishing communication between a licensed wireless communication system and an unlicensed wireless communication system, the method comprising: with the licensed wireless communication system, servicing a licensed wireless channel of a mobile station, wherein the mobile station has a first level 1, a first level 2, and a first level 3 protocol for a licensed wireless service; with the mobile station, establishing a communication through an unlicensed wireless channel when the mobile station is within an unlicensed wireless service area, said communication utilizing a second level 1, a second level 2, and a second level 3 protocol for an unlicensed wireless service; at an indoor network controller, converting said second level 1, said second level 2, and said second level 3 protocols into a standard base station controller interface protocol recognized by the licensed wireless communication system; and exchanging signals between the indoor network controller and the licensed wireless communication system, wherein the indoor network controller is coupled to an indoor base station that services the unlicensed wireless service area and communicates through the unlicensed wireless channel with the mobile station, said indoor base station operating transparently to said second level 3 protocol, wherein said second level 3 protocol comprises a radio resource sublayer adapted for said unlicensed wireless system; triggering an access mode switch to utilize a mobility management sublayer and a call management sublayer shared with said first level 3 protocol.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein said licensed wireless communication system comprises a mobile switch center for voice data.
9. The method of claim 7 , further comprising:
configuring said mobile station to register its location with said indoor network controller subsequent to detection that it is within said unlicensed wireless service area.
10. The method of claim 7 , wherein said second level 1 protocol comprises a Bluetooth protocol.
11. The method of claim 7 , wherein said second level 1 protocol comprises a wireless local area network protocol.
12. The method of claim 7 , wherein said second level 1 protocol comprises 802.11 IEEE wireless standard protocol.