WO2007144214A1

WO2007144214A1 - Method and apparatus for conveying data packets between mobile user terminals and a mobile radio network

Info

Publication number: WO2007144214A1
Application number: PCT/EP2007/053536
Authority: WO
Inventors: Wolf-Dietrich Moeller; Günther Horn
Original assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
Priority date: 2006-06-12
Filing date: 2007-04-12
Publication date: 2007-12-21
Also published as: DE102006027205A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for conveying data packets between mobile user terminals (1a,...,1n) and a mobile radio network (2), having the following steps. At least two first communication channels (3a,...,3n) are set up between at least two user terminals (1a,...,1n) and an access node (4) in the mobile radio network (2). At least one second communication channel (5a, 5b) is set up between the access node (4) and a network node (6) in the mobile radio network (2). At least two of the first communication channels (3a,...,3n) are bundled to form at least one communication channel group which is assigned a respective second communication channel (5a, 5b). Data packets are conveyed between the first communication channels (3a,...,3n) in one of the communication channel groups and the second communication channel (5a, 5b) assigned to the respective communication channel group using the access node (4).

Description

description

Method and device for switching data packets between mobile user terminals and a mobile radio network

The present invention relates to a method and a device for switching data packets between user terminals and a mobile radio network.

A machine, such as an electricity meter must be read regelmä ^¬ SSGIs. Other machines, such as beverage dispensers, must be serviced by staff when the supply of drinks is low or a defect occurs. Therefore, it is desirable if the machines themselves provide appropriate information to an application server of a

Service provider. Conversely, polling the status of a machine by an application server may be of interest to a service station or monitoring site, e.g. for medical devices or alarm systems.

The connection of the machine to a communication network should require only a small effort. For this purpose, the machine can be provided with wireless access to the corresponding application servers by means of existing mobile radio networks.

Such a wireless access technology, among other things through the General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) for Mobiltele- hair-driers provided by the GSM standard (Global System for Mobile Communi ^¬ cations). Other wireless access technologies use the UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) and the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) standards.

1 shows a communication of two mobile user terminals (UE) 40, 41 with a packet-based network 44 (PDN). shown. A network operator assigns each mobile user terminals 40,41 a unique identifier to, such as the IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity) or a phone number ^¬ (MSISDN). When establishing a connection of the mobile user terminal 40, 41 with an access network, each mobile user terminal 40, 41 is assigned an individual and unique IP address. Data packets are then transmitted between the access network (NK_B) 43 and the packet-based network 44 using this IP address. When using IP addresses according to the IPv6 standard, each user terminal 40, 41 is assigned a prefix of the IPv6 address instead of an entire IP address.

The data packets from and to one of the mobile user terminals 40, 41 are transmitted by means of a continuous data packet context K1, K1 'or K2 K2'. The network node 43 (NK_B) serves to transmit the data packets into the packet-based network 44. For the bidirectional communication between the user terminals 40, 41 and the packet-based network 44, each mobile user terminal 40, 41 is assigned a unique IP address.

Due to the large number of electricity meters or similar machines, a large number of IP addresses must be kept free. However, there is a bottleneck here due to the limited number of IP addresses. When routing each data packet, its delivery address must be compared to the large number of IP addresses assigned to a network node. This results in a significant load for the router.

In addition, the network node must manage a data packet context for each user terminal.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus that facilitates communication between a user terminal and a mobile network. The inventive method for switching Datenpake ^¬ th between mobile user terminals and a mobile radio network provides the following steps: establishing at least two first communication channels between at least two user terminals and an access ^¬ node of the cellular network;

Establishing at least a second communication channel between the access node and a network node of the mobile radio network;

Bundling at least two of the first communication channels to at least one communication channel group, each associated with a second communication channel; and switching data packets between the first communication channels of one of the communication channel groups and the second communication channel associated with the respective communication channel group by means of the access node.

The method is based on the idea of achieving the number of required IP addresses by bundling the first communication channels. As a result, the effort for switching data packets in the routers to the network node advantageously also decreases. Here, the one-to-one link between the first communication channels and the second communication channels is broken. Several first

Communication channels can be associated with a second communication channel ^¬ without a change to the interim ^¬ schenk sheet is necessary, or it may have to be communicated to the network nodes. The essential changes can therefore be limited to the access node.

The inventive device for switching Datenpa ^¬ keten between mobile user terminals and a mobile network includes: a first interface for establishing at least a first communication channel to at least two user terminal ^¬ nals; a second interface for establishing at least a second communication channel to a network node in the mobile radio network ^¬; a bundling means for bundling at least two of the first communication channels to at least one communica ^¬ cation channel group, which is respectively assigned a second communication channel ^¬; and a router device for switching data packets between the first communication channels of one of the communication channel groups and the second communication channel assigned to the respective communication channel group.

In the context of this description, the terms communication channel are used synonymously with transmission tunnels. The first communication channel may also be referred to as a user tunnel and the second communication channel as a network tunnel.

In the dependent claims and developments advantageous refinements and additions are given.

In one embodiment, the first communication channel is established via a wireless link. The ^wire-¬ loose link may be implemented according to the GSM or the UMTS Stan ^¬ dard. The first communication channel can be assigned a transmission frequency.

In another embodiment, the access node is assigned at least one base station and the at least one base station establishes a wireless first communication channel with the at least two mobile user terminals.

In a further development of the network nodes of the mobile network builds an IP-based communication channel to a packet-based network ^¬. The IP-based communication channel can provide IPv4 and / or IPv6 support. A further development provides that the mobile user terminal is an automaton which communicates with the access node via a wireless first communication channel.

In one embodiment, an Internet-based application server assigned to the machine is provided for maintenance and / or service requests of the machine, which the machine contacts via the access node of the mobile radio network. The first communication channel can be set up wirelessly. As a result, a flexible installation of the machine is advantageously achieved. A machine shall under this Be ^¬ scription be a means that has an integrated mobile user terminal. In contrast to a mobile ^phone or the like, the automaton is set stationary. The use of the mobile user terminal is mainly for the sake of simple establishment of a communication link. Each machine can individually exchange data with the application server. The administrative effort for the communication is kept low by bundling the second communication channel. In addition, a group of machines located in the coverage area of an access node can communicate with the packet-based network via a single IP address and / or telephone number.

In one embodiment, each second communication channel an IPv4 address or prefix is a IPvβ address zugeord ^¬ net to set up a bi-directional packet-based communication with a packet-based network.

According to one embodiment each mobile Nutzerter is ^¬ minal associated with a group subscriber identity, the mobile for at least two user terminals are identical, and wherein the respective first communication channels are bundled to a communication channel group whose associated mobi ^¬ le user terminals an identical group Have subscriber identifier. In one embodiment, the access node builds the cellular network upon a request of the mobile user terminals of a structure of a communication channel with the paketba ^¬ overbased power one of the first communication channels between the requesting mobile user terminal and the access node, and establishes a second communication channel only when the built-up a first communication channel zugeord ^¬ neter second communication channel is not yet established.

One embodiment provides that each mobile user terminal is assigned to a group subscriber identity, the mobile for at least two user terminals are identical, and the respective first communication channels onskanal group are bundled into a Kommunikati ^¬ whose associated mobile user terminals an identical group subscriber identity comprise , A data packet can be routed from a second communication channel to a first communication channel by means of a network address or port address translation. In this case, a port address in the data packet can also be transmitted as additional information.

In a further development in a data packet that is sent ^¬ terminal by the network node of the mobile network to one of the mobile user, contain additional information that identifies the mobile user terminal, and wherein the to ^¬ transit node this additional information reads and the data packet to the by the Additional information identified mobile user terminal forwards. Furthermore, upon initial registration of one of the mobile user terminals at the access node, the additional information of the mobile user terminal can be generated and this additional information can be stored on a publicly accessible server to which an application server has access in a packet-based network. Furthermore, an IP address of an associated second communication channel can be published on the server. The appli ^¬ dung server can thus access the publicly accessible server and the necessary contact information in the form of the supply read set information and the IP address for transmitting a data packet to the mobile user terminal.

According to an extension, the access node sets an interface identifier of an IPv6 address for each first communication channel and, for each second communication channel, specifies a prefix of an IPv6 address which is transmitted to the network nodes of the mobile network.

The present invention is explained below with reference to a be ^¬ preferred embodiment and figures.

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram for explaining a problem underlying the invention. Figure 2 shows a schematic structure of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic structure of a further embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 shows a schematic structure of a further embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a flow chart for explaining the embodiment of FIG. 4.

Figure 5 shows a schematic structure of an embodiment of the present invention.

For the time being, a brief overview of the embodiments will be given before the individual components and possible transmission protocols and techniques are explained in detail below.

A first embodiment is shown schematically in FIG. By way of example, two mobile user terminals 50, 51 are connected to the same access node 52. The communication takes place via corresponding first communication channels K3, K4. The access node 52 has a router / bundler 53, which bundles the first communication channels K3, K4. Communication with a network node 54 is realized by a second communication channel K5. Of the Access node 52 forwards the data packets from the bundled first communication channels K3, K4 into the second data packet context. The second communication channel K5 ei ^¬ ne IP address is assigned. Based on this IP address, the network node 54 transmits the data packets via an IP-based

Communication channel 60 between the second data packet context K5 and the packet-based network 55th

According to a second embodiment, a plurality of mobile user terminals Ia, ..., In communicates via first communica tion ^¬ channels 3a, ..., 3n ^¬ th to an access node 4. Between each mobile user terminal Ia, ..., In and the Zugangskno 4, at least a first communication channel 3a, ..., 3n can be established. The first communication channel 3a,..., 3n is preferably realized by a wireless transmission link.

The access node 4 communicates with a network node 6 via second communication channels 5a, 5b. These are preferably realized supply stretch over wired electrical or optical Übertra ^¬, which allow a high transmission bandwidth. Furthermore, this also radio links can be used. The access node 4 can have a router 8 and a bundling device 9 with an assignment table of first communication channels 3a,..., 3n to second communication channels 5a, 5b.

The network node 6 enables IP-based communication with a packet-based network 7. The transmission of data packets by means of an IP connection can be carried out according to a TCP / IP protocol or other transmission protocols at the transport level and / or application level. The power ^¬ node 6 may manage to mapping tables between IP addresses and the second communication channels. These can be stored in suitable memory devices 10 to which the network node 6 has access. So that the network node 6 can ensure bi-directional communication between the access node 4 and the packet-based network 7, is each second communication channel 5a, 5b assigned a usually own IP address. The allocation of IP addresses can be Dynamic or static dy ^¬.

The access node 4 and the network node 6 are considered below as part of a mobile radio network 2. This also implies that the access node 4 and the network nodes 6 can be provided by different providers. Furthermore, the first and second communication channels are part of the mobile radio network 2.

The first and second communication channels 3a, ..., 3n; 5a, 5b can be regarded as a tunnel from the point of view of the transmission of the data packets. The data packets have user data that are embedded in corresponding data packet contexts K3, K4, K5 of the communication channels. The first communication channel may e.g. have a data packet context K3, K4 according to the GSM / UMTS standards.

The first communication channels 3a, ..., 3n are preferably wireless, especially radio-based, Übertragungsstre ^¬ CKEN realized. Here, a mobile radio network can be attacked on two Retired ^¬ ^¬ already be stationary base stations, among others. These can, for example, communicate with the mobile user terminals according to the GSM or the UMTS standard. The advantage of using the wireless transmission links of the mobile radio networks 2 lies in their almost flat availability ^¬ ckenden and the high realizable transfer rates of up to 75 MB / s.

The access node 4 may be integrated in an access network to which more than one base station is assigned. Such access network is known be as Access Service Network, ASN ^¬.

The details of the individual components and their use for establishing the communication channels between the mobile groove ^¬ certerminals Ia, ..., In and the packet-based network 7 are exemplary for a particularly relevant embodiment be ^{¬ written} . In this, the mobile user terminals Automa ^¬ th IIa, IIb with a wireless communication interface 38 (Figure 4).

In contrast to the other mobile user terminals Ia, ..., In, these are usually stationary for a long time (months, years). Furthermore, the communication of the machines IIa, IIb with other devices is a subordinate function of the nature of the machines IIa, IIb. Typically, the machines IIa, IIb use a communication mainly or exclusively to report a status of the machine IIa, IIb or allow their status to be queried by an Internet-based application server 22.

Examples of machines IIa, IIb are metering devices for gas, electricity, etc .; medical devices used for monitoring, for example; Alarm systems that transmit, for example, a status message about the functional readiness of the individual sensors to a central station; Food dispensers such as Cola machines, candy distributors reporting their fill levels.

An automat can also be integrated in a car. Remains the car within the managed by an access node

In principle, it can be regarded as static in principle from the point of view of the described methods. Such an area may be an entire region, e.g. to include a city. This depends on the number of mobile stations assigned to the access node.

An operator of a mobile radio network 12 assigns to each subscribed automatic machine IIa, IIb an identifier, for example in the form of a telephone number (MSISDN) and / or an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI). This identifier may th the automation eg by so-called SIM chips (Subscriber Identity Mo ^¬ dul) are familiar. Preferably, the identifiers are unique, ie each machine IIa, IIb receives one of all other machines IIa, IIb and other mobile user terminals. nals different identifier. Instead of a freely selectable Ken ^¬ voltage also known as IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identifier) can be used, which is different for each ^¬ mo bile user terminal, and thus the machine IIa, IIb. The use of similar identifiers for a group of machines IIa, IIb is also usable for another embodiment. A further embodiment may consist in that the identifier of a machine consists of a group identifier and additionally an individual identifier within the group.

FIG. 5 shows a method for setting up the communication channels as a flowchart, which relates in particular to FIG.

After setting up the machine IIa, IIb this report for the first time typically to them on the nearest market to ^¬ output node 14 at. Each of the machines IIa, IIb sends an activation request to the access node 14. The first communication channel 13a, 13b to the access node 14 can be constructed ge ^¬ standard known standards for mobile. The access node 14 has a base station 23, or is connected to at least one base station 23. (Sl, Sl ')

The access node 14 checks the admission of an access of the machines IIa, IIb to the mobile radio network 12 (S2, S2 ') using a so-called HLR server 20. This is done by known methods such as e.g. specified in the GSM / UMTS standards. If the admission is positive, the access node 14 records the identifier, e.g. the IMSI, the machines IIa, IIb in a database of a bundling device 19 on.

The access node 14 further determines to which communication group the automaton IIa, IIb is assigned. (S3, S3 ')

For this purpose, the access node 14 can query the corresponding assignment data from the AAA server 20 or another server, for example, which contains the home location register (HLR). The Allocation data can also be made available in advance locally to the access node 14. Furthermore, the access node 14 can determine the communication group of the auto IIa, IIb according to a predetermined ordering criterion from the IMSI or the telephone number. The membership of machines IIa, IIb to a communication group can, among other things by a subscriber contract with the network operator puts his Festge ^¬. It may be advantageous to combine only the machines IIa, IIb into a group which have a common access point, ie communicate with the same access node 14. Advantageously, an identifier of the communication group of the machine IIa, IIb is stored to the identifier of the machine in the database of the bundling device 19. The identifier of the communication group can be eg a group IMSI.

It is also possible that the individual automaton IIa, IIb kei ^¬ ne unique identifier is assigned, but only an identifier for its associated communication group.

In the case of a request for establishing a connection between the machine IIa, IIb and the packet-based network 17, the access node 14 first forwards this request to the network node 16. The node 16 checks the access authorization, and outputs the feedback when a positive acknowledgment that a second communication channel between the access node 15 ^¬ 14 and the network node 16 may be built up (S4).

In a next step, the access node 14, the identifier of the machine reads the machines IIa, IIb and the identifier of the associated communication group. Then reconstructs the input node 14 to ^¬ the second communication channel 15 (S5). This second communication channel 15 is referred to just ermit ^¬ Telte communication group, as well as a communication channel group assigned.

The network node 16 assigns an IP address to the second communication channel 15. This becomes the route of data packets advantageously stored in a memory device 21 of the network node 16 with a link to the second Kommunikati ^¬ onskanal 15.

That are sent from the vending machine IIa, IIb data packets, to be 17 conducts weiterge ^¬ via the wireless first communication channel 13a, 13b, the access node 14, the second communication channel 15 and the network node 16 to the packet-based network. Accordingly, data packets are forwarded in the opposite direction.

If a second automaton IIa, IIb requests a connection to the packet-based network 17 (S7), the access node 14 checks, in addition to the steps described above, whether the second communication channel 15 is already established, whose assigned communication group is the second automaton IIa , IIb associated communication group corresponds (S8). Matching is to be understood here as meaning that the first two communication channels are assigned to the same communication group. Among other things, this may require compatibility of the requested properties for the first communication channels. If there is no correspondence, a new second communication channel 15 is set up, as described below ^under S6 and S7 (S8). Otherwise, no new second communication channel 15 is established. Accordingly, no renewed IP address is assigned by the network node 16. This avoids re-negotiation of Übertra ^¬ supply resource, an access to a DHCP server, HLR servers, etc. Nevertheless, a second communication channel 15 represents the transmission of data packets from the second machine IIa, IIb provides to the packet-based network 17th This also reduces latency.

When transmitting data packets through the second car IIa, IIb, there are no significant changes to the previously known methods. Except that the data packets are transmitted via the second communication channel 15 that which the first and the second automaton IIa, IIb now share in the transmission bandwidth.

In the opposite direction, i. However, data packets directed from the packet-based network 17 to the machines IIa, IIb now require special treatment.

The routing in the network node 16 takes place on the basis of the IP addresses which are sent in the data packets or data packet contexts as header information. When using IPv4 addresses, the entire address and when using IPv6 addresses, the so-called prefix is used.

The two machines IIa, IIb are both connected by the common second communication channel 15 with the network node 16 ^¬ . The network node 16 routes all data packets for the two machines IIa, IIb based on the same IP address in the second communication channel 15. The network node 16 has no influence on the routing of the data packets to the second communication channel 15th

Thus, the data packets are still forwarded correctly to the corresponding automatic IIa, IIb, the access node 14 ^¬ routes the data packets through a router device 18. For this purpose, the router device 18 are provided additional information. The router device 18 can the Zugangskno ^¬ th 14 upstream, downstream or tured way according to this integ ^¬.

The additional information can be provided in a variety of forms. In any case, the information ^content must be sufficient for unambiguously assigning the data packet to one of the machines IIa, IIb. No double assignments of the additional information may occur. Furthermore, the assignment of the additional information to an automaton IIa, IIb should be valid for the duration of a communication with the application server 22. A non-exhaustive list of various ge ^¬ appropriated additional information and making it available to the Application server 22 and router device 18 are listed below.

The additional information is preferably transported in the data packets in addition to their payload (payload) as further header information. The router device 18 reads the Headerin ^¬ formation from the data packets and the data packets can according to the machine IIa, IIb forward. The ent ^¬ speaking additional information may be provided as the transport layer in a higher layer and ausgewer ^¬ be tet.

The embedding of the additional information is simple when the communication is started by a machine IIa, IIb. The automaton IIa, IIb establishes a suitable data packet context in which the additional information is already contained. The application server 22 in the packet-based network 17 uses this from the data packets sent to it with the additional information transmitted to it in the header for the return of its reply. In this way, the additional information of the router device 18 is available.

A communication started by machines IIa, IIb is the most common case. Nevertheless, the necessary modifications that are necessary for establishing communication by the packet-based network 17 should also be considered.

First of all, this requires a static assignment of the IP

Addresses to the second communication channels 15. This results from the fact that machines IIa, IIb can be assigned to another access node 14 at least in principle after a certain time. This is done, for example, by a restructuring of the mobile radio network 12 or a repurchase ^¬ ment of the machines IIa, IIb. The static IP addresses can be set up at the first time a vending machine IIa, IIb is registered at an access node 14. First, the access node 14 determines the identifier of the machine IIa, IIb. On the basis of this identifier, the access node 14 determines the communication group of the au ^¬ tomatoes IIa, IIb. Based on this identifier, the access node then determines an IP address that is assigned to the communication ^¬ group, and forwards this IP address to the network node 16 on. Or the network node 16 is notified of the communication group and the network node 16 determines the static IP address.

The static IP address can be stored for the communication group eg in a home register or in an AAA server 20. This may require a entspre ^¬ sponding interface for the access node 14 and / or the network nodes 16 to refer to the IP address.

In addition to the static assignment of an IP address to an auto IIa, IIb this is also a static additional information assigned. This can also be obtained from the AAA server 20. However, it is also possible to generate the unique additional information by the machine IIa, IIb or the access node 14 and store it in a publicly available server 25. For example, the publicly accessible server 25 may be included in the packet-based network 17, which also includes the application server 22. The application server 22 loads from the publicly accessible server 25 the unique additional information and the IP address. User data are transmitted together with the additional information in a data packet to the IP address. In the case of an IPv6 address, the additional information can be transported as an interface identifier in the IP address. The network node 16 forwards the data packet to the access node 14 based on the IP address. The router device 18 in the access node 14 uses the additional information and forwards the data packet to the machines IIa, IIb. The pa ^¬ ketbasierte network 17, the machine IIa, IIb can now about the static address and the additional information, regardless of the location of the machines IIa, IIb.

The additional information can be determined by the machines IIa, IIb itself. The self-selected additional information is transmitted from the machines IIa, IIb to the access node 14 to the request. If the access node 14 determines that the access information has not yet been pre-assigned by another automaton IIa, IIb, it is assigned to the requesting automaton IIa, IIb. The access information can be published as described above.

Another elegant way of setting the access information dynamically or statically is to look at the unique identifiers, e.g. IMSI, IMEI, vending machines IIa, IIb. The IMSI or the IMEI can be used directly as additional information. For security reasons and / or for adaptation to protocol properties or data formats, additional information derived from these identifiers is preferred. By means of suitable algorithms, it can be ensured that the port addresses are unique or, at least with a very high probability, are unique at an access node 14.

As additional information port addresses can be used. Each machine IIa, IIb, a port address assigned ^¬ the machine or IIa, IIb generates itself a sol ^¬ che port address. In both cases, the port address must be known to the access node 14 or made known. Attention must also through appropriate mechanisms on who that the port addresses of each machine IIa, IIb is unique ^¬. At least the port address for each of the machines IIa, IIb must be unique, which are connected to the same Zu ^¬ gang node 14. The assignment of the port address, like other additional information, can be dynamic or static. The router device 18 may include a network address translation element (NAT) or a port address translation element (PAT) integrated. These convert the port addresses in the data packet in secondary IP addresses to which the part of the first communication passages 13a, 13b ver ^¬ be spent. The access node 14 can then forward the data packets to the machines IIa, IIb on the basis of the secondary IP addresses. On the part of the second communication channels 15, the port addresses are contained in the data packet context and the routing is based on the IP addresses. This method is particularly suitable for IPv4 addresses.

When using IP addresses according to the IPv6 standard, every second communication channel 15 can have exactly one prefix, i. the higher-order 64 bits of the IP address, and each first communication channel 13a, 13b assigned a different interface identifier. The lower-order bits (the so-called interface identifier) can thus be used to route the data packets from the second communication channels 15 into the first communication channels 13a, 13b.

The determination of the interface identifier can be done in many ways. In one variant, it is determined statically. For this purpose, the access node loads the static IPv6 address from the HLR server 20 or another server. The access node 14 notifies the terminal IIa, IIb of this IPv6 address via the communication channel 13a, 13b.

In another form, the prefix can be transmitted to the machines IIa, IIb. The automaton IIa, IIb then generates an interface identifier based on its IMSI or IMEI. The generated interface identifier is then provided to the access node 14. The access node 14 can also dynamically determine the interface identifier from data packets transmitted by the automaton IIa, IIb. The determination is made dynamically, for example by the access node 14 and / or a DHCP server. Double occupancy is to be avoided in this case. Particularly preferred is a so-called stateless auto confi ^¬ guration IPvβ addresses by the mobile user terminals themselves. Through appropriate mechanisms prevents IPvβ addresses are assigned twice. Preferably, the automata IIa, IIb can only specify the interface identifier. This can be determined from their IMSI or IMEI as already stated in another context. The prefix is determined by the access node according to the communication groups. The IPv6 address is transmitted to the network node including the link to the second communication channel.

The interface identifiers must be maintained in the access node 14 to allow routing of data packets. When determining the interface identifier by the machines IIa, IIb they are transmitted to the access node 14. However, the access node 14 can also refer to a self-configuring router, the interface identifier from the first transmitted data packets of the machines IIa, IIb.

The IPv4 address or the prefix of an IPv6 address may also be determined by the access node 14 among other things according to one of the methods described above. The IPv4 address or the prefix are then transmitted to the network node 16, which needs them for routing.

With the described embodiments, communication between the terminals IIa, IIb and the packet-based network 17 and application servers 22 contained therein is possible. The network node 16 requires no modifications to the network nodes for the methods, which are provided for example in the WiMAX standard by the so-called intermediate network or Connectivity Service Net ^¬ work (CSN). This advantageously allows a flexible use of the method with the described advantages of a lower routing effort and the multiple use of the valuable IP addresses. The structure of an access node according to an embodiment is shown in FIG. A first interface 30 is used for communication with mobile user terminals Ia, ..., In, in particular via the first communication channels 3a, ..., 3n. The first interface 30 preferably includes at least ei ^¬ ne base station which enables a wireless communication with the mobile user terminal Ia, ..., In. A second interface 31 is used for establishing the second Kommunikati ^¬ onskanälen 5a, 5b to a network node 6. In a communication path 33, 34 between the first interface 30 and second interface 31 is a router device 32 is arranged ^¬. This provides bidirectional data packets Zvi ^¬ rule of the first and second interface. In addition, a bundling device 35 is provided. This group combines first communication channels 3a,..., 3n into communication groups and links the communication group to one of the second communication channels 5a, 5b. The bundling device 35 can transmit to the router device 32 in which second communication channel 5a, 5b a data packet from a first communication channel 3a,..., 3n is to be forwarded. The linking information is advantageously stored locally in a database 36. The database 36 can have an interface for communicating with external servers, for example the HLR server, in order to query the link information. The linking information can also be determined from the IMSI or IMEI identifiers by one of the aforementioned methods.

Most embodiments are described in terms of the machines. It is obvious to the person skilled in the art that the

Methods are not limited thereto, but can be used for all mo ^¬ bile user terminals.

A mobile user terminal Ia, ..., In can open more than one data packet context. Each of the data packet contexts receives an entry in a traffic flow table (TFT). For each data packet context, a first communication channel 3m, 3n is established. The first communication onskanäle 3m, 3n can be the same second communication channel 5a, 5b to be routed if the entries in the traffic flow Ver ^¬ table are compatible. Compatibility is decided on the basis of a policy. The policy may be local to the access node 14 or may be obtained from the AAA server or similar device. The different entries are transmitted in the data packet context. Due to their distinctiveness, they can be used in the sense of the ^exemplary embodiments described above as additional information for routing for the access node 14.

For data packet contexts with incompatible traffic flow ^bells , separate second communication channels 5a, 5b are set up. If a mobile user terminal Ia, ..., In or the network node 6 changes the traffic flow table for a communication path from or to a mobile user terminal Ia, ..., In, its associated first communication channel 3a, ..., 3n can be changed to another second communication ^¬ channel 5a, 5b are routed. The other second communication onskanal 5a, 5b has a corresponding acceptable traffic ^¬ have flow table. If necessary, a new second communication channel 5a, 5b is set up.

Is the change of a traffic flow table to reduce a property or larger, for example the number of assigned a traffic flow table port addresses can, the value of this property will be set to a maximum value ge ^¬. The maximum value is determined to be the largest value of this property of all mobile user terminals routed to this second communication channel 5a, 5b. If necessary, the maximum value must be limited to the resources still available. In this case, the access node takes over a part of the filter functions which was taken over by the network node 16 in a previous architecture. The access node 14 can autonomously determine optimized solutions with respect to individual group properties. For example, two first communica ^¬ tion channels 3m, 3n from the same mobile Nutzerter- minal In the port addresses 10 to 19 and 30 to 39 occupy. After the previous execution, however, the network node will reserve the port addresses 10 to 39. By shifting the evaluation of traffic flow tables through the access node resources can be saved. If the access node 4 specifies non-permissible traffic flow tables for the network node 6, it rejects the network node 6. The access node 4 creates thereupon permissible traffic information.

An extension envisages transferring to the access node 4 the handling of all traffic flow tables. The mobile user terminals of a communication group may be configured to all use a common preconfigured traffic flow table.

The quality of service, Radio Priority, Packet Flow Identity, Paketda ^¬ th (PDP) address and the traffic flow table of communica tion channels ^¬ can be changed anytime. Of interest in the context of this description are changes in the quality of service, since these affect the first and second communication channels. The quality of service can be changed by the mobile user terminal, the access node or the network node 6. The quality of service of a first communication channel 3a, ..., 3n can be changed without further ado. However, it must then be ensured that this first communication channel 3a,..., 3n can still continue to belong to the same communication group. If this is not so, it must be a new communication ^¬ group are allocated, which has a compatible or a similar quality of service. If necessary, a new

Communication group and an associated second communication ^¬ onskanal 5a, 5b are constructed.

It is also possible to include a low-priority first communication channel 3a,..., 3n in a group with highly priori ^¬ oriented first communication channels Ia, ..., In. This will lead to data packets of the overbased paketba ^¬ network 7 are provided, in part, not from the Access node 4 via the slow first communication channel 3a, ..., 3n can be forwarded. These packets are then discarded only at the access node 4 instead of already at the network node 6. Thus, they were unnecessarily transmitted from the network node 6 to the network node 4. This leads to increased data traffic within the second communication channel 5a, 5b. As a rule, however, the wireless first Kommunikationska ^¬ ducts 3a, ..., 3n the throughput rate of the mobile network boundaries 2 be ^¬, this is not a significant limitation. Rather, it allows for easy treatment of vereinzel ^¬ th first communication channels of different quality of service.

Mobile user terminals of a predefined communication group can have a permanently assigned quality of service, which is used to set up communication channels with these mobile user terminals. For the Kommunikati ^¬ onsgruppe a subscribierter set is used by quality of service. This is preferably stored in the home location register or the AAA server.

From the point of view of a network operator, it may be of interest which data packets are forwarded to which end users and machines Ia, ..., In. This is interesting for billing statements, among other things. The network node 6 can read out additionally guided information in the data packets. The data transfer can thus be tracked for each individual machine and recorded for billing purposes. The additional information is provided as previously described. In this case, the additional information necessary for routing at the access node 4 can be used.

Instead of IP addresses, other address types are possible. For example, these may be defined in other user-level protocols (PDP types) within data packet contexts. One way a data packet to a mobile user terminal Ia, ..., In transmit by the access node 4 is the data package ... In simultaneously to all mobile Nutzerter ^¬ minals Ia to send (so-called. Broadcast mode). However, this is an ineffective process. Under certain circumstances, it is possible to dispense with the use of unique identifiers of the mobile user terminals. This is possible, for example, if only activation signals are to be transmitted to the mobile user terminals.

The GSM network knows primary and secondary data packet contexts.

Each primary data packet context has a different IP address. A terminal can more primary contexts activa ^¬ ren. Each primary context, the terminal can activate secondary contexts that have the same IP address as the primary have, but differ in the traffic flow table. Accordingly, the methods described above may be used to forward data packets in secondary data packet contexts. As additional information, this offers itself to use the different traffic flow tables.

Claims

claims

1. A method for switching data packets between mobile user terminals (Ia, ..., In, IIa, IIb) and a mobile radio network (2, 12), comprising the following steps:

Establishing at least two first communication channels (3a, ..., 3n; 13a, 13b) between at least two user terminals (Ia, ..., In; IIa, IIb) and an access node (4; 14) of the mobile radio network (2 12);

Establishing at least a second communication channel (5a, 5b, 15) between the access node (4; 14) and a network node (6; 16) of the cellular network (2; 12);

Bundles of at least two of the first communication channels (3a, ..., 3n; 13a, 13b) to at least one Kommunikationska ^¬ nal group, which a second communication channel (5a, 5b; 15) each is assigned; and

Switching data packets between said first communication channels (3a, ..., 3n; 13a, 13b) of one of Kommunikationskanal- groups and the respective communication channel group ^¬ parent second communication channel (5a, 5b; 15) by means of the access node (4; 14).

The method of claim 1, wherein the first communication channel (3a, ..., 3n; 13a, 13b) is established over a wireless link.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the access node (4; 14) at least one base station (23) is assigned and the at least one base station (23) ei ^¬ NEN wireless first communication channel (3a, ..., 3n; 13a, 13b) with the at least two mobile user terminal (Ia, ..., In; IIa, IIb) builds.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the network node of the mobile radio network establishes an IP-based communication channel to a packet-based network.

5. The method according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the mobile user terminal an automaton

(IIa, IIb), which communicates via a wireless communication interface (38).

6. The method of claim 5, wherein for maintenance and / or service requests of the machine (IIa, IIb) a the machine (IIa, IIb) associated with Internet-based application server (22) is provided, the

Automat (IIa, IIb) contacted via the access node (14) of the mobile network (12).

7. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein an IPv4 address or a prefix of an IPv6 address is assigned to each second communication channel (5a, 5b; 15) in order to enable bidirectional packet-based communication with a packet-based network (7; ).

8. The method according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein each mobile user terminal (Ia, ..., In; IIa, IIb) is assigned a Grup ^¬ pen subscriber identifier that for at least two mobile user terminals (Ia, ..., In ; IIa, IIb) is identical, and wherein the respective first communication channels (, ..., 3n 3a; 13a, 13b) ge to a communication channel group ^¬ are bundles whose associated mobile user terminals (Ia, ..., In; IIa, IIb) have an identical group subscriber identifier.

9. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the access node (4; 14) of the mobile radio network (2; 12) upon request of one of the mobile user terminals (Ia, ..., In; IIa, IIb) for establishing a communication channel with the paketba ^¬ overbased network (7; 17) one of the first communication channels (3a, ..., 3n; 13a, 13b) mobile between the requesting user terminal (Ia, ..., In; IIa, IIb) and the access node ( 4; 14) is built, and a second communication channel (5a, 5b; 15) only builds up when a said applied first communication channel (3a, ..., 3n; 13a, 13b) associated second Kommunikati ^¬ onskanal (5a, 5b; 15) is not yet established.

10. The method according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein in a data packet from the network node (6; 16) of the mobile ^¬ radio network (2; 12) at one of the mobile user terminal (Ia, ..., In; IIa, IIb ), additional information is included that the mobile user terminal

(Ia, ..., In; IIa, IIb) is identified, and wherein the Zugangskno ^¬ th (4; 14) reads the additional information and the Datenpa ^¬ ket on the product identified in the additional information mobile user terminal (Ia, ..., In ; IIa, IIb).

11. The method of claim 10, wherein upon initial registration of one of the mobile user terminals (Ia, ..., In; IIa, IIb) at the access node (4; 14) the additional information of the mobile user terminal (Ia, ..., In; IIa, IIb) is generated and this additional information is stored on a publicly accessible server (25) to which an application server (22) in a packet-based network (7; 17) has access.

12. The method according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the access node (4; 14) to each first communication channel (3a, ..., 3n; 13a, 13b) an interface identifier of an IPvβ Address sets, and each second communication channel (5a, 5b; 15) define a prefix of a IPvβ address, to the network node is telt übermit ^¬ (6;; 16) of the mobile radio network (12 2).

13. A device for switching data packets between mobile user terminals (Ia, ..., In; IIa, IIb) and a mobile radio network ^¬ (2; 12), comprising:

a first interface (30) for establishing at least a first communication channel (3a, ..., 3n; 13a, 13b) to min ^¬ least two user terminals (Ia, ..., In; IIa, IIb);

a second interface (31) for establishing at least a second communication channel (5a, 5b; 15) to a network node ^¬ (6; 16) of the mobile radio network (2; 12);

a bundling device (35) for bundling at least two of the first communication channels (3a, ..., 3n; 13a, 13b) to at least one communication channel group, to each of which a second communication channel (5a, 5b; 15) is assigned; and

a router device (32) for switching data packets between said first communication channels (3a, ..., 3n; 13a, 13b) one of the communication channel groups and the respective communication channel group associated second Kommunikati ^¬ onskanal (5a, 5b; 15) ,