JP2005294979A - Heterogeneous wireless service sharing system based on 3g technology - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a heterogeneous wireless service sharing system based on a 3G technology capable of providing the accommodation of wireless services other than those of a 3G with less revamping existing network apparatuses without the need for additional specifications in the case that a GGSN accommodates the wireless services other than those of the 3G in a state that a carrier provides the heterogeneous wireless services. <P>SOLUTION: The system carries out a plurality of wireless services such as the third generation mobile communication (3G) and a wireless LAN (WLAN) or the like wherein the GGSN 32 being a gateway between the Internet and a mobile network stipulated by the 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) standards shares the wireless services. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a plurality of wireless services such as third generation mobile communication (3G) and wireless LAN (WLAN), and more particularly to wireless services in an Internet-mobile network gateway (GGSN) defined by 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project). The present invention relates to a different wireless service distribution system based on 3G technology for distribution.

  Mobile communication services that are expected to expand in recent years include 3G / WLAN. Even now, carriers provide wireless services such as 3G and WLAN with individual plans, but in the future, roaming between two parties (communication using a carrier other than the carrier that is originally supported) ) And handover (function to automatically switch antennas and continue communication) are also expected to be realized. GGSN, which is a gateway device to the Internet network, is expected to take the form of accommodating both wireless networks. In such a system construction method, the advantage of facilitating easy introduction of heterogeneous wireless services by carriers (mobile terminal systems) Have.

  In order to change without changing communication from a communication area by a carrier of a portable terminal to a heterogeneous wireless communication such as WLAN in the related art, connection or non-connection is determined by exchange between the portable terminal 11 and the GGSN 32 in the carrier. 11 to perform re-connection to the GGSN 32 through the WLAN AP 13 to connect to the WLAN AP 13 again.

  A procedure when the mobile terminal 11 accesses the Internet network by the conventional method of the 3GPP standard will be described with reference to FIG. 4 illustrating the network and FIG. 6 illustrating an example of the contents of the PDP context data in that case.

  Here, it is assumed that the 3G / WLAN dual terminal 11 is moving in the 3G Node B cover area 15 of the 3G Node B 12.

  When the 3G / WLAN dual terminal 11 wants to create several types of PDP context data (session information) to be applied to the downlink packet to the GGSN 32 corresponding to the TFT (filter set), an “Activate Secondary PDP Context Request” message is sent. Call to SGSN31.

  Further, the SGSN 31 transmits a “Create PDP Context Request” message to the GGSN 32, and at this time, the parameter # 213 of the PDP context 34 is created in the GGSN 32. The Iu Release Procedure for releasing the following radio resources to the RNC 20 is executed by activation from the RNC 20 or the SGSN 31 according to the carrier policy.

  When the Downlink packet arrives at the GGSN 32, a search is performed according to the correspondence table shown in FIG. 6, and finally PDP context data to be applied is determined. Details are as follows.

  First, the Packet Filter list is searched using Destination IP address (211.11.11.1) as a key.

  Next, the extracted Packet Filter list is checked in order of priority (the smaller the number, the higher the priority).

  Now, referring to Packet Filter 1 with a priority of 0, it matches the filter condition, so the packets are routed by applying the SGSN address specified in parameter # 213 of PDP context 34, QoS parameters that control the network communication quality, etc. Will do.

  Through the above process, the mobile terminal 11 can be connected to the content server 42.

  According to the description of 3GPP TS 23.060, the PDP context data is provided with a field for storing packet filters (upper limit of 8 per 1 TFT) called TFT (Traffic Flow Template). Packet Filter describes the L3 / L4 conditions of the Downlink packet, and only PDP context data corresponds to the matched packet. Packet filters can be created for a plurality of PDP contexts 34, but the priority is uniquely assigned to all filters.

An example of a communication system in a conventional 3GPP standard network as described above is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-185500.
JP 2002-185500 A

  As described above, there is a problem that additional specifications for accommodating wireless services other than 3G are required in the GGSN under the situation where the carrier provides the different types of wireless services.

  An object of the present invention is to realize a small number of modifications to existing network devices without requiring additional specifications when a carrier other than 3G is accommodated in a GGSN in a situation where a carrier provides a heterogeneous wireless service. It is to provide a heterogeneous wireless service distribution system based on 3G technology.

  Another object of the present invention is to apply a sequence in which the 3GPP specification is partially expanded as a method for setting session information used for distribution in the GGSN, so that the carrier additionally provides all other wireless services other than the 3G service. Even in this case, it is to provide a heterogeneous wireless service distribution system based on 3G technology that does not require addition of a unique session setting method and management method.

  A heterogeneous wireless service distribution system based on 3G technology of the present invention that achieves the above object is a system of a plurality of wireless services such as third generation mobile communication (3G) and wireless LAN (WLAN), and includes 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership). Project) provided in a GGSN which is a prescribed Internet-to-mobile network gateway, and includes means for allocating the wireless service based on information of PDP context of GGSN.

  The heterogeneous radio service distribution system according to the second aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the heterogeneous radio service connection is switched by setting IP address information in the PDP context of the GGSN.

  The heterogeneous wireless service distribution system according to the third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that information of a PDP context is generated by sending IP address information when a connection to a wireless service is made from a portable terminal to a GGSN. .

  The heterogeneous wireless service distribution system according to the fourth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that another wireless connection service is mainly controlled by an IP address.

  The heterogeneous radio service distribution system of the present invention according to claim 5 is characterized in that a sequence in which the 3GPP specification is partially expanded is applied, and the carrier can additionally provide any other radio service other than the 3G service. To do.

  A heterogeneous wireless service distribution method based on 3G technology of the present invention according to claim 6 is a system of a plurality of wireless services such as third generation mobile communication (3G) and wireless LAN (WLAN), and is a 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project). ) The wireless service is distributed by the GGSN, which is a prescribed Internet-mobile network gateway, based on the information of the PDP context of the GGSN.

  According to the heterogeneous wireless service distribution system based on the 3G technology of the present invention, the following excellent effects can be obtained.

  Under the situation where the carrier provides a heterogeneous wireless service, when a wireless service other than 3G is accommodated in the GGSN, it can be realized with little modification of the existing network device without requiring additional specifications.

  When the GGSN has the functions of the present invention in a situation where the carrier provides a WLAN or heterogeneous wireless service other than 3G, the 3GPP-based sequence is applied to the configuration for allocating different radios in the GGSN, so 3G Whatever the additional wireless service other than, the carrier can handle it with only a small extension in the GGSN and an extension of the control message.

  As a method of setting session information used for distribution in the GGSN, by applying a sequence that is partly extended from the 3GPP specification, even when the carrier additionally provides any other wireless service other than the 3G service, unique session setting is possible. There is no need to add methods and management methods.

  The system construction method has an advantage of facilitating easy introduction of a heterogeneous wireless service by a carrier.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  One embodiment of the network configuration of the embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. In FIG. 1, a network 100 including a mobile terminal using a 3GPP-defined packet switching network according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a 3G / WLAN mixed area 10, an RNC 20, an IP Backbone Network area 30, and an Internet area 40. ing.

  The 3G / WLAN mixed area 10 includes a 3G / WLAN dual terminal 11, a 3G Node B 12, a WLAN AP 13, a WLAN AP cover area 14, and a 3G Node B cover area 15.

  The 3G / WLAN dual terminal 11 is a means capable of network connection by wireless communication such as 3G (third generation communication) and WLAN (wireless LAN), and can be realized by using a mobile phone or PDA.

  The 3G Node B 12 is a means that enables third-generation wireless communication, and can be realized by using an existing third-generation communication base station.

  The WLAN AP 13 is a means that is a wireless LAN access point, and can use an existing WLAN service.

  The WLAN AP cover area 14 is an area where the mobile terminal 11 is connected by a wireless LAN, and an existing WLAN service area can be used.

  The 3G Node B cover area 15 is a means by which the 3G / WLAN dual terminal 11 can be wirelessly connected to the 3G Node B 12 and can be realized by being within a range in which the 3G Node B 12 radio can reach.

  The RNC 20 establishes a GTP tunnel with the SGSN 31 and generates PDP context data as session information. Further, it is a means for performing routing based on this PDP context data, and can be realized by a radio network controller.

  The IP Backbone Network 30 includes an SGSN 31, a GGSN 32, an IP Backbone Network 33, and a PDP context 34.

  The SGSN 31 is a node that performs user location management, security management, and access control, and calls from the subordinate RNC 20 (radio network controller) are collected.

  The GGSN 32 is a node serving as an interconnection point with the packet data network, and calls from the subordinate SGSN 31 gather.

  The IP Backbone Network 33 is a carrier network and can use an existing carrier.

  The PDP context 34 is a means for storing information for Internet connection of a mobile terminal in the GGSN, and an existing system can be used.

  The internet area 40 includes an internet network 41 and a content server 42.

  The Internet network 41 can be realized by using an existing Internet network.

  The content server 42 can be realized by using an existing server connected to the Internet.

  An embodiment in the case of performing downlink packet distribution at the GGSN at the time of 3G → WLAN handover of the terminal will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 2 and FIG. 5 showing the data content of the PDP context 34.

  It is assumed that the 3G / WLAN dual terminal 11 is moving in the 3G Node B cover area 14 and has entered the WLAN AP cover area 14. At this time, the 3G / WLAN dual terminal 11 reads the change in the electric field strength from the WLAN AP 13 and detects that it has entered the area. It is assumed that the service user intends to use the WLAN AP 13 in the WLAN AP cover area 14 without fail.

  If the 3G / WLAN dual terminal 11 wants to create several types of PDP context data (session information) to be applied to the downlink packet for the GGSN 32 corresponding to the TFT (filter set) described in the prior art, “Activate Secondary PDP A “Context Request” message is sent to SGSN 31.

  In the present invention, the IP address information of the WLAN AP 13 is included in the message so that the 3G / WLAN dual terminal 11 can receive the packet via the WLAN AP 13.

  Further, the SGSN 31 transmits a “Create PDP Context Request” message to the GGSN 32. At this time, the parameter # 345 of the PDP context 34 for WLAN access is created in the GGSN 32, and the IP address of the WLAN AP 13 is recorded here.

  After creating parameter # 345 for PDP context 34, release radio resources below RNC 20 (Iu Release Procedure), and 3G / WLAN dual terminal 11 side mainly uses WLAN I / F and 3G only detects the radio field intensity. To reduce power consumption.

  When the Downlink packet arrives at the GGSN 32, a search is performed according to the correspondence table shown in FIG. 5, and finally PDP context data to be applied is determined. Details are as follows.

  First, the Packet Filter list is searched using Destination IP address (211.11.11.1) as a key.

  Next, the extracted Packet Filter list is checked in order of priority (the smaller the number, the higher the priority).

  Now, referring to Packet Filter 1 with priority 0, it matches the filter condition, so parameter # 345 (for WLAN) of PDP context 34 is applied.

  In addition, in the parameter # 345 of this PDP context 34, a flag indicating that it is for WLAN and the IP address (211.11.11.16) of the connection destination WLAN AP 13 are described. Therefore, the packet is transmitted to the WLAN AP 13 based on this information. Forward. In this case, since the use of the WLAN interface is preferential, the packet filter stored in the parameter # 345 of the PDP context 34 has the highest priority (numerical value 0).

  Next, the operation in the case of deleting PDP context data at the GGSN at the time of WLAN → 3G handover of the terminal will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 5 showing the contents of the PDP context 34.

  Now, it is assumed that the 3G / WLAN dual terminal 11 exits from the cover area 14 of the WLAN AP 13 and switches to the 3G Node B cover area 15.

  At this time, the 3G / WLAN dual terminal 11 reads the change in the electric field strength from the WLAN AP 13 to detect that it has left the area, and starts a sequence for deleting the parameter # 345 of the PDP context 34 in the GGSN 32 using this as a starting condition. To do.

  Since the 3G / WLAN dual terminal 11 has released radio resources, it sends a “Service Request” message to the SGSN 31 to resume.

  In the present invention, the corresponding PDP context number is included in the message so that the parameter # 345 of the PDP context 34 specified by the GGSN 32 can be deleted.

  The SGSN 31 that has received this message transmits a “Delete PDP Context Request” message to the GGSN 32 and deletes the parameter # 345 of the PDP context 34 for WLAN access in the GGSN 32.

  At the same time, the Filter associated with the parameter # 345 of the PDP context 34 is also deleted.

  Thereafter, when the Downlink packet arrives at the GGSN 32, routing is performed using the 3G PDP context data.

  The feature of this system is that, when using communication means such as WLAN, the PDP context 34 holds the IP address, so that the processing is not limited to a specific communication means, and as long as the Internet network is used, 3G and heterogeneous wireless communication The means can be switched without interrupting communication. In addition, it is possible to cope with the construction of a new carrier system.

  According to the above-described embodiment, in a situation where a carrier provides a heterogeneous wireless service, when a wireless service other than 3G is accommodated in the GGSN, it is realized with less modification of the existing network device without requiring additional specifications. Will be able to.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the technical idea.

1 is a system configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a network configuration in the present invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining the flow of area switching from 3G to WLAN in this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining the flow of 3G area switching from WLAN in this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining the Example of the conventional flow. It is a figure which shows the data content of PDP context34 in the area switching from 3G to WLAN in this invention. It is a figure which shows the data content of the conventional PDP context.

Explanation of symbols

100: Network including mobile terminal 10: 3G / WLAN mixed area 11: 3G / WLAN dual terminal 12: 3G Node B
13: WLAN AP
14: WLAN AP cover area 15: 3G Node B cover area 20: RNC
30: IP Backbone Network area 31: SGSN
32: GGSN
33: IP Backbone Network
34: PDP context
40: Internet area 41: Internet network 42: Content server

Claims (10)

A system of a plurality of wireless services such as third generation mobile communication (3G) and wireless LAN (WLAN),
3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) stipulated in GGSN, which is a gateway between Internet and mobile network, and comprising means for distributing the radio service based on information of PDP context of GGSN, Wireless service distribution system.   The heterogeneous radio service distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the heterogeneous radio service connection is switched by setting IP address information in a PDP context of the GGSN.   3. The heterogeneous radio service distribution according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the mobile terminal generates the PDP context information by sending IP address information when connection to the radio service is made to the GGSN. system.   4. The heterogeneous wireless service distribution system according to claim 1, wherein another wireless connection service is mainly controlled by an IP address. 5.   5. The method according to claim 1, wherein a sequence partially extending the 3GPP specification is applied, and the carrier can additionally provide any other wireless service other than the 3G service. The heterogeneous wireless service distribution system described. A system of a plurality of wireless services such as third generation mobile communication (3G) and wireless LAN (WLAN),
3. A heterogeneous radio service distribution method based on 3G technology, wherein a GGSN, which is an Internet-mobile network gateway defined by 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project), distributes the radio service based on information of PDP context of GGSN.   7. The heterogeneous radio service distribution method according to claim 6, wherein the heterogeneous radio service connection is switched by setting IP address information in a PDP context of the GGSN.   8. The heterogeneous wireless service distribution according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the mobile terminal generates the PDP context information by sending IP address information when the connection to the wireless service is made to the GGSN. Method.   9. The heterogeneous wireless service distribution method according to claim 6, wherein another wireless connection service is mainly controlled by an IP address.   10. The sequence according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein a sequence in which the 3GPP specification is partially extended is applied to enable a carrier to additionally provide any other wireless service other than the 3G service. The heterogeneous wireless service distribution method described.

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