DE102005052263A1 - Dynamic access network mobile user assignment procedure uses mobile terminal to determine network availability data and send them to Policy Decision Point - Google Patents

Abstract

A dynamic access network mobile user assignment procedure uses the mobile terminal to determine the network availability data and send them to the Policy Decision Point (PDP) unit where network specific access control data are determined using the User Context Server (UC-C) and Network Context Server (NW-C) so that the PDP can select an available network (AN) for assignment to the terminal (MKE).

Description

The The invention relates to a method for dynamic allocation at least an access network to at least one user of a mobile communication terminal for Building at least one communication service within a mobile communication system, wherein in the mobile communication system at least one policy decision point unit is provided for access control.

Known For example, mobile communication systems have a communication network ("core network") to which individual mobile networks are connected via access networks ("access networks") communication terminals are connected. Such access networks are based on transmission access technologies such as General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Universal Mobile Telecommunication System "(UMTS)," Wireless Local Area Network "(WLAN)," Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access "(WIMAX) or "Enhanced Data Council for GSM Evolution "(EDGE) and wired networks (z-B-LAN)

So far decides the user of a mobile communication terminal through the choice of terminal type or its configuration, which of said access networks or which access technology he uses for wants to use the structure of its communication connection. The configuration the mobile communication terminal takes place via the operator or by the user himself. By the operator The mobile communication system can also be selected users of the Access to a mobile communication system via a specific access network, for example, in roaming applications.

Is desired a method for the user-friendly selection of an access network, which for the respective user taking into account certain criteria such as. its tariff conditions or a given user profile or dependent from the technical characteristics of the mobile communication terminal one especially with regard to the operating costs, the network utilization or desired Services provides optimized access to a mobile communication system.

task The present invention thus provides a method for dynamic Allocation of an access network based on given selection criteria specify. The invention is based on the in the preamble of Claim 1 features contained by the characterizing Characteristics solved.

Of the essential aspect of the method according to the invention is to see that by the mobile communication terminal, the availability of ascertained availability data for different access networks and transmitted to the policy decision point unit become. about a user context server unit associated with the policy decision point unit; and a network context server entity becomes user and / or network specific Access control data determined and dependent on the availability data and the determined user and / or network-specific access control data through the policy decision point unit of one of the available access networks selected and the selected one Access network dynamically allocated to the mobile communication terminal. Advantageous Thus, all available access networks through the mobile communication terminal the transmission technologies supported by these, For example, GSM, UMTS, EDGE, WLAN, WIMAX, LAN scanned first and then over Default access network the network login procedure started. The at the application of the mobile communication terminal used standardized Signaling messages are hereby extended so that the availability data determined by the mobile communication terminal can be transmitted to the policy decision point unit. in the mobile communication network decides the policy decision point unit then dependent of user- and network-specific criteria, which of the available access networks an optimal in terms of operating and investment costs and ease of use Access offers. Thus, particularly advantageous in the allocation one available Access network both user-related information and tariff structure, predefined user profiles and network-related information like load distribution and architecture of the mobile communication system considered.

advantageous Development of the invention are the other claims too remove.

in the The invention is based on an embodiment with reference to several Figures and flowcharts closer explained.

in this connection demonstrate:

1 a schematic block diagram of a multi-access network communication system,

2 by way of example in a flow chart the running in the context of the inventive signaling steps, in particular when initiating the network connection (booting of the MKE) and

3 . 4 By way of example with reference to further flow diagrams, the use of the method according to the invention for different signaling steps, which are used in particular when initiating certain services (eg activation of an IP carrier [PDP context activation] or establishing a connection of multimedia services [eg SIP INVITE]).

This in 1 illustrated schematic block diagram shows an example of the network architecture of a mobile Kommunikati onssystems KS, which is connected via multiple access networks ("access networks") AN with at least one mobile communication devices MKE.

The Access networks can ON support different access technologies, such as "General Packet Radio Service "," Universal Mobile Telecommunication System "," Wireless Local Area Network "," Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access "," Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution "or" Local Area Network "LAN.

in the present embodiment For example, a first is the "General Packet Radio Service" access technology supportive Access network GPRS, a second supporting the "Universal Mobile Telecommunication System" access technology Access network UMTS, a third supporting the "Wireless Local Area Network" access technology Access network WLAN and a fourth the "Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access "supportive Access network WiMax provided, which each have at least one associated access network node unit SGSN, GGSN, AR with the mobile Communication system KS are connected.

The Access network node units SGSN, GGSN are for example in case the first and second access network GPRS, UMTS as "Serving GPRS Support Node "access SGSN and / or as a "gateway GPRS Support Node "access network node GGSN trained.

The "Serving GPRS Support Node "access SGSN is essentially for the switching of the packet-oriented communication services according to the GPRS access technology responsible, i.e. above these are called "data sessions", i. packet-oriented Communication services, functionally structured, upheld and in turn reduced. Here, each SGSN access network node SGSN is a coverage area assigned.

The "Gateway GPRS Support Node "access GGSN acts as a gateway unit in the GPRS / UMTS-based communication network the task of traffic between external packet data networks ("Packet Data Networks") and packet-oriented Switching networks ("packet domain") of the mobile GPRS / UMTS-based communication network to coordinate, with a gateway unit for adapting different Data transmission technologies each other, in particular different data transmission rates, is provided.

The third the "Wireless Local Area Network "access technology supportive Access network WLAN and the fourth the "Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access "supportive Access network WiMax are, for example, via access router units AR to the mobile communication system KS connected.

The mobile communication terminals MKE are in the present embodiment as mobile computer units, mobile phones of all kinds Generations or Personal Digital Assistants.

The access network node units SGSN, GGSN, AR are over in the 1 Signaling connections indicated by a dashed line indicate a subscriber database unit ("Home Subscriber Server") HSS, which is assigned a central subscriber database ("Home Location Register") HLR.

to Providing the WLAN / WIMAX access technology is additionally an "Authentication, Authorization and Accounting "control unit AAA according to the 3GPP Standard provided, which over the access router units AR with the third and fourth access network WLAN, WIMAX is connected, as well as via another signaling connection is connected to the subscriber database unit HSS.

In the mobile communication system KS, a service communication system IMS is provided in addition to the subscriber database unit HSS, which are connected to a service control unit CSCF and to this connected "IMS Application System" units IMS AS. The service communication system IMS is formed in a preferred embodiment as "Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem" service communication system IMS and based on the Internet Protocol (IP), which allows the provision of communication or multimedia services within the mobile communication system KS. At this point are as an example of communication or multimedia services called voice services, data services, audio services, video services, information services and program communication services.

To the Establishment of such communication services provides the IP based service communication system IMS a "session Initiation Protocol "signaling protocol ready. Within the IP based service communication system IMS is the identification of the communication participants or its assigned mobile communication terminals MKE via long-term stable identifier, so-called "SIP Uniform Resource Identifier "(SIP URI), which are similar to a conventional one Email address established are.

The Subscriber database unit HSS is connected to a policy decision point unit PDP, which among other things for the processing of user-specific and network-specific Information with a user-context server unit UC-C and a network context server unit NW-C. About the "Policy Decision Point" unit PDP is in particular access control and overload control in the context the construction of new or additional communication services within controlled by the mobile communication system KS. The access and / or overload control takes place here based on access control data.

In front the initial or rebuilding of a communication connection become through the mobile communication terminal MKE all available access networks AN and thereby their availability in the form of availability data VI determined. The availability data VI comprise, for example, the characteristics of the access networks available via the mobile communication terminal MKE AT.

to first registration of a subscriber via the mobile communication terminal MKE on the mobile Communication system KS, for example, a preconfigured or dynamically allocated standard access network AN. In the mobile communication terminal MKE become dependent from the availability the individual access networks AN and the access technologies supported by the mobile communication terminal MKE the availability data VI determined and, for example, at the first logon of the mobile Participant of its mobile communication terminal MKE on the Standard access network AN transmitted to the subscriber database unit HSS. Those provided for in the standardized registration procedures Signaling messages are in this case to the above availability data VI extended.

The Subscriber database unit HSS sends after receiving the availability data VI a "Policy Decision Request "message to the" Policy Decision Point "unit PDP, by the determination of the requesting mobile subscriber or user the mobile communication terminal MKE user-specific and / or network-specific access control data NUI, NEI in the user context server unit UC-C and the network context server unit NW-C is initiated. Starting from the user context server unit UC-C and the network context server unit NW-C-S determined user-specific and / or Network-specific access control data NUI, NEI and taking into account the availability data VI becomes the one for each by the policy decision point unit PDP mobile subscribers from the cost and performance point of view optimal Access network ZN * determined. The policy decision point unit PDP transmits the result determined, i. the characteristics of the optimal access network AN * to the subscriber database unit HSS and this in turn via the mobile communication system KS or via the standard access network AN to the mobile communication terminal MKE.

The following are based on the in 2 illustrated flowchart the signaling processes in the context of an initial application over the first or second access network GPRS, UMTS exemplified. For this purpose, the respective network units involved in the different signaling steps are listed.

In addition to the in 1 already described network units is in 2 an Equipment Identity Register unit EIR provided according to the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) standard for the management of subscriber and device numbers. For example, when registering a mobile communication terminal MKE by the Equipment Identity Register unit EIR its "International Mobile Equipment Identity" (IMEI) number is checked.

After commissioning of the mobile communication terminal MKE, the signal strengths of the respectively available access networks AN are first determined and, depending on this, the availability of the different access networks AN is evaluated for a potential establishment of a communication connection or a communication service. In this case, those access networks AN, preferably "Internet Protocol" (IP) based access networks, are checked for their availability, whose access technologies are supported by the respective mobile communication terminal MKE. For the further remarks, it is assumed by way of example that the "General Packet Radio Service "access technology supporting access network GPRS is provided.

The mobile communication terminal MKE sends an ATTACH request message after establishing a signaling connection to the mobile communication system KS, via the access network GPRS the new access network node units new SGSN. In the ATTACH request message are all Network IDs of available access networks AN - im Following as availability data VI denotes - contain, for the the mobile communication device MKE one for establishing a communication connection or a communication service sufficient signal strength has determined. For transmission the aforementioned availability data VI will match the standardized ATTACH request message extended.

The new access network node unit new SGSN sends after receiving the ATTACH request message an identity request message to the old access network node unit old SGSN passing through this return an identity response message answered.

Further the new access network node unit sends new SGSN an identity request message the mobile communication terminal MKE, which also by returning an identity-response message answered. The new access network node unit new SGSN are located thus all identity information the mobile communication terminal MKE ago.

in the The following will be over the new access network node units new SGSN one according to the 3GPP Standard provided authentication of the mobile communication terminal MKE at the subscriber database HSS and via the EIR unit EIR whose "International Mobile Equipment Identity "(IMEI) number checked.

in the Following this, the new access network node unit sends new SGSN to the "Gateway GPRS Support Node "access network node GGSN a Delete PDP Context Request message by default, which answers this by means of a Delete PDP Context Response message becomes.

From the new access network node unit new SGSN becomes the availability data VI about one also transmitted standardized update location message to the subscriber database unit HSS and stored in its central subscriber database HLR.

By the subscriber database unit HSS becomes a policy decision request message generated and sent to the policy decision point unit PDP sent. Considering the availability data VI be through the policy-decision point unit PDP, the mobile communication terminal MKE and / or its user requests to the user context server unit UC-C and addressed to the network context server unit NW-C.

In the user context server unit UC-C become the one for the user the mobile communication terminal MKE stored user information. user information for example under certain circumstances temporally changeable Mobile information of the user, information from the user predetermined communication profiles such as the call a communication service over a given access network, the technical characteristics ("capabilities") of the user used for communication mobile communication terminal MKE or a desired one Minimum transmission quality.

The Network context server unit NW-C is for determining network information provided which are potentially used by the user Network components of the mobile communication system KS relate. For example, you can this is the current load distribution of the entire mobile communication system KS or in individual network components as well as the display properties or playback capacities the mobile communication terminal Concern MKE.

The over the User context server unit UC-C and network context server unit NW-C determined user information and network information as user-specific and / or network-specific access control data NUI, NEI to the policy decision point unit PDP.

In the policy decision point unit PDP is then under consideration the availability data VI and the user-specific and / or network-specific access control data NUI, NEI based on the present user, network and availability information optimal access network AN * for the structure of the desired Determined communication connection or a communication service.

The characteristics of the determined optimal access network AN * are sent by the policy decision point unit PDP to the subscriber database unit HSS and preferably stored in the central subscriber database HLR. Subsequently, via the new access network node new SGSN via, in comparison to the standardized contentwise correspondingly extended signaling messages, the characteristics of the determined optimal access network AN * forwarded to the mobile communication terminal MKE. The following cases are distinguished:
If the standard access network AN provided for the first application attempt matches the determined optimal access network AN *, a MAP Update Location Acknowledge message is generated in the subscriber database unit HSS and transmitted to the new access network node new SGSN (not in 2 shown). Subsequently, an ATTACH Accept message is generated by the new access network node new SGSN and transmitted to the mobile communication terminal MKE.

are that for the initial login used standard access network AN and the optimal access network AN * different, as determined by the subscriber database unit HSS to the new access network node new SGSN with a MAP update location error message with sent a user error parameter. For this purpose, the standardized in the MAP update location-error message provided user error parameters by another error code, and although the error code "other AN to be used ".

This Error code "other AN to be used " about that In addition, the specification of the characteristics of the access network to be allocated AN, i. the optimal access network AN *. Through the new access network node new SGSN will generate an ATTACH reject message and send it to the mobile communication terminal Transfer MKE. Within the standardized ATTACH reject message, the GMM cause parameter a new causal code associated with the change of the access network AN from the standard access network AN to the optimal access network AN * causes.

in the Case of a first notification For example, the third access network WLAN is the under the Authentication to the mobile communication terminal MKE transmitted EAP response message expanded accordingly to the characteristics of the access network used To convey.

The however, dynamic access network allocation described is by no means in the case of the first application of a mobile communication terminal MKE limited to a mobile communication system KS, but can also at each further registration of a mobile communication terminal MKE for example a communication service of the service communication system IMS be provided accordingly.

In 3 For example, in another embodiment, the use of the method according to the invention for the dynamic allocation of an access network AN in the context of the standardized PDP context activation procedure is shown.

By the mobile communication terminal MKE will be the availability data VI containing PDP context activation request message generated and sent to the Access network node SGSN / GGSN the mobile communication system KS transferred. Thus be over the PDP Context Activation Request message to the access network node SGSN / GGSN the characteristics of the for the mobile communication terminal MKE available Access networks AN communicated.

Different from the one in 2 signaling process shown is generated directly from the access network unit SGSN / GGSN a request policy decision message and forwarded to the policy decision point unit PDP. Via the policy decision point unit PDP, a query is directed to the user context server unit UC-C and to the network context server unit NW-C analogously to the signaling sequence described above, and the user and / or user determined by this network-specific access control data NUI, NEI back to the policy decision point unit PDP.

The through the evaluation of user and / or network-specific access control data NUI, NEI and availability data VI determined optimal access network AN * becomes the access network node SGSN / GGSN communicated by the policy decision point unit PDP. The standard access network AN and the determined optimal access network vote AN * do not match, the access network node SGSN / GGSN generates a PDP Context Reject message. In this In this case, a new error code "use AN xy" is assigned to the SM cause parameter and thus adapted the standardized signaling message accordingly.

In addition, in 3 exemplified by the subsequent construction of the transmission channel ("New Bearer Setup") and the registration of the subscriber for a communication service on the service communication system IMS ("IMS Registration").

In a further embodiment according to 4 the signaling processes for a change of the access network AN in the course of a change of the communication service are exemplified.

The signaling tasks required within the IP-based service communication system IMS are performed by the control unit CSCF, which, for this purpose, for example, performs a "serving call session control function". (S-CSCF) unit S-CSCF and a "Proxy Call Session Control Function" (P-CSCF) unit P-CSCF which are interconnected.

The following will only apply to those in the 4 illustrated signaling steps reference, which relate to the inventive method. For example, the method according to the invention finds application in the context of the first login attempt ("First Initiation Attempt").

in the This is followed by the user for a selected communication service via the S-CSCF unit S-CSCF and the P-CSCF unit P-CSCF deregistered. For this purpose is an unregister message from the mobile communication terminal MKE the P-CSCF unit P-CSCF and the S-CSCF unit S-CSCF transmitted and thus the registration for a communication service terminated by the S-CSCF unit S-CSCF about the P-CSCF unit P-CSCF by means of a 200-OK message to the mobile communication terminal MKE is communicated.

Subsequently, a new transmission channel ("New Bearer Setup") according to the in 2 constructed and performed a re-registration of the mobile communication terminal MKE via a register message on the service communication system IMS. A second registration ("Second Initiation Attempt") is carried out via a quality-of-service query procedure, the method according to the invention being used to ascertain and approve transmission quality parameter values.

The The invention has been described above with reference to an exemplary embodiment. It is understood that numerous changes and modifications are possible, without thereby the idea of the invention underlying the invention will leave.

AT*

optimal access network

AT

Access networks, Standard access network

CSCF

Services control unit

EIR

Equipment Identity Register unit

GGSN

Gateway GPRS Support Node access network nodes

GPRS

first access network

HLR

central Subscriber database

HSS

Subscriber database unit

IMS

Service communication system

IP-CAN

IP-based access network

KS

mobile communication system

MKE

mobile communication terminal

NEI

network-specific Access control data

NW-C

Network context server unit

NUI

user-specific Access control data

P-CSCF

Proxy-Call Session Control Function unit

PDP

Policy decision point unit

S-CSCF

Serving-Call Session Control Function unit

SGSN

Serving GPRS Support Node access network nodes

UC-C

User context server unit

UMTS

second access network

VI

availability data

WiMAX

fourth access network

WIRELESS INTERNET ACCESS

third access network

Claims (11)

Method for dynamically allocating at least one access network (AN) to at least one user of a mobile communication terminal (MKE) for setting up at least one communication service within a mobile communication system (KS), at least one policy decision point being used for access control in the mobile communication system (KS) Unit (PDP) is provided, characterized in that the availability of the different access networks (AN) indicating availability data (VI) are determined by the mobile communication terminal and transmitted to the Policy Decision Point Unit (PDP) that via one of the policy Decision Context Unit (PDP) associated user context server unit (UC-C) and a network context server unit (NW-C) user and / or network-specific access control data (NUI, NEI) are determined and that depending on the availability data (VI) as well as the determined user and / or network-specific access control data (NUI, NEI) is selected by the policy decision point unit (PDP) of one of the available access networks (AN) and the selected access network (AN *) is dynamically allocated to the mobile communication terminal (MKE). Method according to claim 1, characterized in that that as availability data (VI) the characteristics of the available Access networks (AN) are determined. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized that over the user context server unit (UC-C) for determining the user-specific Access control data (NUI) concerning the user of the mobile communication terminal (MKE) Tariff data, user specified user profiles and / or transmission quality specifications etc. are evaluated. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that via the network Work context server unit (NW-C) to determine the network-specific access control data (NEI) the current load distribution within the mobile communication system (KS), the network architecture and / or the technical characteristics of the user used mobile communication terminal are evaluated. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized that by the mobile communication terminal, the availability of different Access networks (AN) as part of the first login to the mobile communication system (KS) or in the case of an already existing communication connection to the mobile communication system (KS) as part of the registration for a communication service is determined. Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized that for transfer the availability data (VI) to the policy decision point unit (PDP) a preconfigured or dynamically allocated standard access network (AN) becomes. Method according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized that for determining the availability data (VI) by the mobile communication terminal (MKE) the signal strength of those access networks (AN) whose access technologies, such as the General Packet Radio Service "access technology," Universal Mobile Telecommunication System "access technology," Wireless Local Area Network "access technology," Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access "access technology or "Enhanced Data Council for Global Evolution "access technology, supported by the mobile communication terminal (MKE). Method according to claim 7, characterized in that user-specific access control data (NUI) from the user context server unit (UC-C) to the policy decision point unit (PDP) and the network-specific access control data (NEI) of Network Context Server Unit (NW-C) to the policy decision point unit (PDP). Method according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized that according to standard 3GPP TS 24.008 trained ATTACH request message for transmission the availability data (VI) adapted becomes. Method according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized that according to standard 3GPP TS 24.008 trained ATTACH reject message for transmission the characteristics of the selected Access network (AN *) adapted becomes. Method according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized that according to standard 3GPP TS 24,008 trained MAP update location message for transmission the availability data (VI) and / or the characteristics of the selected access network (AN *).