HK1088754A - Authenticating between a cdma network and a gsm network - Google Patents

Description

Authentication between a CDMA network and a GSM network

Cross Reference to Related Applications

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application 60/455,909 filed on 18/3/2003.

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to wireless communication systems, and more particularly to such systems that allow authentication between a CDMA network and a GSM network.

Background

Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) is a digital wireless technology that inherently has relatively large bandwidth capacity, i.e., it inherently allows more telephone call services per frequency band than other wireless communication technologies. Also, the spread spectrum principles of CDMA inherently provide secure communications. U.S. patent No. 4,901,307, which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses details of a CDMA system that can be used to transmit voice calls and non-voice computer data.

Despite the advantages of CDMA, there are other wireless systems that employ other principles. For example, GSM is widely used throughout the world, using time division multiple access.

Whether using CDMA principles or other wireless principles, a wireless communication system may be considered to have two main components, namely a radio access radio network (RAN) and a core infrastructure, which communicates with the RAN and external systems, such as the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), the internet (particularly although not exclusively for data calls), etc. The core infrastructure associated with various wireless technologies is very expensive, both in terms of hardware and in terms of developing communication protocols that are intended to support personalization, general system-specific call handoffs, subscription and service validation and call monitoring, and billing. Therefore, the communication protocols of one wireless system (GSM protocol in the case of GSM, and CDMA protocols such as CDMA2000-1x, IS-41 in the case of CDMA) may not be compatible with the protocols of other systems without a very costly modification to the core infrastructure in one system or the other.

It is highly desirable to establish internetworking between CDMA networks and GSM networks so that CDMA based RANs can be utilized, with its service advantages, and GSM based core infrastructure can be utilized, since GSM is abundant throughout the world.

Thus, a dual-mode mobile station has the advantage of being able to connect with the GSM core infrastructure when in, for example, europe, and using the CDMA infrastructure when in, for example, the united states.

Disclosure of Invention

In one aspect of the invention, a General Global Gateway (GGG) configured to support communications between a GSM network and a CDMA network to enable a Mobile Station (MS) subscribed in the GSM network to communicate using the CDMA network includes a database configured to store a number of times the mobile station has accessed the GGG, and logic configured to execute program logic to determine whether a parameter is received from the mobile station, the parameter representing a count of predetermined events that are mutually approved events between the GGG and the mobile station.

In another aspect of the invention, a General Global Gateway (GGG) configured to support communications between a GSM network and a CDMA network to enable a Mobile Station (MS) subscribed in the GSM network to communicate using the CDMA network includes means for storing a number of times the mobile station has accessed the GGG, and means for executing program logic to determine whether a parameter is received from the mobile station, the parameter representing the number of times the mobile station has accessed the GGG equal to the stored number of times the mobile station has accessed the GGG.

In yet another aspect of the present invention, a method of wireless communication between a GSM network and a CDMA network that enables a Mobile Station (MS) subscribed in the GSM network to communicate using the CDMA network includes storing a number of times the mobile station has accessed a General Global Gateway (GGG), and determining whether a parameter is received from the mobile station, the parameter representing the number of times the mobile station has accessed the GGG that is equal to the stored number of times the mobile station has accessed the GGG.

In yet another aspect of the present invention, a computer readable medium embodying a program of instructions executable by a computer program to implement a method of wireless communication between a GSM network and a CDMA network that enables a Mobile Station (MS) subscribed in the GSM network to communicate using the CDMA network includes storing a number of times the mobile station has accessed a General Global Gateway (GGG), and determining whether a parameter is received from the mobile station, the parameter representing the number of times the mobile station has accessed the GGG equal to the stored number of times the mobile station has accessed the GGG.

It is understood that other embodiments of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, wherein various embodiments of the invention are shown and described by way of illustration. As will be realized, the invention is capable of other and different embodiments and its several details are capable of modification in various other respects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.

Drawings

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a wireless communication system including a CDMA network, a GSM network, a General Global Gateway (GGG), and a mobile station; and

fig. 2a and 2b show a flow chart for authenticating a CDMA mobile station 24 with a subscription in a GSM network 14, according to an embodiment.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a block diagram of a wireless communication system 10 including a CDMA network 12, a GSM network 14, a General Global Gateway (GGG)16, and mobile stations 18, 20, 22, 24. The GSM mobile station 20 includes a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) 26. CDMA mobile station 24 includes a SIM 28. The SIMs 26, 28 are removably coupled to the mobile stations 20, 24, respectively, in accordance with principles known in the art. In one embodiment, the GGG is a GSM global gateway.

The GGG16 implements internetworking between the CDMA network 12 and the GSM network 14. The GGG includes a transceiver (not shown) that enables it to send and receive messages to and from the CDMA network 12 and GSM network 14.

In one embodiment, the CDMA network is an ANSI-41 network. As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the CDMA network 12 may be a variety of CDMA networks including, but not limited to, CDMA2000-1x and CDMA2000-1 xEV-DO. It will also be apparent to those skilled in the art that the GSM network 14 may be various GSM networks or successor networks including, but not limited to, General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), and wideband code division multiple Access (W-CDMA).

The GSM network 14 includes a GSM core 30 and a GSM radio access network 32. The GSM core 30 includes a GSM home location register (GSM HLR)34, a GSM authentication center (GSM AUC)36, a GSM short message center (GSM SMSC)38, and a GSM gateway mobile switching center (GSM GMSC) 40. The CDMA network 12 includes a CDMA home location register (CDMA HLR)42, a CDMA authentication center (CDMA AUC)44, a CDMA msc 46, and an associated CDMA radio access network (CDMA RAN) 48.

For GSM mobile stations with subscriptions in the CDMA core 20, the GGG16 functions as a Visitor Location Register (VLR)50 to the GSM network 14. For CDMA mobile stations 24 with subscriptions in the GSM core 30, the GGG16 functions as a Visitor Location Register (VLR)52 to the CDMA network 12.

The mobile stations 18, 20, 22, 24 need not have a subscription in both core infrastructures 12, 14, and may have a subscription in only one of the core infrastructures 12, 14.

The GGG16 acts as a Short Message Service Center (SMSC)54 for both GSM mobile stations with subscriptions in the CDMA core 20 and CDMA mobile stations with subscriptions in the GSM core 30. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the GGG16 may include or communicate with the SMSC 54.

The mobile stations 18, 20 support the GSM signaling protocol, GSM authentication procedures, and GSM short message service. Similarly, the mobile stations 22, 24 support CDMA signaling protocols, CDMA authentication procedures, and CDMA short message service.

During registration with a CDMA mobile station having a subscription in the GSM core 30, the GGG acts as an authentication controller in the CDMA network, but authenticates the mobile station 24 using the GSM authentication mechanism. Similarly, during registration of a GSM mobile station with a subscription in the CDMA core 20, the GGG acts as an authentication controller in the GSM network, but authenticates the mobile station 20 using a CDMA authentication mechanism.

The GGG acts as a message center via a short message service center 54. In a CDMA network, SMS messages are sent to and from the mobile station 24 using a CDMA SMS mechanism. In other words, in a CDMA network, GSM messages are sent to and from the mobile station 24 using a CDMA SMS mechanism. The GSM message is encapsulated into a CDMA SMS message.

Similarly, in a GSM network, SMS messages are sent to and from the mobile station 20 using the GSM SMS mechanism. In other words, in a GSM network, CDMA messages are sent to and from the mobile station 20 using the GSM SMS mechanism. The CDMA message is encapsulated into a gsm sms message.

Incoming calls to a registered GSM subscriber 24 arrive at the GSM gateway msc (GSM gmsc)40 in the subscriber's home GSM network 14. The GMSC 40 interrogates the GSM LR 50 to determine the location of the subscriber 24 in the CDMA network 12. From the perspective of the GSM LR 50, the location of the GSM subscriber 24 is in the GGG16 as GSM vltlr. When the GSM LR 50 requests delivery information from the GGG16, the GGG16 requests delivery information from the serving CDMA LR 52 so that the call is delivered to the CDMA MSC 46.

Similarly, incoming calls to a registered CDMA subscriber 20 arrive at the CDMA MSC 46 in the subscriber's home CDMA network 12. The CDMA MSC 46 interrogates the CDMA LR 52 to determine the address of the subscriber 20 in the GSM network 14. From the CDMA LR 52 perspective, the CDMA subscriber 20 is located in the GGG16 as a CDMAVLR. When the CDMA LR 52 requests delivery information from the GGG16, the GGG16 requests delivery information from the serving GSM LR 50 so that the call is delivered to the GSM GMSC 40.

The CDMA based mobile stations 22, 24 communicate with a CDMA Mobile Switching Center (MSC)46 using a CDMA Radio Access Network (RAN)48 in accordance with CDMA principles known in the art. In one embodiment, the CDMA MSC 46 IS an IS-41 MSC.

Similarly, the GSM-based mobile stations 18, 20 communicate with a GSM mobile switching center (GSM GMSC)40 using a GSM RAN 32, in accordance with GSM principles known in the art.

The CDMA RAN 48 includes base stations and base station controllers in accordance with CDMA principles known in the art. In one embodiment, the CDMA RAN 24 shown in fig. 1 uses CDMA2000, and more specifically, uses CDMA 20001 x, CDMA 20003 x, or CDMA2000 High Data Rate (HDR) principles.

The GSM RAN 32 includes base stations and base station controllers in accordance with GSM principles known in the art. In one embodiment, the GSM RAN 32 uses GSM, GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, or W-CDMA principles.

The CDMA core infrastructure, including the CDMA MSC 46 and CDMA RAN 48, may include or have access to a CDMA authentication center (CDMA AUC)44 and a CDMA home location register (CDMA HLR)42 to authenticate the subscriber mobile station 22 and collect billing and accounting information required by the particular CDMA core infrastructure, in accordance with CDMA principles known in the art.

Similarly, the GSM core 30 may include or have access to a GSM authentication center (GSM AUC)36 and GSM home location register (GSM hlr)34 to authenticate the subscriber mobile station 18 and to collect billing and accounting information required by the particular GSM core infrastructure, in accordance with GSM principles known in the art.

The CDMA MSC 46 communicates with the GSM network 14 using the GGG 16. The GSM network 14 may include or have access to a GSM authentication center 36 and GSM Home Location Register (HLR)34 to authenticate subscriber mobile stations 24 and collect billing and accounting information needed for that particular GSM core 30, in accordance with GSM principles known in the art.

Similarly, the GSM GMSC 40 communicates with the CDMA network 12 using the GGG 16. The CDMA network 12 may include or have access to a CDMA authentication center 44 and a CDMA Home Location Register (HLR)42 to authenticate subscriber mobile stations 20 and to collect billing and accounting information needed for the particular CDMA network 12 in accordance with GSM principles known in the art.

The GSM core 30 and the CDMA core infrastructure both communicate with networks such as the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and/or the Internet Protocol (IP) network.

For CDMA mobile stations 24 with subscriptions in the GSM core 30, the GGG16 functions as a VLR 50 to the GSM network 14. The GGG meets the GSM protocol requirements for VLR 50. Except that the GGG16 sends incoming calls to the CDMA network 12, the GGG interacts with GSM core network elements, such as GSM HLR 34 and GSM SMSC 38, in accordance with GSM specifications. The GSM LR 50 also performs location updates with the GSM network 14 when the mobile station registers with the CDMA network 12. In this sense, the GGG acts as a VLR to the entire CDMA network 12.

For GSM mobile stations 20 with subscriptions in CDMA network 12, the GGG16 functions as a VLR 52 for the CDMA network 14. The GGG satisfies CDMA protocol requirements for VLR 52. The GGG interacts with CDMA core network elements, such as CDMA HLR42 and CDMA MSC 46, in accordance with CDMA specifications, except that the GGG16 routes incoming calls to the CDMA network 12. The CDMA LR 52 also performs location updates with the CDMA network 12 when the mobile station registers with the GSM network 14. In this sense, the GGG acts as a VLR to the entire GSM network 14.

When a mobile station in the CDMA network 12 is called from the GSM network 14, the call is routed to the CDMA LR 52 in the GGG16 via standard specifications. The GGG16 sends the call to the CDMA network 12. The CDMA network 12 ultimately routes the call to the CDMA MSC 46 serving the mobile station. Similarly, if an SMS is sent from the GSM network 14 to the CDMA network 12, the GGG16 sends the message to a message center (not shown) in the CDMA network 12.

When a mobile station in the GSM network 14 is called from the CDMA network 12, the call is routed to the GSM LR 50 in the GGG16 via standard specifications. The GGG16 sends the call to the GSM network 14. The GSM network 14 ultimately routes the call to the GSM GMSC 40 serving the mobile station. Similarly, if an SMS is sent from the CDMA network 12 to the GSM network 14, the GGG16 sends the message to a GSM SMSC 38 in the GSM network 14.

When a mobile station registers with the CDMA network 12, the CDMA network 12 sends a location update indication to the GSM network 14. The GSM LR 50 then performs location updates with the GSM core network 14 in accordance with standard specifications.

When a mobile station registers with the GSM network 14, the GSM network 14 sends a location update indication to the CDMA network 12. The CDMA LR 52 then performs location updates using the CDMA core network 12 in accordance with standard specifications.

For CDMA mobile stations 24 with subscriptions in the GSM core 30, the GGG16 acts as an HLR 52 in the CDMA network 12. The CDMA LR 52 needs to meet HLR protocol requirements for GSM to CDMA roaming. One important piece of information maintained by the HLR is the address of the CDMA MSC 46 serving the mobile station 24. When the gsm LR 50 in the GGG16 sends a call to the CDMA side 12, the CDMA LR 52 will again send it to the serving MSC 46.

For a GSM mobile station 20 with a subscription in the CDMA network 12, the GGG16 acts as an HLR 50 in the GSM network 14. The GSM LR 50 needs to meet HLR protocol requirements for CDMA to GSM roaming. One important piece of information maintained by the HLR is the address of the GSM GMSC 40 serving the mobile station 20. When the CDMALR 52 in the GGG16 sends a call to the GSM side 14, the GSM LR 50 will again send it to the serving MSC 40.

The GGG is the GSM user 24 as an authentication controller (AUC) in the CDMA network. The AUC44 in the CDMA network 12 is responsible for authenticating mobile stations and granting/denying access to network resources. The AUC function in the GGG does not require a-key provisioning at the a-bond of the GGG or the MS. Instead, the GGG authenticates the mobile station 24 via GSM signaling using the GSM authentication credentials and the GSM authentication method. The GGG responds to a valid message that may be received by the CDMA AUC 44.

The GGG is the authentication controller (AUC) of the CDMA user 20 in the GSM network. The AUC 36 in the CDMA network 14 is responsible for authenticating mobile stations and granting/denying access to network resources. The AUC functions in the GGG do not require a donation at the a-bond of the GGG or the MS. Instead, the GGG authenticates the mobile station 20 via CDMA signaling using the CDMA authentication credentials and the CDMA authentication method. The GGG responds to a valid message that may be received by the GSM AUC 36.

The GGG16 acts as a Message Center (MC) in the CDMA network 12 and uses the GSM SMS mechanism to send SMS messages between the CDMA mobile station 24 and the GSM GMSC 40.

Similarly, the GGG16 acts as a Message Center (MC) in the GSM network 14 and uses CDMA SMS mechanisms to send SMS messages between the GSM mobile station 20 and the CDMA MSC 46.

The CDMA MS 24 is required to have a valid identity in the CDMA network. If this identity is different from a GSM International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) (i.e., if the CDMA network does not use a true IMSI), the GGG provides a mapping between the CDMA identity and the GSM IMSI. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the mobile station 24 may be uniquely identified using any technique/method known in the art.

The GSM MS 20 is required to have a valid identity in the GSM network. In one embodiment, this identity is the GSM IMSI (i.e., if the CDMA network does not use the true IMSI). The GGG provides a mapping between the GSM identity and the CDMA identity if the identity in the GSM network is different from the identity in the CDMA network. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the mobile station 20 may be uniquely identified using any technique/method known in the art.

In one non-limiting embodiment, the mobile stations 18, 20 are mobile telephones manufactured by Kyocera, samsung, or other manufacturers that use GSM principles and the GSM over-the-air (OTA) communication air interface. In one non-limiting embodiment, the mobile stations 22, 24 are mobile telephones manufactured by Kyocera, samsung, or other manufacturers that use CDMA principles and a CDMA over-the-air (OTA) communication air interface. However, the invention is also applicable to other mobile stations, such as laptops, wireless handsets or telephones, data transceivers or pagers, and position location receivers. The mobile station may be hand-held or portable, or may be carried on a vehicle (including cars, trucks, boats, planes, trains), as desired. However, while wireless communication devices are generally considered to be mobile, it is to be understood that in some implementations the present invention may also be applied to "fixed" units. Also, the present invention is applicable to data modules or modems used to transfer voice and/or data information, including digitized video information, and may communicate with other devices using wired or wireless links. Further, the instructions may be utilized to cause the modem or module to operate in a predetermined coordinated or associated manner to transmit information over a plurality of communication channels. In some communication systems, a wireless communication device is also sometimes referred to as a user terminal, mobile station, mobile unit, subscriber unit, mobile radio or radiotelephone, wireless unit, or simply a "user" or "mobile.

Fig. 2a and 2b show a flow diagram for authentication of a GSM network while roaming in a CDMA network, according to an embodiment. In step 202, mobile station 24(MS) roams into a CDMA area and control flows to step 204. In step 204, the mobile station 24 initiates a registration system access (registered system access) to the CDMA MSC 46 via the CDMA RAN 48, and control flows to step 206.

The registration system access is a message via CDMA RAN 48 to the CDMA MSC 46 that includes the identity of the mobile station 24. In one embodiment, the identity of mobile station 24 may be provided by SIM 28. In one embodiment, the identity of the mobile station 24 is an IMSI. In one embodiment, the identification of the mobile station is a Mobile Identification Number (MIN).

In step 206, the CDMA MSC 46 determines whether the mobile station 24 is a GSM subscriber based on the identity of the mobile station. In one embodiment, the identity of the mobile station 24 is an IMSI, and the MSC 46 may make this determination because the IMSI includes, among other information, a code that indicates the country and network in which the mobile station has a subscription.

In the case where the CDMA subscribed mobile station 22 is a mobile station under test, control flows to step 208. In step 208, the mobile station 22 is authenticated by the CDMA core infrastructure according to CDMA principles using the CDMA HLR42 and CDMA AUC 44.

In the case where the CDMA mobile station 24 with a subscription in the GSM network 14 is the mobile station being tested, control flow proceeds to step 210. In step 210, the CDMA MSC 46 accesses the GGG16 by sending an authentication request to a CDMA LR 52 in the GGG16, according to an embodiment, and the flow of control proceeds to step 212. In another embodiment, the flow of control proceeds to step 214.

In one embodiment, the identity of the mobile station 24 is sent to the CDMA LR 52 as part of the authentication request. Alternatively, the identity of the mobile station 24 is sent to the CDMA LR 52 in addition to the authentication request.

In one embodiment, the authentication request may include the parameters MIN, ESN, and COUNT. The ESN is an electronic serial number. COUNT represents a COUNT of predetermined events mutually agreed between the GGG16 and mobile station 24. Each time the predetermined event occurs, the mobile station 24 and the GGG16 update COUNT for the particular mobile station 24. In one embodiment, the GGG16 shares a COUNT update with nodes interacting with the GGG 16. By sharing the update function with another node, message traffic between the GGG16 and another node may be reduced. For example, if the GGG16 shares the function of updating COUNT with the CDMA MSC 46, the message traffic between the GGG16 and the CDMA MSC 46 may be reduced.

In one embodiment, COUNT represents the number of times mobile station 24 attempts to access the GSM network 14. Each time the mobile station 24 accesses the GSM network, the GGG updates the COUNT for the particular mobile station 24. The mobile station 24 also updates its own COUNT to the number of times it accesses the GSM network 14. The GGG16 stores the value of the ESN. In another embodiment, COUNT represents the number of times the mobile station requests authentication. It will be clear to those skilled in the art that many events can be counted, and that mobile stations 24 and GGGs 16 can count them.

In step 212, the GGG16 compares the value of COUNT to the COUNT values in the GGG database. If the value of COUNT is equal to the COUNT value in the GGG database, control flows to step 214. If the value of COUNT is not equal to the COUNT value in the GGG database, control flows to step 216. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various criteria may be used to determine whether a validation request is approved, depending on the application.

In step 214, the Authentication Request Return Result (ARRR) is set to true and control flows to step 218. The verification request return result message is used for indicating the result of the verification request.

In step 216, the Authentication Request Return Result (ARRR) is set to false and control flows to step 220.

In response to the authentication request returning a result that is true, the GGG16 accesses the GSM network 14 and obtains the necessary authentication information from the GSM HLR 34 and GSM AUC 36. In step 218, according to one embodiment, the GGG16 looks up the MIN in its database to obtain the corresponding GSM IMSI and accesses the GSM network 14 by sending a GSM HLR authentication message to the GSM HLR/AUC 34, 36 along with the IMSI for the mobile station 24. The flow of control proceeds to step 220.

The steps of the methods may be interchanged without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that step 218 need not be performed prior to step 220.

In step 220, the GGG16 forwards the CDMA MSC46 sends the authentication request return result, and the flow of control proceeds to step 222. In step 222, the verification request return result is tested. If the authentication request return result is true, then the GGG16 starts a timer, T, in step 224_REGAnd control passes to step 226.

If the authentication request return result is false, the control flow proceeds to step 228. In step 228, the CDMA MSC 46 sends a mobile station authentication message to the mobile station 24 to indicate that the mobile station 24 is not authenticated. It will be clear to those skilled in the art that the mobile station may retry authentication depending on the application.

The GGG includes logic (not shown) to execute program logic. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the logic units may comprise a general purpose processor, a special purpose processor, or firmware.

In step 226, the CDMA MSC 46 sends a registration notification to the CDMA LR 52 in the GGG16 after receiving an authentication request return result indicating successful authentication. The flow of control proceeds to step 230.

In step 230, a check is made to determine if the GGG16 is at T_REGThe registration notification is received before expiration. If the GGG16 is at T_REGThe registration notification is received before expiration, control passes to step 232. Otherwise, control proceeds to step 234. In step 232, the registration notification return result is set to indicate T_REGThere is no expiration and control flows to step 236. In step 234, the registration notification return result is set to indicate T_REGHas expired and control flows to step 236.

In step 236, the GGG16 responds with an indication of whether T is present_REGExpired registration notifications return a resulting registration notification. The registration notification return result is sent from the GGG16 to the CDMA MSC 46.

In one embodiment, the GGG16 sends a message with or in the registration notification return result indicating SMS-only mode/status. By "SMS only" is meant that the mobile station 24 only sends or receives SMS messages, not data and/or voice messages. Control proceeds to step 238.

In step 238, the CDMA MSC 46 sends a registration accept message to the mobile station 24 after receiving the registration notification return result. The registration acceptance message indicates T similarly to the registration notification return result_REGWhether it is expired. The flow of control proceeds to step 240.

In step 240, the mobile station 24 determines whether the registration accept message indicates a received registration, i.e., T_REGHas not expired. If T is_REGIf so, control passes to step 242, otherwise, control passes to step 244.

In step 242, the mobile station 24 may or may not reattempt registration. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the mobile station may or may not reattempt registration depending on the application of the mobile station.

The steps of the methods may be interchanged without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that step 244 need not be performed after step 242.

Step 244 is only performed after the GSM HLR authentication message is sent to the GSM HLR/AUC 34, 36 in step 218. In step 244, the gsm hlr/AUC 34, 36 sends a GGG authentication message including authentication parameters to the GGG16, and control flows to step 246.

After the GGG16 successfully sends the registration notification return result to the CDMA MSC 46 and receives the GGG authentication message from the GSM HLR/AUC 34, 36, the GGG16 sends a GSM authentication request message to the CDMA MSC 46 in step 246. The flow of control proceeds to step 248. In step 248, the CDMA MSC 46 forwards the GSM authentication request message to the mobile station 24 and control flows to step 250.

In one embodiment, there may be more criteria in the application to authenticate the mobile station than the criteria applied to the initial authentication request in step 210. Thus, in one embodiment, the CDMA MSC 46 sends a second authentication request (not shown) to the GGG16, and the GGG16 responds to the second authentication request (not shown).

In step 250, the mobile station 24 responds to the GSM authentication request message by determining authentication parameters, such as encryption keys, using GSM authentication methods and sending an authentication response including the authentication parameters to the CDMA MSC 46. In one embodiment, the authentication response IS sent using the IS-637 SMS transport. The flow of control proceeds to step 252.

In step 252, the CDMA MSC 46 forwards the authentication response to the GGG16, and the GGG16 validates the authentication parameters by matching them to the values received from the gsm hlr/AUC 34, 36 in step 244. The flow of control proceeds to step 254.

In step 254, the GGG16 sends an update location message to the GSM HLR 34 to update the location of the mobile station 24 and control flows to step 256. In step 256, the GSM HLR 34 sends GSM subscriber profile data (GSM subscriber profile data) for the mobile station 24 to the GSM LR 50 in the GGG 16. Control proceeds to step 258.

In step 258, the GGG16 maps the GSM user profile to a CDMA user profile and sends the CDMA profile in an authentication indication to the CDMA MSC 46, and control flows to step 260. The authentication indication is used to indicate that the mobile station 24 is authenticated, i.e., authorized, to communicate with the GSM network 14. If the mobile station 24 is not authenticated, the mobile station 24 is not authorized to communicate with the GSM network 14 (not shown). In one embodiment, the GGG16 indicates to the CDMA MSC 46 "full profile," which is forwarded to the mobile station 24, and indicates to the mobile station 24 that the mobile station 24 may send or receive, without limitation, SMS messages.

In step 260, the CDMA MSC 46 responds to the authentication indication and sends an authentication indication response to the CDMA LR 52, and control flows to step 262.

In step 262, the GGG16 sends a GSM subscriber profile response to the GSM HLR/AUC 34, 36 in response to the GSM LR 50 receiving the GSM subscriber profile data.

In step 264, in response to the GSM HLR 34 receiving the update location message from the GGG16 in step 254, the GSM HLR 34 responds to the update location message and sends an update location message response to the GSM LR 50 indicating that the location of the mobile station 24 has been updated at the GSM LR 50.

While the particular authentication between a CDMA network and a GSM network as herein shown and described in detail is fully capable of attaining the above-described objects of the invention, it is to be understood that it is the presently preferred embodiment of the present invention and is thus representative of the subject matter which is presently contemplated by the present invention, that the scope of the present invention fully encompasses other embodiments which may become obvious to those skilled in the art, and that the scope of the present invention is accordingly to be limited by nothing other than the appended claims, in which reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean "one and only one" unless explicitly so stated, but rather "one or more". All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the above-described preferred embodiment that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. Furthermore, it is not necessary for a device or method to address any one of the problems sought to be solved by the present invention, for it to be encompassed by the present claims. Furthermore, no element, component, or method step in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element, component, or method step is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element is to be construed herein under the provisions of 35 u.s.c. § 112 sixth paragraph unless the element is explicitly recited with the phrase "means for.,. or, in the case of a method claim, the element is recited as" step "rather than" action.

Method steps may be interchanged without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (18)

1. A universal global gateway configured to support communication between a GSM network and a CDMA network to enable a mobile station subscribed in the GSM network to communicate using the CDMA network, comprising:

a database configured to store a number of times the mobile station has accessed the ggg; and the number of the first and second groups,

logic configured to execute program logic to determine whether a parameter is received from the mobile station, the parameter representing a count of predetermined events that are mutually approved events between the ggg and the mobile station.

2. The ggg of claim 1, wherein the count representing a number of times the mobile station has accessed the ggg is equal to the stored number of times the mobile station has accessed the ggg.

3. The ggg of claim 1, wherein the logic unit is further configured to execute program logic to determine whether a registration notification from the mobile station is received before a ggg timer expires.

4. The ggg of claim 1, further comprising a timer used by the ggg to determine a time period during which the mobile station is authorized to communicate with the GSM network.

5. The ggg of claim 1, further comprising a short message service center configured to send and receive SMS messages to and from the CDMA network.

6. The ggg of claim 1, further comprising a location register configured to store a location of the mobile station to enable a call incoming to the mobile station from the GSM network to be sent to the mobile station through the ggg.

7. A universal global gateway configured to support communication between a GSM network and a CDMA network to enable a mobile station subscribed in the GSM network to communicate using the CDMA network, comprising:

means for storing a number of times the mobile station has accessed the ggg; and the number of the first and second groups,

means for executing program logic to determine whether a parameter is received from the mobile station, the parameter representing a number of times the mobile station has accessed the ggg that is equal to the stored number of times the mobile station has accessed the ggg.

8. The ggg of claim 7, wherein the logic unit is further configured to execute program logic to determine whether a registration notification from the mobile station is received before a ggg timer expires.

9. The ggg of claim 7, further comprising means for determining a time period during which the mobile station is authorized to communicate with the GSM network.

10. The ggg of claim 7, further comprising means for sending and receiving short message service messages to and from the CDMA network.

11. The ggg of claim 7, further comprising means for storing a location of the mobile station such that a call incoming to the mobile station from the GSM network may be sent to the mobile station through the ggg.

12. A method of wireless communication between a GSM network and a CDMA network that enables a mobile station subscribed in the GSM network to communicate using the CDMA network, comprising:

storing the number of times the mobile station has accessed the ggg; and the number of the first and second electrodes,

determining whether a parameter is received from the mobile station, the parameter representing a number of times the mobile station has accessed the ggg equal to the stored number of times the mobile station has accessed the ggg.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising determining whether a registration notification is received from the mobile station before a ggg timer expires.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising determining a time period during which the mobile station is authorized to communicate with the GSM network.

15. The method of claim 12, further comprising sending and receiving short message service messages to and from the CDMA network when in a short message service only mode.

16. The method of claim 12, further comprising storing the location of the mobile station so that a call incoming to the mobile station from the GSM network can be sent to the mobile station through the ggg.

17. A computer readable medium embodying a program of instructions executable by a computer program to implement a method of wireless communication between a GSM network and a CDMA network, the method enabling a mobile station subscribed in the GSM network to communicate using the CDMA network, the method comprising:

storing the number of times the mobile station has accessed the ggg; and the number of the first and second groups,

determining whether a parameter is received from the mobile station, the parameter representing a number of times the mobile station has accessed the ggg equal to the stored number of times the mobile station has accessed the ggg.

18. The computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein the method further comprises:

storing an identification of the mobile station; and

obtaining authentication information from the first network based on the identity of the mobile station if the parameter indicative of the number of times the mobile station has accessed the ggg is equal to the stored number of times the mobile station has accessed the ggg.