(12) United States Patent
`Obhan
`
`USOO6275695B1
`(10) Patent No.:
`US 6,275,695 B1
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Aug. 14, 2001
`
`(54) SPECTRUM YIELD MANAGEMENT INA
`WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEM
`(75) Inventor: Prem A. Obhan, Plano, TX (US)
`
`(*) Notice:
`
`(73) ASSignee: Noel Networks Limited, Montreal
`(CA)
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`tent is extended
`diusted under 35
`ps g 5), O Gy JuSled under
`a --
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/169,022
`
`8/1998 Kotzin et al. ........................ 370/252
`5,796,722
`5,864,617 * 1/1999 Donnelly .............................. 379/266
`5,903,843 * 5/1999 Suzuki et al.
`455/452
`5,920,822
`7/1999 Houde et al.
`455/466
`5.937,353 * 8/1999 Fapojuwo.
`... 455/444
`5.991,378 * 11/1999 Apel ..................................... 379/114
`6,009,331
`12/1999 Ueda .................................... 455/450
`6,112,101
`8/2000 Bhatia et al. ........................ 455/512
`* cited by examiner
`Primary Examiner Dwayne Bost
`Assistant Examiner Sonny Trinh
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Bruce Garlick; James
`Harrison
`
`7
`
`..., H049 7/20
`(51) Int. Cl." ........................................... .
`(52) U.S. Cl. ........................... 455/423; 455/446; 455/422
`(58) Field of Search ..................................... 455/453, 403,
`455/512, 405, 408, 422, 466, 446; 379/243,
`120
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`2.97
`A
`Midan r. 455/436
`532, : 4/1994 Rii. - - - - - - -
`- - - - t
`Z.
`: SE t et al. ........................ s5.
`5,392,344
`2f1995 Ash et al..".
`... 376f221
`5.490087 - 2/1996 Redden et al... 364,514 c
`5,546,455
`8/1996 Dennison.
`5,570,411 : 10/1996 Sicher .................................. 455/450
`5,592,154 * 1/1997 Lin et al. .......................... 340/825.5
`5,638,412
`6/1997 Blakeney.
`5,659,601
`8/1997 Chesloq.
`5,729.542 * 3/1998 Dupont ................................. 370/346
`5,790,534
`8/1998 Kokko.
`5,790.954
`8/1998 Tavloe.
`5,790,955
`8/1998 Tomoike.
`5,793,852 * 8/1998 Kang et al. .......................... 379/115
`5,794,140 * 8/1998
`... 455/408
`5,794,156
`8/1998 Alanara ................................ 455/517
`
`
`
`A spectrum yield management (SYM) system manages
`available spectrum within a wireleSS communication System.
`The SYM system includes at least one computer and con
`nections within the wireleSS communication System to other
`components of the wireleSS communication System. The
`SYMSVStem collects real-time and potential loading infor
`y
`p
`9.
`mation for the wireleSS communication System and receives
`System operator parameters. The SYM System may Support
`a plurality of classes with each class having Subscriber
`members that receives services commensurate with the
`class. The SYM system may also support a plurality of
`corridors within the wireleSS communication System, with
`each corridor including at least once cell/sector. The SYM
`System provides signals to the components of the wireless
`communication and to Subscriber units to influence their
`operation in a manner that will realize System operator goals
`with respect to spectrum usage. Examples of Such signals
`include Service option signals which provide either an
`incentive for a Subscriber to increase its use or a disincentive
`for the subscriber to reduce its use. The SYM system may
`also operate to provide reserved spectrum within the wire
`leSS communication System and to perform other functions
`in managing available spectrum.
`
`68 Claims, 17 Drawing Sheets
`
`SERVER
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`ACCESS CLASS/ACCESS PRIORITY
`(REGULAR)
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`1. PREMUM VOICE
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`2
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`LOW-PRIORITY SMS
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`REGULAR VOICE
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`HIGH PRIORITY SMS
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`754
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`756
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`FIG. 7B
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`Sheet 9 of 17
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`CELL ACCESS FREE
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`U.S. Patent
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`Sheet 10 Of 17
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`US 6,275,695 B1
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`RESERVED
`B/W - 1 OO6
`
`RESERVATION
`LEVEL - 1004
`
`HIGH WATERMARK
`- 1008
`
`
`
`TOTAL NUMBER
`OF CHNLS. - 1002
`
`LOW WATERMARK
`- 1010
`
`FIG. 10
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`Aug. 14, 2001
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`Sheet 11 of 17
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`US 6,275,695 B1
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`WAIT TO PERFORM
`CORRDOR UPDATE
`CORRIDOR UPDATE TRIGGERED
`
`1102
`
`1104
`
`RECEIVE POTENTIAL DEMANDAT
`BASE STATIONS IN CORRIDOR
`
`RECEIVE CURRENT DEMANDAT
`BASE STATIONS IN CORRIDOR
`
`1106
`
`1108
`
`DETERMINE SERVICE LEVELS THAT CAN
`BE PROVIDED WITHIN CORRDOR
`
`1110
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`UPDATEACCESS CONTROL, BLOCK
`FOR CORRIDOR
`
`1112
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`DETERMINE SERVICE OPTION SIGNAL - 1114
`THAT IS TO BE SENT
`
`TRANSMIT SERVICE OPTION SIGNAL TO - 1116
`SUBSCRIBER UNITS OPERATING IN
`CORRIDOR
`|
`
`FIG 11
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`Sheet 12 Of 17
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`US 6,275,695 B1
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`MSC PERFORMS NORMAL OPERATIONS
`
`1202
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`CALL RECEIVED FOR
`SUBSCRIBER
`
`1204
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`MSC SENDS LOCATE RECQUEST TO VLR - 1206
`
`VLR RESPONDS TO LOCATE REQUEST - 2
`IDENTIFYING CORRIDOR OF SUBSCRIBER
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`MSC OUERIES ADMISSION CONTROL
`BLOCK FOR CORRIDOR OF SUBSCRIBER
`
`1210
`
`ADMISSION CONTROL BLOCK RETURNS - 22
`AVAILABILITY OF CORRIDOR
`
`
`
`COMPLETE AND
`SERVICE CALL
`
`DENY COMPLETONOR
`TAKE VOICE MESSAGE
`
`1218
`
`FIG. 12
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`Sheet 13 of 17
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`MESSAGING PLATFORMPERFORMS
`NORMAL OPERATIONS
`MESSAGE TRIGGERING
`CONDITION OCCURS
`
`1302
`
`1304
`
`
`
`MESSAGE PLATFORM OUERIES ACB FOR
`SELECTED DESTINATION CORRDOR
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`ADMISSION CONTROL, BLOCK RETURNS
`AVAILABILITY OF SELECTED CORRIDOR
`
`1310
`AVAILABLEP
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`DELIVER BULK SMS TO
`SU(S) IN CORRIDOR
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`1314
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`LAST
`CORRIDORT)
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`
`
`SELECT NEXT CORRIDOR
`
`FIG. 13
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`Sheet 14 of 17
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`SMS PLATFORM WAITS FOR NEXT
`MESSAGE CYCLE
`
`1402
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`NEXT CYCLE TRIGGERED
`
`1404
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`MESSAGE PLATFORM QUERIES ACB FOR
`TARGET LOCATION
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`
`
`as
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`ACB RETURNS ACCESS CLASS
`SUPPORTED FOR TARGET LOCATION
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`1408
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`REOURED A.C. LEVEL
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`GET LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS
`FOR TARGET LOCATION
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`1414
`FILTER OUT SUBSCRIBERS
`NOT SIGNED UP FOR
`SERVICE
`
`1416
`TRANSMIT BULK SMS OVER
`TARGET LOCATION
`
`FIG. 14
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`U.S. Patent
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`US 6,275,695 B1
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`1
`SPECTRUM YELD MANAGEMENT INA
`WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEM
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATION
`The present application was filed on even date with
`related U.S. application Ser. No. 09/168,946, filed Oct. 8,
`1998, co-pending, claims priority to Such application, and is
`hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`2
`acquiring cell-sites etc. Thus, network problems typically
`last for Several months after they are detected. During this
`period, Significant Subscriber dissatisfaction may result.
`Thus, in loading its network infrastructure, the System
`operator generally obtains uncontrolled growth within Some
`areas and ineffective spectrum utilization in other areas.
`Cellular providers throughout the World have made Signifi
`cant investments in spectrum licenses and infrastructure.
`Current yield management techniques are limited to time
`of-day and day-of-the-week pricing Schedules. Because
`Spectrum is a perishable commodity, if it goes unsold and
`unused, revenue that could have otherwise been made, is
`lost. Conversely, having portions of the Spectrum overused
`results in blocked calls and causes dissatisfaction of Sub
`Scribers.
`WireleSS communication Systems Service primarily voice
`communications. System resources are required when
`people initiate voice communications. Thus, the System
`operator has little control over when the Voice users access
`the System and can do nothing (absent blocking access) to
`alter the access times/durations of these voice users.
`However, as technology progresses, Systems will be shared
`by Voice users, data users and Video users, each of these
`users having their own Service characteristics. Hence, the
`Spectrum must be properly managed to Service the differing
`user demands and requirements in an economically efficient
`manner. Thus, there is a need in the art for a System and
`asSociated method of operation for intelligently managing
`Spectrum within a wireleSS communication So that System
`operator revenue may be increased, Subscriber loyalty may
`be maintained and differing Service types may be managed
`together So that the needs of each Service type are met.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`Thus, in order to overcome the above described
`Shortcomings, among others, a Spectrum Yield Management
`(SYM) system and method of operation tracks spectrum
`usage in real-time. Spectrum usage is measured in both
`real-time usage (of active Subscribers) and in potential usage
`(of inactive subscribers that have registered with the
`System). Based upon the actual Subscriber loading levels,
`potential Subscriber loading levels, historical loading levels
`and the System capacity, the SYM System performs opera
`tions that manage use of the available spectrum according to
`the operating goals of the System operator.
`One particular operating goal of a System operator is to
`increase revenue generated by the System. To increase
`revenue generation from an installed wireleSS infrastructure,
`the SYM system manages the system operator's subscriber
`priorities and spectrum resource allocation priorities by
`dividing the coverage area into corridors and managing the
`unique demand and Supply characteristics over each corri
`dor. Depending on Subscriber preferences, network usage
`patterns, competitive pressures and the regulatory
`environment, a System operator can deploy the SYM System
`in a variety of ways So that Service incentives and Service
`disincentives are provided So as to reach desired loading
`patterns. Further, using the Same and Similar techniques, a
`system operator may use the SYM system to shift load from
`one time period to another time period.
`According to the SYM System, a Service coverage area is
`divided into “corridors” that make sense from a system
`operator's Standpoint. Based upon System operating goals
`for each corridor, operating rules are generated for each
`corridor. These operating rules relate to the manner in which
`the available Spectrum in each corridor will be managed.
`
`25
`
`35
`
`40
`
`1. Technical Field
`The present invention relates generally to wireless com
`munication Systems and more particularly to a System and
`15
`method of operation for effectively managing Spectrum in a
`wireleSS communication System to maximize usage of the
`wireleSS spectrum and to meet System operator goals for
`Servicing Subscribers.
`2. Related Art
`Cellular wireless communication Systems are generally
`known in the art to facilitate wireleSS communications
`within respective Service coverage areas. Such wireleSS
`communication Systems include a “network infrastructure'
`that Service the wireleSS communications with Subscriber
`units operating in the Service coverage areas. The network
`infrastructure typically includes a plurality of base Stations
`dispersed throughout the Service coverage area, each of
`which includes a base Station transceiving Subsystem (BTS),
`a tower and at least one antenna. The base Stations couple to
`base station controllers (BSCs), with each BSC serving a
`plurality of base stations. Each BSC couples to a mobile
`switching center (MSC) which couples to the PSTN, the
`Internet and/or to other MSCs. Subscribing wireless units
`operating within the Service coverage area communicate
`with one or more of the base Stations. The communications
`are routed from the base stations to the MSC via a respective
`BSC. The MSC then routes the call to another subscribing
`wireless unit via a BSC/base station route or via the PSTN/
`Internet/other network route to another destination.
`The cost of installing the network infrastructure is Sub
`Stantial. Thus, once the network is installed, the System
`operator attempts to load the network by increasing the
`number of Subscribers having access to the network infra
`Structure and to increase the usage by each Subscriber via
`aggressive pricing Strategies. But, the System operator has
`no direct control in regulating the usage acroSS the System
`and must attempt to elicit loading goals via the pricing
`Strategies. In determining the effectiveness of the pricing
`Strategies, the System operator monitorS System usage, typi
`cally by collecting Operational Measurement (OM) data.
`The OM data is collected on a periodic basis and analyzed
`thereafter. Based upon the determined actual System usage,
`the System operator may adjust pricing Strategies and goals
`to better load the system.
`In loading the System, the System operator typically SeekS
`to maintain a minimum Safety margin between a peak
`loading level and a total-capacity in each portion of the
`Service coverage area. Based upon historical loading, current
`operating goals and projected loading levels, the System
`operator may determine that additional infrastructure is
`required and install the additional infrastructure. Such a
`determination is typically only made periodically or when
`actual operating problems exist. Network infrastructure
`expansions can take Several months to implement Since they
`involve RF-planning, ordering equipment from Vendors,
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`The Spectrum for each corridor is monitored in a real-time
`basis as is the unused spectrum. Active and idle Subscribers
`are also tracked in each corridor. Based upon the demands
`placed on the resources of the corridor, Subscribers needs are
`matched to available resources in the corridor and, when
`required, operations are taken to alter loading within the
`corridor according to the operating rules. By identifying
`unused capacity and filling Such capacity, the SYM System
`enables the System operator to raise extra revenues via the
`SYM System managed Voice/data/advertising Services.
`The SYM system, in another embodiment, divides the
`Subscribers into a plurality of classes, each of which is
`treated differently with respect to services provided. In such
`case, Some classes may receive reduced rate offerings or
`Zero rate offerings to increase System usage while increasing
`customer satisfaction. The SYM system may also reserve
`Spectrum within corridors for premium Subscribers. In per
`forming such reservation, the SYM system may preclude
`access of the reserved spectrum except for members of a
`particular class. In another operation, the SYM System may
`queue calls and call requests until a channel becomes
`available.
`In dividing the Subscribers into classes, differing types of
`access may be provided over time. For example, Voice users
`will have access to the System on an as-needed basis, Subject
`to class restraints that may limit the access of certain classes
`of Voice users during heavy loading periods. Machine users
`of the System, Such as vending machines, oil heads, elec
`tronic billboards, copiers, data terminals, short message
`Service recipient machines and other machines that do not
`require access at any particular time, may be managed to
`access the System during reduced loading periods. For
`example, an electronic billboard that is updated periodically
`may access the System during lightly loaded periods.
`Likewise, short message Services may access the System
`when spectrum is available, Subject to required message
`latency limitations. In this fashion, the available spectrum
`may be managed to Satisfy the various requirements of the
`users of the System.
`Moreover, other aspects of the present invention will
`become apparent with further reference to the drawings and
`specification which follow.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`A better understanding of the present invention can be
`obtained when the following detailed description of the
`preferred embodiment is considered in conjunction with the
`following drawings, in which:
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a spectrum yield
`management System constructed according to the present
`invention that is coupled to a wireleSS communication
`System So that it may manage available spectrum within the
`System;
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a spectrum yield
`management System centralized Server constructed accord
`ing to the present invention and its intercoupling with
`components of a wireleSS communication System;
`FIG. 3 is a System diagram illustrating the deployment of
`a spectrum yield management System constructed according
`to the present invention within a wireleSS communication
`System;
`FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a plurality of cells Serviced
`by a wireleSS communication System that are divided into a
`plurality of corridors according to the present invention;
`FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a plurality of cells Serviced
`by a wireleSS communication System that are divided into a
`plurality of Sub-corridors along a highway;
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`FIG. 6 is block diagram illustrating the structure of a
`Spectrum yield management System employed in determin
`ing Subscriber load within a plurality of corridors according
`to the present invention;
`FIGS. 7A and 7B are block diagrams illustrating classes
`of Subscribers contemplated according to the present inven
`tion;
`FIG. 8 is block diagram illustrating the structure of a
`Spectrum yield management System employed in determin
`ing Subscriber demographics within a plurality of corridors
`according to the present invention;
`FIGS. 9A and 9B are diagrams illustrating examples of
`admission control blockS compiled and constructed accord
`ing to the present invention;
`FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating the manner in
`which BTS watermarks are used according to the present
`invention;
`FIG. 11 is a logic diagram illustrating operation according
`to the present invention in collecting Subscriber load data in
`a plurality of corridors and updating System operator param
`eters accordingly;
`FIG. 12 is a logic diagram illustrating operation according
`to the present invention in Selectively completing a call to a
`Subscriber unit;
`FIG. 13 is a logic diagram illustrating operation according
`to the present invention in delivering short messages to a
`plurality of Subscriber units in a plurality of corridors,
`FIG. 14 is a logic diagram illustrating operation according
`to the present invention in delivering time Sensitive and time
`insensitive messages,
`FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating load serviced by a base
`Station throughout a twenty-four hour period and its rela
`tionship to BTS watermarks;
`FIG. 16 is a logic diagram illustrating operation according
`to the present invention in receiving loading information;
`and
`FIG. 17 is a logic diagram illustrating operation of a base
`Station/BTS according to the present invention in recording
`load and transmitting the load to a spectrum yield manage
`ment System.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a spectrum yield
`management System 100 constructed according to the
`present invention that is coupled to a wireleSS communica
`tion System. The spectrum yield management (SYM) system
`100 includes a SYM analytical engine 102, system operator
`parameters 104 and a database 106, which together may be
`implemented by a separate computing device or a plurality
`of computing devices. These computing devices may be
`constructed as personal computers, Server computers, main
`frame computers or other forms of computing devices. In
`any case, the computing device(s) has Sufficient computing
`capacity to perform the operations required by the present
`invention. The Structure of computing devices is generally
`known in the art and will not be further described herein
`except as to expand upon the teachings of the present
`invention. The computing device may be tightly coupled
`with an MSC, BSC or other wireless network device or may
`be a part of the MSC, BSC or other wireless network device.
`The SYM analytical engine 102 couples to the wireless
`network infrastructure 108 of a wireless communication
`system. In its operation, the SYM analytical engine 102
`receives current demand data 118 and potential demand data
`120 from the wireless network infrastructure 108 and deliv
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`ers SYM operating signals 122 to the wireless network
`infrastructure 108. The current demand data 118 and poten
`tial demand data 120 indicate the current subscriber loading
`and the potential Subscriber loading, respectively, within the
`wireleSS communication System.
`The system operator parameters 104 include Subscriber
`profiles 110 for a plurality of Subscribers operating within
`the wireleSS communication System. The System operator
`parameters also include corridor rules for a plurality of
`corridors defined within the wireleSS communication SyS
`tem. The concept of corridors will be discussed in detail with
`reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. The system operator parameters
`104 are typically provided by the system operator based
`upon the business goals it has for the wireleSS System.
`The database 106 includes network data 114 and corridor
`history data 116. The network data 114 indicates the struc
`ture and operating limitations of the wireleSS communication
`System. The network data 114 typically includes topographi
`cal network engineering information that provides a layout
`of base Stations of the wireleSS network infrastructure, the
`capacity provided by each cell/Sector, constraints between
`neighboring cells/Sectors and additional information relating
`to the structure of the wireless network infrastructure. The
`corridor history 116 includes the historical loading within
`each corridor of the wireleSS communication System, trends
`that have been developed from Such loading and additional
`information regarding the corridors defined within the wire
`leSS communication System. The historical loading levels
`may include loading levels for time of day, day of week,
`peak loading, minimum loading and other loading levels of
`interest for the corridors.
`The current demand data 118 includes various real-time
`and periodic data inputs from the wireleSS network including
`the Spectrum usage at each base Station Supported by the
`wireless network infrastructure 108. Spectrum usage may be
`measured for a plurality of wireless resources. Wireless
`Spectrum is allocated to each base Station. The allocated
`Spectrum is further divided into channels which may include
`broadcast channels, control channels and traffic channels,
`among others. Depending upon the Standard, e.g., Code
`Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Time Division Multiple
`Access (TDMA) or Global Standard For Mobile Commu
`nications (GSM), under which the System operates, each
`channel is capacity limited and may handle only a maximum
`amount of traffic. Spectrum usage therefore may be deter
`mined for each of the allocated channels for the base Station.
`Further, available capacity for each of the allocated channels
`may also be determined. Some of the types of Services
`supported by the wireless communication system 100 con
`Structed according to the present invention load Some chan
`nels while not others. Thus, in determining loading levels
`and capacity levels, these factors must be considered and
`acted upon.
`Potential demand data 120 is based upon the number of
`SubscriberS registered within the wireleSS communication
`System but presently not engaged in ongoing communica
`tions. The current demand data 118 and the potential demand
`data 120 may include information pertinent to particular
`Subscribers of the wireless communication System. Such
`subscriber information may include the subscriber's
`location, the Subscriber's class, the Subscriber's current
`status and call detail records for the Subscriber that show
`average call hold time and Subscriber mobility during the
`call, among other characteristics.
`In its implementation, the SYM analytical engine 102 is
`parameter driven. System operators define the parameters
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`that control the computations of the analytical engine. The
`System operator input will be based upon the goals that the
`System operator has for the operation of the System. These
`goals, if met, will maximize revenue for the System operator.
`According to the present invention, the System operator
`may divide the entire coverage area into corridors. The
`System operator then defines operating rules over each
`corridor which may enable classes of subscribers with
`respective service priorities. The SYM analytical engine 102
`monitorS Spectrum usage, spectrum availability and demand
`for Services time within the corridors and enforces respec
`tive operating rules over each corridor. These operating rules
`may limit access to certain classes of Subscribers during
`particular operating periods So that other classes will have
`access. These operating rules may also limit access to certain
`types of Services during particular operating periods as well.
`Capacity in wireleSS communication Systems is planned
`for peak loading periods in each cell. During an installation,
`traffic patterns over a coverage area are estimated and cells
`are engineered to Service peak loads in each cell/Sector. This
`approach in planning capacity leads to Surplus during non
`peak hours. However, during heavy loading periods, the
`System may be overloaded in certain areas and block calls.
`According to one aspect of its operation, the SYM System
`100 manages the Surplus in each corridor to maximize usage.
`The SYM system 100 tracks spectrum supply and spectrum
`demand in each corridor. When the loading within a corridor
`falls below a loading threshold, the SYM system 100 sends
`a Service option signal to Subscribers in underutilized cor
`ridors within the wireleSS communication System that acts as
`a positive incentive for use. Some subscribers will initiate or
`continue their usage to fill idle capacity within the System.
`The Service option Signal may apprise a Subscriber that he or
`She may make reduced rate calls, may continue an ongoing
`call at a reduced rate or may complete a call at no cost.
`Additionally, the Service option signal may instruct various
`machines Such as vending machines, billboards, etc. to
`transfer data during idle times.
`However, when spectrum usage exceeds a desired level of
`usage and it is likely that Some calls will be blocked, the
`SYM system 100 may provide a service option signal that is
`a disincentive for use. For example, when spectrum usage
`exceeds an upper loading threshold, the SYM system 100
`provides an incentive Signal to Some Subscribers that Sub
`Sequent use will be billed at a premium. At least Some of
`SubscriberS operating within these Over-utilized corridors of
`the wireless network infrastructure 108 will be price sensi
`tive and will reduce or discontinue usage, thus reducing
`System loading.
`In providing the Service option signals, the SYM System
`100 is directed toward usage during a next time Segment.
`Thus, the SYM system 100 continually predicts the spec
`trum usage in a Subsequent time Segment and interacts with
`the wireleSS communication System to attain a desired
`operation in the Subsequent time Segment. However, current
`(or previous) loading data is used in these determinations.
`Thus, the SYM system 100 does not directly intervene in
`Servicing of communications by the base Stations but pro
`vides operating rules that the wireleSS communication SyS
`tem employs in assigning resources within the System.
`The SYM system 100 may be installed in a wireless
`communication System that Services voice, Video and data.
`In such an installation, the SYM system 100 will assist in
`charging Subscribers other than for each minute of airtime
`used. In Such case, a certain bundle of Services (at a certain
`quality level) may be charged at a flat rate with the SYM
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`System 100 recognizing demand for Synchronous/
`asynchronous Services, time-Sensitive/time-insensitive data
`Services, premium/regular Services over each corridor and
`controlling these Services at a Session layer to Service the
`varying needs of the Subscriber units operating within the
`System.
`In a wireleSS communication System that provides both
`Voice and data Services, a distinction may be made with
`respect to when the Service must be provided. In the case of
`a voice call, a user accesses the System when he or she So
`desires. Responsively, the System must attempt to Service the
`voice call if it is supported by the system. With some data
`Services, the System must also attempt to Service the data call
`when initiated. Such immediate Servicing may be required
`when a user requires immediate download of data to a
`portable computer through the wireleSS communication SyS
`tem.
`During other data operations, however, the call is initiated
`by, or terminated to a machine. Examples of Such machines
`include vending machines, remotely located oil well heads,
`electronic billboards, copiers and remote acquisition
`terminals, among others. Each of these types of machines
`may upload or download data to apprise a remote computer
`of its operation or to receive data updates for it