MXPA97002520A - Architectures of cellular system that da support services - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for introducing data and voice and data services integrated into a legacy digital cellular network having a plurality of base stations that communicate over an air interface with a plurality of terminal devices, a cellular switch having a circuit switching fabric in communication with a public switched telephone network (PSTN) and base stations, wherein the cellular switch includes voice coders for voice calls, and a cellular call control processor that handles voice calls directed through the cellular switch, characterized in that it comprises the steps of: deploying a data DCS having an ATM switching fabric and a radio link protocol processor, and deploying an associated data call control processor to handle calls of data directed through the data DCS and the cellular switch, deploy a plurality of radio ports that you have ATM interfaces, and deploy one or more standard physical equipment platforms that implement ATM transport, which perform a plurality of functions for call control, including the handling of data calls from / to base stations and radio ports, where Data calls involving the radio ports are not routed through the cellular switch, and deploy voice coders in the data DCS to process voice calls that comprise the radio ports.

Description

CELLULAR SYSTEM ARCHITECTURES OUE SOPORTA »DATA SERVICES FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a progression of cellular system architectures, which allow voice and data traffic has been gradually migrated from the digital cellular infrastructure based on legacy packet / circuit to a cellular infrastructure based on target ATM. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Almost all cellular mobile systems currently in existence and those that are being deployed are designed with voice transport as the primary function. The air interface, the cellular switch and the wired line infrastructure that connect the base stations to the public switched network have all been optimized for voice transport. This is true for analog systems (AMPS) as well as digital systems based on new standards such as TDMA (multiple access with time division) and CDMA (multiple access with division of code). TDMA systems are based, for example, on American Standard IS-54/136 Telecommunications Industries Association (Association of North American Telecommunications Industries) (TIA) or Global System for Mobile Communications (Global System for Mobile Communications) (GSM) and CDMA systems are based, for example, on TIA IS-95. REF: 24218 In IS-95 systems, voice samples are encoded with variable bit rate and transmitted over an air interface. The circuit-based transport or packet is used between the base station and the cellular switch. In the cellular switch, a frame selector chooses the best frame among those that receive over multiple paths used during soft transfers (when the connection is not in soft transfer mode, there is only one path between a mobile and the cellular switch and the frame selector function is redundant). The frame selector sends the select box to a voice coder which converts the coded voice with variable bit rate to voice-coded fixed-speed PCM which is transported over the public switched telephone network (PSTN). PSTN voice circuits transport PCM encoded speech to eg 64 Kbps (DSO). Corresponding inverse functions are performed in the opposite direction, PSTN-to-mobile. The air interface also carries signaling information in band in the traffic channel and out-of-band on the control channel. In-band signaling information is separated from the voice packets in the frame selector. Out-of-band signaling information is transported over packet links or separate circuits, between the base station and the cellular switch or the cellular call control (a separate processor that processes and acts on signaling messages). In addition to the in-band signaling used for radio channel control and other functions in real time, and out-of-band signaling used for call establishment, registration, etc., cellular mobile systems also perform call processing, billing , authentication, mobility management, transfer handling, addressing and other higher layer functions (eg network management). Recently, data services have generated great interest and standard activities for cellular systems (eg TDMA IS-136, GSM, CDMA IS-99). In CDMA systems, data and voice can be integrated over the radio channel (air interface) with data that is a secondary service that shares bandwidth with voice as the primary. Speech samples encoded with variable bit rate allow inactive space in the physical layer slots (eg IS-95 physical bursts of 20 ms long) and the data can use this inactive space as and when it is available. In addition to this integrated mobile, a data-only service is available on CDMA systems. Here, the data is primary traffic with only in-band signaling as secondary traffic. Many functions in the cellular infrastructure (for example billing, authentication, addressing, network management) are similar for both voice and data services and can thus be efficiently provided using common platforms. On the other hand, data services represent some fundamental separations of the traditional infrastructure designed for voice. For example, the speech coder function, typically tightly coupled with the frame selector, is not required for data. Also, data may be transported either on the circuit switched PSTN or on a public switched packet data network (PSPDN). Furthermore, since the air interface environment is hostile and results in large error rates of the physical line infrastructure, the link layer recovery is performed between the mobile and the inter- operation function. This allows the cellular infrastructure to appear as a wired line link in end-to-end connections. In CDMA systems, link layer recovery is performed using the TCP / IP protocol. Additionally, a radio link protocol (RLP) is used between the mobile and the cellular switch. By only transmitting physical layer data frames in RLP error, it provides high bandwidth efficiency. These recovery protocols, however, can not be used for highly interactive voice services due to the introduced delay (for example due to retransmissions).

The common of many functions, significant differences in key aspects of transport and extensive embedded infrastructure optimized for challenges created by voice, when the data requires transport on the same air interface as voice. The challenges relate to defining a long-term objective infrastructure for transporting CDMA voice and data, a short-term solution that offsets the existing infrastructure and defines intermediate system architectures to provide a uniform and cost-effective migration for the current architecture to the target long term. Figure 1 shows a schematic of the architecture-current network used for digital cellular. In particular, this architecture is used for CDMA, but the TDMA architecture is essentially similar. The base stations 12 are connected to a cellular switch 10 via circuit or packet links 32. End devices (not shown) such as handsets or hand-held telephone sets, personal co-callers, and other mobile units communicate with base stations 12 over an air interface. The cellular switch 10 (for example TA &T 5ESS) has a standard digital switching fabric 14, 22, under the control of the processor 24. As is well understood in the art, logically separate switching functions 14, 22 are typically implemented in common physical equipment. The cellular switch 10 also incorporates the additional functions of the frame selector 16, separator and combiner 18 and voice encoder 20. The voice encoder function 20 is required to transcode standard 64 kbps PCM speech, widely used in current PSTNs, a variable bit rate LPC (linear predictive encoding) or another packet formed voice that is transmitted over the digital cellular radio links 32. The frame selector 16 is CDMA specific. The frame selector 16 is used to choose the best packet from those received from multiple branches-32 during smooth transfer, and also for stereo broadcast with two stations from one packet to multiple base stations 12 during smooth transfer. The separator and combiner functions 18 are required to form the air interface packet, by fusing the encoded voice octets with the signaling. Processing and control of in-band signaling (from / to the mobile) is done by the in-band signaling function 26. In CDMA, air interface packet formats are designed to accommodate primary and secondary traffic as well as signaling. In initial deployments, the voice will be primarily traffic and will share the bandwidth with the signaling. No secondary traffic will be transported and so this system, as illustrated in Figure 1, will be voice only.

Cell control functions include call control, location management, authentication and billing. As in the current analog cellular networks, these cellular control functions are distributed between the base stations and the MTSO (Mobile Telephony Switching Center) or the MSC (Mobile Switching Center). For example, these functions may be resident in the cellular switch 10, or as illustrated in Figure 1, resident in a complex separate cellular call control processor 28. The complex call control processor 28 communicates with the call controllers in the PSTN and other cellular networks ^, on the signaling links 30 that can be the SS.7-network or as specified in TÍA and IS-41. Signaling links 34 to cellular switch 10, and signaling links 36 to base stations (implemented for example X.25) are used to establish connections for calls and in general for system control. Signaling links typically use packet protocols over dedicated circuits, while user data links 32 may be circuit switched or packet switched. In the AT &amp architectureCurrent T, for example, links 32 are referred to as "packet ducts" that carry a version of the frame relay protocol. See the patent of the U.S.A. No. 5,195,090 with the title "Wireless Access Telephone-to-Telephone Network Interfront Architecture" (Interface Architecture for Telephone-to-Telephone Network with Wireless Access). This protocol terminates in packet handlers (not shown) in the cellular switch 10, which extracts the frames and sends them to the frame selector 16 on a packet duct. Figure 2 shows data services have been introduced into the voice-only architecture of Figure 1. Using a voice coder derivation, the data octets extracted from the integrated IS-95 slots are sent to a radio link protocol (RLP) 42. The RLP software performs link layer recovery. A handler of frames for frame retransmission (not shown), connects the * RLP 42 to the inter-operation functions (IWF) 38, 40. The I Fs 38, 40 implement TCP and handle connectivity to the PSTN and PSPDN. In this way, a data call in circuit mode consists of two links, a cellular link between the mobile terminal and circuit mode IWF, and a landline link from the landline modem on the PSTN, to a modem in the group of odems (IWF circuit mode). The circuit mode IWF is just a set of modems that communicate with the call control for set-up and dismount of data call in circuit mode. In addition, the IWF of packet mode 38 handles addressing, billing, authentication and mobility management. For circuit data, all these functions are provided by the processor for cellular call control 28. The IWFs 38, 40, communicate with the processor for call control 28 for example by SS7 44 signaling links. package for CDMA air interface for transporting primary and secondary traffic and signaling within the same packet, voice coder 20 and RLP 42 both must reside with separator and combiner 18. Interfaces (not shown) with IWFs 38, 40 , for data services in circuit mode and packet mode may also reside within the cellular switch 10. While fast solution is provided for the introduction of data services, this approach has many problems including non-trivial efforts to effect voice coder derivation in the legacy physical equipment, packet transport mix and circuit and software technology and inflex physical equipment ible Collectively, these problems contribute significantly to time-to distribute in the market for new features, to the cost of capital for growth and to complexity and operational cost, and limit the flexibility with which future services can be added (for example higher data rates). , multi-media, etc.). VENDING COMPENDIUM In the present invention, ATM-based data, transport and switching services, and modular or object-oriented programming on standard industrial physical equipment platforms, are gradually introduced into the legacy digital cellular architecture, while being reused large part of the existing voice infrastructure. This introduction of preference occurs in four stages, although it is recognized that different service providers can advance through the four stages at different speeds or even overcome certain stages completely. The first cellular communication system architecture stage includes: a plurality of base stations communicating on an air interface with a plurality of terminal devices; a cellular switch having * voice coders and circuit switching fabrics, wherein the base stations are connected to the circuit switching fabric by communication first links, and wherein the circuit switching fabric is also connected to a network Public Switched Telephone System (PSTN); a processor for cellular call control associated with the cellular switch, which handles a voice call directed through the cellular switch; a data DCS having ATM fabric and radio link protocol processors, wherein the circuit switching fabric is connected to the ATM fabric by a second communication link via a converter that converts the transmission format of the first communication links and ATM; a data call control processor, associated with the data DCS, which handles a data call directed through the data DCS and the cellular switch; and a network interoperation module that interconnects the data DCS to a communications network. Voice calls are configured by the cell call control processor, such that a speech communication path is established from one of the terminal devices to the PSTN. A voice communication path includes the air interface, one or more of the base stations and the first communication links, the circuit switching fabric and one of the speech coders. Data calls are configured by the processor for cellular call control and the processor for data call control, such that a data communication path is established from one of the terminal devices to the communication network. A data communications path includes the air interface and one or more of the base stations and first communication links, the circuit switching fabric, the converter, the ATM fabric, one of the radio link protocol processors, and the network inter-operation module.

The second architecture stage for cellular communication system includes: a plurality of base stations and radio ports that communicate over an air interface with a plurality of terminal devices, wherein the radio ports have ATM interfaces; a cellular switch having circuit-switched speech and tissue coders, wherein the base stations are connected to the circuit switching fabric by the first communication links, and wherein the circuit switching fabric is also connected to a network public switched telephony (PSTN); a processor for cellular call control, associated., with the cellular switch that handles a voice-directed call through the cellular switch; a DCS having an ATM fabric and radio link protocol processors, wherein the circuit switching fabric is connected to the ATM fabric by the second communication link, by a converter converting between the transmission format of the first link communications and ATM, and where the ATM fabric is connected to the radio ports by ATM virtual links; one or more standard physical equipment platforms that implement ATM transport, which performs a plurality of functions for call control that includes the handling of data calls from / to the radio port base stations; and a network inter-operation module that interconnects the DCS with a communications network.

Voice calls are configured by the processor for cellular call control, such that a speech communication path is established from one of the terminal devices to the PSTN. A speech communication path includes the air interface, one or more of the base stations and first communication links. The circuit switching fabric and one of the voice coders. Data calls are configured by the plurality of functions implemented in the standard physical equipment platforms, which are interconnected with a signaling network by the processor for cellular call control, in such a way that a data communication path is established from one of the terminal devices with the communications network. A data communication path involving a base station includes the air interface and one or more of the base stations and the first communications links, the circuit switching fabric, the converter, the ATM fabric, one of the processors radio link protocol, and the network inter-operation module. On the other hand, a data communication path involving a radio port includes the air interface and one or more of the radio ports and ATM virtual links, the ATM fabric, one of the radio link protocol processors, and the network inter-operation module. In a third stage architecture, voice coders are included in the DCS, and a speech communication path from a terminal device to the PSTN via the DCS, includes the air interface and one or more of the radio and telephone ports. ATM virtual links, the ATM fabric and one of the voice coders, with which the DCS can process both voice calls and data. The fourth stage of cellular communication system architecture includes: a plurality of radio ports that communicate over an air interface with a plurality of terminal devices, wherein the radio ports have ATM interfaces; a cellular switch having circuit switching fabric, wherein the cellular switch is connected to a public switched telephone network (PSTN); a DCS having ATM fabric, radio link protocol processors, and voice coders, wherein the speech coders are connected to the PSTN, where the ATM fabric is connected to the radio ports by ATM virtual links; one or more standard physical equipment platforms that implement ATM transport that performs a plurality of functions for call control, including the handling of voice calls and data from / to the radio ports; and a network I-ter-operation module, which interconnects the DCS to a communications network. The voice calls are configured by the plurality of functions implemented in the standard physical equipment platforms, in such a way that a voice communication path is established from the terminal device to the PSTN, which includes the air interface and one or more of the radio ports and ATM virtual links, the ATM fabric and one of the voice coders. The data calls are configured by the plurality of functions implemented in the standard physical equipment platforms, in such a way that a data communication path is established from the terminal device to the communication network, including the air interface and one or more than the radio ports and ATM virtual links, the ATM fabric, one of the radio protocol processors and the network inter-operation module. DESCRIPTION PE THE DRAWINGS The invention will be described in more detail below, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 illustrates the current digital cellular architecture for a CDMA single voice system. Figure 2 shows the current digital cellular architecture that supports a data service.

Figure 3 shows the digital cellular architecture stage one of the present invention, which introduces an ATM-based data DCS and distributed call processing. Figure 4 shows the digital cellular architecture stage two of the present invention, which introduces ATM-based radio ports and migrates control functions. Figure 5 shows stage three of digital cellular architecture of the present invention, which introduces voice coders into the DCS. Figure 6 shows stage four of digital cellular architecture of the present invention which is the ATM-based target architecture. PREFERRED MQPALIPAD PESCRIPTION The present invention introduces four cellular system architectures corresponding to four growth stages for the present digital cellular system architecture of Figure 1. The first stage introduces data services by separate data DCS (digital cellular switch) ) that has a switching fabric of Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM). The processing functions for call control are distributed by providing a separate data call control processor for data calls. The second stage introduces ATM to the radio port and moves most of the call control functions to standard physical equipment platforms connected by ATM transport and switching. The third stage adds voice coders to the DCS (now referred to as an "integrated" DCS) that allows radio ports to handle voice calls. The fourth stage (ie the target architecture) removes specific cellular functions from the legacy cellular switch, completely eliminates the legacy cellular call control processor and uses radio ports of minimal functionality. This objective architecture is described in a U.S. patent application. copendiente commonly assigned Serial No. 08 / 395,546 filed on February 28, 1995 with the title "Handoff Management For Cellular Telephony '(The Transfer Description for Cellular Telephony) The description of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 3, cellular architecture stage one is illustrated.The underlying consideration for this architecture is that voice and data calls are kept separate, joint voice-data calls will not be transported during this stage of system development. by base stations 12, cellular switch 10, and call control processor 28 is the same as the present architecture, however data calls are handled by the ATM-based auxiliary input calling a data DCS 46 and by a separate data call control processor 48.

The data DCS 46 has a structure similar to the data path illustrated in Figure 2, although the DCS 46, switching fabric 50, 58 is ATM based and regulated by the ATM 51 fabric switching control. data 46 has a data path that includes a frame selector 52, separator / combiner 54 and an RLP 56. Band synchronization control is provided by processor 60. A packet mode IF 62 provides data access to the PSPDN and circuit mode IWF 64 provides data access to the PSTN. These IWFs have the same functionality as IWFs 38 and 40 in Figure 2, except that ^ the transport between I Fs and DCS is ATM. The existing call control processor 28 still provides authentication, radio location and location management functions for data calls. When a data call arrives at the processor for call control 28, it is sent to the processor for data call control 48 for additional handling. Functions for data call control include connection control, billing and signaling conversion (for example between SS7 and ATM standards such as Q.2931). The switching fabric 14 of the cellular switch 10 directs data calls to the data DCS 46 via the converter 66. DSO cross-connects for semi-per- misally assigned data calls a number of output gates of the switch 14 for transport to the Data DCS 46. The converter 66 converts either the packet link packets 32 or the circuit links 32 of the cellular network to ATM and vice versa. The data call control 48, I Fs 62, 64, RLP 56 and other data DCS 46 functions are all introduced in economical modern physical equipment platforms (for example, PCs, workstations) using standard network operation (for example transport and ATM switching) , TCP / IP). This ensures flexibility for the future, easy-to-grow trajectories and technology expansion. - Therefore, as described, stage one of architecture-utilizes DSO cross-connections to provide a data solution on platforms outside the cellular switch. The cellular switch itself can provide DSO cross-connection facilities, however a cheaper alternative (and used by some cellular providers for modem set connectivity) is to install an auxiliary cross-connect platform (DACS). An example of voice and data call configurations for stage one of architectures is as follows: Voice Call Settings 1. The land site call arrives at the call control processor 28 on SS7 30 links. After search for location information, the radio control locates the mobile on all base stations 12 in a location area. Call arrivals of the mobile arrive from the base station through the signaling links 36. 2. Call control authenticates the mobile (using the origin or radiolocalises the response message or extended authentication sequence). 3. Call control allocates a different packet or circuit link for the call and informs the switching fabric control 24 in the cellular switch 10, and the connection control function in the base station 12. The connection is established by the switch and the base station. 4. The switch completes the connection to frame selector 16 and continues to the PSTN. 5. The base station establishes the air interface link with the mobile. Data Call Configuration: Mobile Source 1. Mobile originates call with a data service option. 2. Call Control 28 authenticates the mobile (using the origin message or another extended authentication sequence). 3. Call Control assigns a packet or circuit link 32 between the base station and the ATM conversion device 66 in a circuit cross-connection through the switching fabric 14. Call Control requests the data call controller 48 to set the remaining segment to IWF. The data call controller assigns a radio link protocol / frame selector and other processing devices to the call, and configures a virtual circuit link from the ATM conversion device 66 through the ATM 50 switching fabric to the selector of assigned table. The data call controller also configures the ATM virtual circuit link between the frame selector / radio link protocol and the appropriate IWF. In the case of a call in circuit mode, the terrestrial dialing string is received from the mobile and is provided by the call control via the data call control to the IWF in circuit mode. The data call controller also assigns a modem from the IWF in circuit mode (set of odems) that marks the number on the PSTN. For the last marking purpose, the cellular switch 10 can be used as a generic PSTN switch.

Data Call Configuration: Terrestrial Origin Circuit Mode. A special PSTN number is assigned to the circuit mode IWF (set of modems) 64. When a call request arrives over the SS7 link, 30, for the special modem set number, the call control 28 requests the controller to data call 48 which allocates a modem of the circuit IWF 64. The call control allocates a PSTN circuit through the switching fabric 22 (or alternately through another switch in the PSTN) to the assigned modem. _ Ib. Once the modem connection is established, the landline modem provides the mobile call party number to the modem in the set of modems. This number is provided to the data call controller. The data call controller requests the call control to locate and radiolocate the mobile. After searching the location information of the mobile, the call control radiolocalises the mobile with the option of circuit data service. 2. Call control authenticates the mobile (using radiolocation response message or other extended authentication sequence). 3. In the case of a radiolocation response, the call control assigns a packet or circuit link between the base station and the ATM conversion device 66. 4. The Call Control requests the data call controller 48 to establish the remaining segment to the IWF of circuit. The data call controller assigns a radio link / frame selector and other processing devices to the call, and configures a virtual circuit link from the ATM conversion device 66 through the ATM 50 switching fabric to the selector switch. assigned table. The data call controller also configures the ATM virtual circuit link between the radio link frame / protocol selector and the circuit IWF. Data Call Configuration: Terrestrial Packet Mode 1. Package data arrive on the PSPDN for a registered mobile. (If data arrive in a package for unregistered mobile, they are discarded). The packet IWF looks up the registration information and maps the packet data address to the mobile called party number. This number is provided to the data call controller, which requests the call control that locates and radiolocates the mobile. After searching the mobile location information, the call control 28 radiolocalises the mobile with the packet data service option. . The call control authenticates the mobile (using the radiolocation response message or other extended authentication sequence). 3. In the radiolocation response, the call control allocates a circuit pack link between the base station and the ATM conversion device 66. 4. Call Control requests the data call controller 48 to set the remaining segment to the Package IWF. The data call controller assigns a., Radio link / frame selector and otrss- processing devices to the call, and configures a virtual circuit link from the ATM conversion device 66 through the ATM switching fabric 50 to the assigned frame selector. Data call controller also constitutes the virtual circuit link ATM between the frame selector / radio link protocol and the packet IWF. Prior to radiolocation, the call control 28 must search the location information. In the stage 1 architecture, this location information is stored in the processor for call control 28. In the stage two architecture (described subsequently) this database is moved over the new control complex 72. In addition, the control 28 in the stage 1 architecture authenticates the mobile before establishing the connections from base station to switch. In the stage two architecture, this procedure is also handled in the new control complex 72. The stage two architecture is illustrated in Figure 4. While continuing to use circuit links or packets 32 to existing base stations, in this Stage 68 new radio ports with ATM interfaces are introduced. These radio ports 68 can connect in the previously introduced ATM-based data DCS network. This connection may be directly to the data DCS 46 or via one or more intermediate ATM switches 70. Data calls on non-ATM base stations are still handled as in step one through the data DCS by the converter 66 Radio ports can provide the functionality of conventional base stations such as radio resource management and connection control. However, in later stages of the system architecture, many of these functions can be removed from the radio port and towards the MSC or elsewhere in the ATM network, thereby making the radio port serve the minimum functionality of the radio. Finish the protocol at the air interface. In this way, for example, low-cost radio ports mounted on street poles are allowed, where the intense maintenance functions have been moved to the main structure of the network. In the stage two architecture, the radio 68 ports can only handle data calls and not joint voice or voice-only data calls. User data traffic is transported between the radio port 68 and the ATM switch 70 via ATM virtual links 73, and the signaling information is transported via the virtual circuit link 71 (over the same installation). ATM virtual signaling and user data links 75 data DCS 46 to the ATM switch 70, which is controlled for example by the ATM switching fabric control 80. The connection 77 between the legacy call control 28 and the conversion function signaling 79 for example may be by TCP / IP network connection. During this stage of network connection in circuit or packet (frame retransmission) and mixed ATM, it is necessary to provide packet / circuit to ATM conversion, as the mobile moves between the interconnected radio ports ATM 68 and the interconnected base stations 12 per package or circuit. As illustrated in Figure 4, most of the call control functions now move out of the processor for legacy 28 call control to standard 72 hardware equipment platforms (eg PCs or workstations) using standard network connection 74 (for example ATM and TCP / IP transport and switching). Existing voice call control, interconnects with the SS7 network, and billing is probably still employed in the processor for call control 28 as before, while all other functions have matched the target architecture. These matched functions are designed using message paradigms and standard objects, so that clear interfaces are defined between these objects allowing easy distribution on multiple physical equipment platforms 72. ATM transport also allows efficient network connection for user data and signaling through logical links 74 for-all control functions on multiple physical-equipment platforms 72. In this way, the control functions of the radio ports, for example Radio Resource Management, can be moved to the new call control 72. The architecture for the data DCS 46 is well suited for easy growth. Voice coders, the reidium 56 link protocol, interconnect network connection functions 62 and 64 and other cellular-specific functions (eg, frame selection 52 and separator / combiner 5) can all be implemented on standard physical equipment platforms and develop to operate or to run on multiple platforms with ATM connectivity. Using industrial standard platforms, systems are also allowed to traverse the technology curve for growth. This highlights the differences between the cellular switch 10 and the data DCS 46. The cellular switch 10 is a proprietary physical equipment platform with TSI-based circuit switching (costly time slot exchange), proprietary packet switching ducts frame-based, and ATM interfaces with all the specific cellular functions clustered in the physical switching equipment. In contrast, the data DCS 46 consists of an easy-to-grow number of standard industrial physical equipment platform (eg PCs, workstations), standard network connection and logical support designs, industrial standard ducts and ATM switching. underlying. That is, the data DCS 46 is a loose collection of physical equipment linked in conjunction with ATM, either located at a site or distributed at multiple sites. The frame around the data DCS 46 and the joint placement of the new call control functions 72 in Figure 4, in this way are only descriptive in a logical sense, and do not imply physical constraints. In stage three architecture, illustrated in the Figure 2, voice coders 76 are provided in the DCS 46 which can now be referred to as an integrated DCS 46 because both voice calls and data can be processed by the DCS. These voice coders 76 access the PSTN via the communications link 78 and the cellular switch 10.

It would also be possible to access the PSTN directly by providing for example an IT interface in the DCS 46. The in-band signaling is separated from the user and voice data in the separator / combiner 54 and sends the new call control 72 over virtual links ATM (for example by ATM 50 switching fabric and ATM switch 70). It can also be noted that the architecture of stage one can be migrated directly to the architecture of stage three, without the DCS lacking intermediate voice coder 46 of Figure 4. After all the cellular base stations 12_ have become ATM connectivity , it becomes unnecessary to provide specific cellular functions such as frame selector, separator and combiner, voice coder in the cellular switch 10. Then, as illustrated in Figure 6, they can be removed in such a way that the cellular switch 10 is reduced to a basic circuit switch, which can still be used to provide connectivity to the switched PSTN circuit. The voice coder 76 can also access directly to the PSTN or a public switched ATM network (PSATMN). We note that the slowest technology penetration rate in the mature public network means that the legacy switch 10 will be required for several years after the introduction of the four stage architecture illustrated in Figure 6, even after all the stations Base 12 cells have been converted to ATM connectivity. The architecture of Figure 6 allows easy migration to two possible evolution paths for the public network. If the public network remains switched in circuit, the expensive legacy switch 10 can expand in fabric size but costly functions implemented with outmoded technology are migrated outward to economical industrial standard platforms. With strong growth promised in the cellular field, this is an attractive path where existing switches can still be used while more_ modern switches can be less expensive. On the other hand, if the public network migrates to ATM, then the voice coder function can be moved further to the public network exit (far end), providing efficient transport of cellular voice packets over the PS-ATM network. The present invention provides a robust coupling of the RLP, voice coder and in-band signaling handler of the integrated DCS which allows flexible and efficient multilayered voice, data and signaling through adaptive priorities (eg high priority signaling over user data). , or voice data retransmitted). Furthermore, the ATM-based system architecture allows easy migration at higher data rates planned for the future.

Although the invention has been described in detail with particular reference to a preferred CDMA embodiment thereof, it will be understood that the invention can also be practiced in a TDMA cellular system. Differences between CDMA and TDMA implementation can be considered when comparing the operation of each one for the stage four architecture. First, considering a CDMA communication from mobile to public network in the case of a voice-only call, a data-only call, and then joint voice-data call. In a CDMA voice-only call, the frame selector 52 chooses the best input frame and separator 54-separates the signaling in band to direct the signaling block in band 60. The primary voice is directed to the voice encoder 76. It can be noted that the signaling block in band 60 indicates that the preferred consolidation point for band signaling is in the integrated DCS 46, although it is possible to separate the signaling in band in the base stations / radio ports. For a data-only call, the frame selector 52 chooses the best frame, the separator 54 separates signaling in band, and the primary data is routed to the RLP 56. For a joint voice-data call, the frame selector 52 chooses In the best frame, the separator 54 separates primary secondary and voice data to address the voice coder 76 and RLP 56, respectively (instead of transporting voice and data, the packet can carry voice and signaling, in which case the separator will direct the signage to block 60). In the TDMA case, there is no frame selector 52 or separator / combiner 54, although a similar control function of extracting / inserting signaling information in band is performed. The preferred consolidation point for band signaling in a TDMA system is at the radio / base station port, in which case packet links or circuit 32 can be used to carry some of the control data between the base station 12 and the switch cellular 10 or-a virtual link can be employed between the radio port 6-8-and DCS 46. Voice and data in the DCS based on TDMA are routed through the ATM 50 fabric to either the voice encoder 76 or RLP 56 respectively according to each cell marked with the appropriate vertical circuit identifier (VCI). While the invention has been described in conjunction with preferred embodiments thereof, various modifications and substitutions may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known to the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is that which is clear from the present description of the invention.

Having described the invention as above, property is claimed as contained in the following:

Claims (33)

1. CLAIMS 1. A method for introducing data and voice and data services integrated into a legacy digital cellular network having a plurality of base stations that communicate over an air interface with a plurality of terminal devices, a cellular switch having a tissue of circuit switching in communication with a public switched telephone network (PSTN) and base stations, wherein the cellular switch includes voice coders for voice calls, and a cellular call control processor that handles voice calls directed through of the switch-cell, characterized in that it comprises the steps of deploying a data DCS having an ATM switching fabric and a radio link protocol processor, and deploying an associated data call control processor to handle data calls directed to through the data DCS and the cellular switch; deploying a plurality of radio ports having ATM interfaces, and deploying one or more standard physical equipment platforms that implement ATM transport, which perform a plurality of functions for call control, including handling of data calls from / to stations base and radio ports, where the data calls involving the radio ports are not routed through the cellular switch; and deploying voice coders in the data DCS to process voice calls comprising the radio ports.
2. 2. A cellular communication system, characterized in that it comprises: a plurality of base stations communicating on an air interface with a plurality of terminal devices; a cellular switch having circuit switching fabrics and voice coders, wherein the base stations are connected to the circuit switching fabric by communication first links, and wherein the circuit switching fabric is also connected to the network of public switched telephony (PSTN); a processor for cellular call control, associated with the cell switch, which handles a voice call directed through the cellular switch; a data DCS having ATM fabric and protocol processors for radio link, wherein the circuit switching fabric is connected to the AM fabric by a second communication link by a converter converting between the transmission format of the first communication link and ATM; a processor for data call control, associated with the data DCS, which handles a data call directed through the data DCS and the cellular switch; a network interoperation module that interconnects the data DCS to a communication network; wherein the voice call is configured by the processor for cellular call control, such that a speech communication path is established from one of the terminal devices to the PSTN, the speech communication path includes the air interface , one or more of the base stations and first communication links, the circuit switching fabric and one of the voice coders; wherein a data call is configured by the cellular call control processor and the data call control processor, such that a data communication path is established from one of the terminal devices to the communication network, the data communication path includes the air interface, and one or more of the base stations, and first communication links, the circuit switching fabric, and the converter, the ATM fabric, one of the radio link protocol processors, and the network interoperation module. The system according to claim 2, characterized in that the cellular communication system implements CDMA, and data paths in the cellular switch and data DCS include a frame selector and a separator / combiner. 4. The system according to claim 2, characterized in that the cellular communication system implements TDMA. 5. The system according to claim 2, characterized in that the first communications links can be packet or circuit links, and the converter converts between packet or circuit and ATM formats. 6. The system in accordance with the claim 2, characterized in that the network interoperation module comprises a circuit mode data interoperation module, which interconnects the data DCS with the PSTN and wherein the interoperation module includes a set of modems. The system according to claim 6, characterized in that the network interoperation module further comprises a packet mode data interoperation module that interconnects the data DCS with a public switched packet data network (PSPDN) 8. The system according to claim 2, characterized in that the data call control processor, the network interoperation module, and data DCS functions including the protocol radio link processors are implemented on equipment platforms. standard physical- interconnected by ATM transport and switching 9. The system according to claim 8, characterized in that standard hardware platforms include workstations or personal computers. 10. A cellular communication system, characterized in that it comprises: a plurality of base stations and radio ports that communicate over an air interface with a plurality of terminal devices, wherein the radio ports have ATM interfaces; a cellular switch having circuit switching fabric and voice coders, wherein the base stations are connected to the circuit switching fabric by communication first links, and wherein the circuit switching fabric is also connected to a network of public switched telephony (PSTN); a cellular call control processor, associated with the cellular switch that handles a voice-directed call through the cellular switch; a DCS having ATM fabric and radio link protocol processors, wherein the circuit switching fabric is connected to the ATM fabric by a second communication link via a converter that converts between the transmission format of the first communication link and ATM , and where the ATM fabric is connected to the radio ports by ATM virtual links; one or more standard physical equipment platforms that implement ATM transport, which perform a plurality of call control functions including handling of data calls from / to the base stations and radio ports; a network interoperation module that interconnects the DCS with a communications network; wherein a voice call is configured by the cellular call control processor, such that a voice communication path is established from one of the terminal devices to the PSTN, the speech communication path includes the air interface , one or more of the base stations and the first communication links, the circuit switching fabric and one of the voice coders; wherein a data call is configured by the plurality of functions implemented in the standard physical equipment platforms that are interconnected to a signaling network by the processor for cellular call control, such that a data communications path is established. dt-s from one of the terminal devices to the communications network; wherein the data communication path involving a base station includes the air interface and one or more of the base stations, and first communications links, the circuit switching fabric, the converter, the ATM fabric, one of the radio link protocol processors and the network interoperation module; and wherein the data communication path involving a radio port comprises the air interface and one or more of the radio ports and ATM virtual links, the ATM fabric, one of the radio link protocol processors and the module of network interoperation. 11. The system according to claim 10, characterized in that the cellular communication system implements CDMA, and data paths in the cellular switch and the DCS includes a frame selector and a separator / combiner. 12. The system according to claim 10, characterized in that the cellular communication system implements TDMA. The system according to claim 10, characterized in that the first communications links can be packet or circuit links and the converter converts between packet or circuit and ATM formats. The system according to claim 10, characterized in that the network interoperation module comprises a data interoperation module in the circuit mode interconnecting the DCS with the PSTN, and wherein the interoperation module includes a set of modems The system according to claim 14, characterized in that the network interoperation module further comprises a data interoperation module in the packet mode that interconnects the DCS with a public switched packet data network (PSPDN). 16. The system according to claim 10, characterized in that said one or more standard physical equipment platforms include work stations or personal computers. 17. The system in accordance with the claim 16, characterized in that the functions of the DCS including the radio link protocol processors are also implemented in standard physical equipment platforms interconnected by ATM. 18. The system in accordance with the claim 10, characterized in that the ATM virtual links from the radio-ports and the one or more physical-standard equipment platforms perform call control functions, are addressed to the DCS by one or more ATM switches. 19. The system in accordance with the claim 10, characterized in that the signaling network implements SS7. 20. The system in accordance with the claim 10, characterized in that the voice coders are included in the DCS, and a speech communication path from a terminal device to the PSTN via the DCS, includes the air interface and one or more radio ports and ATM virtual links, the ATM fabric and one of the voice coders, with which DCS can process both voice calls and data. 21. The system according to claim 20, characterized in that the speech communication path to the PSTN is through the circuit switching fabric. 22. A cellular communication system, characterized in that it comprises: a plurality of radio ports that communicate over an air interface with a plurality of terminal devices, wherein the radio ports have ATM interfaces; a cellular switch having a circuit switching fabric, wherein the cellular switch is connected to a public switched telephone network (PSTN); a DCS having ATM fabric, protocol processors, radio link and voice coders, wherein the voice coders are connected to the PSTN, and where the ATM fabric is connected to the radio ports by ATM virtual links; one or more standard physical equipment platforms that implement ATM transport that performs a plurality of call control functions including the handling of voice calls and data from / to the radio ports; a network interoperation module that interconnects the DCS with a communications network; wherein a voice call is configured by the plurality of functions implemented in the standard physical equipment platforms, such that a speech communication path is established from the terminal device to the PSTN, including the air interface and one or more than the radio ports and ATM virtual links, the ATM fabric and one of the voice coders; and where a data call is configured by the plurality of functions implemented in standard physical equipment platforms, such that a data communication path is established from the terminal device to the communication network, including the air interface and one or more of the radio ports and ATM virtual links, the ATM fabric, one of the processors of radio protocol and the network interoperation module. 23. The system according to claim 22, characterized in that the cellular communication system implements CDMA, and data paths in the DCS include a frame selector and a separator / combiner. 24. The system according to claim 22, characterized in that the cellular communication system implements TDMA. 25. The system according to claim 22, characterized in that the network interoperation module comprises a data interoperation module in the circuit module interconnecting the DCS with the PSTN or a public switched ATM network (PSATMN) and in where the interoperation module includes a set of modems. 26. The system according to claim 25, characterized in that the network interoperation module further comprises a data interoperation module in packet mode that interconnects DCS with a public switched packet data network (PSPDN). 27. The system according to claim 22, characterized in that the one or more standard physical equipment platforms include workstations or personal computers. 28. The system according to claim 27, characterized in that the DCS functions that include the radio link protocol processors are also implemented on standard physical equipment platforms interconnected by ATM. __ 29. The system according to claim 22, characterized by? [That the ATM virtual links of the radio ports and one or more standard physical equipment platforms that perform call control functions, are directed to the DCS by one or more switches ATM. 30. The system according to claim 22, characterized in that the cellular system processes joint voice-data calls. 31. The system in accordance with the claim 22, characterized in that the voice coders are also interconnected with a public switched ATM network (PSATMN). 32. The system according to claim 22, characterized in that the speech communication path to the PSTN is by means of a circuit switching fabric. 33. The system according to claim 22, characterized in that one of the plurality of functions for call control is signaling conversion for interconnecting SS7 signaling from a signaling network to ATM-based call control functions.