US 2015/0189587 A1 · Wireless Communication Device Capable of Utilizing Multiple Radio Access Technologies

Abstract

A wireless communication device is disclosed that is capable of utilizing multiple radio access technologies (RATs) in various coordinated ways so as to optimize, and enhance the versatility, of the device's communication capabilities. One or more RATs may be selected for use, either alone or in cooperation with each other, based on various conditions, such as channel conditions, traffic, data type, and priority. When conditions change, the originally-selected communication scheme may no longer be preferred. Consequently, the device can initiate a handover to another communication scheme. Transmitters corresponding to RATs that are not currently selected are controlled to enter a low-power state in order to conserve power. However, in some circumstances, the device may utilize both RATs simultaneously. For example, redundant communications can be made over both RATs for error-reduction or other purposes, and partial communications can be made over multiple RATs for increased speed and bandwidth, among other reasons.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A service node within a wireless communication environment that is supported by a communication architecture and that is configured to coordinate communication between a network backhaul and a wireless communication device using a first communication pathway and a second communication pathway, the communication architecture having a first access node that has a first access requirement for communication on the first communication pathway, a second access node that has a second access requirement different from the first access requirement for communication on the second communication pathway, the service node comprising:

a transmitter module configured to transmit on the first communication pathway and the second communication pathway;
a receiver module configured to receive from the first communication pathway and the second communication pathway;
and
a control module configured to coordinate the communication between the network backhaul and the wireless communication device by enabling one of upstream communication or downstream communication between the network backhaul and the wireless communication device via the first communication pathway, and to enable the other of upstream communication or downstream communication between the network backhaul and the wireless communication device via the second communication pathway.

1 more element

A service node, within a wireless communication environment that is supported by a communication architecture, configured to coordinate communication between a network backhaul and a wireless communication device using a first communication pathway and a second communication pathway, the communication architecture having a first access node that has a first access requirement for communication on the first communication pathway, a second access node that has a second access requirement different from the first access requirement for communication on the second communication pathway, the service node comprising:

a transmitter module configured to transmit to the first access node and to the second access node;
a receiver module configured to receive from the first access node and from the second access node;
and
a control module configured to:
identify the second access node using the receiver module;
assess a usability of the second access node;
and
coordinate the communication between the network backhaul and the wireless communication device by enabling one of upstream communication or downstream communication between the network backhaul and the wireless communication device via the first communication pathway, and to enable the other of upstream communication or downstream communication between the network backhaul and the wireless communication device via the second communication pathway, based on the assessment of the usability of the second access node.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Wireless Communication Device Capable of Utilizing Multiple Radio Access Technologies

Life of this patent

Wireless Communication Device Capable of Utilizing Multiple Radio Access Technologies

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20