Intelligent load balancer enhanced routing

Abstract

Enhanced intelligent routing logic for routing and load balancing a SET-initiated SUPL session request based on SET capabilities (e.g. SET-supported positioning protocols) and a roaming status identified for a requesting SET. When a SET capabilities parameter in a SUPL START message initiated by a requesting SET indicates that the SET supports a LTE positioning protocol (LPP), only, enhanced intelligent routing logic routes the SUPL session request to newly configured SUPL servers that support the LTE positioning protocol (LPP), only. Alternatively, when SET capabilities indicate that a requesting SET supports a radio resource location services protocol (RRLP), in addition to or in exclusion of a LPP, the intelligent router routes the session request message to SUPL servers that support the RRLP, in addition to or in exclusion of the LPP. Intelligent routing logic may also be enhanced to support SUPL intelligent off load (SI-OL) based on SET capabilities.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to wireless telecommunication location routing/load balancing—CDMA, GSM, UMTS, IMS/LTE, SUPL, etc.

2. Background of Related Art

The Open Mobile Alliance (OMA) standards working group has defined a Secure User Plane Location (SUPL) standard to support location of SUPL enabled terminals (i.e. mobile devices with secure user plane location (SUPL) support). In particular, the Secure User Plane Location (SUPL) standard is conventionally used to transfer location information between a SUPL location platform (SLP) (i.e. a location server) and a SUPL enabled terminal (SET), for purposes of articulating a current position of the SUPL enabled terminal (SET).

Before a SUPL location platform (SLP) and a SUPL enabled terminal (SET) may exchange location information, the two entities must first establish a SUPL session. In accordance with conventional technology, a SUPL session can either be SET-initiated or network-initiated.

Traditionally, a network-initiated SUPL session begins when a SUPL location platform (SLP) passes a SUPL INIT message to a SUPL enabled terminal (SET). Alternatively, a SET-initiated SUPL session traditionally begins when a SUPL enabled terminal (SET) passes a SUPL START message to a SUPL location platform (SLP).

An intelligent router product, such as an Xypoint® Intelligent Router (XIR), available from TeleCommunication Systems, Inc. of Annapolis, Md., is conventionally integrated between a SUPL location platform (SLP) and a SUPL enabled terminal (SET).

FIG. 7 depicts a conventional network architecture for establishing a SUPL session between a SUPL location platform (SLP) and a SUPL enabled terminal (SET).

In particular, as depicted in FIG. 7, an intelligent router product (e.g. an Xypoint® Intelligent Router (XIR)) 800 is conventionally used during SUPL session setup to route network-initiated SUPL session requests to an originating SUPL server 820a, 820b and to load balance SET 810 initiated SUPL session requests across multiple SUPL servers 820a, 820b. In accordance with conventional technology, an existing intelligent router 800 routes SUPL session requests based on a SUPL version and a roaming status/location identifier identified for a requesting SUPL enabled terminal (SET) 810.

As portrayed in FIG. 7, an existing intelligent router 800 (e.g. Xypoint® Intelligent Router (XIR), also known as a SUPL intelligent load balancer (SILB)) conventionally includes a SUPL session director (SSD) 840 and a global service load balancer 830.

A global service load balancer (GSLB) 830 is typically used to balance SET 810-initiated SUPL session requests across multiple SUPL servers 820a, 820b. In particular, a conventional global service load balancer (GSLB) 830 may balance load by directing client requests across multiple servers 820a, 820b and/or by directing client requests to one or more servers 820a, 820b located within a closest geographic proximity of a requesting client device 810, and/or by directing client requests to servers 820a, 820b deemed best equipped to handle client requests initiated by a requesting client device 810, etc.

When a SUPL session is established between a SUPL location platform (SLP) 820a, 820b and a SUPL enabled terminal (SET) 810, the SUPL enabled terminal (SET) 810 may send a SUPL POS INIT message to the SUPL location platform (SLP) 820a, 820b (via an intermediary intelligent router product 800) to initiate a positioning protocol session therewith. A SUPL POS INIT message conventionally includes a session ID (as indicated in a SUPL session request message), a SET capabilities parameter, a hash of a previously exchanged SUPL session request, and a location identifier, among other parameters. The SET capabilities parameter in the SUPL POS INIT message typically indicates SET-supported positioning methods (e.g. assisted global positioning system (A-GPS)) and SET-supported positioning protocols, e.g., a radio resource location services protocol (RRLP), a long term evolution (LTE) positioning protocol (LLP), etc.

Once a SUPL location platform (SLP) 820a, 820b receives a SUPL POS INIT message from a SUPL enabled terminal (SET) 810, the SUPL location platform (SLP) 820a, 820b can select an appropriate positioning method to use for calculating the current position of the SUPL enabled terminal (SET) 810. A SUPL location platform (SLP) 820a, 820b typically selects an appropriate positioning method for a SUPL enabled terminal (SET) 810 based on SET-supported positioning methods and protocols listed in a received SUPL POS INIT message.

In accordance with conventional technology, a SUPL location platform (SLP) 820a, 820b and a SUPL enabled terminal (SET) 810 exchange positioning messages until a current position of the SUPL enabled terminal (SET) 810 is articulated. Once positioning information is obtained for the SUPL enabled terminal (SET) 810, the SUPL enabled terminal (SET) 810 and the SUPL location platform (SLP) 820a, 820b exchange a SUPL END message to terminate the SUPL session.

Conventional SUPL standards cover a number of networks and positioning technologies. A secure location session manager is known, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 7,974,235.

The secure user plane location (SUPL) standard is a conventional standard used to exchange location information between a SUPL enabled terminal (SET) (i.e. a mobile device with secure user plane location (SUPL) standard support) and a SUPL location platform (i.e. a location server), for purposes of articulating a current position of the SUPL enabled terminal (SET). To exchange positioning messages, a SUPL location platform (SLP) and a SUPL enabled terminal (SET) must first establish a SUPL session. A SUPL session may either be SET-initiated or network-initiated.

When multiple SUPL servers (e.g. SUPL location platforms) are deployed in a network for purposes of load sharing and high availability, a couple issues may arise. First, in network-initiated call flows, open mobile alliance (OMA) SUPL version 1 and SUPL version 2 specifications do not permit a SUPL enabled terminal (SET) to respond directly to an originating SUPL server (e.g. a SUPL location platform (SLP)). Second, open mobile alliance (OMA) SUPL version 1 and SUPL version 2 specifications do not address a global service load balancing (GSLB) functionality for SET-initiated calls.

An intelligent router is conventionally integrated between a SUPL enabled terminal (SET) and a SUPL server (e.g. a SUPL location platform (SLP)) to provide appropriate session binding for network-initiated call flows and to provide global service load balancing (GSLB) for SET-initiated call flows.

In the context of an intelligent router, a SET-initiated SUPL session is identified as a message exchange sequence that begins when a SUPL START message (that does not include a SUPL location platform (SLP) identifier (ID)), transmitted by a SUPL enabled terminal (SET) (i.e. a mobile device with secure user plane location (SUPL) support), is received at a SUPL location platform (SLP) (i.e. a location server). A SET-initiated SUPL session ends when a SUPL END response is received at a SUPL enabled terminal (SET) or a SUPL location platform (SLP), or when a connection is closed due to termination by a peer or due to expiration of a connection inactivity timer.

Moreover, a network-initiated SUPL session is identified as a message exchange sequence that begins when a SUPL INIT message, or any other message (excluding a SUPL START message) that has both SUPL enabled terminal (SET) and SUPL location platform (SLP) session IDs populated, is received at a SUPL enabled terminal (SET). A network-initiated SUPL session ends when a first SUPL END message is exchanged between a SUPL enabled terminal (SET) and a SUPL location platform (SLP), or when a connection is closed due to termination by a peer or due to expiration of a connection inactivity timer.

FIG. 8 depicts conventional intelligent routing logic.

In particular, as portrayed in FIG. 8, existing intelligent routing logic routes SET-initiated SUPL session requests (e.g. SUPL START messages) to a target SUPL location platform (SLP) 70a, 70b, 72a, 72b based on a SUPL version and a roaming status/location ID identified for the requesting SUPL enabled terminal (SET).

In particular, as portrayed in step 700 of FIG. 8, existing intelligent routing logic receives and processes a SUPL START message initiated by a SUPL enabled terminal (SET).

As shown in step 702, the intelligent router then checks mobile country code (MCC)/mobile network code (MNC) information for the requesting SUPL enabled terminal (SET) to determine whether or not the SUPL enabled terminal (SET) is roaming. The roamed-to SUPL server may be the same operator as the HOME SUPL Server or the server may be in a different operator. This allows for a sophisticated inter-operator roaming deployment without the need for the operators to implement the OMA Roaming Location Protocol (RLP).

As portrayed in step 704, if the intelligent router finds that the SUPL enabled terminal (SET) is not roaming, then the intelligent router routes the SUPL START message to either a home SUPL location platform (SLP) SUPL version 1 server 70a or a home SUPL location platform (SLP) SUPL version 2 server 72a, depending on which version of SUPL the SUPL enabled terminal (SET) is supporting, e.g., SUPL 1.0 or SUPL 2.0.

Alternatively, as shown in step 706, if the intelligent router determines that the SUPL enabled terminal (SET) is roaming, then the intelligent router routes the SUPL START message to either a roaming SUPL location platform (SLP) SUPL version 1 server 70b or a roaming SUPL location platform (SLP) SUPL version 2 server 72b, depending on which version of SUPL the SUPL enabled terminal (SET) is supporting, e.g., SUPL 1.0 or SUPL 2.0.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A method and apparatus for routing a SET-initiated SUPL session request based on positioning protocols supported by a requesting SUPL enabled terminal (SET) comprises enhanced intelligent routing logic. In particular, intelligent routing logic is enhanced to route and load balance a SET-initiated SUPL session request to SUPL servers that support at least one positioning protocol supported by a requesting SUPL enabled terminal (SET).

Inventive intelligent routing logic preferably routes SET-initiated SUPL session requests to SUPL 2.0 radio resource location protocol (RRLP) servers, SUPL 1.0 radio resource location protocol (RRLP) servers, and newly configured LTE positioning protocol (LPP) servers. Routing is determined based on SET capabilities of a requesting SET, a roaming status of a requesting SET, a SUPL version supported by a requesting SET, and/or whether or not enhanced routing logic is enabled.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, enhanced intelligent routing logic can be enabled or disabled. When enhanced intelligent routing logic is enabled, the intelligent router routes SET-initiated SUPL session requests based on SET capabilities (e.g. positioning protocol capabilities) and a roaming status/location identifier identified for a requesting SUPL enabled terminal (SET). Alternatively, when enhanced routing logic is disabled, the intelligent router routes SET-initiated SUPL session requests in a manner consistent with conventional technology, i.e., based on a SUPL version and a roaming status/location identifier identified for a requesting SUPL enabled terminal (SET).

More particularly, when enhanced intelligent routing logic is enabled, and a pos protocol field in a SET capabilities parameter of a SUPL START message (i.e. a SET-initiated SUPL session request message) indicates that a requesting SUPL enabled terminal (SET) supports a long term evolution (LTE) positioning protocol (LPP), only, new alias fully qualified domain names (FQDNs) are used to load balance the session request message to newly configured SUPL servers that support the long term evolution (LTE) positioning protocol (LPP), only (i.e LPP SUPL servers).

Alternatively, when a pos protocol field in a SET capabilities parameter of a SUPL START message indicates that a requesting SUPL enabled terminal (SET) supports a radio resource location services protocol (RRLP), in addition to or in exclusion of a long term evolution (LTE) positioning protocol (LPP), existing alias fully qualified domain names (FQDNs) are preferably used to route the session request message to SUPL servers that support a radio resource location services protocol (RRLP), in addition to or in exclusion of other positioning protocols (i.e. a 1.0 or 2.0 RRLP SUPL server).

A global service load balancer (GSLB) functionality on the intelligent router load balances a SUPL session request to a target SUPL server (e.g. SUPL location platform) after determining the roaming status of the requesting SUPL enabled terminal (SET).

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, an intelligent router may be further enhanced to include support for SUPL intelligent off load (SI-OL) based on SET capabilities. In this particular embodiment of the present invention, an intelligent router may be enhanced to offload all or part of SET-initiated traffic to alternative servers based on the capabilities of a requesting SET.

The following four deployment options may be implemented to provide intelligent router SUPL intelligent off load (SI-OL): (1) addition of a virtual machine to a global service load balancer (GSLB) on an intelligent router platform, (2) implementation of additional servers on an intelligent router platform, (3) remote management of intelligent router services (capacity offload), and (4) implementation of an intelligent router blade server architecture.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative example of an intelligent router with enhanced routing logic, in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 2 portrays an exemplary high level SUPL 2.0 SET-initiated SUPL session call flow, in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary virtual machine deployment option for enabling intelligent router SUPL intelligent off load (SI-OL), in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 4 depicts exemplary additional servers implemented on an intelligent router for purposes of providing SUPL intelligent off load (SI-OL) based on SET capabilities, in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 5 depicts exemplary remote management of intelligent router services (capacity offload) for purposes of providing SUPL intelligent offload (SI-OL) based on SET capabilities, in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 6 depicts an exemplary intelligent router blade architecture for providing SUPL intelligent offload (SI-OL) based on SET capabilities, in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 7 depicts a conventional network architecture for establishing a SUPL session between a SUPL location platform (SLP) and a SUPL enabled terminal (SET).

FIG. 8 depicts conventional intelligent routing logic.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

The present invention augments an intelligent router server, such as an Xypoint® Intelligent Router (XIR) commercially available from TeleCommunication Systems, Inc. in Annapolis, Md., to include functionality that uses secure user plane location (SUPL) fields, SET capabilities and location ID, in combination with a configured or provisioned routing policy, to route and load balance a SUPL enabled terminal (SET)-initiated SUPL session request to a SUPL server (e.g. a SUPL location platform (SLP)) or a group of SUPL servers, based on the capabilities (e.g. positioning protocol capabilities) of the requesting SUPL enabled terminal (SET).

Today, many SUPL enabled terminals (SETs) contain multiple cellular radios to enable support for a multitude of networks (e.g. code division multiple access (CDMA), global system for mobile communications (GSM), long term evolution (LTE)/IP multimedia subsystem (IMS), Wi-Fi/IP multimedia subsystem (IMS), etc.) and a multitude of positioning technologies. However, SUPL location platforms (SLPs) are not guaranteed to support all positioning technologies.

The inventors herein have realized that existing intelligent router systems do not check whether or not a target secure user plane location (SUPL) server supports a positioning protocol required by a requesting SUPL enabled terminal (SET) before forwarding a SUPL session request initiated by that SUPL enabled terminal (SET) to the target SUPL server. Unfortunately, if a SET-initiated SUPL session request is routed to a SUPL server that does not support a positioning protocol required by the requesting SUPL enabled terminal (SET), or a capability required by the requesting SUPL enabled terminal (SET), then the positioning session will likely fail.

For purposes of avoiding failed positioning sessions, carriers are currently forced to provide SUPL servers that support all positioning capabilities across all devices deployed in their carrier network (or networks, in the case that overlay networks are deployed), which can become quite complex. SUPL location determination gets even more complex for carriers when a device is roaming and a home SUPL location platform (SLP) does not have required information and/or does not support required positioning technologies, and roaming has not been implemented.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, intelligent routing logic is enhanced to route SET-initiated SUPL session requests based on positioning protocols supported by requesting SUPL enabled terminals (SETs). More particularly, the present invention enhances intelligent routing logic to route and load balance a SET-initiated SUPL session request to a SUPL server that supports at least one positioning protocol supported by the requesting SUPL enabled terminal (SET). Enhanced intelligent routing logic effectively minimizes the need for carriers/service providers to provide support for all positioning technologies.

A SUPL enabled terminal (SET) conventionally indicates supported positioning protocols in a SET capabilities parameter of a SUPL START message (i.e. a SUPL session request message). In particular, a SET capabilities parameter in a SUPL START message includes a mandatory pos protocol field, which indicates SET-supported positioning protocols, such as a long term evolution (LTE) positioning protocol (LPP) and/or a radio resource location services protocol (RRLP).

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, when a pos protocol field in a SET capabilities parameter of a SUPL START message indicates that a requesting SUPL enabled terminal (SET) supports only a long term evolution (LTE) positioning protocol (LPP), new alias fully qualified domain names (FQDNs) are preferably used to load balance the session request message to newly configured SUPL servers (e.g. SUPL location platforms (SPLs)) that are dedicated to supporting only the long term evolution (LTE) positioning protocol (LPP). A global service load balancer (GSLB) functionality on the intelligent router then load balances the SUPL session request to a target SUPL server (e.g. SUPL location platform) after determining the roaming status of the requesting SUPL enabled terminal (SET) (which is identified via mobile country code (MCC)/mobile network code (MNC) information indicated in a location ID field of the SET-initiated SUPL START message).

Alternatively, when a pos protocol field in a SET capabilities parameter of a SUPL START message indicates that a requesting SUPL enabled terminal (SET) supports a radio resource location services protocol (RRLP), in addition to or in exclusion of a long term evolution (LTE) positioning protocol (LPP), existing alias fully qualified domain names (FQDNs) are preferably used to route the session request message to SUPL servers that support a radio resource location services protocol (RRLP), in addition to or in exclusion of other positioning protocols. A global service load balancer (GSLB) on the intelligent router then load balances the session request to a target SUPL server, in a manner consistent with conventional technology.

FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative example of an intelligent router with enhanced routing logic, in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

In particular, as depicted in FIG. 1, an intelligent router 100, such as an Xypoint® Intelligent Router (XIR)/SUPL intelligent load balancer (SILB), with enhanced routing logic 102 preferably services SUPL version 1.0 SUPL enabled terminals (SETs) 104a and SUPL version 2.0 SUPL enabled terminals (SETs) 104b, and preferably comprises a conventional global service load balancer (GSLB) 106 and a SUPL session director (SSD) 108.

Also portrayed in FIG. 1, inventive intelligent router 100 routing logic preferably routes SET-initiated SUPL session requests to SUPL 2.0 radio resource location protocol (RRLP) servers 32, SUPL 1.0 radio resource location protocol (RRLP) servers 30, and newly configured LTE positioning protocol (LPP) servers 110.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, the intelligent router 100 global service load balancer (GSLB) 106 functionality is responsible for load balancing session requests to inventive LTE positioning protocol (LPP) servers (i.e. servers that support a LTE positioning protocol (LPP) only) 110 and to radio resource location services protocol (RRLP) servers (i.e. servers that support a radio resource location services protocol (RRLP) and other positioning protocols) 30, 32. The global service load balancer (GSLB) load balancing feature 106 allows carriers to fine-tune which servers are to be identified as LTE positioning protocol (LPP) servers 110 and which servers are to be identified as radio resource location services protocol (RRLP) servers 30, 32. In accordance with the principles of the present invention, the global service load balancer (GSLB) configuration is updated to configure new servers to handle SUPL 1.0 and SUPL 2.0 radio resource location services protocol (RRLP) sessions.

A global service load balancer (GSLB) 106 is a conventional 3rd party product and only requirements of functionalities relevant to intelligent routing logic 102 are covered within this specification.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, enhanced intelligent router 100 routing logic 102 can be enabled and disabled. In particular, when enhanced routing logic 102 is enabled, the intelligent router 100 routes SET-initiated SUPL session requests based on SET capabilities (e.g. positioning protocol capabilities) and a roaming status/location ID identified for a requesting SUPL enabled terminal (SET) 104a, 104b. Alternatively, when enhanced routing logic 102 is disabled, the intelligent router 100 routes SET-initiated SUPL session requests in a manner consistent with conventional technology, i.e., based on a SUPL version and a roaming status/location ID identified for a requesting SUPL enabled terminal (SET) 104a, 104b.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, inventive intelligent router 100 routing logic additionally includes peg counters to track the number of SET-initiated sessions routed to LTE positioning protocol (LPP) servers 110 and the number of SET-initiated sessions routed to radio resource location services protocol (RRLP) servers 30, 32.

FIG. 2 portrays an exemplary high level SUPL 2.0 SET-initiated SUPL session call flow, in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

In particular, as depicted in step 200, a SET 104a, 104b initiates a SUPL session by transmitting a SUPL START message and one or more SUPL TRIGGERED START messages to an intelligent router 100. A SUPL START message/SUPL TRIGGERED START message must include a SET capabilities parameter.

As portrayed in step 202, the intelligent router 100, receives the SUPL START message and one or more SUPL TRIGGERED START messages, and inspects the following message fields separately, or in combination, depending on a predefined routing configuration/policy: pos technology, positioning protocol (e.g. RRLP, LPP, IS801, etc.), positioning protocol version (e.g. RRLP, LPP, etc.), galileo and additional navigation satellite systems (GANSS) positioning methods, galileo and additional navigation satellite systems (GANSS) positioning modes, preferred method specified by the SUPL enabled terminal (SET) 104a. 104b, service capabilities (SUPL TRIGGERED START), event trigger capabilities, supported bearers, serving cell information (Location ID), and multiple location ID information.

As portrayed in step 204, the intelligent router 100 subsequently determines whether or not enhanced routing logic 102 is enabled.

As shown in step 206, if the intelligent router 100 determines that enhanced routing logic 102 is not enabled (e.g. an enhanced routing flag is set to OFF), then the intelligent router 100 routes the SUPL START message and SUPL TRIGGERED START messages (i.e. SET-initiated SUPL session request message) in a manner consistent with conventional technology (see FIG. 7).

Otherwise, as portrayed in step 208, if the intelligent router 100 determines that enhanced routing logic 102 is enabled (e.g. an enhanced routing flag is set to ‘ON’), then the intelligent router 100 checks the SET capabilities parameter in the SUPL START message/SUPL TRIGGERED START messages to determine whether or not the requesting SUPL enabled terminal (SET) 104a, 104b supports an LTE positioning protocol (LPP), only.

If the intelligent router 100 determines that the SUPL enabled terminal (SET) 104a, 104b does not support an LTE positioning protocol (LPP), only, then the intelligent router 100 routes the SUPL START message in a manner consistent with conventional technology (step 206, see FIG. 7).

Alternatively, as shown in step 210, if it is determined that the SUPL enabled terminal (SET) 104a, 104b does support an LTE positioning protocol (LPP), only, then the intelligent router 100 checks mobile country code (MCC) and mobile network code (MNC) information indicated in the location ID and/or multiple location ID message parameter of the received SUPL START message/SUPL TRIGGERED START messages to determine if the SUPL enabled terminal (SET) 104a, 104b is roaming.

If the SUPL enabled terminal (SET) 104a, 104b is roaming, then the intelligent router 100 routes the SUPL START message/SUPL TRIGGERED START messages to a roaming SUPL location platform (SLP) SUPL version 2/LTE positioning protocol (LPP) server 110b.

Alternatively, if the SUPL enabled terminal (SET) 104a, 104b is not roaming, then the intelligent router 100 routes the SUPL START message/SUPL TRIGGERED START messages to a home SUPL location platform (SLP) SUPL version 2/LTE positioning protocol (LPP) server 110a.

Hence, as portrayed in FIG. 2, enhanced intelligent routing logic 102 uses a location ID message parameter (e.g. mobile country code (MCC)/mobile network code (MNC)) and a multiple location ID message parameter (optional), in combination with a SET capabilities message parameter, to route and load balance SET-initiated SUPL session request messages to a nearest server 110, 30, 32 that is capable of articulating a current position of the SUPL enabled terminal (SET) 104a, 104b.

For example, if a location ID field in a SUPL START message/SUPL TRIGGERED START message indicates LTE cell information, and a SET capabilities field in the SUPL START message/SUPL TRIGGERED START message indicates support for the LTE positioning protocol (LPP), only, then in accordance with the principles of the present invention, the intelligent router 100 routes the SET-initiated SUPL session request messages to alias fully qualified domain names (FQDNs) that represent servers 110 that support a LTE positioning protocol (LPP), only.

When routing session request messages to an alias fully qualified domain name (FQDN), the intelligent router 100 preferably load balances the requests using a global service load balancer (GSLB) 106, which round-robins the requests for domain name service (DNS) to a specific alias fully qualified domain name (FQDN).

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, an intelligent router 100 may be further enhanced to include support for the following capabilities: SUPL intelligent off load (SI-OL) based on SET capabilities, SET traffic load balancing across new SUPL intelligent offload (SI-OL) nodes (based on a new weighted algorithm), and SET initiated/based support for assistance data.

In particular, inventive routing logic 102 may be further enhanced to enable carriers to offload traffic for specific regions to a group of SUPL location platforms (SLPs). One or more of the following SUPL START message fields can be used, in combination or separately, to offload all or part of SET-initiated traffic to alternative servers: a positioning technology parameter, a supported positioning protocol (e.g., RRLP, LPP, IS801, etc.) parameter, a preferred positioning method specified by SET parameter, a serving cell information parameter, and/or a multiple location ID information parameter.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, offloading SET-initiated SET based location requests from existing SUPL servers based on SET capabilities may result in peaks of 630 transactions per second (TPS). In accordance with the principles of the present invention, a radio resource location services protocol (RRLP) and an LTE positioning protocol (LPP) are supported for SUPL intelligent off load (SI-OL) capabilities. Moreover, cell site and measurement data for SUPL intelligent off load (SI-OL) may include global system for mobile communications (GSM), universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS), long term evolution (LTE) data, etc., a target transaction per second (TPS) per node for SUPL intelligent off load (SI-OL) is 500 transactions per second (TPS), with a network license of 1500 transactions per second (TPS).

SET-initiated/based cross-site scripting (XSS) capabilities can be migrated to the intelligent router 100 for radio resource location services protocol (RRLP) for SUPL 2.0, SET-based assisted-GPS, enhanced cell ID flows supported by SUPL intelligent off load (SI-OL), additional measurement and assistance data delivery for the LTE positioning protocol (LPP), and cell database updates and provisioning to support long term evolution (LTE) technology.

Further, operations, administration, and management (OA&M) updates for enabling SUPL intelligent off load (SI-OL) based on SET capabilities may include: integration of SUPL intelligent offload (SI-OL) nodes into dashboard, operational metrics and location detail records, an extension of existing location detail records to include new fields, network data provisioning using an existing format, and integration via an existing Xypoint reference network for satellite assistance data.

The following four deployment options may be implemented to provide intelligent router SUPL intelligent off load (SI-OL) capabilities: (1) addition of a virtual machine to a global service load balancer (GSLB) 106 on the intelligent router 100 platform, (2) implementation of additional servers on the intelligent router 100 platform, (3) remote management of intelligent router 100 services (capacity offload), and (4) implementation of an intelligent router 100 blade server architecture.

FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary virtual machine deployment option for enabling SUPL intelligent off load (SI-OL) capabilities via an intelligent router, in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

As depicted in FIG. 3, a virtual machine 300 is implemented on a global service load balancer (GSLB) 106 on the intelligent router 100 platform for purposes of providing SUPL intelligent off load (SI-OL) based on SET capabilities. The virtual machine 300 deployment option isolates load balancing processes and allows for inter process intelligent router SUPL communication. In this embodiment the global service load balancers 106 may not be completely isolated, with a possible competition for system resources at high TPS levels.

FIG. 4 depicts exemplary servers added to an intelligent router for purposes of providing SUPL intelligent off load (SI-OL) based on SET capabilities, in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

As depicted in FIG. 4, two new servers (e.g. linux servers) 400 are added to an existing intelligent router 100 architecture to enable SUPL intelligent offload (SI-OL) based on SET capabilities. This embodiment is preferably completely isolated from intelligent router 100 load balancing functionalities 106, network impacts are incurred remotely, and intelligent router 100 SUPL communication is inter process.

FIG. 5 depicts exemplary remote management of intelligent router services (capacity offload) for purposes of providing SUPL intelligent offload (SI-OL) based on SET capabilities, in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

As depicted in FIG. 5, a remotely managed intelligent router 500 includes a global service load balancer (GSLB) 106, a SUPL session director 108, and a SUPL intelligent offload (SI-OL) module 510. This embodiment is preferably completely isolated from the load balancer 106, a blade system can be deployed in a new data center when ready, and TPS growth can be implanted via use of additional blades, as needed. This embodiment may require the most network carrier changes from conventional systems. Intelligent router 100 SUPL communication is encrypted ULP.

FIG. 6 depicts an exemplary intelligent router blade architecture for providing SUPL intelligent offload (SI-OL) based on SET capabilities, in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

As depicted in FIG. 6, an intelligent router 100 blade server architecture 600 can be used to provide SUPL intelligent offload (SI-OL). This embodiment may have impact on capacity requirements.

The present invention has particular applicability to carriers and service providers that support the secure user plane location (SUPL) protocol.

While the invention has been described with reference to the exemplary embodiments thereof, those skilled in the art will be able to make various modifications to the described embodiments of the invention without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An intelligent router to route a Secure User Plane Location (SUPL) enabled terminal (SET)-initiated SUPL session request to a SUPL server based on SET capabilities, comprising: a global service load balancer (GSLB) to load balance SUPL sessions among a plurality of SUPL servers, wherein a given SUPL server of said plurality of SUPL servers supports a given set of positioning protocols and another SUPL server of said plurality of SUPL server supports another set of positioning protocols, different from said given set of positioning protocols: a SUPL session director; and an enhanced router to;receive a SET capabilities parameter in a SET-initiated SUPL session request to identify a SET-supported positioning protocol; andselect a target SUPL server from said given SUPL server and said other SUPL server based on a match between said identified SET-supported positioning protocol and either a positioning protocol in said given set of positioning protocols supported by said given SUPL server or a positioning protocol in said other set of protocols supported by said other SUPL server;route the SET-initiated SUPL session request to said target SUPL server.

2. The intelligent router to route a SET-initiated SUPL session request to a SUPL server based on SET capabilities according to claim 1, wherein: said enhanced router further routes based on a roaming status of said requesting SUPL enabled terminal (SET).

3. The intelligent router to route a SET-initiated SUPL session request to a SUPL server based on SET capabilities according to claim 1, wherein: said enhanced router routes said SET-initiated SUPL session request to said target SUPL server, in response to determining that said target SUPL server supports a home long term evolution (LTE) positioning protocol (LPP) server and said identified SET capability parameter indicates support of only a LTE positioning protocol (LPP).

4. The intelligent router to route a SET-initiated SUPL session request to a SUPL server based on SET capabilities according to claim 1, wherein: said enhanced router routes said SET-initiated SUPL session request to said target SUPL server, in response to determining that said target SUPL server supports a home radio resource location services protocol (RRLP) server said said identified SET capability parameter indicates no support of an LTE positioning protocol (LPP).

5. The intelligent router to route a SET-initiated SUPL session request to a SUPL server based on SET capabilities according to claim 1, wherein: said enhanced router routes said SET-initiated SUPL session request based on a SUPL version and a roaming status identified for said requesting SUPL enabled terminal (SET).

6. The intelligent router to route a SET-initiated SUPL session request to a SUPL server based on SET capabilities according to claim 1, wherein said enhanced router comprises: a peg counter to track a number of SET-initiated SUPL session requests routed to an LTE positioning protocol (LPP) server of said plurality of SUPL servers, and a number of SET-initiated SUPL session requests routed to a radio resource location services protocol (RRLP) server of said plurality of SUPL servers.

7. The intelligent router to route a SET-initiated SUPL session request to a SUPL server based on SET capabilities according to claim 1, wherein said global service load balancer (GSLB) comprises: a SUPL intelligent offload module to enable SUPL intelligent off load (SI-OL).

8. The intelligent router to route a SET-initiated SUPL session request to a SUPL server based on SET capabilities according to claim 1, wherein: said intelligent router is implemented in a blade architecture to enable SUPL intelligent off load (SI-OL).

9. The intelligent router to route a SET-initiated SUPL session request to a SUPL server based on SET capabilities according to claim 1, further comprising: a remote management module to enable SUPL intelligent off load (SI-OL).

10. The intelligent router to route a SET-initiated SUPL session request to a SUPL server based on SET capabilities according to claim 1, further comprising: a SUPL intelligent offload server to enable SUPL intelligent off load (SI-OL).

11. The intelligent router to route a SET-initiated SUPL session request to a SUPL server based on SET capabilities according to claim 1, wherein: said global service load balancer (GSLB) load balances between a SUPL 1.0 radio resource location services protocol (RRLP) session, and a SUPL 2.0 radio resource location services protocol (RRLP) session.

12. A method of intelligently load balancing, a Secure User Plane Location (SUPL) enabled terminal (SET)-initiated SUPL session request to a target SUPL server based on SET capabilities, comprising: receiving a SUPL session request from a SUPL enabled terminal;determining from a SET capabilities parameter of said SUPL session request to determine if said requesting SUPL enabled terminal (SET) supports only a long term evolution (LTE) positioning protocol (LPP);determining a roaming status of said requesting SUIT enabled terminal (SET) when said requesting SUPL enabled terminal (SET) supports only said LPP;routing said SUPL session request to a radio resource location services protocol (RRLP) server based on a SUPL version and said roaming status, when said requesting SUPL enabled terminal (SET) does not support only an LTE positioning protocol (LPP);routing said SUPL session request to a roaming LTE positioning protocol (LPP) server when said requesting SUPL enabled terminal (SET) supports only an LTE positioning protocol (LPP), and is not roaming; androuting said SUPL session request to a home LTE positioning protocol (LPP) server when said requesting SUPL enabled terminal (SET) supports only an LTE positioning protocol (LPP), and is roaming.

13. The method of intelligently routing a SUPL enabled terminal (SET)-initiated SUPL session request based on SET capabilities according to claim 12, wherein: said SUPL session request is a SUPL START message.

14. The method of intelligently routing a SUPL enabled terminal (SET)-initiated SUPL session request based on SET capabilities according to claim 12, wherein: said SUPL session request is a SUPL TRIGGERED START message.

15. The method of intelligently routing a SUPL enabled terminal (SET)-initiated SUPL session request based on SET capabilities according to claim 12, further comprising: routing said SUPL session request based on a SUPL version and a roaming status identified for said requesting SUPL enabled terminal (SET).

16. The method of intelligently routing a SUPL enabled terminal (SET)-initiated SUPL session request based on SET capabilities according to claim 12, further comprising: tracking a number of SET-initiated SUPL session requests routed to an LTE positioning protocol (LPP) server; andtracking a number of SET-initiated SUPL session requests routed to a radio resource location services protocol (RRLP) server.

17. The method of intelligently routing a SUPL enabled terminal (SET)-initiated SUPL session request based on SET capabilities according to claim 12, further comprising: routing said SET-initiated SUPL session request to an LTE positioning protocol (LPP) server when said requesting SUPL enabled terminal (SET) supports only an LTE positioning protocol (LPP).

18. The method of intelligently routing a SUPL enabled terminal (SET)-initiated SUPL session request based on SET capabilities according to claim 12, further comprising: routing said SET-initiated SUPL session request to a radio resource location services protocol (RRLP) server when said requesting SUPL enabled terminal (SET) does not support an LTE positioning protocol (LPP).

19. The method of intelligently routing a SUPL enabled terminal (SET)-initiated SUPL session request based on SET capabilities according to claim 12, further comprising: providing SUPL intelligent off load (SI-OL) based on said SET capabilities.