Push-to-talk-over-cellular (PoC) service in heterogeneous networks (HETNETS) and multimode small cell environments

摘要

A system and method for supporting multiple simultaneous connections to different access networks for use in Push-to-talk-over-Cellular (PoC). One or more servers interface to a plurality of wireless communications networks to perform advanced voice services for mobile units therein, including the PoC call session. The servers and mobile units communicate with each other using control messages, and the servers switch voice frames between the mobile units. At least one of the servers manages the PoC call session by acting as an arbitrator, and controls the sending of the control messages and the voice frames to and from the mobile units. At least one of the mobile units and at least one of the servers use multiple simultaneous connections to the plurality of wireless communications networks to communicate with each other.

主权项

1. A system for providing communications services in a plurality of wireless communications networks, comprising:
one or more servers that interface to the plurality of wireless communications networks to perform communications for one or more mobile units, wherein the communications services include an instant two-way half-duplex voice call within a group of the one or more mobile units comprising a Push-to-Talk-over-Cellular (PoC) call session; wherein both the one or more servers and the one or more mobile units communicate with each other using control messages transmitted over the plurality of wireless communications networks, and at least one of the one or more servers switches voice frames for the communications services between the one or more mobile units across the plurality of wireless communications networks; wherein at least one of the one or more servers manages the PoC call session by acting as an arbitrator for the PoC call session and controls sending of the control messages and the voice frames to and from the one or more mobile units; wherein at least one of the one or more mobile units and at least one of the one or more servers use multiple simultaneous connections to the plurality of wireless communications networks to communicate with each other; and wherein the multiple simultaneous connections comprise:
a first connection between a first mobile unit of the one or more mobile units and a first server of the one or more servers over a first network of the plurality of wireless communications networks; anda second connection between the first mobile unit and the first server over a second network of the plurality of wireless communications networks, wherein the first connection and the second connection are maintained simultaneously, and wherein the first network is separate from the second network.