WiMAX intra-ASN service flow ID mobility

Abstract

This invention provides a method, system and apparatus for providing service flow identifier (“SFID”) mobility in a wireless network, which includes generating a structured service flow identifier, the structured service flow identifier having a service flow identifier field and a service flow granularity field, and establishing a level of service flow identifier mobility for the mobile station based on the structured service flow identifier. The structured service flow identifier can further include a multicast field.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present invention, and the attendant advantages and features thereof, will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the network architecture of a wireless access network constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a service flow authorizer (“SFA”) and a service flow manager (“SFM”) within the network architecture of the wireless access network constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a format of a structured service flow ID (“SFID”) in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an IEEE 802.16 standard 4-Byte SFID;

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a structured SFID management process for global SFID mobility in accordance with the principles of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating a structured SFID management process for global SFID mobility in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for controlling service flow identifier mobility for a mobile station on a wireless network, the method comprising: generating a structured service flow identifier, the structured service flow identifier having a service flow identifier field and a service flow granularity field; andestablishing a level of service flow identifier mobility for the mobile station based on the structured service flow identifier.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the structured service flow identifier further includes a multicast field.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein generating a structured flow identifier includes populating the service flow identifier field of the structured service flow identifier.

4. The method of claim 2, further comprising assigning a multicast identifier to the multicast field of the structured service flow identifier.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising assigning a service flow granularity to the service flow granularity field of the structured service flow identifier.

6. The method of claim 5, further wherein the service flow granularity is set to a value of 000.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising commencing a dynamic service flow process to establish a connection for a service flow.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising mapping a generated structured service flow identifier to a connection identifier.

9. An apparatus for controlling service flow identifier mobility on a wireless network, the apparatus comprising: a service flow authorizer, the service flow authorizer controlling service flow identifier mobility of a mobile station in the wireless network by using a structured service flow identifier having at least a service flow identifier field and a service flow granularity field; andestablishing a level of service flow identifier mobility for the mobile station based on the structured service flow identifier.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the service flow authorizer stores the structured service flow identifier field and a service flow granularity field.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the structured service flow identifier indicates the level of service flow identifier mobility for a mobile station.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the structured service flow identifier further includes a multicast field.

13. A gateway for controlling service flow identifier mobility for a mobile station on a wireless network, the gateway comprising: a memory for storing data corresponding to at least one structured service flow identifier; anda processor, the processor operating to: generate a structured service flow identifier, the structured service flow identifier having a service flow identifier field and a service flow granularity field; andestablish a level of service flow identifier mobility for the mobile station based on the structured service flow identifier.

14. The gateway of claim 13, wherein the structured service flow identifier further includes a multicast field.

15. The gateway of claim 13, further comprising assignment of a service flow identifier to the service flow identifier field of the structured service flow identifier.

16. The gateway of claim 14, further comprising assignment of a multicast identifier to the multicast field of the structured service flow identifier.

17. The gateway of claim 13, further comprising assignment of a service flow granularity to the service flow granularity field of the structured service flow identifier.

18. The gateway of claim 13, further comprising assignment of a service flow granularity to the service flow granularity field of the structured service flow identifier.

19. The gateway of claim 13, further comprising commencement of a dynamic service flow process to establish a connection for a service flow.

20. The gateway of claim 13, further comprising a mapping of a generated structured service flow identifier to a connection identifier.