Patent Application
20080089305
a), (b), (c), and (d) show networking conditions between APs, BMNC, and BMAG for control interface services provided by the broadband mobile access system according to certain embodiments of the present invention;
a), (b), and (c) show networking conditions for user service data interface provided by the broadband mobile access system according to certain embodiments of the present invention;
a), (b), (c), and (d) show integration between broadband mobile access network and other networks provided by the broadband mobile access system according to certain embodiments of the present invention;
The present invention relates in general to telecommunication techniques. More particularly, the invention provides a system and method for broadband access network. Merely by way of example, the invention is described as it applies to a mobile user terminal, but it should be recognized that the invention has a broader range of applicability.
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In real-world applications, the conventional techniques as discussed above usually have one or more problems: restrictions on access network expansion, performance enhancement, and network integration, and overdependence on wireless interface protocols. One cause for these problems is the complexity of the functions to be implemented by the AP in the broadband mobile access system structure based on the IAPP protocol. Such access system structure often can achieve only mobile communications on a small scale, and therefore restrict network expansion. On the other hand, the broadband mobile access system structure based on LWAPP protocol centralizes deployment of control functions by AC. Such access system structure shifts the management functions and the control layer to AC for implementation, which relieves some network expansion pressure. But the access system usually cannot achieve full-blown networking, which can seriously affect network performance and integration. Also, implementation of AC functions usually is related to the specific air interface protocol; therefore, the access network system can be highly dependent on the wireless interface.
The system 400 is configured to provide network access to a mobile terminal. In one embodiment, the system 400 includes a network gateway, such as the BMAG 203, that is coupled to a network 205 and a network 210. For example, the network 205 is a broadband mobile access network including wireless and/or wired connections. In another example, the network 210 is a backbone network.
Additionally, the system 400 includes a network controller, such as the BMNC 204, that is coupled to at least one of the network 205 and the network 210, and is configured to provide one or more functions for the network 205. Moreover, the system 400 includes an access point 202 that is coupled to the network 205 and configured to generate a wireless network according to at least a network protocol, and includes another access point 208 that is coupled to the network 205 and configured to generate another wireless network according to at least another network protocol. For example, these two network protocols are the same or different. In another example, each of these two wireless networks includes a broadband wireless network, which is configured to provide a communication speed of at least 2 Mbps.
At least one of the access points 202 and 208 is configured to communicate with a mobile terminal 201 through at least one of the wireless networks. As shown in
Additionally, according to an embodiment, the network gateway 203 is configured to identify at least which one of the access points 202 and 208 is configured to communicate with the mobile terminal 201. Moreover, the network controller 204 is also configured to determine the network protocols for the wireless networks, and to assist the mobile terminal 201 switching between the wireless networks according to another embodiment. For example, the network controller 204 selects the protocol for the access point 202 from a plurality of protocols, and the access point 202 is capable of providing the wireless network according to each of the plurality of protocols. In one embodiment, the plurality of protocols includes ones determined by IEEE 802.11 series, IEEE 802.15 series, and/or IEEE 802.16 series. In another example, the network controller 204 selects the protocol for the access point 208 from another plurality of protocols, and the access point 208 is capable of providing the wireless network according to each of the another plurality of protocols. In one embodiment, the another plurality of protocols includes ones determined by IEEE 802.11 series, IEEE 802.15 series, and/or IEEE 802.16 series.
According to an embodiment, the MT 201 refers to the user terminal equipment that supports the wireless interface access network provided by the broadband mobile access system. For example, the wireless interface access network may support a hybrid network of multiple types of wireless air interfaces. In another example, an MT may only support one type of wireless interface or support multiple types of wireless interfaces. According to another embodiment, an AP is an access server providing wireless signals to one or more MTs, and the access server includes at least one set of radio frequency transmitting and receiving equipment and the related antenna feeding system. For example, each of the APs 202 and 208 includes at least a wireless transmitter and a wireless receiver. The wireless signals communicating through an AP cover a specific area, and one or more MTs may access the broadband network through this AP in the specific coverage area. For example, the AP 202 and/or the AP 208 supports various types of wireless air interfaces. In another example, IEEE 802.11 series, IEEE 802.15 series, and IEEE 802.16 series are all optional broadband mobile access technologies supported by the AP 202 and/or the AP 208. The APs 202 and 208, controlled by the BMNC 204, completes the MT access control. For example, one AP may support multiple wireless RF channels simultaneously and multiple wireless interface standards simultaneously, and/or cover multiple regions.
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For example, the BMNC 204 is a controller for the access network 205, and configured to transmit and receive control signals. The control signals can be used for wireless resource management, user mobility management, and/or user access control. In one embodiment, the wireless resource management function includes wireless resource allocation and monitoring of the entire area covered by the system 400. For example, after the AP 202 and/or 208 powers on and starts working, the BMNC 204 can download the related wireless resource configuration. In another embodiment, the user mobility management function includes maintaining continuity of IP connectivity and service above the IP layer, when the traveling MT 201 switches between wireless channels and/or between APs. In yet another embodiment, the user access control function includes controlling the completion of AP MAC-layer access at air interface, and/or controlling the completion of the related IP connectivity and associated service based on user authentication.
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The AS 206 is, for example, used for processing user access authentication requests and issuing user service control strategies according to the user service attributes. In another example, the AS 206 can also maintain user information and provide downloads to other entities. According to an embodiment, only an MT that has undergone AS authentication can receive IP services. According to another embodiment, the AS 206 can coordinate with other network user authentication servers to establish integrated communication across a plurality of networks.
For example, the NMS 207 can provide maintenance management for the network equipment that is related to broadband mobile access, and also provide corresponding man-machine interfaces. In another example, the NMS 207 can greatly improve network efficiency, and also significantly simplify maintenance and management for network administrators.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, when each of the aforementioned entities are networked through the broadband mobile access network 205, the data user interface service and control interface service are separated. For example, the control interface service is managed by the BMNC 204, which controls each entity through the control interface to maintain network operation. In another example, the data user interface service is related to data flows between APs and between an AP and the BMAG. In one embodiment, the BMAG 203 carries out converging and routing functions under the control of the BMNC 204.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, the broadband mobile access network 205 uses one or more network resources such as Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) or IP network. During networking, the broadband mobile access network 205 often needs to establish service carrier connections between one or more APs, the BMAG 203, and the BMNC 204. For example, the AP 201 may choose different access modes to access the network. In one embodiment, the AP 201 connects directly with the BMAG 203, and/or connects indirectly with the BMAG 203 and/or the BMNC 204 through the broadband mobile access network 205. To improve management and assurance of the services, certain embodiments of the present invention take into account various types of separations between different services, such as between APs, between MTs, and/or between management control service and MT user carrier service.
As discussed above and further emphasized here,
In yet another example, the system 400 provides a method for providing network access to a mobile terminal. The method includes providing a first communication link between a network gateway and a first network and a second communication link between the network gateway and a second network, and providing a third communication link between a network controller and at least one of the first network and the second network. The network controller is configured to provide one or more functions for the first network. Additionally, the method includes establishing a fourth communication link between the first access point and the first network, providing a first wireless network by the first access point according to at least a first network protocol, establishing a fifth communication link between the second access point and the first network, and providing a second wireless network by the second access point according to at least a second network protocol. Moreover, the method includes selecting, by the network gateway, at least one access point from the first access point and the second access point to communicate with a mobile terminal. The mobile terminal is associated with a terminal location and capable of moving with respect to the first access point and the second access point. Also, the method includes establishing a sixth communication link between the mobile terminal and the selected access point. The process of providing a first wireless network by the first access point according to at least a first network protocol includes a process of selecting the first protocol by the network controller from a first plurality of protocols. The first access point is capable of providing the first wireless network according to each of the first plurality of protocols.
a), (b), (c), and (d) show networking conditions between APs, BMNC, and BMAG for control interface services provided by the broadband mobile access system 400 according to certain embodiments of the present invention. These simplified diagrams are merely examples, which should not unduly limit the scope of the claims. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize many variations, alternatives, and modifications.
a) shows service networking between AP and BMNC for control interface services based on VLAN according to an embodiment of the present invention. The configuration only requires the broadband mobile access network to support VLAN, and to establish VLAN between the AP and the BMNC. For example, taking into account the requirements of user isolation, service isolation, and others, multiple APs can be networked with a BMNC through one VLAN. In another example, each AP is networked with a BMNC through an independent VLAN, which can achieve isolation between AP services.
b) shows service networking between AP and BMNC for control interface services based on IP according to another embodiment of the present invention. The configuration uses a BMAG to route IP data to a BMNC. Therefore, networking between the BMAG and the BMNC is via an IP router, and networking between an AP and the BMAG is still through VLAN. For example, taking into account the requirements of user isolation, service isolation, and others, multiple APs are networked with an BMNC through one VLAN. In another example, each AP is networked with a BMAG through an independent VLAN. After the BMAG retransmits IP services to the BMNC, isolation between AP services can be achieved.
c) shows service networking between BMAG and BMNC for control interface services based on VLAN according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. Similar with the service networking between AP and BMNC, networking between multiple BMAGs and an BMNC is carried out through one or more VLANs. For example, multiple BMAGs are networked with a BMNC through one VLAN without any isolation between BMAG services. In another example, each BMAG is networked with a BMNC through an independent VLAN, which can achieve isolation between BMAG services.
d) shows service networking between BMAG and BMNC for control interface services based on IP according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. The configuration uses the broadband mobile access network to possess IP routing function. Then IP message communication can be carried out based on BMAG and BMNC IP addresses.
a), (b), and (c) show networking conditions for user service data interface provided by the broadband mobile access system 400 according to certain embodiments of the present invention. These simplified diagrams are merely examples, which should not unduly limit the scope of the claims. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize many variations, alternatives, and modifications.
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a) shows different MTs accessing the same AP are isolated through IP routing. But different AP services are not isolated through different VLANs.
According to an embodiment, the broadband mobile access system adopts the minimum level of isolation to achieve isolation between user data interface and management control interface, and also adopts the corresponding level of isolation to achieve different degree of QoS assurance for user services. For example, the access system adopts isolation of services of different categories may achieve different QoS assurance according to the service category.
As discussed above and further emphasized here,
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Additionally, a service section can be divided into many subsections according to an embodiment. One subsection may only contain one wireless channel, or may contain multiple wireless channels. If one subsection includes multiple wireless channels, load sharing is possible between these wireless channels. The overlapping coverage of multiple wireless channels may be provided by the same AP and/or by different APs. Moreover, the configuration as shown in
a), (b), (c), and (d) show integration between broadband mobile access network and other networks provided by the broadband mobile access system 400 according to certain embodiments of the present invention. These simplified diagrams are merely examples, which should not unduly limit the scope of the claims. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize many variations, alternatives, and modifications.
a) shows a network integration proposal utilizing the broadband mobile access network to provide mobile IP services to MT. When an MT requests access to its home network through mobile IP, for example, the intranet, the MT establishes a connection with the home network via the broadband mobile access network as the access point. The BMAG then implements Foreign Agent (FA) for the mobile IP, and one or more IP data packets are routed to the Home Agent (HA). In addition, AS also collaborates with the home AAA server to acquire user information. For example, when switching between different systems, for example, when a MT roaming from General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) to the broadband mobile access network, a guarantee may be requested that the IP address is constant for mobile IP, to ensure service continuity.
b) shows a proposal for integrating the broadband mobile access network with the mobile network Circuit Service Domain. The switch of the mobile network circuit is the Mobile Switching Center (MSC), which is equivalent to a mobile soft switch. Services for the MT is routed to a Media Gateway (MG) through a BMAG, and in the meantime, the BMNC establishes a mechanism mainly used for QoS assurance. The switching services of the mobile network circuit are voice services, thus from MT to MG is based on IP voice services. At the control interface, the MT has to accomplish switching calling protocol for mobile network circuit, such as 3GPP 24.008 or 04.08.
c) shows a proposal for integrating the broadband mobile access network with the mobile network Packet Service Domain. The Packet Data Serving Node (PDSN) is the packet data serving node in the Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) 2000, and the Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN) is the gateway serving node of GPRS/Broadband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA). Broadband mobile access network may be directly connected to the mobile packet gateway node to directly acquire packet switching service and provide support for seamless switching between different systems. The IP address for MT access is distributed by GGSN or PDSN. For example, an MT is equivalent to two IP addresses, one of which is the access layer IP address which is distributed within the broadband access carrier network. Using the IP address, a virtual connection between MT and GGSN/PDSN can be established. Over this virtual connection, the IP connection between MT and Packet Service (PS) Domain can be established.
d) shows a proposal for integrating the broadband mobile access network with NGN. Similarly, a BMAG and a MG establish routing relations for processing data flow, and a BMNC and a soft switch establish control relationship. The NGN is applied for voice services, thus, communication from MT to MG is based on IP voice services. In the control interface, the MT has to accomplish NGN calling protocol, such as Session Initiation Protocol (SIP). The BMNC then establishes an access side carrier based on the carrier establishment request of the soft switch mainly for QoS assurance.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the method for the broadband mobile access network includes three processes:
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According to an embodiment, for the user data interface, the AP is equivalent to two-layer bridging equipment, which can provide an IP link at network layer between the MT and the BMAG. For example, a VLAN connection between the AP and the BMAG is established through dynamic control or static configuration, and the MT's IP address is dynamically distributed through Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP).
According to another embodiment, for the management control interface, there is an interface IC1 between the AP and the BMNC. For example, the interface IC1 is Centralized Control And Management Protocol (CCAMP), which is used for complete access control and related management configuration tasks. In another example, the MT access authentication may adopt one or more techniques such as ones based on IEEE 802.1x standard and WLAN Authentication Infrastructure (WAI) for Wireless Authentication and Privacy Infrastructure (WAPI). In yet another example, the MAC layer management function may be achieved, at least in part, by the AP. Additionally, some frames related to the MAC layer management are processed by the BMNC.
According to yet another embodiment, the CCAMP protocol accomplishes the following functions:
According to yet another embodiment, when an MT is switching between different wireless channels, the BMNC performs the switching uniformly. For example, the BMNC processes all MAC switching related frames. In another example, when the MT accesses the AP, the AP reports to the BMNC, which then determines whether or not to switch. Afterwards, the BMNC sends a response to AP about one or more access control policies, such as one related to air interface security.
According to yet another embodiment, a method for an MT to access an AP includes the following processes:
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The present invention has various advantages. Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a broadband mobile access system. For example, the broadband mobile access system includes BMNC and BMAG in accordance with carrier interface and control interface isolation principles. BMAG can provide data routing for IP services, and BMNC can provide QoS control. In another example, the broadband mobile access system provides multiple AP controls using BMNC as the interface core for network control and BMAG as the interface core for data flow routing. In yet another example, the broadband mobile access system also includes an AS, and an NMS for network management. The AS can assist BMNC to complete user authentication and user information management, and NMS can provide network maintenance and human-machine interface. In yet another example, various components of the broadband mobile access system are coordinated to provide a complete IP service for mobile user terminals.
Some embodiments of the present invention provide implementation of broadband mobile access network system through cooperation among various system components, and implementation of network connections between system components and on various layers through VLAN or IP link.
Certain embodiments of the present invention can achieve layer isolation, user isolation, and/or service isolation. Some embodiments of the present invention can provide network coverage through subsections. Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a broadband mobile access method using a broadband mobile access network system. Some embodiments of the present invention provide broadband mobile access network integration with other networks. For example, such integration is accomplished by expanding entity functions and updating protocol support on the MTs. In another example, the specific air interface support is encapsulated in an AP, and the AP can support multiple air interface protocols. In another example, the interface between the AP and other entities remains unchanged. Hence, the access system can select different types of air interface protocols, and the implementation of the entire system is not dependent upon a specific protocol selected.
Some embodiments of the present invention provide a broadband mobile access system that can be easily integrated with the backbone network to make full use of its transmission resources. Certain embodiments of the present invention can expands mobile access network scalability, improves mobile network performance, and/or reduces operating costs. For example, the broadband mobile access system implements data layer isolation, improves network robustness, implements user service isolation, and/or achieves QoS assurance. In another example, the broadband mobile access system facilitates the service provider to expand their services, and enhances the flexibility for upgrading a network. Some embodiments of the present invention provide seamless switching between different wireless channels in the service area for MT to achieve integration of the broadband mobile access network with other networks. For example, such integration is achieved via simple expansion of the functionality of each entity, enhancement of the openness of the broadband mobile access network, and significant enrichment of broadband mobile access services.
Although specific embodiments of the present invention have been described, it will be understood by those of skill in the art that there are other embodiments that are equivalent to the described embodiments. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited by the specific illustrated embodiments, but only by the scope of the appended claims.
