WO2004105321A1 - Method and system for operating a radio communication network - Google Patents

Method and system for operating a radio communication network Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2004105321A1
WO2004105321A1 PCT/EP2004/005421 EP2004005421W WO2004105321A1 WO 2004105321 A1 WO2004105321 A1 WO 2004105321A1 EP 2004005421 W EP2004005421 W EP 2004005421W WO 2004105321 A1 WO2004105321 A1 WO 2004105321A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
radio communication
communication network
network
radio
information
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2004/005421
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Matthias Britsch
Original Assignee
T-Mobile Deutschland Gmbh
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by T-Mobile Deutschland Gmbh filed Critical T-Mobile Deutschland Gmbh
Priority to AT04733816T priority Critical patent/ATE536715T1/en
Priority to US10/557,396 priority patent/US7593750B2/en
Priority to EP04733816A priority patent/EP1625703B1/en
Priority to ES04733816T priority patent/ES2378543T3/en
Priority to CA2525838A priority patent/CA2525838C/en
Publication of WO2004105321A1 publication Critical patent/WO2004105321A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W16/00—Network planning, e.g. coverage or traffic planning tools; Network deployment, e.g. resource partitioning or cells structures
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W12/00—Security arrangements; Authentication; Protecting privacy or anonymity
    • H04W12/06—Authentication
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W88/00—Devices specially adapted for wireless communication networks, e.g. terminals, base stations or access point devices
    • H04W88/02—Terminal devices
    • H04W88/06—Terminal devices adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W8/00—Network data management
    • H04W8/02—Processing of mobility data, e.g. registration information at HLR [Home Location Register] or VLR [Visitor Location Register]; Transfer of mobility data, e.g. between HLR, VLR or external networks
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W92/00—Interfaces specially adapted for wireless communication networks
    • H04W92/02—Inter-networking arrangements

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method and system for operating a radio communication network according to the preamble of the independent claims .
  • the inventive idea is in building a general purpose radio service network as an overlay network to a running GSM network by making use of GSM network features, such as authentication, mobility management and signalling channels.
  • GSM network features such as authentication, mobility management and signalling channels.
  • This radio network can be of any type, including also cellular and satellite networks .
  • the end device of the general purpose radio service network is co-located to a GSM radio device in the same hardware shelf, such that the GSM functionality's are available for the GSM part of the combined device and the general purpose radio service functionality's for the general purpose radio part.
  • the GSM authentication, location information and mobility management functionality can be applied for mobility management, authentication and signalling to the general purpose radio network device, due to the fact that it is bundled to the GSM device and therefore e. g. the same location information is valid, the same user is accessing the device, etc.
  • This invention can be used for all radio communication networks which utilities at least one function of a second digital radio communications network.
  • One example of an implementation using a GSM network is described.
  • Figure 1 shows a schematic system architecture of a General Purpose Radio Services Network as an overlay network to a GSM radio network.
  • the general purpose radio service network can be implemented in two different ways. First using a radio frequency band totally different from the GSM frequency and secondly using parts of the GSM frequency range.
  • the coding scheme of the general purpose radio service can be any available, including GSM. Anyhow which coding scheme and which frequency band is used, the traffic is not transmitted via the GSM air interface.
  • the functions are separated, there is no need for co- located general purpose radio service network radio transceiver stations and GSM base transceiver stations. Nevertheless for reasons of network management, mobility management and ease of operation, it may be beneficial to design the cells of the general purpose radio service network in accordance with the GSM RAN. This could include common radio cell boundaries or even logical structures of higher levels, such as BSC or MSC/VLR areas, especially if the general purpose radio service network is of cellular type. For non-cellular general purpose radio service networks any installation method appropriate to the geographical coverage of the related GSM network may be used.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Computer Security & Cryptography (AREA)
  • Mobile Radio Communication Systems (AREA)
  • Radio Relay Systems (AREA)

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and a system for operating a radio communication network which is characterized in that a first radio communication network uses at least one function of a second radio communication network by connection the first radio communication network to at least one module of the second radio communication network.

Description

Method and System for Operating a Radio Communication Network
The invention relates to a method and system for operating a radio communication network according to the preamble of the independent claims .
It is the objective of the present invention to provide a method and a system for operating a radio communication network with a reduced requirement of network infrastructure .
This objective is achieved by providing method and a system as described in the independent claims. Other features which are considered to be characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims.
The inventive idea is in building a general purpose radio service network as an overlay network to a running GSM network by making use of GSM network features, such as authentication, mobility management and signalling channels. Thus using the GSM network as implementation platform for another separated radio network, which is using different radio channels. This radio network can be of any type, including also cellular and satellite networks .
The end device of the general purpose radio service network is co-located to a GSM radio device in the same hardware shelf, such that the GSM functionality's are available for the GSM part of the combined device and the general purpose radio service functionality's for the general purpose radio part. On the network side the GSM authentication, location information and mobility management functionality can be applied for mobility management, authentication and signalling to the general purpose radio network device, due to the fact that it is bundled to the GSM device and therefore e. g. the same location information is valid, the same user is accessing the device, etc.
In a more tightly integrated version particular features of the GSM network could be used for both parts of the combined end device. This would for example allow activation of the general purpose radio service device via GSM signalling channels.
Detailed Description
This invention can be used for all radio communication networks which utilities at least one function of a second digital radio communications network. One example of an implementation using a GSM network is described.
Figure 1 shows a schematic system architecture of a General Purpose Radio Services Network as an overlay network to a GSM radio network.
The general purpose radio service network can be implemented in two different ways. First using a radio frequency band totally different from the GSM frequency and secondly using parts of the GSM frequency range. The coding scheme of the general purpose radio service can be any available, including GSM. Anyhow which coding scheme and which frequency band is used, the traffic is not transmitted via the GSM air interface.
The general purpose radio module is integrated into a GSM device which is sending and receiving the complete range of GSM signalling information. Please note that special applications may require parallel transceiving of GSM and general purpose radio service information, both signalling and payload. The use of GSM payload channels is not required at all for functionality of the general purpose radio network. This allows the general purpose radio service network devices to use only an IMSI for identification. However it may be required to have the full functionality of a GSM device enabled in the combined device, to enable special features which allow for certain services offerings, e. g. over the air activation or the general purpose radio service network application.
All general purpose radio service network module functions and the GSM network modules radio parts on the combined device are logically separated. However the GSM radio module may pipe through signalling information for the general purpose radio module. The transmission of information using signalling channels transmission capacity is the only direct exchange of information between both modules in the combined client. Both may be implemented using the same hardware resources, such as radio transceiver chips, processors, etc.
Prerequisite for using the general purpose radio service network is that the terminal is attached to the GSM network and the active state of the terminal is kept in the network to guarantee the availability of location and mobility management information required for operation of the general purpose radio service network. Thus it is also assured that a GSM signalling connection is available to send signalling information to the general purpose radio module, using GSM signalling capacity. Therefore the general purpose radio module is able to receive in-band signalling from the general purpose radio service network via it's air interface and out-band signalling via the GSM air interface. Both connections are using distinct frequency bands and/or coding schemes. The out-band signalling scenario may especially be applicable if the general purpose radio module is not attached to the general purpose radio service network and any action shall be triggered, according to the required features and behaviour of the general purpose radio service network application.
All payload generated by the general purpose radio service network is not to be transmitted via the GSM air interface and the GSM core network, rather through the general purpose radio service network interface. Thus the traffic from the general purpose radio service network is completely invisible for the GSM network and the networks are separated. On the network side information is exchanged only via interfaces to the GSM network. These interfaces are providing genuine GSM information for use by the general purpose radio service network. No information about the general purpose radio service network is gathered or kept in the GSM network on behalf of the general purpose radio service network. Vice versa the general purpose radio service network may also provide it's information to the GSM network as required but is not actively gathering or keeping information.
The general purpose radio service network is using the mobility management information of the GSM network for it's own mobility management. The information used can be any combination GSM location and mobility information data elements, such as cell-ID, LAC, VLR-ID, etc. This information can be polled by the general purpose radio service network via suited MAP, CAP, ISUP, OAP or INAP requests, such as Any-Time-Interrogation, Location-Area- Update, etc or any proprietary command accessing the GSM network information databases. This includes also the base station subsystem application part (BSSAP) and its protocols BSSMAP and direct transfer application part (DTAP) . The Databases to be addressed are e.g. MSC/VLR, BSC, and HLR, but can also be any implementation specific database, which may also include non-standardised data elements .
The information can also be actively send by the GSM network. Enabling the GSM network nodes to send appropriate location and mobility management information to the general purpose radio service network requires implementation of appropriate trigger mechanisms. This could be for example a function in the BSC triggering the sending of MSISDN, IMSI or any proprietary ID together with previous and current cell ID as an information message via the CCS7 or any other network interface to the general purpose radio service network whenever a general purpose radio service device roams across cell boundaries. The same mechanism could be implemented using MSC/VKLR ID'S. In more sophisticated applications these functions could comprise as well filter lists to filter out information related to subsets of clients with particular attributes.
Please note that the use of GSM network location and mobility information by the general purpose radio service network does not require co-located radio base station sites. However an existing base station subsystem infrastructure would ease installation of general purpose radio services radio equipment enormously from an deployment, installation and roll-out point of view.
The general purpose radio service network nodes and application servers may be implemented by making use of hardware resources in the GSM network, such as base transceiver stations, base station controllers, mobile switching centers, etc. This means that these or other GSM modules are hosting the general purpose radio service network logic ' s together with their genuine GSM functionality's on the same hardware. This can also include the re-use of existing GSM air interface capacity if the according combination of coding schemes and frequency ranges are used.
As the functions are separated, there is no need for co- located general purpose radio service network radio transceiver stations and GSM base transceiver stations. Nevertheless for reasons of network management, mobility management and ease of operation, it may be beneficial to design the cells of the general purpose radio service network in accordance with the GSM RAN. This could include common radio cell boundaries or even logical structures of higher levels, such as BSC or MSC/VLR areas, especially if the general purpose radio service network is of cellular type. For non-cellular general purpose radio service networks any installation method appropriate to the geographical coverage of the related GSM network may be used.
List of Abbrevations
GSM Global Standard for Mobile Communication
IMSI International Mobile Station Identity
Cell-ID Cell Identity
LAC Local Area Code
VLR-ID Visitor Location Register Identity
MAP Mobile Application Part
CAP CAMEL Application Part
CAMEL Customer Application Mobile Enhanced Logics
ISUP ISDN user part
ISDN Integrated Services Digital Network
OAP Operation and Administration Application Part
INAP Intelligent Network Application Part
MSC Mobile Switching Center
VLR Visitor Location Register
MSC/VLR Mobile Switching Center/Visitor Location Register
MSC/VKLR Mobile Switching Center/Visitor Location Register
BSC Base Station Controller
HLR Home Location Register
MSISDN Mobile Station Integrated Services Digital
Network
ID Identity
CCS7 Common Channel Signalling System Number 7
RAN Radio Access Network
AUC Authentication Center
EIR Equipment Identity Register
OMS Operation and Maintenance Center
BTS Base Transceiver Station
BSS Base Station Subsystem (BTS + BSC)

Claims

Patent Claims
1. Method for operating a radio communication network, characterized in that a first radio communication network uses at least one function of a second radio communication network.
2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the first radio communication network is operated as an overlay network to the second radio communication network by making use of network features of the second radio communication network.
3. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first radio communication network uses the features for authentication, mobility management and signalling channels of the second radio communication network.
4. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that information used can be any combination of location and mobility information data elements, such as cell-ID, LAC, VLR-ID, etc.
5. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that both radio communication networks are using different radio channels.
6. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that both radio communication networks are using at least one common radio channel.
7. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that an end device (mobile station) of the first radio communication network is co-located to an end device of the second radio communication network in the same hardware shelf, such that the functionalities of both radio communication networks are available in the same end device.
8. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that particular features of the second radio communication network are used for both parts of the combined end device .
9. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that during the use of the first radio communication network the end device is attached to the second radio communication network and the active state of the end device is kept in the second network to provide the availability of location and mobility management information required for operation of the first radio communication network.
10. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the traffic from the first radio communication network is separate to the traffic from the second radio communication network, and information is exchanged via standardized interfaces between both networks .
11. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the information exchange is conducted via MAP, CAP, ISUP, OAP or INAP requests, such as Any-Time-Interrogation, Location-Area-Update, or any proprietary command accessing the network information databases of the second radio communication network.
12. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second radio communication network databases to be addressed by the first radio communication network comprises MSC, VLR, BSC, HLR and AUC.
13. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that information are actively send from the second radio communication network to the first radio communication network by using appropriate trigger mechanisms.
14. System for operating a radio communication network, characterized in that a first radio communication network is connected to at least one module of a second radio communication networ .
15. System according to claim 14, characterized in that the first radio communication network is connected to authentication, mobility management or signalling modules of the second radio communication network.
16. System according to claims 14 or 15, characterized in that the first radio communication network is connected to modules of the radio subsystem, such as BTS or BSC, of the second radio communication network.
17. System according to claims 14 to 16, characterized in that the first radio communication network is connected to modules of the network subsystem, such as MSC, HLR or VLR, of the second radio communication network.
18. System according to claims 14 to 17, characterized in that the first radio communication network is connected to modules of the operation and maintenance subsystem, such as AUC, EIR or OMC, of the second radio communication network.
19. System according to claims 14 to 18, characterized in that the first radio communication network is a general purpose radio services network.
20. System according to claims 14 to 19, characterized in hat the second radio communication network is a GSM type radio communication network.
PCT/EP2004/005421 2003-05-20 2004-05-19 Method and system for operating a radio communication network WO2004105321A1 (en)

Priority Applications (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT04733816T ATE536715T1 (en) 2003-05-20 2004-05-19 METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR OPERATING A RADIO COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK
US10/557,396 US7593750B2 (en) 2003-05-20 2004-05-19 Method and system for operating a radio communication network
EP04733816A EP1625703B1 (en) 2003-05-20 2004-05-19 Method and system for operating a radio communication network
ES04733816T ES2378543T3 (en) 2003-05-20 2004-05-19 Procedure and system to operate a radio network
CA2525838A CA2525838C (en) 2003-05-20 2004-05-19 Method and system for operating a radio communication network

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP03011408.6 2003-05-20
EP03011408 2003-05-20

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2004105321A1 true WO2004105321A1 (en) 2004-12-02

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ID=33462081

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/EP2004/005421 WO2004105321A1 (en) 2003-05-20 2004-05-19 Method and system for operating a radio communication network

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US7593750B2 (en)
EP (1) EP1625703B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE536715T1 (en)
CA (1) CA2525838C (en)
ES (1) ES2378543T3 (en)
WO (1) WO2004105321A1 (en)

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WO2002047404A2 (en) * 2000-12-05 2002-06-13 Nokia Corporation New session or handoff methods in wireless networks
WO2002087160A2 (en) * 2001-04-24 2002-10-31 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Heterogeneous mobile radio system
WO2003036904A1 (en) * 2001-10-24 2003-05-01 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Method and device for authenticated access to a station on local data networks in particular radio data networks
WO2004066707A2 (en) * 2003-01-23 2004-08-12 Motorola Inc. A Corporation Of The State Of Delaware Method and apparatus for a target-initiated handoff from a source cellular wireless network to a target non-cellular wireless network

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US6230005B1 (en) * 1998-10-01 2001-05-08 Nokia Telecommunications, Oy Method and apparatus for providing overlay to support third generation cellular services
US6687243B1 (en) * 1999-09-29 2004-02-03 Cisco Technology, Inc. Method and apparatus for integrated wireless communications in private and public network environments
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US6671507B1 (en) * 2000-06-16 2003-12-30 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Authentication method for inter-system handover between at least two radio communications systems
US8532665B2 (en) * 2003-07-11 2013-09-10 Thomson Licensing Overlay micro cell structure for universal mobile telephone system network
US7583646B2 (en) * 2004-10-14 2009-09-01 Alcatel-Lucent Usa Inc. Method and apparatus for facilitating interaction between a home subscriber server (HSS) and a home location register (HLR) in a legacy network

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2001099466A2 (en) * 2000-06-22 2001-12-27 Nokia Corporation Apparatus, and associated method, for integrating operation of packet radio communication systems
WO2002047404A2 (en) * 2000-12-05 2002-06-13 Nokia Corporation New session or handoff methods in wireless networks
WO2002087160A2 (en) * 2001-04-24 2002-10-31 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Heterogeneous mobile radio system
WO2003036904A1 (en) * 2001-10-24 2003-05-01 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Method and device for authenticated access to a station on local data networks in particular radio data networks
WO2004066707A2 (en) * 2003-01-23 2004-08-12 Motorola Inc. A Corporation Of The State Of Delaware Method and apparatus for a target-initiated handoff from a source cellular wireless network to a target non-cellular wireless network

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US20070066302A1 (en) 2007-03-22
ATE536715T1 (en) 2011-12-15
CA2525838A1 (en) 2004-12-02
EP1625703A1 (en) 2006-02-15
US7593750B2 (en) 2009-09-22
EP1625703B1 (en) 2011-12-07
ES2378543T3 (en) 2012-04-13
CA2525838C (en) 2013-07-09

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