HK1132873A - Wireless telecommunication system with ran ip gateway and methods - Google Patents

Abstract

A wireless telecommunication system with Ran IP gateway and methods disclosed. The present invention provides a time division duplex - radio local area network (TDD-RLAN) including a radio access network internet protocol (RAN IP) gateway for implementing the connection ability of connecting to the common internet. The system could serve as an independent system or could be incorporated into a universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS) for use in conjunction with the conventional core network. Particularly, the system could be used for tracing and performing the function of the authentication, authorization and accounting (AAA) in the core network.

Description

Wireless telecommunications system and method with radio access network internet protocol gateway

Description of divisional applications

The present application is a divisional application of the patent application No. 03807023.5 filed on 25.3.2003 by the applicant, "telecommunication system and method for tdd wlan with ran ip gateway".

Technical Field

The present invention relates to wireless telecommunication systems, and more particularly, to a Time Division Duplex-Radio Local Area Network (TDD-RLAN) system and connection and communication between such a system and the internet.

Background

Wireless telecommunications systems are known in the art. Wireless systems require bandwidth to operate. Generally, the usage rights for a portion of the available spectrum for wireless communications using a particular geographic area are obtained to an appropriate regulatory unit in a physical area in which the wireless communications are to be conducted. In order to utilize the limited spectrum available for operation of a wireless telecommunications system, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) including Time Division Duplex (TDD) modes has been developed to provide a highly flexible architecture for simultaneous wireless communication services. The supported wireless communication services may be any type of service, including hosts for voice, fax, and other data communication services.

In order to provide global connectivity for CDMA systems, standards have been developed and implemented. One of the widely used current standards is the Global System for Mobile telecommunications (GSM). The so-called second generation mobile radio system standard (2G) and its revision (2.5G) follow. Each standard sought is to improve upon the prior art standards using additional functionality and enhanced functionality. In month 1 of 1998, the European Telecommunications standards Committee Special Mobile Group (European Telecommunications standards Institute-Special Mobile Group; ETSI SMG) has established an agreement on the radio access mechanism of third-generation radio Systems, known as Universal Mobile Telecommunications Systems (UMTS). To further implement the UMTS standard, the Third Generation Partnership Project (3 GPP) was established 12 months in 1998. The 3GPP continues to set forth the common third generation mobile radio standards.

A typical UMTS system architecture according to current 3GPP specifications is shown in figures 1 and 2. The UMTS network architecture includes a Core Network (CN) interconnected by interfaces named IU with a UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN), the details of which are defined in the currently open 3GPP specification.

The UTRAN is configured to provide wireless telecommunication services to users through User Equipment (UE) over a radio interface named UU. The UTRAN has base stations (referred to as node bs in 3GPP) that collectively provide geographic coverage for wireless communication of User Equipment (UE). In UTRAN, a group of one or more node bs are connected to a Radio Network Controller (RNC) via an interface known as Iub in 3 GPP. The UTRAN may have several sets of node bs connected to different Radio Network Controllers (RNCs), two sets of groups being depicted in the example shown in fig. 1. More than one Radio Network Controller (RNC) is provided in a UTRAN, and communication between the Radio Network Controllers (RNCs) is performed through an Iur interface.

A User Equipment (UE) typically has a Home UMTS Network (HN) with which the UE needs to register and through which billing and other functions are handled. By standardizing the Uu interface, User Equipment (UE) can communicate over different UMTS networks (e.g., networks serving different geographical areas). In this case, the other Network is broadly called an external Network (FN).

According to current 3GPP specifications, the core network of the main UMTS network (HN) of the User Equipment (UE) is used to coordinate and handle Authentication, Authorization and accounting (AAA) functions (AAA functions). When a User Equipment (UE) moves out of range of the home UMTS network (HN), the core network of the home UMTS network (HN) facilitates the use of a foreign network by the User Equipment (UE) to enable the User Equipment (UE) to coordinate AAA functions to facilitate the Foreign Network (FN) to allow the User Equipment (UE) to communicate. To assist in this activity, the core network comprises: a Home Location Register (HLR) for tracking a Home UMTS network (HN) in which a User Equipment (UE) is located; and a Visitor Location Register (VLR). A Home Service Server (HSS) is provided with the Home Location Register (HLR) to handle the AAA function.

According to the 3GPP specification, the core network (rather than the UTRAN) is configured to be able to connect to external systems via an other Real Time (RT) interface, such as Public Land Mobile Networks (PLMNs), Public Switched Telephone Networks (PSTN), Integrated Services Digital Networks (ISDN) and other Real Time (RT) services. A core network also utilizes the internet to support Non-Real Time (Non-Real Time) services. The ability of the core network to connect to other systems for external connections allows a user using a User Equipment (UE) to communicate over the home UMTS network, outside the UTRAN server area of the home UMTS network (HN). Similarly, a visiting User Equipment (UE) may communicate through a visited UMTS network outside the UTRAN server area of the visited UMTS.

According to current 3GPP specifications, the core network provides real-time (RT) service external connectivity through a Gateway Mobile Switching Center (GMSC). The core network provides external connection capability for non-real-time (NRT) services (named General Packet Radio Service (GPRS)) through a Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN). In this context, a particular non-real time (NRT) service appears to a user to be a real-time communication in effect, due to the communication rate and the associated buffering of the Time Division Duplex (TDD) data packets that make up the communication. One implementation is voice communication over the internet, which appears to the user to be a normal telephone call handled by a switched network, but is implemented using Internet Protocol (IP) communications that provide packet data services.

A standard interface called GI is widely used between the Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN) of the Core Network (CN) and the internet. The GI interface may be used with a Mobile Internet protocol (Mobile Internet protocol), such as Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), which has a specified Mobile IP v4 or Mobile IP v 6.

According to current 3GPP specifications, to provide real-time (RT) and non-real-time (NRT) services from an external source to a User Equipment (UE) on a radio link in a 3GPP system, the UTRAN must properly connect to the Core Network (CN) that provides the Iu interface functionality. To this end, the core network includes a Mobile Switching Center (MSC) coupled to a Gateway Mobile Switching Center (GMSC) and a Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) coupled to a Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN). Both the Mobile Switching Center (MSC) and the Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) are coupled to a main Location Register (HLR), and the Mobile Switching Center (MSC) typically incorporates a Visitor Location Register (VLR).

The Iu interface is divided into an interface for circuit-switched communications (Iu-CS) and an interface for packet-switched communications (Iu-PS). The Mobile Switching Center (MSC) is a Radio Network Controller (RNC) connected to the UTRAN over the Iu-CS interface. A Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) is a Radio Network Controller (RNC) coupled to the UTRAN through an Iu-PS interface (interface for packet data services).

The Home Location Register (HLR)/Home Service Server (HSS) is typically connected to the Circuit Switched (CS) side of the core network through an interface named Gr that supports AAA functions using the Mobile Application Part (MAP) protocol. Serving GPRS Support Nodes (SGSN) and Gateway GPRS Support Nodes (GGSN) of the Core Network (CN) are connected using interfaces named Gn and Gp.

The 3GPP system and other systems (e.g., some GSM systems) that utilize TDD-CDMA telecommunications share the aforementioned portion of the connection between the radio network and the core network. In general, a radio network (i.e., UTRAN in 3GPP) communicates with a User Equipment (UE) through a radio interface, and a core network communicates with an external system through a Real Time (RT) and non-real time (NRT) service. The applicant has found that this standardised architecture is likely the result of handling AAA functions in the core network. However, the applicant has further found that significant advantages and benefits can be obtained by providing a direct connection from the TDD-CDMA radio network to the Internet even though AAA functionality is maintained in the core network.

In particular, the applicant has found that the existing split functionality of the Iu interface (Iu-CS interface) for Circuit Switched (CS) communication, defined in 3GPP, used with non-real time (NRT) services, and the Iu interface (Iu-PS interface) for Packet Switched (PS) service, defined in 3GPP, used with non-real time (NRT) services, enables easy provision of an IP gateway in the UTRAN, enabling the UTRAN to connect directly to the internet without the need for a core network for use of this functionality. In addition, as the applicant has found that by allowing direct access to the internet from the UTRAN, the defined radio sector network may provide significant advantages and benefits, both with and without the use of a core network.

Fig. 3 shows a detailed diagram of a typical 3GPP system. The UTRAN sector of the conventional UMTS architecture is partitioned into two traffic planes (traffic planes), namely class C and class U. The level C carries control (signal) traffic while the level U carries user data. The over-the-air section of UTRAN involves two interfaces: a Uu interface between a User Equipment (UE) and a node B, and an Iub interface between a node B and a Radio Network Controller (RNC). As mentioned above, the backend interface between the Radio Network Controller (RNC) and the core network is referred to as the Iu interface, which is divided into an Iu-CS for circuit-switched connections to the Mobile Switching Center (MSC) and an Iu-PS for packet-switched connections to the Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN).

The most important signaling protocol over the air segment for UTRAN is Radio Resource Control (RRC). Radio Resource Control (RRC) manages the configuration of connections, radio bearer channels (radio bearer), and physical resources over the air interface. In 3GPP, Radio Resource Control (RRC) signals are carried by Radio Link Control (RLC) and Medium Access Control (MAC) UMTS protocols between a User Equipment (UE) and a Radio Network Controller (RNC). In general, a Radio Network Controller (RNC) is responsible for configuring/de-configuring radio resources and for managing critical procedures such as connection management, paging, and handover. Radio Resource Control (RRC)/Radio Link Control (RLC)/Medium Access Control (MAC) messages are carried over the transport Layer over the Iub interface over ATM, typically using the ATM adaptation Layer Type 5 (AAL 5) Protocol and other protocols (e.g., Service Specific Co-addressing Function (SSCF) and Service Specific Connection Oriented Protocol (SSCOP) used at the upper layers of AAL5) over the Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) physical Layer.

Class U data (e.g., voice, packet data, circuit switched data) is reliably transmitted over the air interface (between a User Equipment (UE) and a Radio Network Controller (RNC)) using the Radio Link Control (RLC)/Medium Access Control (MAC) layer. This data flow (user data/Radio Link Control (RLC)/Medium Access Control (MAC)) occurs over the UMTS specific frame protocol using the ATM Adaptation Layer Type 2 (AAL 2) protocol performed by the ATM physical Layer over the Iub segment.

The Iu interface carries the Radio Access Network Application Part (RANAP) protocol. RANAP triggers various radio resource management and mobility procedures to take place through the UTRAN and is also responsible for managing the establishment/release of terrestrial communication bearer connections between the Radio Network Controller (RNC) and the SGSN/MSC. RANAP is carried over AAL5/ATM with intermediate Signaling System (SS 7) Protocol, such as Signaling Connection Control Part and Message Transfer Part (SCCP/MTP) at the top of SSCF and Service Specific Connection Oriented Protocol (SSCOP) used at the upper layer of AAL 5. The Internet Protocol is typically used over AAL5/ATM for the Iu-PS interface, followed by the intermediate Stream Control Transmission Protocol (SCTP) over IP. Among them, there are a plurality of Radio Network Controllers (RNCs) on UTRAN with Iur interface, and also in ATM and intermediate protocols (including SSCP, SCTP and the Message transport Part developed by IETF, level 3 SCCP adaptation layer SS7 (Message Transfer Part level 3 SCCP adaptation layer SS 7; M3 UA).

For the U-level between the UTRAN and the Core Network (CN), circuit-switched voice/data traffic typically flows between the Radio Network Controller (RNC) and the Mobile Switching Center (MSC) over the Iu-CS interface. Packet-switched data is carried over the Iu-PS interface between the Radio Network Controller (RNC) and the Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) using the GPRS Tunneling Protocol (GTP) executed over AAL5/ATM transport control Protocol/Internet Protocol (UDP/IP).

Applicants have found that this architecture can be improved by providing the direct IP connectivity capability of the UTRAN.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention provides a Time division duplex Radio Local Area Network (TDD-RLAN), which comprises a Radio Access Network Internet Protocol (RAN IP) gateway for realizing the connection capability of connecting to the public Internet. The System may be implemented as a stand-alone System or may be incorporated into a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) used with a conventional Core Network (Core Network), particularly for tracking and implementing Authentication, Authorization and accounting (AAA) functions in the Core Network.

The Radio Local Area Network (RLAN) provides simultaneous wireless telecommunication services for a plurality of User Equipments (UEs) between said User Equipments (UEs) and/or the internet. The Radio Local Area Network (RLAN) includes at least one base station having a transceiver for handling Time Division Duplex (TDD) Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) wireless communications for User Equipments (UEs) located in a selected geographic area. The Radio Local Area Network (RLAN) also has at least one controller coupled to a group of base stations including the base station. The controller controls communication of the set of base station groups. A novel radio access network internet protocol (RAN IP) gateway (RIP GW) is coupled to the controller. The RAN IP Gateway has a Gateway General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) Support Node (GGSN) having an access router function for connecting to the Internet.

The Radio Local Area Network (RLAN) may include a plurality of base stations, each having a transceiver configured using a Uu interface for handling Time Division Duplex (TDD) wide frequency code division multiple access (W-CDMA) wireless communications for User Equipments (UEs) located in a selected geographic area. The Radio Local Area Network (RLAN) may also include a plurality of controllers coupled to a group of base stations.

Preferably, the RAN IP gateway has a Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) for coupling to one or more controllers in the Radio Local Area Network (RLAN). Preferably, the controller is a Radio Network Controller (RNC) according to the 3GPP specifications. Preferably, the Radio Network Controller (RNC) couples the base stations using a stacked layered protocol connection having a lower transport layer configured to use Internet Protocol (IP). Wherein the Radio Local Area Network (RLAN) has a plurality of Radio Network Controllers (RNCs), preferably said Radio Network Controllers (RNCs) are coupled to each other using a stacked layered protocol connection having a lower transport layer configured to use Internet Protocol (IP).

A mobility management method using a Radio Local Area Network (RLAN) for providing simultaneous wireless telecommunication services to a plurality of User Equipments (UEs) is disclosed, wherein a Core Network (CN) associated therewith supports Authentication, authorization and Accounting (AAA) functions of the User Equipments (UEs). A Radio Local Area Network (RLAN) handles wireless communications for User Equipment (UE) located in a service area of the RLAN. The Radio Local Area Network (RLAN) has a RAN IP gateway having a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) connection to the internet and is configured to communicate AAA function information to the associated Core Network (CN).

In a method, a wireless connection is established between a first User Equipment (UE) within a service area of the Radio Local Area Network (RLAN) and a second User Equipment (UE) outside the service area of the Radio Local Area Network (RLAN) for handling communication of user data. An AAA function to process the communication between the first User Equipment (UE) and the second User Equipment (UE) using a core network. The General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) connection to the internet is for transferring the communicated user data between the first User Equipment (UE) and the second User Equipment (UE). The method comprises continuing wireless communication between the first User Equipment (UE) and the second User Equipment (UE) when the second User Equipment (UE) moves from outside the Radio Local Area Network (RLAN) service area range to within the service area range, wherein the internet-connected General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) connection for transmitting user data is interrupted. The method may further include, when the first User Equipment (UE) or the second User Equipment (UE) moves from within a service area of the Radio Local Area Network (RLAN) to outside of the service area, restarting the internet-connected General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) connection for transmitting user data to continue wireless communication between the first User Equipment (UE) and the second User Equipment (UE).

In another method, a wireless connection is established between a first User Equipment (UE) and a second User Equipment (UE) located within a service area of the Radio Local Area Network (RLAN) for handling communication of user data. An AAA function to process the communication between the first User Equipment (UE) and the second User Equipment (UE) using a core network. Continuing wireless communication between the first User Equipment (UE) and the second User Equipment (UE) by using the Internet-connected General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) connection for transmitting the user data being continuously communicated when the first User Equipment (UE) or the second User Equipment (UE) moves from within to outside of the service area of the Radio Local Area Network (RLAN).

A further method of mobility management is provided in which an associated Core Network (CN) supports AAA functions of a home User Equipment (UE), and a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) connection of the RAN IP gateway is configured to establish a channel for communicating AAA function information to the Core Network (CN) over the internet. A wireless connection is established between a local User Equipment (UE) and a second User Equipment (UE) for handling communication of user data. The Core Network (CN) is used to handle the AAA functions to be communicated by using the General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) connection to the internet to establish a channel for communicating AAA function information to the Core Network (CN) over the internet.

The method may be utilized for establishing a radio connection when the local User Equipment (UE) or the second User Equipment (UE) is within or out of range of a Radio Local Area Network (RLAN) service area. If one party is located within the Radio Local Area Network (RLAN) service area range and the other party is located outside the Radio Local Area Network (RLAN) service area range, the user data communicated between the own User Equipment (UE) and the second User Equipment (UE) is transferred using the General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) connection to the internet.

The method further comprises continuing wireless communication between the own User Equipment (UE) and the second User Equipment (UE) when the party moves such that both parties are outside or within the Radio Local Area Network (RLAN) service area, wherein the General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) connection to the internet for transmitting user data is interrupted. The method may further include continuing wireless communication between the present User Equipment (UE) and the second User Equipment (UE) by means of the internet-connected General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) connection for transmitting user data when the present User Equipment (UE) or the second User Equipment (UE) moves such that one party is within a service area of the Radio Local Area Network (RLAN) and the other party is outside the service area.

In one aspect of the invention, a Radio Local Area Network (RLAN) has one or more class U and class C servers for coupling to base stations, acting as a control device. The U-tier server is configured to control a user data flow communicated by a base station. The class C server is configured to control signals communicated by the base stations. Preferably, the RAN IP gateway has a Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) for coupling the class U server and at least one class C server. Preferably, the U-level server and the C-level server are coupled to each other, to the base station and to the RAN IP gateway using a stacked layered protocol connection having a lower transport layer configured to use Internet Protocol (IP).

Optionally, the Radio Local Area Network (RLAN) may be equipped with a voice gateway (VoiceGateway) having a Pulse Code Modulation (PCM) connection port for external connections. Preferably, the voice gateway is coupled to a class U server and a class C server (or a Radio Network Controller (RNC) if one is used) using a plurality of stacked layered protocol connections having a lower transport layer configured to use Internet Protocol (IP).

In another aspect of the invention, the Radio Local Area Network (RLAN) has one or more Radio Network Controllers (RNCs) coupled to base stations and a RAN IP gateway, wherein at least one Radio Network Controller (RNC) is coupled to the RAN IP gateway through an Iu-PS interface using a stacked layered protocol connection having a lower transport layer configured to use Internet Protocol (IP). Preferably, the Radio Network Controllers (RNCs) are coupled to the base stations and to each other using a plurality of stacked layered protocol connections having a lower transport layer using Internet Protocol (IP). Preferably, each base station has a transceiver configured using a Uu interface for handling Time Division Duplex (TDD) wide frequency code division multiple access (W-CDMA) wireless communications for User Equipments (UEs) located in a selected geographic area, and the RAN IP gateway has a Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) coupled to the Radio Network Controller (RNC).

In another aspect of the invention, the Radio Local Area Network (RLAN) supports voice over IP communications and has a RAN IP gateway with a Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN) for connecting to the Internet for transmitting compressed voice data. Preferably, the Radio Local Area Network (RLAN) is connected to the internet through an Internet Service Provider (ISP) having a voice gateway that converts compressed voice data and Pulse Code Modulation (PCM) signals using a known compression protocol that may or may not be of the type of voice compressed data used by the User Equipment (UE) to handle wireless communications with the Radio Local Area Network (RLAN).

Wherein said User Equipment (UE) uses a certain compression protocol and the Radio Local Area Network (RLAN) is connected to the Internet through an Internet Service Provider (ISP) having a voice gateway that uses a different compression protocol to convert compressed voice data and Pulse Code Modulation (PCM) signals, the Radio Local Area Network (RLAN) comprising a voice data converter for converting compressed voice data of said two different compression protocols. Preferably, the RAN IP gateway comprises the voice data converter, e.g., the voice data converter is configured to convert between AMR compressed voice data and g.729 compressed voice data. The Radio Local Area Network (RLAN) may be configured using said U-level server and said C-level server, however preferably all component interfaces within the Radio Local Area Network (RLAN) use a plurality of stacked layered protocol connections having a lower transport layer configured to use Internet Protocol (IP).

The present invention further provides a telecommunications network having one or more radio networks for providing simultaneous wireless telecommunications services to a plurality of User Equipments (UEs); and an associated Core Network (CN) for supporting AAA functionality of the User Equipment (UE), the telecommunications Network of the User Equipment (UE) being a Home Network (Home Network). One or more of the radio networks is a Radio Local Area Network (RLAN) having a RAN IP gateway with a Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN) configured using the GI interface for connecting to the internet and configured to communicate AAA function information to the Core Network (CN). Preferably, the Radio Local Area Networks (RLANs) each have one or more base stations with a transceiver for handling Time Division Duplex (TDD) Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) wireless communications for User Equipment (UE) located in a selected geographic area. Preferably, the Radio Local Area Network (RLAN) has a plurality of controllers for coupling to the base stations. Preferably, the RAN IP gateways of the Radio Local Area Network (RLAN) have a Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) coupled to respective controllers.

The Radio Local Area Network (RLAN) may be configured to be free of a direct Core Network (CN) connection, wherein the RAN IP gateway is configured to communicate AAA function information using the Core Network (CN) by establishing data channels over an internet connection. Alternatively, the RAN IP gateway is coupled to the Core Network (CN) for communicating AAA function information using the Core Network (CN) over a restricted connection, such as Radius/Diameter (Radius/Diameter) or Mobile Application Part (MAP) supported connections, or a conventional Iu-CS interface, or a conventional full Iu interface.

Preferably, the RAN IP gateway has a plurality of Gateway GPRS Support Nodes (GGSNs) configured to connect to the internet through the GI interface. For mobility support, the GI interface is preferably configured to use Mobile IP v4 or Mobile IPv 6.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

Letter abbreviation list

2G	Second Generation	Second generation
			2.5G	Second Generation Revision	Second generation revision
3GPP	Third Generation PartnershipProject	Third generation partnership project
			AAAfunctions	Authentication，Authorization andAccounting functions	Authentication, authorization and accounting functions (AAA function)
AAL2	ATM Adaptation Layer Type 2	ATM accommodating layer type 2
			AAL5	ATM Adaptation Layer Type 5	ATM regulation layer type 5
AMR	A type of voice data compression	Voice data compression type
			ATM	Asynchronous Transfer Mode	Asynchronous transfer mode
CDMA	Code Division Multiple Access	Code division multiple access
			CN	Core Network	Core network
CODECs	Coder/Decoders	Encoder/decoder
			C-RNSs	Control Radio NetworkSubsystems	Controlling a radio network subsystem
CS	Circuit Switched	Circuit switching
			ETSI	European TelecommunicationsStandard Institute	European Committee for telecommunication standards
ETSISMG	ETSI-Special Mobile Group	ETSI-Special Mobile group
			FA	Forwarding Address	Forwarding address
FN	Foreign Network	External network
			G.729	A type of voice data compression	Voice data compression type
GGSN	Gateway GPRS Support Node	Gateway GPRS support node
			GMM	GPRS Mobility Management	GPRS mobility management
GMSC	Gateway Mobile Switching Center	Gateway mobile switching center
			GPRS	General Packet Radio Service	General packet radio service
GSM	Global System for Mobile	Mobile telecommunications global system

	Telecommunications
			GTP	GPRS Tunneling Protocol	GPRS channel-drilling communication protocol
GW	Gateway	Gateway
			H.323/SIP	H.323 Format for a SessionInitiated Protocol	Initial session protocol H.323 format
HLR	Home Location Register	Master location register
			HN	Home Network	Main network
HSS	Home Service Server	Main service server
			IP	Internet Protocol	Internet protocol
ISDN	Integrated Services DigitalNetwork	Integrated service digital network
			ISP	Internet Service Provider	Internet service provider
Iu-CS	Iu sub Interface for CircuitSwitched service	Circuit switching service Iu subinterface
			Iu-PS	Iu sub Interface for PacketSwitched service	Packet switched service Iu subinterface
IWU	Inter Working Unit	Intermediate work unit
			M3UA	Message Transfer Part Level 3SCCP SS7 Adaptation Layer	Message delivery portion level 3 SCCP SS7 regulation layer
MAC	Medium Access Control	Media access control
			MAP	Mobile Application Part	Mobile application part
MSC	Mobile Switching Centre	Mobile station switching center
			NRT	Non-Real Time	Non-real time
PCM	Pulse Code Modulation	Pulse code modulation
			PLMN	Public Land Mobile Network	Public land mobile network
PS	P acket Switched	Packet switching
			PSTN	Public Switch Telephone Network	Public switched telephone network
RANAP	Radio Access NetworkApplication Part	Radio access network application part

RAN IP	Radio Access Network InternetProtocol	Radio access network internet protocol
			RIP GW	RAN IP Gateway	RAN IP gateway
RLAN	Radio Local Area Network	Radio local area network
			RLC	Radio Link Control	Radio link control
RNC	Radio Network Controller	Radio network controller
			RRC	Radio Resource Control	Radio resource control
RT	Real Time	Real time
			SCCP/MTP	Signaling Connection ControlPart，Message Transfer Part	A transmission signal connection control section and a message transmission section
SGSN	Serving GPRS Support Node	Serving GPRS support node
			SCTP	Stream Control TransmissionProtocol	Data flow control transmission protocol
SM	Session Management	Meeting period management
			SMS	ShortMessage Service	Short message service
S-RNS	Serving Radio NetworkSubsystems	Servo side radio network subsystem
			SS7	Signaling System 7	Signal transmission system 7
SSCF	Service Specific CoordinationFunction	Service specific coordination function
			SSCOP	Service Specific ConnectionOriented Protocol	Service specific connection steering protocol
TDD	Time Division Duplex	Time division duplex
			UDP/IP	User Data Protocol for the InternetProtocol	Transmission control protocol/internet protocol
UE	User Equipment	User equipment
			UMTS	Universal MobileTelecommunications System	Universal mobile telecommunications system
UTRAN	UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access	UMTS terrestrial radio access

	Network	Network access
			VLR	Visitor Location Register	Visitor location register

Drawings

Fig. 1 shows a diagram of a conventional Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) network in accordance with 3GPP specifications.

Fig. 2 shows a block diagram of various components and interfaces in the network shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of the conventional network shown in fig. 1 and 2, which is used to indicate a stack layered protocol of interfaces of various components in a signaling level and a user data level.

Fig. 4 shows a diagram of a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) network including a Radio Local Area Network (RLAN) including a direct internet link in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

Fig. 5 shows a block diagram of various components in the network shown in fig. 4.

Fig. 6 shows a block diagram of a modified version of the network in which the Radio Local Area Network (RLAN) has no direct connection to the UMTS Core Network (CN).

Figure 7 shows a schematic diagram of the signalling data flow in the UMTS network shown in figure 6.

Fig. 8 shows a diagram of a second variant of the UMTS network shown in fig. 4, in which the Radio Local Area Network (RLAN) has a first type of restricted connection to the UMTS Core Network (CN).

Fig. 9 shows a diagram of a second variant of the UMTS network shown in fig. 4, in which the Radio Local Area Network (RLAN) has a second type of restricted connection to the UMTS Core Network (CN).

Fig. 10A and 10B show two variations of IP packet data flows applicable to the networks shown in fig. 4, 8 and 9, wherein the Radio Local Area Network (RLAN) implements the Mobile IP v4 protocol.

Fig. 11A and 11B show two variations of IP packet data flows applicable to the networks shown in fig. 4, 8 and 9, wherein the Radio Local Area Network (RLAN) implements the Mobile IP v6 protocol.

Fig. 12 is a schematic diagram of a preferred transmit signal level interface and a user level interface within a Radio Local Area Network (RLAN) made in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

Fig. 13 shows a schematic diagram of a Radio Local Area Network (RLAN) having a single Radio Network Controller (RNC) in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

Figure 14 shows a schematic diagram of a Radio Local Area Network (RLAN) having multiple Radio Network Controllers (RNCs) in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

Figure 15 is a diagram showing an alternative Radio Local Area Network (RLAN) configuration having separate user data servers and control signal servers, and also having an optional voice gateway, in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

Fig. 16 shows a block diagram of components of the Radio Local Area Network (RLAN) shown in fig. 15.

Fig. 17 is a schematic diagram of a preferred protocol stack suitable for use in the control level interface of a Radio Local Area Network (RLAN) made in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

Fig. 18 shows a schematic diagram of a preferred protocol stack for a user-level interface of a Radio Local Area Network (RLAN) made in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

Figures 19, 20 and 21 show schematic diagrams of three variations of the user-level interface protocol stack for voice communication between a User Equipment (UE) having a wireless connection to a Radio Local Area Network (RLAN) and an Internet Service Provider (ISP) having a voice gateway connected to the Radio Local Area Network (RLAN).

Fig. 22 shows a schematic diagram of a modified version of the control level interface protocol stack for voice communication between a User Equipment (UE) having a wireless connection to a Radio Local Area Network (RLAN) and an Internet Service Provider (ISP) having a voice gateway connected to the Radio Local Area Network (RLAN).

Detailed Description

Referring to fig. 4, a modified Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) network having a Radio Local Area Network (RLAN) with a direct internet connection is shown. As shown in fig. 5, the Radio Local Area Network (RLAN) employs a plurality of base stations for communicating with various types of User Equipment (UE) over a radio interface. Preferably, the base stations are of the type of node B specified in 3 GPP. A radio controller is coupled to the base station for controlling the wireless interface. Preferably, the radio controller is a Radio Network Controller (RNC) made in accordance with 3GPP specifications. When used in conventional 3GPP UTRAN, various node B and Radio Network Controller (RNC) combinations may be employed. The geographical range of wireless communications handled by said base stations of the Radio Local Area Network (RLAN) defines, as a whole, the service coverage area of the Radio Local Area Network (RLAN).

Unlike conventional UTRAN, the Radio Local Area Network (RLAN) of the present invention comprises a Radio Access Network Internet Protocol (RAN IP) gateway for providing connectivity outside the service coverage area of the Radio Local Area Network (RLAN), i.e., the geographical area served by the wireless communication using its base stations. As shown in fig. 4 and 5, the RAN IP gateway has a direct internet connection and may have a standard direct UMTS network connection with an associated Core Network (CN) over an Iu interface. Alternatively, as shown in fig. 6, the direct interface between an associated Core Network (CN) and the RAN IP gateway may be omitted, such that the RAN IP gateway has only a direct connection to the internet. In this case, the Radio Local Area Network (RLAN) of the present invention may still form part of a UMTS by establishing channels for conveying control and AAA function information to a core network that is acting as the home Core Network (CN), as shown in fig. 7.

Fig. 8 and 9 illustrate two different versions of a Radio Local Area Network (RLAN) made in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, wherein the RAN IP gateway is configured to establish a limited direct connection to the primary UMTS core network using a control signal connection port. Specifically, the restricted connection conveys information required for providing AAA functions supporting the Core Network (CN).

As shown in fig. 8, the RAN IP gateway control signal connection port may be configured to provide control signal data using radius/diameter-based access, in which case the core network includes an Inter Working Unit (IWU) in accordance with the 3GPP specification for converting AAA function information into a legacy Mobile Application Part (MAP) signal for connection to a Home Service Server (HSS)/Home Location Register (HLR) of the core network. Alternatively, as shown in fig. 9, the RAN IP gateway control signal connection port may be configured as a subset of a standard Gr interface to support Mobile Application Part (MAP) signals directly available to a Home Service Server (HSS)/Home Location Register (HLR) of the core network.

Preferably, the RAN IP gateway employs a standard GI interface to the Internet and can be treated as a standalone system without the need to integrate with the Core Network (CN) of a UMTS. However, in order to support mobility management for roaming and handover services available to User Equipment (UE) of the Radio Local Area Network (RLAN), it is desirable to have an AAA functional connection to the core network, e.g. by means of the various alternatives shown in fig. 7, 8 and 9. In this case, a mobile IP protocol is supported in addition to a standard GI interface between the RAN IP gateway of the Radio Local Area Network (RLAN) and the internet. Preferred implementations of such Mobile IP protocols are the Mobile IP v4 protocol and the Mobile IP v6 protocol as specified by the IETF.

Fig. 10 shows IP packet data flow for communication between a first User Equipment (UE) having a wireless connection to the Radio Local Area Network (RLAN) and a second User Equipment (UE) located outside the Radio Local Area Network (RLAN) wireless service area, where Mobile IP v4 is implemented on the GI interface between the RAN IP gateway and the internet. In this case, the user data of the first User Equipment (UE) is transmitted in IP packet format from the RAN IP gateway of the Radio Local Area Network (RLAN) over the internet to the address provided by the second User Equipment (UE). The communication of the second User Equipment (UE) is directed to the Home Address of the first User Equipment (UE), which in this example is maintained on the Core Network (CN) since the first User Equipment (UE) has a Core Network (CN) which is the Home Core Network (CN) to which it belongs. The Core Network (CN) receives IP data packets from the second User Equipment (UE) and then forwards said IP data packets to the current location of the first User Equipment (UE) which is maintained at the Home Location Register (HLR) of the Core Network (CN) using the Forwarding Address (FA) of the first User Equipment (UE).

In this example, since the first User Equipment (UE) is the "own party", the Core Network (CN) establishes a channel from the internet to the RAN IP gateway for communicating said IP packets to the first User Equipment (UE). When the first User Equipment (UE) travels out of range of the Radio Local Area Network (RLAN), its location is registered with the Core Network (CN) and data packets directed to the address where the first User Equipment (UE) is currently located are used by the Core Network (CN) to direct IP packet data to the location where the first User Equipment (UE) is currently located.

Fig. 10B shows an alternative approach, in which the reverse path channel is used to implement Mobile IP v4 on the GI interface, so that the Radio Local Area Network (RLAN) directs user data IP packets of the first User Equipment (UE) to the home Core Network (CN), which relays the packet data to the second User Equipment (UE) in a conventional manner.

When the Radio Local Area Network (RLAN) has connectivity using a GI interface implementing Mobile IP v6, the IP packet data exchange between the first User Equipment (UE) and the second User Equipment (UE) will include binding updates, as shown in fig. 11A, which will reflect the IP packet redirection required for handover. Fig. 11B shows an alternative method of using a GI interface implementing Mobile IP v6, including the channels between the Radio Local Area Network (RLAN) and the home Core Network (CN). In this case, the Core Network (CN) directly tracks the location information of the first User Equipment (UE), and the second User Equipment (UE) can communicate with the own Core Network (CN) of the first User Equipment (UE) using any type of conventional method.

Referring now to fig. 12, a preferred interface configuration between Radio Local Area Network (RLAN) components in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. The interface between the User Equipment (UE) and the base station (node B) of the Radio Local Area Network (RLAN) is preferably a standard Uu interface according to the 3GPP specifications for connecting said User Equipment (UE). Preferably, an Iub interface between each node B and the Radio Network Controller (RNC) is implemented according to a stacked layered protocol with Internet Protocol (IP) as the transport layer at the control plane (control plane) and user data plane (user data plane). It is similarly preferred to provide at least a subset of the Iu-PS interface between a Radio Network Controller (RNC) and the RAN IP gateway, which is a stacked layered protocol with Internet Protocol (IP) as the transport layer.

In conventional UMTS where SS7 is implemented on ATM, the MTP3/SSCF/SSCOP layer facilitates embedding SCCP (the uppermost layer of the SS7 stack) in a base ATM stack. In the preferred IP practice for use with the present invention, the M3UA/SCTP stack facilitates the connection of SCCP to IP. In essence, the M3UA/SCTP stack in the preferred IP architecture configuration replaces the MTP3/SSCF/SSCOP layers used in the conventional SS7 over ATM. Specific details of the standard protocol stack are defined in the ietf (internet) standard. The use of IP instead of ATS enables cost savings and dual frequency PICO cells (PICO cells) in the office and campus areas.

Which is formed by the Radio Local Area Network (RLAN) having a plurality of Radio Network Controllers (RNCs) connectable via an Iur interface having a stacked layered protocol adapted for signal level and user level using an IP transport layer. Each Radio Network Controller (RNC) is connected to one or more node bs, which in turn serve a plurality of User Equipments (UEs) within respective geographic areas that may overlap to enable intra-radio-local area network (RLAN) service area handover.

A User Equipment (UE) communicating with a certain node B within the Radio Local Area Network (RLAN) is handed over to other node bs within the Radio Local Area Network (RLAN) and is handled according to the conventional method of UMTS terrestrial communication radio access network (UTRAN) intra-UTRAN) handover specified by 3 GPP. However, when a User Equipment (UE) communicating with a certain node B within the Radio Local Area Network (RLAN) moves out of service of the Radio Local Area Network (RLAN), IP packet services are utilized to perform handover through the RAN IP gateway, preferably using Mobile IP v4 or Mobile IP v6 as described above.

Figure 13 shows the subcomponents of a preferred Radio Local Area Network (RLAN) in accordance with the present invention. The Radio Network Controller (RNC) is divided into a standard controller side radio network subsystem (C-RNS) and a standard server side radio network subsystem (S-RNS) connected by an internal Iur interface. In this configuration, the serving radio network subsystem (S-RNS) function is coupled to a Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) subcomponent of the RAN IP gateway that supports a subset of standard SGSN functions, namely GPRS Mobility Management (GMM), Session Management (SM), and Short Message Service (SMS). The SGSN subcomponent is connected to a Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN) subcomponent, which has a subset of standard subcomponent functions, including an access router and gateway functions for supporting the SGSN subcomponent functions, and a GI interface with mobile IP for external connection to the internet. Preferably, the SGSN subcomponent is coupled to the GGSN subcomponent by a modified Gn/Gp interface, which is a subset of the standard Gn/Gp interface that is applicable to SGNS and GGSN of a Core Network (CN).

Optionally, the RAN IP gateway has an AAA function-communicating subcomponent also connected to the SGSN subcomponent and providing a connection port with limited external connection capability to an associated Core Network (CN). The connection port supports a Gr interface or a Radius/Diameter (Radius/Diameter) interface, as described above with reference to fig. 8 and 9.

A plurality of Radio Network Controllers (RNCs) of the Radio Local Area Network (RLAN) may be provided to couple the SGSN subcomponent by an Iu-PS interface that includes sufficient connectivity capability to support the functionality of the SGSN subcomponent. Wherein said plurality of Radio Network Controllers (RNCs) are provided, preferably by coupling said plurality of Radio Network Controllers (RNCs) by a standard Iur interface utilizing an IP transport layer.

The use of IP for the transport layer of the components of the Radio Local Area Network (RLAN) facilitates the adaptation of the Radio Network Controller (RNC) functionality to be implemented in separate computer servers for independent processing of communicated user data and signals, as shown in fig. 15. Referring to fig. 16, a block diagram of the partitioning of the radio control device between the U-level server and the C-level server is shown. In addition to the basic Radio Local Area Network (RLAN) components, an optional voice gateway is also shown in fig. 15 and 16.

Each node B of the Radio Local Area Network (RLAN) has a connection using the IP transport layer for connecting to a U-level server for transmitting user data. Each node B of the Radio Local Area Network (RLAN) also has a different connection for connecting to a class C server over a standard Iub signaling interface with an IP transport layer. Both the U-level server and the C-level server are connected to an IP gateway using stacked layered protocols, preferably with IP as the transport layer.

For multiple C-tier server configurations, each C-tier server may be coupled to each other via a standard Iur interface, but only one C-tier server needs to be directly coupled to the RAN IP gateway (RIP GW). This allows sharing of the resources used for control signal processing, which is very helpful in distributing signal processing among the class C servers when certain areas of the Radio Local Area Network (RLAN) are much more busy than others. Preferably, a plurality of C-level servers and U-level servers are connected in a mesh network (mesh network) to share C-level and U-level resources via stacked layered protocols, preferably having an IP transport layer.

Wherein the optional voice gateway having external connectivity through Pulse Code Modulation (PCM) circuitry is provided and the U-plane server and the C-plane server are both coupled to the voice gateway through a stacked layered protocol, preferably having an IP transport layer. The class C server is then coupled to the class U server through a media gateway control protocol gateway (Megaco) over the IP transport layer. Megaco is a control level protocol for establishing bearer connections (bearer connections) between voice gateway components as part of call setup.

Referring to fig. 17 and 18, preferred C-level and U-level protocol stacks are shown, respectively, implemented between a node B, a Radio Network Controller (RNC) (or a U-level server and a C-level server) and a RAN IP gateway of a Radio Local Area Network (RLAN). In each figure, a preferred over-the-air protocol stack implemented over the Uu interface to the User Equipment (UE) is also shown.

The Radio Local Area Network (RLAN) may be configured to support voice over its outgoing IP connection. In this case, the RAN IP gateway is connected to an Internet Service Provider (ISP) with a Pulse Code Modulation (PCM) voice gateway. The Pulse Code Modulation (PCM) voice gateway converts voice data into a Pulse Code Modulation (PCM) format for external voice communication.

A voice encoder (Vocoder) is provided that performs compression of voice data using a coder/decoder (CODEC). Two common types of speech coder formats are the AMR speech coder format and the g.729 compression format. Fig. 19 and 21 show the preferred U-level protocol stack implemented where the voice compression type used by the voice gateway of the Internet Service Provider (ISP) to which the Radio Local Area Network (RLAN) is connected is the same as the User Equipment (UE). FIG. 19 shows an AMR vocoder format; and figure 21 shows the g.729 vocoder format. Voice over IP is delivered directly as regular packet data over the IP interface without modification.

A converter is provided in the Radio Network Controller (RNC) or the RAN IP gateway if the voice compression protocol used by the User Equipment (UE) is different from the voice compression protocol used by the voice gateway of the Internet Service Provider (ISP). Figure 20 shows the preferred U-level protocol stack in which the User Equipment (UE) uses an AMR vocoder and the Internet Service Provider (ISP) voice gateway uses a g.729 vocoder. Preferably, the RAN IP gateway (RIP GW) includes an AMR/g.729 converter. For the case shown in fig. 20, the controller converts AMR compressed voice data received from the node B into g.729 format compressed voice data and outputs by the RAN IP gateway (RIP GW). If the Radio Local Area Network (RLAN) utilizes separate class U and class C servers, the compressed voice data is transmitted by a class U server and the converter may be located in the class U server or in the IP gateway.

Referring to FIG. 22, a preferred control level protocol stack architecture is shown for supporting voice over IP using the standard Start Session protocol H.323 format (H.323 format for a Session initiated protocol; H.323/SIP) over TCP/UDP. The control signals are substantially identical regardless of the type of speech data compression being processed in the U stage.

Although the present invention has been described in terms of a particular configuration, other variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art and are intended to be within the scope of the present invention.

Claims (14)

1. A primary radio-radio local area network device providing cell coverage for a picocell, the device comprising:

a node-B component having a transceiver configured for third generation partnership project code division multiple access picocell data communication;

a radio network controller component coupled with the node B component;

a radio access network internet protocol gateway component configured to translate data of the picocell into internet protocol data, the radio access network internet protocol gateway component coupled with the radio network controller component and configured to have a subset of servo general packet radio service support node functions;

wherein the radio access network internet protocol gateway component is configured to route the internet protocol data through the network to initiate bypassing a third generation partnership project core transport network and routing authentication, authorization, and accounting information to the third generation partnership project core transport network.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the internet protocol data is continuously routed through the internet to the third generation partnership project core transport network.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the transceiver is configured to conduct time division duplex code division multiple access wireless communications.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the radio access network internet protocol gateway component is configured to have a subset of gateway general packet radio service support node functions.

5. A radio local area network apparatus, comprising:

a node-B component having a transceiver configured for third generation partnership project code division multiple access wireless data communication;

a radio network controller component coupled with the node B component;

a radio access network internet protocol gateway component configured to convert the wireless data to internet protocol data, the radio access network internet protocol gateway component coupled with the radio network controller component and configured to have a subset of serving general packet radio service support node functions;

wherein the radio access network internet protocol gateway component is configured to route the internet protocol data through the network to initiate bypassing a third generation partnership project core transport network and routing authentication, authorization, and accounting information to the third generation partnership project core transport network.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the internet protocol data is continuously routed through the internet to the third generation partnership project core transport network.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the transceiver is configured to conduct time division duplex code division multiple access wireless communications.

8. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the radio access network internet protocol gateway component is configured to have a subset of gateway general packet radio service support node functions.

9. A method for a radio local area network device comprising a node B component, a radio network controller component, and a radio access network internet protocol gateway component, wherein the node B component has a transceiver configured for third generation partnership project code division multiple access wireless data communication, the radio network controller component is coupled with the node B component, and the radio access network internet protocol gateway component is coupled with the radio network controller component, the method comprising:

converting the wireless data to internet protocol data in the radio access network internet protocol gateway component;

providing a subset of serving general packet radio service support node functions in the radio access network internet protocol gateway component; and

when routing authentication, authorization and accounting information to a third generation partnership project core transport network, using the radio access network internet protocol gateway component to route internet traffic through the network to begin bypassing the third generation partnership project core transport network.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the internet protocol data is continuously routed through the internet to the third generation partnership project core transport network.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein a time division duplex code division multiple access wireless communication transmission is established.

12. A node B of a primary radio local area network, comprising:

a transceiver configured to use an internet protocol over third generation partnership project code division multiple access wireless data communication;

wherein the node B component is coupled to an Internet protocol network configured to route the Internet protocol data to a gateway device such that the gateway device can route the Internet protocol data over the Internet to a third Generation partnership project core network.

13. The node B of claim 12, wherein the internet protocol data is sent to an authentication, authorization, and accounting entity at the third generation partnership project core network.

14. A method implemented in a primary radio local area network node B, comprising:

receiving third generation partnership project code division multiple access wireless data communication;

communicating the internet protocol data from the node B to an internet protocol network; and

routing the internet protocol data through the internet protocol network to a gateway device such that the gateway device can route the internet protocol data through the internet to a third generation partnership project core network.