Conventional LMR Mobility Management via Traffic Channel Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Land Mobile Radio (LMR) systems lack mobility management and out-of-coverage indication, leading to inefficient RF resource allocation and limited usage capabilities due to the absence of a control channel, which restricts intelligent routing and user location tracking.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that integrates mobility management and out-of-coverage indication in a conventional LMR system by using a network management system, home location register, visitor location register, and data router to track radio locations, manage user groups, and provide audible/visual alerts for out-of-coverage situations, similar to trunking systems, while maintaining low initial costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a conventional LMR system is used without a control channel, then the initial system cost is reduced, but mobility management and out-of-coverage indication capabilities are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a data router as an intermediary component that enables mobility management functionality in conventional LMR systems without requiring a control channel. The data router receives location information from radios and communicates with the NMS, effectively mediating the mobility management function that would otherwise require dedicated control channel infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the traffic channel multi-functional by using it for both voice communication and mobility management purposes. Radios transmit location information and receive out-of-coverage indications on the same traffic channel they use for voice calls, eliminating the need for separate control channel infrastructure.
2Productivity
If mobility management is implemented in a conventional LMR system, then call routing efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The data router serves as a lightweight intermediary that adds mobility management functionality without significantly increasing system complexity. It handles location information routing between radios and the NMS using simple data communication protocols, avoiding the need for complex control channel processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where radios periodically send location information to the NMS via the data router, and the NMS provides out-of-coverage indications back to radios. This feedback loop enables efficient call routing decisions while maintaining relatively simple system architecture.
3Loss of information
If periodic messages are sent through a control channel to track radio locations, then mobility management is achieved, but RF resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The traffic channel is used for dual purposes: voice communication and location tracking. By making the traffic channel multi-functional, the system avoids dedicating separate control channel RF resources for location tracking, thereby reducing overall RF resource consumption while maintaining location tracking accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
Radios autonomously transmit location information on the traffic channel when opportunities arise (during idle periods or between voice transmissions). This self-service approach to location reporting eliminates the need for continuous control channel messaging, reducing RF resource consumption while maintaining adequate location tracking.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a system and a method for providing mobility management and out-of-coverage indication in a conventional Land Mobile Radio (LMR) system. A radio provides its location and user group data to the disclosed system through its traffic channel when the channel is idle. Knowledge of the radio's current location and user group data is used to provide dynamic call routing and data management within the disclosed system. The disclosed system and method may provide operability similar to that of a trunking system by providing mobility management and out-of-coverage indication while providing low-cost benefits through operation of a conventional system.