GB2352130A

GB2352130A - Communications terminal

Info

Publication number: GB2352130A
Application number: GB0008078A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Chambers
Original assignee: Roke Manor Research Ltd
Current assignee: Roke Manor Research Ltd
Priority date: 1999-07-06
Filing date: 2000-04-04
Publication date: 2001-01-17
Also published as: GB9915739D0; GB0008078D0

Abstract

In the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System, terminals used by subscribers are known to operate in a standardised way, whereas operation of network elements, for example terminals, need not be so rigidly standardised. Described herein is a communications terminal capable of communicating with a network element, the terminal comprising a processor operably coupled to a communications unit and being arranged to provide a first mode of operation which provides functionality substantially in a predefined standardised manner. A second mode of operation is also provided comprising functionality which is substantially in accordance with a modified operating procedure, the terminal being capable of selectively operating in accordance with the first mode of operation or the second mode of operation so as to enable operations in a manner different from the predefined standard. The modification may amount to further facilities or to account for differences between systems. The modifications can be downloaded from a base station.

Description

- I - 2352130 COMMUNICATIONS TERMINAL AND METHOD THEREFOR The present

invention relates to a communications terminal and a method therefor of the type capable of communicating with a network element in a communications system, for example, a cellular telecommunications system, such as a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS).

In the UMTS, terminals used by subscribers are known to operate in a standardised way, whereas operation of network elements need not be so rigidly standardised. The correct operation of the network elements is the responsibility of a network operator associated with a particular UMTS, the network operator being presumed competent to ensure correct operation of the particular system.

Reference to a network element throughout this specification should be understood to include terminals as well as other entities in a communications network, either alone or in combination.

Standardising a system in the above-described way leads to a disadvantage of the terminals being totally standardised prior to deployment of the system. Consequently, operation of the system, for example, physical layer procedures such as power control procedures, is pre-defined and cannot be improved during operation of the system.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to obviate, or at least mitigate, the above described disadvantage in relation to communications systems.

According to the present invention, there is provided a communications terminal apparatus capable of communicating with a network element, the terminal comprising a processor operably coupled to a communications unit, the processor being arranged to provide a first mode of operation providing functionality substantially in accordance with a predefined standard, and a second mode of operation providing functionality which is substantially in accordance with a non- standardised operating procedure, the terminal being further arranged to selectively operate in the first or second mode of operation so as to enable the terminal to operate in a manner different to the predefined standard.

Preferably, the non-standardised operating procedure corresponds to operation of the terminal in a manner which does not conform to the predefined standard.

Preferably, the communications unit is a transmitter and receiver chain. Alternatively, the communications unit is a receiver chain.

Alternatively, the communications unit is a transmitter chain.

The network element may be a further terminal.

Preferably, the functionality corresponds to control procedures.

More preferably, the control procedures are power control procedures.

Preferably, the apparatus is capable of communicating with the further terminal via a radio-frequency interface.

Preferably, data corresponding to the second mode of operation is downloadable to the terminal apparatus.

According to the present invention, there is also provided a method of operation for a communications terminal, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a first mode of operation having functionality substantially in accordance with a predefined standard, providing a second mode of operation having functionality substantially in accordance with a non-standardised operating procedure, and selectively operating in the first or second mode of operation so as to enable the terminal to operate in a manner different to the predefined standard.

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure I illustrates communication between a network and a terminal; and Figure 2 illustrates a memory unit for a terminal.

In Figure 1, a network and a terminal within that network are shown as straight lines. If the terminal is new to the network, the network will be unaware of its capability, and a capability exchange takes place. The network sends a query to the terminal asking if it can support extended functions. The terminal then replies to the network stating if it can or not. In Figure 1, the terminal is shown as replying that it can support extended functions and that it has n locations free to accept such extended functions. Once the network receives an affirmative reply from the terminal, it downloads the extended function(s) to the terminal as shown. Such functions are stored in a memory unit 10 which is described in more detail with reference to Figure 2.

In Figure 2, the memory unit 10 comprises a plurality of locations 12, 14 161, 181 20 which store functions for the terminal. Each function stored in a respective one of the locations operates independently to dictate the operation of the terminal.

It will readily be appreciated that the functions are defined as operational algorithms. In the memory unit 10 shown in Figure 2, the terminal has two pre-defined functions as defined by algorithms I and 2 which are stored in respective locations 12, 14. When the terminal is operating in a particular mode or carrying a particular function, the algorithm relating to that mode or function is accessed.

In accordance with the present invention, locations 16, 18, 20 are initially empty, but when the ten-ninal is interrogated by the network as described above with reference to Figure 1, empty location 16 receives the downloaded extended function in the form of an extra algorithm. Locations 18, 20 remain empty until a further extended function is to be downloaded.

As described above, the locations 12, 14 include functions which are predefined, for example, one of the locations 12, 14 may include a function 5 relating to power control.

As discussed above, it is difficult to make changes to the power control function as it is a pre-defined function in the terminal to meet with changing requirements of the network. In order to make improvements to power control, an extended function is downloaded which, when accessed, changes the way in which power control operates in a particular terminal.

It is thus possible to provide an apparatus which allows a network operator to update or override certain functionality of the apparatus. The network equipment is also able to inter-operate with either a default or improved functionality of a given terminal apparatus, the network operator having a full knowledge of the ten-ninal behavior when operating in the first or second mode. Additionally, network operators and/or a given terminal apparatus manufacturers are able to develop improved functionality for the terminal apparatus of the given manufacturer.

Claims

CLAIMS:

I. A communications terminal apparatus capable of communicating with a network element, the terminal comprising a processor operably coupled to a communications unit, the processor being arranged to provide a first mode of operation providing functionality substantially in accordance with a predefined standard, and a second mode of operation providing functionality which is substantially in accordance with a nonstandardised operating procedure, the terminal being further arranged to selectively operate in the first or second mode of operation so as to enable the terminal to operate in a manner different to the predefined standard.
2. A communications terminal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the non-standardised operating procedure corresponds to operation of the terminal in a manner which does not conform to the predefined standard.
3. A communications terminal apparatus according to claim I or 2, wherein the communications unit is a transmitter and receiver chain.
4. A communications terminal apparatus according to claim I or 2, wherein the communications unit is a receiver chain.
5. A communications terminal apparatus according to claim I or 2, wherein the communications unit is a transmitter chain.
6. A communications ten-ninal apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the network element is a ftirther ten-ninal.
7. A communications terminal apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the functionality corresponds to control procedures.
8. A communications ten-ninal apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the control procedures are power control procedures.
9. A communications ten-ninal apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the apparatus is capable of communicating with the further terminal via a radio-frequency interface.
10. A communications terminal apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein data corresponding to the second mode of operation is downloadable to the terminal apparatus.
11. A method of operation for a communications terminal, the method comprising the steps of-providing a first mode of operation having functionality substantially in accordance with a predefined standard, providing a second mode of operation having functionality substantially in accordance with a non-standardised operating procedure, and selectively operating in the first or second mode of operation so as to enable the ten-ninal to operate in a manner different to the predefined standard.
12. A communications terminal apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 2 of the accompanying drawing.
13. A method of operation for a communications termi"nal substantially as hereiribefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.