Background technology:
Along with mobile subscriber increasing to the continuous demand of high data rate and wide area mobile office situation, the mutual fusion of cellular mobile communication networks and WLAN (wireless local area network) more and more has been necessary.Advance wireless cellular network with WLAN is integrated efficiently, speed is higher, the data communication services of better quality for the user provides at a lot of hot zones (as office, airport, railway station, hotel etc.), will become new growth point in the wireless communications market, in the industry cycle, existing at present company supports the dual-mode terminal of WLAN and GPRS simultaneously in exploitation.On message transmission rate, be up to 115kbit/s in the GPRS cellular mobile communications networks, and WLAN can utilize its high-speed data transmission speed effectively replenishing as GPRS; On the other hand, the work coverage of WLAN is several meters to hundred meters, and for GPRS network, wireless coverage is to be higher than WLAN's far away, can reach tens kilometers, as seen, WLAN and GPRS are complementary aspect these two, therefore, the intercommunication of WLAN and GPRS network is merged, can make full use of the complementary ability of the two, attract a large amount of customer groups, make mobile subscriber and operator can both obtain bigger income.
ETSI has specified two kinds of network integration schemes: close coupling and loose coupling.
In the loose coupling mode as shown in Figure 1, GPRS network is made up of GPRS core net and wireless access network two parts, wherein core net 4 is made up of GPRS serving GPRS support node (SGSN) 4a, Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN) 4b, attaching position register (HLR) 4c, and the wireless access part is formed in base station controller 5 and base station 6; In the loose coupling mode, solve its mobile management problem with mobile IP technology, WLAN (wireless local area network) 2n is the WLAN (wireless local area network) of mobile node 1 at other places roaming time channel warp, 2a wherein is WAP (wireless access point) (AP), 2b is router or the Layer 2 switch that WLAN (wireless local area network) links to each other with the outside, and 7n is the local WLAN (wireless local area network) under the mobile node 1.
In the loose coupling scheme, WLAN (wireless local area network) 2n and GPRS cellular network are separate, there are not influence in construction each other and infiltration and development, what the WLAN upper-layer protocol used is the various Internet agreements of standard, needn't transform protocol stack, its advantage also just is this, and promptly WLAN (wireless local area network) and cellular radio can be distinguished independent deployment.But traditional mobile I P technology has been introduced bigger switching, propagation delay time and packet loss, and the roaming that is not easy to provide seamless is switched, and this problem had become the key problem in technology that present stage need solve already.
In the close coupling scheme, as shown in Figure 2, WLAN (wireless local area network) 2n ' is that wireless access network as GPRS network exists, and is connected with GPRS serving GPRS support node 4a by interface.For the GPRS core net, the user two internetwork switchings just be equivalent to two independently the minizone carry out the same, the user can be implemented in two internetwork seamless switchings, the continuity of session before and after guaranteeing to switch, better to the service quality QoS support, but the realization technical difficulty of close coupling scheme is big, needs upgrading and transforms prior network device.
The development trend of present stage relatively concentrates on the research to the loosely-coupled network configuration aspects.
Summary of the invention:
The mobile communications network of a kind of cellular network and WLAN (wireless local area network) loose coupling, as shown in Figure 3, at WLAN (wireless local area network) 2n " in, be provided with a virtual home agent 2c and solve the mobile management problem of mobile node 1 in roam procedure that home agent is WLAN (wireless local area network) 7n.
The mobile IP server of existing application is to behind the mobile subscriber's network access in WLAN (wireless local area network) or the wide area network it being registered, and as home agent or Foreign Agent, finishes the encapsulation of packet, the process of dismounting, thereby realizes the function of mobile IP.And to finish the fusion of WLAN (wireless local area network) and cellular network, need a kind of new server, in order to realize the roaming function of mobile node between cellular network and WLAN (wireless local area network), the present invention is called the loose coupling server with such server, and at mobile node at nonlocal roaming condition, the definition mobile node loose coupling server in the WLAN (wireless local area network) of accessing outside is virtual home agent VHA (Virtual Home Agent), abandon the external agent's notion among traditional mobile IP, and replace a new functional entity---virtual home agent, realize the mobile IP function of roamer in loosely-coupled network with this.As shown in Figure 3, at WLAN (wireless local area network) 2n " in a such loose coupling server 2c is set, make it to communicate by coordinating WAP (wireless access point) 2a and router two b and outer data network 3.From roaming to the angle of mobile node 1 in other places, WLAN (wireless local area network) 2n " in loose coupling server 2c plays the part of is the role of virtual home agent, the loose coupling server 7c among its home network 7n then serves as home agent.
The target that virtual home agent 2c among Fig. 3 will finish has following two aspects: at first be to solve the mobile management problem of mobile node 1 under the loosely-coupled network structure, wherein outstanding is will solve problems such as time delay in the roaming handoff procedure, packet loss, realizes quick, seamless switching; Next be in order to solve traditional mobile IP such as triangle route intrinsic problem.
The present invention is based upon on the following predefined basis:
We at be that wireless cellular network and WLAN (wireless local area network) overlap the mobile management problem that covers mobile node under the situation.Needing the ben zonule that is WLAN (wireless local area network) covers also should be to be within the big regional coverage of wireless cellular network simultaneously, this point should be natural, even the situation that a plurality of WLAN (wireless local area network) exist adjacency to cover each other may occur;
2. mobile node 1 is the multimode intelligent terminal that can insert wireless cellular network and WLAN (wireless local area network) simultaneously.Wireless cellular network and WLAN (wireless local area network) as offered be each other roaming agreement (adopting mobile IP) well, make mobile node when carrying out transfer of data with side's network, still can keep communicating by letter with the opposing party's network, mobile node just can utilize mobile IP technology to roam arbitrarily between wireless cellular network and WLAN (wireless local area network) like this;
3.GPRS cellular network and WLAN (wireless local area network) are separate, message transmission rate separately differs bigger, and the loose coupling mode is adopted in mutual fusion.
Shown in Fig. 4 is WLAN (wireless local area network) 2n in conjunction with the loose coupling server " network configuration; wherein directly linking to each other by twisted-pair feeder between the RJ45 network interface on the RJ45 network interface on the loose coupling server 2c and router or the Layer 2 switch 2b, also is that the RJ45 network interface by separately directly links to each other between same WAP (wireless access point) 2a and the 2b.
The mobile communications network that a kind of cellular network and WLAN (wireless local area network) pine are merged, comprise mobile communication node 1, other places WLAN (wireless local area network) 2n, outer data network 3, by service support GPRS node 4a, gateway is supported GPRS node 4b, the core net 4 that attaching position register 4c forms, base station controller 5, base station 6, by WAP (wireless access point) 7a, the router 7b that is connected with the outside, the local WLAN (wireless local area network) 7n that server 7c forms, communication node 8, it is characterized in that: " replace nonlocal WLAN (wireless local area network) 2n; WLAN (wireless local area network) 2n is " by WAP (wireless access point) 2a with nonlocal WLAN (wireless local area network) 2n, the router two b that is connected with the outside, loose coupling server 2c forms, wherein router two b network interface is connected with the network interface of WAP (wireless access point) 2a, and its another network interface is connected with the network interface of loose coupling server 2c.
Three processes of starting stage, judgement stage and the execution phase of switching below in conjunction with mobile node and set forth by two functions that the virtual home agent that the loose coupling server is played the part of need be realized.
At first at general situation, be that mobile node is when the other places is roamed, " process of switching (the solid arrow direction shown in Fig. 3) is done detailed elaboration in conjunction with network configuration of the present invention and scheme to mobile node 1 to WLAN (wireless local area network) 2n by the GPRS cellular network as shown in Figure 3.
Fig. 5 for mobile node 1 among the present invention as shown in Figure 3 by the GPRS cellular network to WLAN (wireless local area network) 2n " the simplification process of switching.
Fig. 6 is that mobile node 1 is by WLAN (wireless local area network) 2n " to the simplification process of GPRS cellular network switching.
Generally speaking, can come excitation system to enter the switching initial condition according to the received signal strength signal intensity of mobile node (RSS_WLAN), yet this will cause " ping-pong " for some situation, and have a strong impact on the travelling performance of system, here the cellular network that relates to and the handoff procedure between the local area network (LAN) are not suitable for especially, because the coverage of WLAN (wireless local area network) is smaller.If user velocity is very fast, and the covering radius of WLAN (wireless local area network) is smaller, even RSS_WLAN has risen to very high level, should not switch in this WLAN (wireless local area network) yet, because the situation that such a mobile node is passed by WLAN (wireless local area network) can cause frequent switching, certainly will significantly reduce the travelling performance of system.
Switch decision model among the present invention adopts the Mathematical Modeling in the document [1].If system requirements is with reference to the translational speed V of mobile node
n, (brief note is for S for RSS_WLAN
n) as the parameter of judgement, this is two and most important parameters (should as far as possible select the burden of less parameter with mitigation system for use) the most basic, then measures cost Cost functional value by the Mathematical Modeling in the following formula.
Cost
n=δ
vInV
n+δ
sInS
n,(δ
v+δ
s=1);......................................... (1)
Cost in the formula
nBe will reference cost function value, δ
vAnd δ
sBe normalization coefficient, its big or small display system is to the attention degree of corresponding entry.
Fig. 7 is the flow chart that mobile node is switched to WLAN (wireless local area network) by the GPRS cellular network.Mobile node 1 by the GPRS cellular network in the moving process of WLAN (wireless local area network), begin to receive the broadcast M1 that WLAN (wireless local area network) is sent, whether detect subsequently to satisfy and switch initial condition M2, this switches initial condition and promptly adopts Cost function above-mentioned to adjudicate, in case Cost occurs
WLAM<Cost
GPRSSituation, promptly satisfied initial switching condition, then mobile node 1 is just to WLAN (wireless local area network) 2n, and " send a pre-switch instruction, enter the switching initial condition, timer 2 begins the M3 that clocks.And in the process that timer 2 clocks, also need continual monitoring state Cost
WLAN<Cost
GPRSIn a single day whether continue M3 ', if Cost in this process, occurs
WLAN>Cost
GPRS, then timer 2 zero clearing immediately, and send to home agent and to cancel announcement, waiting next time and detect and satisfy when switching initial condition, timer begins to clock by 0 again.Certainly, if do not satisfy above-mentioned initial switching condition at the very start, then just should continue to detect whether to satisfy and switch initial condition.
WLAN (wireless local area network) 2n is " after receiving this pre-switch instruction, for mobile node 1 distributes one to look after address CoA
WLAN, virtual home agent 2b looks after address notification with this and gives the home agent of mobile node 1 (WLAN (wireless local area network) 2n at this moment " will this CoA immediately
WLANBe notified to mobile node 1), after home agent is received this message, start timer 1 immediately and begin the M4 that clocks by zero.
Next, still do not receive the updating message of cancelling from virtual home agent 2b when reaching τ if home agent 7c clocks at timer 1, promptly detect timer 1 M5 when reaching τ that clocks, then home agent 7c is immediately with this CoA
WLAN(relevant information of communication node 8 is all storing in the home agent 7c of mobile node to the communication node 8 of communicating by letter with the mobile node maintenance and need get in touch in announcement, because when communication node sends message to the initial route of mobile node, must pass through home agent, so HA can store the relevant information of this communication node), thus handoff procedure M6 finished.
On the other hand, in case detect the clock m5 that reached δ of timer 2
1(timer 2 restart zero clearing clock) then, i.e. Cost
WLAN<Cost
GPRSTime of state continuance reached and switched thresholding time of requiring, then virtual home agent 2b is with being about to this CoA
WLANSend to mobile node 1, this just means that also mobile node 1 is locked as this WLAN (wireless local area network) 2n with switching target ", and determined to carry out immediately and switched.Mobile node 1 just " has communicated with outer data network 3, thereby has finished whole handoff procedure M6 by this WLAN (wireless local area network) 2n subsequently
1In this handoff procedure, virtual home agent 2b always binds together effect with the home agent 7c of mobile node 1, and from the angle of mobile node 1, the effect that virtual home agent 2b plays is just as home agent.
The process of carry out switching hereto, from home agent 7c one side, when timer 1 clocks when reaching τ, home agent 7c is with CoA
WLANImmediately pass to communication node 8, communication node is just with this CoA then
WLANFor destination address directly and mobile node communicate, so just finished whole task switching.
In fact fundamentally, the process that clocks is exactly the judging process of a switching target.Two timers here: timer 1, timer 2 are provided in a side of respectively in virtual home agent 2b and the mobile node 1.Adopt two timers to clock, can more flexible in handoff procedure, accurately reduce handover delay,, just shown that mobile node 1 carries out switching immediately, and can reduce packet loss as long as because having any to clock satisfies condition.Timer 2 switches at mobile node 1 and advances WLAN (wireless local area network) 2n " after work on; and whether to surpass to clock that T comes be that system does the judgement reference; and timer 1 also works the judgement effect of clocking at reverse mobile node by WLAN (wireless local area network) when the GPRS cellular network switches, and these contents will be talked about in the back.
Below just " process of switching to the GPRS cellular network (dotted arrow direction as shown in Figure 3) further elaborates the solution of the present invention from WLAN (wireless local area network) 2n with mobile node.
Because it is only to stop the not long time in the WLAN (wireless local area network) in other places after the mobile subscriber leaves home network that many situations are arranged, for example the user waits, participates in situations such as nonlocal temporary meeting on the airport.And these situations are more and more general, can consider the regular hour when the user is switched WLAN (wireless local area network) into from cellular network after so, still keep the user care address Cost in cellular network originally
GPRSDetailed process is as follows: when mobile node 1 is carried out from the GPRS cellular network to WLAN (wireless local area network) 2n " switching after; mobile node 1 is just by WLAN (wireless local area network) 2n " the external link transmit-receive packet that connects, and mobile node 1 is still by original Cost in the GPRS cellular network
GPRSThe detection in cycle is the connection of cellular network therewith, and clocks, and at this moment defines this with Cost
GPRSThe link that is connected to cellular network is in the Sleep state.
The overtime T if timer 2 clocks, then mobile node 1 discharges this Cost automatically
GPRSSo, enter WLAN (wireless local area network) 2n as long as mobile node 1 switches " and the time that stops therein be no more than T, then mobile node 1 is again from WLAN (wireless local area network) 2n " switches and just activates Cost when cellular network
GPRS(making it be in the Active state), and needn't be again look after the address to the cellular network application, thus can directly recover the Radio Link of original and cellular network easily, like this communication node just can be directly and mobile node communicated.And in this case, for avoiding increasing the burden of cellular network, and take as described above similarly method, and with this Cost by the collaborative home agent work of virtual home agent
GPRSCommunication node is given in instant announcement, to reduce the triangle routing issue in handover delay and the solution communication process.
And if mobile node 1 is at WLAN (wireless local area network) 2n " in time of stopping greater than T, promptly timer 1 clocks and has surpassed T, then mobile node 1 discharges the care address of original and cellular network communication.In this case " process of switching to the GPRS cellular network as shown in Figure 6 by WLAN (wireless local area network) 2n.In this process, make full use of the high-speed transfer of WLAN (wireless local area network) and the characteristics of wide bandwidth, utilize WLAN (wireless local area network) to transmit data and command information in handoff procedure, the speed transmission that simple example is exactly 2Mb/s 1 second is than good with 19.2Kb/s transmission 100 seconds as far as possible.
When mobile node is shifted to cellular network by WLAN (wireless local area network), still utilize the collaborative home agent of virtual home agent to work together, realize that the two-way link in this handoff procedure connects, handover delay is shortened, and solved the triangle routing issue.
Fig. 8 is the flow chart that mobile node is switched to cellular network by WLAN (wireless local area network).Mobile node is also received the broadcast m1 from cellular network when mobile in WLAN (wireless local area network), and detect whether to satisfy by the model in above-mentioned (1) formula and switch initial condition m2, if find to have satisfied the switching initial condition, then on the one hand timer 1 beginning by 0 m3 that clocks, and whether detection timer 2 clocks and reaches T, monitors the state that satisfies initial condition on the other hand in real time and whether continues m3 '.Next, do not reach T as yet, just show that the time ratio that mobile node stops is shorter in WLAN (wireless local area network), just activate Cost if timer 2 clocks
GPRS, directly set up link and be connected with cellular network, finish and switch m4.Reach T if timer 2 clocks, then mobile node is treated to mobile node by SGSN and distributes a CoA just to GPRS cellular network application for registration m5
GPRS, and it is passed to mobile node m6, mobile node is with this CoA
GPRSVirtual home agent m7 is given in announcement, and virtual home agent is looked after address notification with this and given home agent then, and timer begins the m8 that clocks by 0, immediately at m3
1Real-time observation process in, if clocking of timer 1 reaches τ ', then set up directly the two-way link from the mobile node to the communication node, thereby finish switching m9 by the GPRS cellular network.
With prior art relatively, the present invention has following outstanding advantage:
(1) in network configuration, introduces an entity---virtual home agent, handle communicating to connect between the MN and CNs in the handoff procedure together with collaborative original home agent;
(2) set up a new mobile management scheme, make mobile node just can be directly when switch carrying out and communication node communicate, needn't make packet pile warp home agent, this will shorten handover delay significantly, and solve the triangle routing issue;
(3) after switching to WLAN, adopt and in the predefined time, continue to look after address CoA by cellular network
GPRSThe connection strategy of maintenance and cellular network, this will switch at mobile node to a certain extent and obtain better performance of handoffs when WLAN (wireless local area network), under the particularly following IPv6 network, because of the abundance of IP address make such timing not drop policy be of great value;
(4) this programme is to be based upon on the basis of loosely-coupled network structure, so need not do bigger change to existing cellular network and wireless local web frame, do not need to do structural change for GPRS and with the WCDMA cellular network, and only need be set up a special server in WLAN, different mobile subscribers is realized the entity function of virtual home agent and home agent, and determine that the roaming agreement between good cellular network and the WLAN gets final product.
[1]Helen?J.?Wang,Randy?H.?Katz,Jochen?Giese,“Policy-Enabled?Handoffs?AcrossHeterogeneous?Wireless?Networks”,2nd?IEEE?Workshop?on?Mobile?Computing?andApplications(WMCSA99),New?Or?leans,February?1999.