1. A method operable in a wireless communication network, the method comprising:
sending an initial connection request, the initial connection request including device capabilities of an indicated user equipment, the device capabilities comprising a first set of radio access network capabilities and a second set of radio access network capabilities, the first set of radio access network capabilities including a packet access category for the indicated user equipment;
storing the second set of capabilities included in the initial connection request;
transmitting data via a wireless node;
transitioning to an idle state;
when transitioning back to an active state from the idle state when the second set of radio access network capabilities have not changed, sending a connection request with the first set of radio access network capabilities of the user equipment without also transmitting any of the second set of radio access network capabilities to the wireless node; and
when transitioning back to an active state from the idle state when the second set of radio access network capabilities have changed, sending a connection request including the first set of radio access network capabilities of the user equipment and the changed radio access network capabilities included in the second set of radio access network capabilities, wherein the connection request including the first set of radio access network capabilities of the user equipment and the changed radio access network capabilities included in the second set of radio access network capabilities causes transmission of a storage request including at least the second set of radio access network capabilities to a core network, the storage request identifying elements of the second set of radio access network capabilities for storage until the user equipment de-registers from the network.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the wireless system is based upon the Long Term Evolution (LTE).
3. The method of claim 1, wherein one or more of the first set of radio access network capabilities is achieved by borrowing one capability for the use of another capability.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
transitioning to the idle state for a second time; and
when transitioning back to the active state from the second idle state when the second set of radio access network capabilities have not changed, sending a connection request with the first set of radio access network capabilities of the user equipment without also transmitting the second set of radio access network capabilities to the wireless node.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the second set of radio access network capabilities comprise a capability that changes when at least one of an accessory is coupled or decoupled from the user equipment or a firmware upgrade is performed on the user equipment.
6. An apparatus operable in a wireless communication network, the apparatus comprising:
means for indicating a first and a second set of radio access network capabilities of the apparatus to the wireless communication network upon initial connection of the mobile station to the wireless communication network, the first set of radio access network capabilities including a packet access category for the mobile station; and
means for indicating the first set of radio access network capabilities of the apparatus to the wireless communication network without indicating any of the second set of radio access network capabilities of the apparatus when returning to an active state if the second set of radio access network capabilities of the apparatus have not changed; and
means for indicating elements of the second set of radio access network capabilities of the apparatus to the wireless communication network when returning to the active state, wherein the elements of the second set of radio access network capabilities are radio access network capabilities included in the second set that have changed, wherein an indication of elements of the second set of radio access network capabilities including changed capabilities causes transmission of a storage request including at least the changed radio access network capabilities to a core network, the storage request identifying elements of the second set of radio access network capabilities for storage until the user equipment de-registers from the network.
7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the means for indicating the first set and the second set of radio access network capabilities of the apparatus to the wireless communication network upon initial connection of the mobile station to the wireless communication network comprises means for indicating the first set and the second set of radio access network capabilities of the apparatus as part of a connection request.
8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the means for indicating the first set of radio access network capabilities of the apparatus to the wireless communication network without indicating the second set of radio access network capabilities of the apparatus when returning to an active state if the second set of radio access network capabilities of the apparatus have not changed comprises means for indicating the first set of radio access network capabilities of the apparatus to the wireless communication network without indicating the second set of radio access network capabilities of the apparatus when returning from an idle state.
9. A computer program product, comprising:
a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising:
code for indicating a first set and a second set of radio access network capabilities of a mobile station to a wireless communication network upon initial connection of the mobile station to the wireless communication network, the first set of radio access network capabilities including a packet access category for the mobile station;
code for, when returning from an idle state to an active state when the second set of radio access network capabilities of the mobile station have not changed, indicating the first set of radio access network capabilities of the mobile station to the wireless communication network without indicating any of the second set of radio access network capabilities of the mobile station; and
code for, when transitioning from an idle state to an active state when the second set of radio access network capabilities have changed, sending a connection request including the first set of radio access network capabilities of the user equipment and the changed radio access network capabilities included in the second set of radio access network capabilities, wherein the connection request including the first set of radio access network capabilities of the user equipment and the changed radio access network capabilities included in the second set of radio access network capabilities causes transmission of a storage request including at least the second set of radio access network capabilities to a core network, the storage request identifying elements of the second set of radio access network capabilities for storage until the user equipment de-registers from the network.
10. The computer program product of claim 9, wherein the non-transitory computer-readable medium further comprises code for transitioning to an idle state when predetermined conditions are met.
11. An apparatus operable in a wireless communication network, the apparatus comprising:
at least one processor configured to:
indicate a first set and a second set of radio access network capabilities of the apparatus to the wireless communication network upon initial connection to the wireless communication network, the first set of radio access network capabilities including a packet access category for the apparatus; and
when returning from an idle state to an active state when the second set of radio access network capabilities have not changed, indicating the first set of radio access network capabilities of the apparatus to the wireless communication network without indicating any of the second set of radio access network capabilities of the apparatus; and
when transitioning back to an active state from the idle state when the second set of radio access network capabilities have changed, indicating the first set of radio access network capabilities of the user equipment along with the changed radio access network capabilities included in the second set of radio access network capabilities, wherein an indication of elements of the second set of radio access network capabilities including changed capabilities causes transmission of a storage request including at least the changed radio access network capabilities to a core network, the storage request identifying elements of the second set of radio access network capabilities for storage until the user equipment de-registers from the network.
12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the wireless communication network is a cell-based wireless communication network.
13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the wireless communication network is a UMTS-based wireless communication network.
14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:
when the wireless communication network indicates that the network does not know the second set of radio access network capabilities of the apparatus, indicating the second set of radio access network capabilities of the apparatus to the wireless communication network.
15. A method operable in a wireless communication network, the method comprising:
receiving a connection request to establish an active connection, the connection request indicating at least some device capabilities of an indicated mobile station, the device capabilities including a first set of radio access network capabilities and a second set of radio access network capabilities, the first set of radio access network capabilities including a packet access category for the indicated mobile station;
determining capabilities of the indicated mobile station sent with the connection request; and
when the second set of radio access network capabilities of the indicated mobile station are sent with the connection request, transmitting a storage request including at least the second set of radio access network capabilities to a core network, the storage request identifying elements of the second set of radio access network capabilities for storage in the core network until the mobile station de-registers from the network, and
when the second set of radio access network capabilities of the indicated mobile station are not sent with the connection request,
requesting the second set of radio access network capabilities of the indicated mobile station from the core network; and
receiving an indication of the second set of radio access network capabilities of the indicated mobile station from the core network.
16. The method of claim 15, further comprising establishing an active connection with the indicated mobile station in accordance with the capabilities of that mobile station.
17. The method of claim 15, wherein the receiving of a connection request to establish an active connection further comprises at least one of:
receiving a connection request to return from an idle state; or
receiving a connection request for an initial connection to a wireless communication network.
18. A computer program product, comprising:
a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising:
code for receiving a connection request to establish an active connection in a wireless communication network, the connection request indicating at least some device capabilities of an indicated user equipment, the device capabilities including a first set of radio access network capabilities and a second set of radio access network capabilities, the first set of radio access network capabilities including a packet access category for the indicated user equipment;
code for when the second set of radio access network capabilities of the indicated user equipment are sent with the connection request, transmitting a storage request including at least the second set of radio access network capabilities to a core network, the storage request identifying elements of the second set of radio access network capabilities for storage in the core network until the user equipment de-registers from the network; and
code for when the second set of radio access network capabilities of the indicated user equipment are not sent with the connection request, requesting the second set of radio access network capabilities of the indicated user equipment from the core network and receiving an indication of the second set of radio access network capabilities of the indicated user equipment from the core network.
19. The computer product of claim 18 wherein the non-transitory computer-readable medium further comprises code for facilitating establishing a connection with the indicated user equipment in accordance with the capabilities of the user equipment.
20. The computer product of claim 18 wherein the non-transitory computer-readable medium further comprises code for releasing the capabilities of the indicated user equipment when the user equipment enters a non-active state.
21. An apparatus for use in a wireless communication network, the apparatus comprising:
means for receiving multiple connection requests from mobile stations, each request to establish an active connection and the request indicating at least some device capabilities of an indicated mobile station, the device capabilities including a first set of capabilities and a second set of capabilities, the first set of capabilities including a packet access category for the indicated user equipment;
means for requesting the second set of capabilities of an indicated mobile station from a core network of the wireless communication network when the second set of capabilities of the indicated mobile station are not sent with the connection request; and
means for receiving an indication of the second set of capabilities of the indicated mobile station from the core network; and
means for sending the received second set of capabilities of the indicated mobile station to the core network for storage until the indicated mobile station de-registers from the wireless communications network.
22. The apparatus of claim 21 further comprising:
means for receiving an indication that the core network does not know the second set of capabilities of the indicated mobile station and transmitting a request for the second set of capabilities of the indicated mobile station to the indicated mobile station.
23. The apparatus of claim 21 further comprising:
means for releasing the capabilities of the indicated mobile station when the indicated mobile station enters an idle state.
24. An apparatus operable in a wireless communication network, the apparatus comprising:
at least one processor configured to:
receive a connection request to establish an active connection, the connection request indicating at least some device capabilities of an indicated user equipment, the device capabilities including a first set of radio access network capabilities and a second set of radio access network capabilities the first set of radio access network capabilities including a packet access category for the indicated user equipment;
when the second set of radio access network capabilities of the indicated user equipment are sent with the connection request, transmitting a storage request including at least the second set of radio access network capabilities to a core network, the storage request identifying elements of the second set of radio access network capabilities for storage in the core network until the user equipment de-registers from the network; and
when the second set of radio access network capabilities of the indicated user equipment are not sent with the connection request, request the second set of radio access network capabilities of the indicated user equipment from the core network and receive an indication of the second set of radio access network capabilities of the indicated user equipment from the core network.
25. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the connection request is one of an initial connection request or a connection request when returning to an active state.
26. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein when the second set of capabilities of the indicated user equipment is sent with the connection request, the at least one processor is further configured to transmit the second set of radio access network capabilities of the user equipment to a core network for storage until the indicated user equipment de-registers from the core network.
27. A method in a wireless communication system, the method comprising:
receiving, via a Node B, an indication of a subset of radio access network capabilities of an indicated user equipment upon initial connection to the wireless communication system, said indicated user equipment associated with a set of radio access network capabilities including a number of capabilities greater than a number of capabilities included in said subset, wherein a radio access network capability included in the set and absent from said subset includes a packet access category for the indicated user equipment;
storing the subset of radio access network capabilities of the indicated user equipment at least until the indicated user equipment de-registers from the wireless communication system;
receiving a request for the subset of radio access network capabilities from another Node B associated with the indicated user equipment after the indicated user equipment transitions from an idle state to an active state in response to an active connection request from the user equipment via the another Node B associated with the user equipment; and
transmitting the stored subset of radio access network capabilities of the indicated user equipment to the another Node B associated with the indicated user equipment.
28. The method of claim 27 wherein the method is performed for each of multiple indicated user equipment.
29. An apparatus operable in a wireless communication network, the apparatus comprising:
at least one processor configured to:
receive, via a Node B, an indication of a subset of radio access network capabilities of an indicated mobile station upon initial connection of the mobile station to the wireless network, said indicated mobile station associated with a set of radio access network capabilities including a number of capabilities greater than a number of capabilities included in said subset, wherein a radio access network capability included in the set and absent from said subset includes a packet access category for the indicated mobile station;
store the subset of radio access network capabilities of the indicated mobile station at least until the indicated mobile station de-registers from the wireless communication network; and
receive a request for the subset of radio access network capabilities of the mobile station from another Node B associated with the indicated mobile station after the indicated mobile station transitions from an idle state to an active state in response to an active connection request from the mobile station via the another Node B; and
transmit the stored subset of radio access network capabilities of the indicated mobile station to the another Node B associated with the indicated mobile station.
30. An apparatus operable in a wireless communication network, the apparatus comprising:
means for receiving, via a Node B, an indication of a subset of radio access network capabilities of an indicated mobile station upon initial connection to the wireless communication network, said indicated mobile station associated with a set of radio access network capabilities including a number of capabilities greater than a number of capabilities included in said subset, wherein a radio access network capability included in the set and absent from said subset includes a packet access category for the indicated mobile station;
means for storing the subset of radio access network capabilities of the indicated mobile station at least until the indicated mobile station de-registers from the wireless communication network; and
means for receiving a request for the subset of radio access network capabilities of the mobile station from another Node B associated with the indicated mobile station after the indicated mobile station transitions from an idle state to an active state in response to an active connection request from the mobile station via the another Node B and for transmitting the stored subset of radio access network capabilities of the indicated mobile station to the another Node B associated with the indicated mobile station.
31. The apparatus of claim 30 further comprising means for releasing the subset of radio access network capabilities of the indicated mobile station when the mobile station de-registers from the wireless communication network.
32. A computer program product, comprising:
a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising:
code for receiving, via a Node B, an indication of capabilities of an indicated mobile station upon initial connection to a wireless communication network, the capabilities including first set of radio access network capabilities and a second set of radio access network capabilities, the first set of radio access network capabilities including a packet access category for the indicated mobile station;
code for storing the second set of radio access network capabilities of the indicated mobile station at least until the indicated mobile station de-registers from the wireless communication network;
code for receiving a request for the subset of radio access network capabilities of the mobile station from another Node B associated with the indicated mobile station after the indicated mobile station transitions from an idle state to an active state in response to an active connection request from the mobile station via the another Node B associated with the mobile station; and
code for transmitting the stored second of radio access network capabilities of the indicated mobile station to the another Node B associated with the indicated mobile station.
33. The computer product of claim 32 wherein the non-transitory computer-readable medium further comprises code for releasing the first set of radio access network capabilities of the mobile station when the mobile station enters a non-active state.
34. The computer product of claim 32 wherein the non-transitory computer-readable medium further comprises code for releasing the second set of radio access network capabilities of the mobile station when the mobile station de-registers from the wireless communication network.