WO2015092114A1 - Établissement d'un nouveau réseau d'accès - Google Patents

Établissement d'un nouveau réseau d'accès Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2015092114A1
WO2015092114A1 PCT/FI2013/051173 FI2013051173W WO2015092114A1 WO 2015092114 A1 WO2015092114 A1 WO 2015092114A1 FI 2013051173 W FI2013051173 W FI 2013051173W WO 2015092114 A1 WO2015092114 A1 WO 2015092114A1
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WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
access network
request
access
identifier
access node
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/FI2013/051173
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English (en)
Inventor
Jarkko Kneckt
Niko Kiukkonen
Janne Marin
Jari Junell
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Nokia Technologies Oy
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.)
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Publication date
Application filed by Nokia Technologies Oy filed Critical Nokia Technologies Oy
Priority to PCT/FI2013/051173 priority Critical patent/WO2015092114A1/fr
Publication of WO2015092114A1 publication Critical patent/WO2015092114A1/fr

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Classifications

    • 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
    • H04W88/08—Access point devices
    • H04W88/10—Access point devices adapted for operation in multiple networks, e.g. multi-mode access points
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W12/00—Security arrangements; Authentication; Protecting privacy or anonymity
    • H04W12/50—Secure pairing of devices
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W12/00—Security arrangements; Authentication; Protecting privacy or anonymity
    • H04W12/08—Access security
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W48/00—Access restriction; Network selection; Access point selection
    • H04W48/08—Access restriction or access information delivery, e.g. discovery data delivery
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W84/00—Network topologies
    • H04W84/02—Hierarchically pre-organised networks, e.g. paging networks, cellular networks, WLAN [Wireless Local Area Network] or WLL [Wireless Local Loop]
    • H04W84/10—Small scale networks; Flat hierarchical networks
    • H04W84/12—WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to wireless access networks and, particularly, to establishing a new wireless access network.
  • Access nodes may establish a wireless access network to which wireless devices may be connected or associated in order to carry out frame transmissions and/ or connect to other networks, e.g. the Internet.
  • Figure 1 illustrates a wireless communication scenario to which embodiments of the invention may be applied
  • Figure 2 is a signalling diagram of a process for establishing a new access network according to an embodiment of the invention
  • Figure 3 is a flow diagram of a process for configuring establishment of a new access network in according to an embodiment of the invention
  • Figures 4 and 5 illustrate signalling diagrams of embodiments for establishing a new access network as a response to a request from a wireless device according to some embodiments of the invention
  • Figure 6 illustrates a flow diagram of a process for initiating establishment of the new access network in an access node according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 7 to 9 illustrate block diagrams of apparatuses according to some embodiments of the invention.
  • Figure 1 illustrates wireless communication devices comprising access points (AP) 102, 104, 1 10 and a plurality of terminal devices (STA) 106, 107, 108.
  • the AP 102, 104, 1 10 may be a stationary access point or a mobile access point.
  • a general term used in this specification and encompassing both the APs and STAs is a wireless device.
  • the access point may refer to an access point specified in IEEE 802.1 1 specifications or to a base station of another wireless access network.
  • the APs 102, 104 are access points providing IEEE 802.1 1 access networks, while the AP 1 10 provides an access network according to a cellular communication protocol, e.g.
  • LTE Long-Term Evolution
  • 3GPP 3 rd Generation Partnership Project
  • An access node may provide or be comprised in a basic service set (BSS) which is a basic building block of an IEEE 802.1 1 wireless local area network (WLAN).
  • BSS basic service set
  • WLAN wireless local area network
  • Each access node may represent a different BSS.
  • the most common BSS type is an infrastructure BSS that includes a single access node together with all STAs associated with the access node.
  • the access node may provide access to other networks, e.g. the Internet.
  • the BSSs may be connected with each other by a distribution system (DS) to form an extended service set (ESS).
  • ESS extended service set
  • IBSS independent BSS
  • OBSS overlapping BSS
  • embodiments of the invention are described in the context of the above-described topologies of IEEE 802.1 1 , it should be appreciated that these or other embodiments of the invention may be applicable to wireless networks based on other specifications, e.g.
  • WiMAX Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access
  • UMTS LTE Long-term Evolution for Universal Mobile Telecommunication System
  • MANET mobile ad hoc networks
  • mesh networks and other networks having cognitive radio features, e.g. transmission medium sensing features and adaptive capability to coexist with radio access networks based on different specifications and/or standards.
  • Some embodiments may be applicable to networks having features under development by other IEEE task groups. Therefore, the following description may be generalized to may systems as well.
  • the different access nodes may operate at least partly on different channels, e.g. on different frequency channels.
  • IEEE 802.1 1 ⁇ specification specifies a data transmission mode that includes 20 megahertz (MHz) wide primary and secondary channels. The primary channel is used in all data transmissions with clients supporting only the 20 MHz mode and with clients supporting higher bandwidths. A further definition in 802.1 1 ⁇ is that the primary and secondary channels are adjacent. The 802.1 1 ⁇ specification also defines a mode in which a STA may, in addition to the primary channel, occupy one secondary channel which results in a maximum bandwidth of 40 MHz.
  • IEEE 802.1 1 ac task group extends such an operation model to provide for wider bandwidths by increasing the number of secondary channels from 1 up to 7, thus resulting in bandwidths of 20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz, and 160 MHz.
  • a 40 MHz transmission band may be formed by two contiguous 20 MHz bands, and an 80 MHz transmission band may be formed by two contiguous 40 MHz bands.
  • a 160 MHz band may be formed by two contiguous or non-contiguous 80 MHz bands.
  • Different BSSs may employ different primary channels.
  • the transmission band of a BSS contains the primary channel and zero or more secondary channels.
  • the secondary channels may be used to increase data transfer capacity of a transmission opportunity (TXOP).
  • the secondary channels may be called a secondary channel, a tertiary channel, a quaternary channel, etc. However, let us for the sake of simplicity use the secondary channel as the common term to refer also to the tertiary or quaternary channel, etc.
  • the primary channel may be used for channel contention, and a TXOP may be gained after successful channel contention on the primary channel.
  • Some IEEE 802.1 1 networks are based on carrier sense multiple access with collision avoidance (CSMA/CA) for channel access.
  • CSMA/CA carrier sense multiple access with collision avoidance
  • Some networks may employ enhanced distributed channel access (EDCA) which provides quality-of- service (QoS) enhancements to medium access control (MAC) layer.
  • QoS enhancements may be realized by providing a plurality of access categories (AC) for prioritizing frame transmissions.
  • the access categories may comprise the following priority levels in the order of increasing priority: background (AC_BK), best effort (AC_BE), video streaming (AC_VI), and voice (AC_VO).
  • a higher priority frame transmission may use a shorter contention window and a shorter arbitration inter-frame spacing (AIFS) that result in higher probability of gaining the TXOP.
  • AIFS arbitration inter-frame spacing
  • some networks may employ restricted access windows (RAW) where a reduced set of wireless devices of the wireless network may carry out channel contention.
  • the access node may define the RAW and a group of wireless devices that are allowed to attempt the channel access within the RAW.
  • Grouping allows partitioning of the wireless devices into groups and restricting channel access only to wireless devices belonging to a specified group at any given time period. The time period may be enabled by allocating slot duration and a number of slots in RAW access.
  • the grouping may help to reduce contention by restricting access to the medium only to a subset of the wireless devices.
  • the grouping may also reduce the signalling overhead.
  • the BSS may be represented by the access node and one or more terminal devices connected to the access node.
  • the access nodes may be configured to manage a plurality of access networks concurrently.
  • a terminal device may establish a connection with any one of the access nodes it has detected to provide a wireless connection within the neighbourhood of the terminal device.
  • the terminal device 108 is located within the coverage area of the access node 104 so it may establish a connection to that access node 104.
  • the terminal device 107 may establish a connection to the access node 102.
  • the connection establishment may include authentication in which an identity of the terminal device is established in the access node.
  • the authentication may comprise exchanging an encryption key used in the BSS.
  • the access node and the terminal device may carry out association in which the terminal device is fully registered in the BSS, e.g. by providing the terminal device with an association identifier (AID).
  • AID association identifier
  • the association of the terminal device to an access node should be understood broadly as establishing a connection between the terminal device and the access node such that the terminal device is in a connected state with respect to the access node and scanning for downlink frame transmissions from the access node and its own buffers for uplink frame transmissions.
  • Wireless devices may be configured to carry out measurements in order to detect new access nodes and/or to measure overlapping wireless networks and their wireless devices.
  • the measurements may be carried out with a purpose of making an association to a new access node or reporting the presence or parameters of neighbouring wireless networks to an access node currently associated to a terminal device.
  • the terminal device may carry out the measurements by scanning for signals transmitted by wireless devices of other wireless networks, e.g. wireless devices that do not belong to the wireless network of the terminal device.
  • the terminal device may report the detected wireless device to the associated access node.
  • the terminal device may perform active scanning in which the terminal device scans actively for the presence of access networks and/or services provided by the access networks.
  • the terminal device may carry out the active scanning by transmitting a scanning request message addressed to a determined destination, e.g. a defined access network or a network entity.
  • the scanning request messages include a probe request and a generic advertisement service (GAS) request.
  • the probe request may be used to determine which access nodes and corresponding access networks are within range.
  • the GAS provides for Layer 2 transport of an advertisement protocol frames between the terminal device and a server 120 connected to the access nodes 102, 104, 1 10.
  • the GAS requests and corresponding GAS responses may be transferred before the terminal device is authenticated to an access node.
  • the access node may forward the GAS requests to the server 120 the server's 120 GAS responses back to the terminal device.
  • the server 120 may be considered as an access network configurator apparatuses controlling operational parameters of the access networks of at least the access nodes 102, 104.
  • An example of the access network configurator apparatuses is a server computer that provides a service in which the network information is shared to the client. With the service, the client may acquire required information needed to associate with the access network.
  • Embodiments of the invention provide the terminal device 106 to 108 with capability of requesting or causing a setup of a specified new access network in an access node.
  • An initial situation of the terminal device may be that it is in an unassociated state and scanning for new access networks.
  • the terminal device may scan for one or more specific access networks, e.g. an access network to which it has been previously associated.
  • the terminal device may scan for an access network having a specific identifier, e.g. a service set identifier (SSID) of an 802.1 1 access network.
  • the SSID is a BSSID (a BSS identifier).
  • Figure 2 illustrates a signaling diagram of an embodiment of a procedure for establishing a new network on the basis of a demand of a wireless device, e.g. the terminal device.
  • the procedure comprises step 200 in which the wireless device causes transmission of a request for establishing a new access network.
  • the request may be transmitted to an access node.
  • the request may comprise an access network identifier for the new access network that the wireless device requests to be established.
  • the access node receives the request in step 200.
  • the access node determines that the access node does not operate the access network identified by the access network identifier. After the execution of block 202, the access node establishes a new access network having the access network identifier in block 204. In step 206, the access node advertises the new access network by causing transmission of an advertising frame comprising the access network identifier. The advertising frame may be broadcasted or transmitted as a response to the request received from the wireless device in step 200.
  • the wireless device detects the advertising frame originated from the access node in block 208 and determines that the new access network has been established. Thereafter, the wireless device may carry out authentication and or association to the new access network.
  • the wireless device causes the transmission of the request in step 200 to the same access node as the access node that transmits the advertisement in step 206. In another embodiment, the wireless device causes the transmission of the request to one access node and detects another access node transmitting the advertisement.
  • the access node may refrain from establishing another access network with the same access network identifier in the access node.
  • the request for establishing the new access network is transferred between the wireless device and the access node over an air interface, e.g. a radio interface by using a radio communication protocol of an access network currently operated by the access node.
  • an air interface e.g. a radio interface by using a radio communication protocol of an access network currently operated by the access node.
  • the request may be transmitted or forwarded to the access network configurator apparatus, and the access network configurator apparatus may determine whether or not to allow the establishment of the access network and/or operational parameters of the access network.
  • Figure 3 illustrates an embodiment of a process that may be executed in the access network configurator apparatus. Referring to Figure 3, the process may comprise acquiring (block 300) an access network configuration request for establishing an access network, wherein the access network configuration request comprises an identifier of a wireless client device and an identifier of the access network.
  • the wireless client device is the wireless device requesting for the new access network in the embodiment of Figure 2.
  • it is determined, on the basis of at least the received access network configuration request, to establish the access network.
  • the access network configurator apparatus may cause transmission of an access network configuration message to an access node in block 304.
  • the access network configuration message may comprise the identifier of the access network and configure the access node to establish the access network.
  • Block 304 may further comprise providing the access node one or more operational parameters defining features and/or capabilities of the access network.
  • the operational parameters may comprise any one or a plurality of the following parameters: security and/or authentication mechanisms with corresponding encryption key(s), operational channel(s), operational bandwidth, quality-of-service (QoS) parameters, a packet size threshold for a request-to-send (RTS) and clear- to-send (CTS) message exchange, scanning periodicity, handover parameters for switching from one access network to another access network, a priority of the access network, admission control parameters, radio resource management parameters, a roaming consortium list, Internet protocol version(s) supported, venue name information, information on a cellular communication network available through the access node, etc.
  • QoS quality-of-service
  • RTS request-to-send
  • CTS clear- to-send
  • the operational parameters may be stored in the access network configurator apparatus (or in another location accessible to the apparatus) as mapped to the access network identifier.
  • an access node may advertise its capability of establishing access networks upon request by the wireless devices.
  • a specific information element indicating this capability may be added to broadcast messages transmitted by the access node, e.g. in beacon messages.
  • Embodiments described above enable the wireless device to initiate establishment of a new wireless network, wherein the wireless device may assign or define the identifier for the new access network. It should be appreciated that such embodiments distinguish from conventional manual change of an access network identifier, e.g. SSID, in that the access network identifier is identified and indicated to the access node before the creation of the access network. Additionally, some embodiments may configure the access node to create an access network that has already been used in another access node, e.g. by duplicating the operational parameters of the previously established access network. Furthermore, some embodiments may be executed without user intervention or user initiation. The processes may be automated and autonomously carried out by the wireless device, the access node, and/or the access network configurator apparatus.
  • an access network identifier e.g. SSID
  • the access network identifier is identified and indicated to the access node before the creation of the access network.
  • some embodiments may configure the access node to create an access network that has already been used in another access node
  • Setup of an access network having an identifier defined by the wireless device enables the wireless device to request establishment of an access network that is familiar to the wireless device, e.g. an access network to which the wireless device has been associated previously, only in connection with a different access node.
  • the procedure enables "copying" or duplicating an access network and its operational parameters between access nodes on demand according to the request originated from the wireless device.
  • a use scenario may be that a terminal device may be associated to a home network provided by a first access node at the home or office of a user of the wireless device.
  • the wireless device may request for establishment of the same home network in the second access node.
  • the access network may be established with the same operational parameters in the first access node and the second access node.
  • the operational parameters may be delivered from the first access node to the second access node via the access network configurator apparatus.
  • the access network configurator apparatus may maintain or be connected to a database storing the operational parameters for each access network.
  • Each access node may store the operational parameters of the access networks they have operated in the database, so the duplication of the access network in another access node may be made simply by retrieving the corresponding parameters from the database.
  • the terminal device may store the operational parameters of an access network it has visited, e.g. been authenticated and/or associated. The terminal device may then provide another access node or the access network configurator apparatus with the operational parameters together with the request, e.g. in a GAS request. Accordingly, the terminal device may deliver the parameters of the requested access network.
  • an office network may be established in a hotel room by using an access point disposed in the hotel.
  • an operator of a cellular communication system may employ 802.1 1 access networks, and a wireless device may search for an 802.1 1 access network of the operator.
  • the operator may have a roaming contract to ensure communication services for the customers in all situations.
  • the wireless device may first scan for available networks. If no suitable network is discovered during the scanning, or if the performance level of the discovered networks is not acceptable, the wireless device may request for a network of the specific operator. The requested access network may then be established.
  • the established access network may be subject to additional costs or free for the customers of the operator.
  • the on-demand access network may be available only for a specific contract type associated with the wireless device or its user. For instance, a certain access network may be available only for end users with gold subscription to an operator.
  • Some access networks may be dedicated only for low priority customers. Such access networks may be established when a dedicated request is received. In this case, the access network configurator apparatus or the access node may consider the traffic load and possible future traffic load and only activate the low priority network, if there is sufficient capacity for the network. In such embodiments, the low priority access network may be dismantled, if the traffic load in the access node increases.
  • the establishment of the on-demand new access networks may be limited. For instance, only an access network employing security and authentication mechanisms may be established on-demand. In another embodiment, only an access network belonging to any or a determined roaming consortium may be allowed. Some access network operators may deny the configuration of the home networks, hot spot networks, or both in their access nodes. Also the number of networks that one device may configure may be limited per access network and/node access node.
  • the access network may be established as dedicated to a specific service or application, for location-based information, online search services. The configured network may transfer only application-specific data and not enable any other transmission of other application data.
  • the established access network may include access to services and the devices belonging to any access network having the same access network identifier, e.g. the SSID.
  • an end user may establish a home network in an access node that is not at the home and get the access to devices and/or services that are connected to an access node disposed at the home, e.g. a home printer and/or sensors at home.
  • the access networks sharing the same access network identifier may thus be configured to form a network of access networks.
  • the access network identifier indicates conveniently that the end user has the same connections as in the home.
  • the access network established may be accessible not only to the wireless device but, in some embodiments, to other wireless devices.
  • the access network may be a public network or a private network.
  • a generally known body e.g. Wi-Fi Alliance
  • maintains the operational or configuration parameters of the access networks in a database and access network operators may configure or allow configuration of access networks in their access nodes according to the parameters provided in the database.
  • the database may store the parameters as associated to the access network identifier to allow the establishment of the access network with the appropriate parameters on the basis of the above-described request provided with the access network identifier.
  • other identification data may be employed, e.g. a name or a character string that is not an identifier of the access network but contextual to the access network.
  • the appropriate access network and its operational parameters may be retrieved on the basis of registration information provided in the hotel check in, e.g. a company name.
  • an end user may temporary configure a guest's home network to be available by accessing the database with a name or credentials of the guest.
  • the operational parameters such as access keys need not to be configured manually to a wireless device and the establishment and use of the access network is automatic.
  • the access network configurator apparatus may store information on locations of the access networks. For example, access nodes may perform scanning or measurement functions in which they determine neighboring access nodes. The access nodes may report the neighboring access nodes to the access network configurator apparatus, and the access network configurator apparatus may store a database storing information on neighboring access nodes for each access node. In an embodiment of Figure 3, the access network configurator apparatus may transfer the access network configuration message to the access node that is configured to establish the new access network and, additionally to at least one neighboring access node. The neighboring access node may be determined on the basis of the database. Accordingly the neighboring access nodes may be preconfigured to set up the same access network with the same access network identifier.
  • the access network may retrieve the preconfigured operational parameters and instantly establish the access network without first retrieving the parameters and/or allowance from the access network configurator apparatus. This expedites the procedure, for example, in case of a handover caused by mobility of the terminal device.
  • Figure 4 is basically a combination of the diagrams of Figures 2 and 3.
  • the wireless device may transmit the request for the establishment of the specified access network to the access node in step 200.
  • the wireless device may transmit the request to one or more access nodes and request establishment of the specified access network from the one or more access nodes.
  • the procedure of Figure 4 may be duplicated for the other access nodes regardless of the number of access nodes and the requested access networks having the same access network identifier.
  • the request is or comprises a probe request of
  • the probe request may comprise source address, a destination address, and an SSID element specifying the access network.
  • the source address may be an address of the wireless device
  • the destination address may be an address of the access node
  • the SSID element may be an access network identifier the wireless device is requesting to be established.
  • the SSID may be delivered in a frame body, while the addresses may be comprised in a frame header.
  • the probe request may further comprise a vendor-specific element in the frame body. In an embodiment, value of one or more bits of the vendor specific element is dedicated to indicate that the probe request is the request for setting up the access network specified by the SSID. Accordingly, the access node may distinguish request from other, conventional probe requests.
  • the GAS request or GAS query may be employed and it may be designed to comprise the SSID of the access network requested to be established.
  • the access node may determine that it is not currently operating the requested access network and decide to forward the request to the access network configurator apparatus (step 400). If the access node is preconfigured to establish the access network upon receiving the request from the wireless device, the process may skip directly from block 202 to block 204.
  • the request transferred in step 400 may be the same request transferred in step 200, e.g. the GAS request, or it may be a different request.
  • An example of the different request is that the access node receives a request addressed to the access node, e.g. the probe request, and chooses to check from the access network configurator apparatus whether or not the establishment of the requested access node is allowed.
  • the access node may request the access network configurator apparatus to provide the operational parameters for the requested access network.
  • the request transferred in step 400 may comprise the access network identifier of the requested access network.
  • the request transferred in step 400 may comprise the identifier of the wireless device, e.g. a medium access control (MAC) address of the wireless device.
  • MAC medium access control
  • Block 302 may comprise retrieving the operational parameters of the requested access network on the basis of the received access network identifier.
  • Block 302 may comprise comparing the operational parameters with current operational parameters of one or more active access networks in the access node and/or neighboring access nodes and determining whether or not at least one criterion for establishing the requested access network is met.
  • One criterion may relate to current traffic load in the other access networks and comparing traffic requirements of the new access network with remaining capacity. If the access node(s) are able to provide a new access network, the establishment may be allowed.
  • steps 200 and 400 comprise transferring a QoS parameter indicating a requested traffic class for the wireless device. If the QoS requirement can be met, the new access network may be created.
  • the access network configurator apparatus allows the establishment of the requested access network in block 302.
  • the access network configurator apparatus transmits an access network configuration message to the access node, thus instructing the access node to establish the access network with the determined operational parameters.
  • the access node may establish the access network in block 204 and advertise the new access network in step 206.
  • the advertisement of step 206 may be a response message to the request of step 200.
  • the wireless device waits for probe responses for a certain duration after transmitting a probe request, if the process proceeds to step 206 within this duration, the advertisement in step 206 may be the probe response.
  • the advertisement may be a beacon frame, a scanning frame, a probe response frame, a generic advertisement service response frame, or a broadcast message, and the wireless device may detect the advertisement message through passive scanning or in connection with a subsequent active scanning.
  • the wireless device may authenticate and/ or associate to the established access network in step 404.
  • the wireless device may have been in an unassociated state with respect to the access network and, in some embodiments, to the access node. In other embodiments, the wireless device may have been associated to the access node and still requesting for the establishment of the new access network.
  • the wireless device may address the request for the establishment of the new access network to the access node, e.g. in a probe request, or directly to the access network configurator apparatus, e.g. in a GAS request.
  • the access node may simply mediate the message from the wireless device to the access network configurator apparatus, and an end-to-end connection may be established between the wireless device and the access network configurator apparatus through the access node and, in some embodiments, through the Internet.
  • Figure 5 illustrates another embodiment where a radio access network of a cellular communication system is used to mediate the request from the wireless device to the access network configurator apparatus.
  • the wireless device may have established a cellular radio connection with a base station of the radio access network (RAN) of the cellular communication system.
  • the wireless device may first scan for the determined access network having the determined access network identifier.
  • the searched access network may be different than the RAN of the cellular communication system, e.g. an 802.1 1 access network.
  • the wireless device may establish an end-to-end connection with the access network configurator apparatus through the RAN of the cellular communication system.
  • the wireless device transmits the request for establishing the specified access network to the access network configurator apparatus through the base station.
  • the request may be transmitted according to a state-of-the-art communication protocol supported by the base station, e.g.
  • this embodiment may require no modification to the base station to support the request.
  • the base station may forward the request to other elements of the RAN and/or core network of the cellular communication system and, eventually, the request is routed to the access network configurator apparatus (step 502).
  • the access network configurator apparatus After receiving and extracting the request received through the cellular communication system, the process may proceed as described above in connection with Figure 4.
  • the access network configurator apparatus receives the request through the base station (e.g. base station 1 10) and configures another access node (e.g. access node 104) to establish the requested access network (step 402).
  • the request may specify an access node requested to establish the access network.
  • the wireless device may first scan for the access nodes, select one of the detected access nodes, and add an identifier of the access node to the request.
  • the access network configurator apparatus may determine the location of the wireless device on the basis of location information provided in the request, e.g. the wireless device may send a list of detected access nodes and/or location coordinates in the request.
  • the access network configurator apparatus may then select an access node providing coverage area to the wireless device and configure the access node to establish the access network.
  • the wireless device may insert to the request an identifier of an access node to which the wireless device is currently associated.
  • the access network configurator apparatus may then determine the location of the wireless device and the access node that shall be configured to establish the requested access network.
  • the wireless device may request for the establishment of a new access network with the same access network identifier and the same operational parameters as the access network to which the wireless device is currently associated.
  • the establishment of the new access network may be carried out in a new access node. Accordingly, the access network may be transferred from access node to another according to the mobility of the wireless device.
  • the wireless device requests for the specific access network in some manner, e.g. by transmitting the request with the access network identifier to the access node or the access network configurator apparatus.
  • the access node may detect that the wireless device is searching for the specific access network and determine to establish the access network on its own volition. The access node may first contact the access network configurator apparatus in order to have the clearance for the establishment and/or the appropriate operational parameters for the access network.
  • Figure 6 illustrates an embodiment where the access node determines to establish the access network upon detecting a determined number of scans for the access network by one or more wireless devices. Referring to Figure 6, the access node may detect that a wireless device (e.g.
  • a STA is scanning for a specific access network (block 600).
  • the detection may be based on detecting an active scanning message transmitted by the wireless device, such as a probe request.
  • the first detection may not yet cause the establishment of the access network in the access node but, instead, the access node may proceed to block 602 in which the number of detected scans for the particular access network is compared with a threshold value.
  • the number of detected scans used in block 602 may be limited to a determined time window. If a determined number of scans by the wireless device or a plurality of wireless devices has not been detected, the process may return to block 600.
  • the access node may initiate the establishment of the access network in the above- described manner (block 604), e.g. by retrieving the operational parameters for the access network and advertising the presence of the access network.
  • the access node may autonomously start the establishment of the access network.
  • the wireless device is configured to add to a scanning message the access network identifier of the searched access network and an identifier of an access node providing the access network. Accordingly, the wireless device may focus the scan or the request to a specific access node.
  • the identifier of the access node may be a MAC address of the access node.
  • Figure 7 illustrates an embodiment of an apparatus comprising means for carrying out the above-mentioned functionalities of the wireless device, e.g. a terminal device, user equipment, or a client device.
  • the wireless device may comply with specifications of an IEEE 802.1 1 network and/or another wireless network.
  • the wireless device may also be a cognitive radio apparatus capable of adapting its operation to a changing radio environment, e.g. to changes in parameters of another system on the same frequency band.
  • the wireless device may be or may be comprised in a computer (PC), a laptop, a tablet computer, a cellular phone, a palm computer, or any other apparatus provided with radio communication capability.
  • the apparatus carrying out the above-described functionalities of the wireless device is comprised in such a wireless device, e.g. the apparatus may comprise a circuitry, e.g. a chip, a chipset, a processor, a micro controller, or a combination of such circuitries in the wireless device.
  • the apparatus may comprise a communication controller circuitry 10 configured to control wireless communications in the wireless device.
  • the communication controller circuitry 10 may configure the establishment, operation, and termination of connections or associations in the apparatus, as described above.
  • the communication controller circuitry 10 may comprise a control part 12 handling control signalling communication with respect to transmission, reception, and extraction of control or management frames including beacon messages, request messages, scanning messages, measurement reports, etc.
  • the control part may 12 control passive and/or active scanning for access networks.
  • the communication controller circuitry 10 may further comprise a data part 16 that handles transmission and reception of payload data when the wireless device is associated to one or more access nodes.
  • the communication control circuitry 10 may further comprise a network selector circuitry 18 configured to select an access network to which to associate.
  • the network selector circuitry 18 may use a list of access networks detected by the control part 12 as a result of active and/or passive scanning.
  • the network selector circuitry 18 may select one of the detected networks but, in some embodiments, the network selector circuitry 18 may be configured to attempt association to a specific access network.
  • the configuration may be received as a user input through a user interface of the apparatus.
  • the configuration may be prioritized such that the network selector circuitry is 18 configured to first try to establish an association to the specific access network and, in case of a failure, associate to one of the detected access networks.
  • the network selector circuitry 18 may retrieve from a database 24 stored in a memory 20 an access network identifier of the access network to which to try the association. Upon determining that the access network is not comprised in the list of detected access networks, the network selector circuitry 18 may configure a scanning controller circuitry 14 to carry out a request for the establishment of the access network. The scanning controller circuitry 14 may then retrieve the access network identifier and, in some embodiments, one or more operational parameters of the access network as associated with the identifier in the database 24.
  • the scanning controller circuitry 14 may prepare the above-described request message comprising at least the access network identifier and, in some embodiments, one or more of the operational parameters, and configure the control part to transmit the request message to one of the detected access nodes and/or to the access network configurator apparatus, as described above.
  • the network selector circuitry 18 may configure the control part 12 to carry out authentication and/or association to the access network.
  • the circuitries 12 to 18 of the communication controller circuitry 10 may be carried out by the one or more physical circuitries or processors. In practice, the different circuitries may be realized by different computer program modules. Depending on the specifications and the design of the apparatus, the apparatus may comprise some of the circuitries 12 to 18 or all of them.
  • the apparatus may further comprise the memory 20 that stores computer programs (software) 22 configuring the apparatus to perform the above- described functionalities of the wireless device.
  • the memory 20 may also store communication parameters and other information needed for the wireless communications, e.g. the operational parameters of one or more access networks to which the apparatus has been associated, e.g. a home network.
  • the apparatus may further comprise radio interface components 26 providing the apparatus with radio communication capabilities within one or more wireless networks.
  • the radio interface components 26 may comprise standard well-known components such as an amplifier, filter, frequency-converter, (de)modulator, and encoder/decoder circuitries and one or more antennas.
  • the apparatus may in some embodiments further comprise a user interface enabling interaction with the user of the communication device.
  • the user interface may comprise a display, a keypad or a keyboard, a loudspeaker, etc.
  • the apparatus carrying out the embodiments of the invention in the wireless device comprises at least one processor 10 and at least one memory 20 including a computer program code, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus to carry out the functionalities of the wireless device according to any one of the embodiments of Figures 2, 4, and 5.
  • the at least one processor, the memory, and the computer program code form processing means for carrying out embodiments of the present invention in the wireless device.
  • Figure 8 illustrates an embodiment of an apparatus comprising means for carrying out the above-mentioned functionalities of the access node.
  • the access node may comply with specifications of an IEEE 802.1 1 network and/or another wireless network.
  • the access node may support establishment of one or more access networks.
  • the access node may also be a cognitive radio apparatus capable of adapting its operation to a changing radio environment, e.g. to changes in parameters of another system on the same frequency band.
  • the access node may be or may be comprised in a computer (PC), a laptop, a tablet computer, a cellular phone, a palm computer, a base station or a fixed access point, or any other apparatus provided with radio communication capability.
  • PC computer
  • the apparatus carrying out the above-described functionalities of the access node is comprised in such an access node, e.g. the apparatus may comprise a circuitry, e.g. a chip, a chipset, a processor, a micro controller, or a combination of such circuitries in the access node.
  • a circuitry e.g. a chip, a chipset, a processor, a micro controller, or a combination of such circuitries in the access node.
  • the apparatus may comprise a communication controller circuitry 30 configured to control wireless communications in the access node.
  • the communication controller circuitry 10 may configure the establishment, operation, and termination of access networks in the access node and establishment, operation, and termination of connections or associations in each access network of the access node, as described above.
  • the communication controller circuitry 30 may comprise a control part 32 handling control signalling communication with respect to transmission, reception, and extraction of control or management frames including beacon messages, request messages, scanning messages, measurement reports, etc. in each access network.
  • the control part 32 may also establish communication connection(s) to the access network controller apparatus and/or other servers controlling configurations of the access network(s) operated by the access node.
  • the communication controller circuitry 30 may further comprise a data part 36 that handles transmission and reception of payload data with wireless devices associated to the access node through one or more access networks operated by the access node.
  • the communication control circuitry 30 may further comprise an access network request processor 38 configured to process requests received by the control part 32 from wireless devices in a coverage area of the access node.
  • the access network request processor 38 may be configured to determine, upon receiving one or more requests comprising an access network identifier of an access network not currently operated by the access node and, optionally, not currently detected among neighbouring access nodes, to respond to the request by initiating establishment of the access network specified in the request.
  • the access network request processor may output a control signal to an access network controller to start preparations for the establishment of the specified access network.
  • the access network controller 34 may first determine whether or not the establishment of a new access network in general is possible.
  • the access network controller 34 may configure the control part 32 to contact the access network configurator apparatus and request for the establishment of the access network.
  • the access network controller 34 may provide the access network controller apparatus with at least some of the following information on the access network: the access network identifier, a network type, a roaming consortium identifier, an identifier of the requesting wireless device (e.g. a MAC address an identifier of the wireless device or its user associated with the access network), a contract type and/ other operating parameters of the wireless device, QoS definitions for the access network, an identifier of the access node (e.g.
  • the access network controller 34 may configure the control part 32 to establish the new access network and transmit one or more advertising frames comprising the access network identifier of the established access network.
  • the access network controller may store the operational parameters of the access network in a database 44 stored in a memory of the apparatus. As a consequence, when the same access network is established in the future, the access network controller 34 may retrieve the operational parameters from the database 44.
  • the database is stored in a server, e.g. in the access network controller apparatus.
  • the access network controller 34 may receive the access network configuration message from the access network controller apparatus without first processing or detecting a request for the setup of the new access network transmitted by the wireless device over the radio interface.
  • the access network controller 34 may also receive the operational parameters from the access network controller apparatus or retrieve the parameters from the database 44 upon receiving an instruction to establish the identified access network.
  • the circuitries 32 to 38 of the communication controller circuitry 30 may be carried out by the one or more physical circuitries or processors. In practice, the different circuitries may be realized by different computer program modules. Depending on the specifications and the design of the apparatus, the apparatus may comprise some of the circuitries 32 to 38 or all of them.
  • the apparatus may further comprise the memory 40 that stores computer programs (software) 42 configuring the apparatus to perform the above- described functionalities of the access node.
  • the memory 40 may also store communication parameters and other information needed for the wireless communications, e.g. the operational parameters of one or more access networks operated currently and/or previously by the access node.
  • the apparatus may further comprise radio interface components 46 providing the apparatus with radio communication capabilities within one or more wireless networks.
  • the radio interface components 46 may comprise standard well-known components such as an amplifier, filter, frequency-converter, (de)modulator, and encoder/decoder circuitries and one or more antennas.
  • the apparatus may further comprise a second input/output interface (not shown) that provides a connection to the access network controller apparatus and the Internet, for example.
  • the apparatus may in some embodiments further comprise a user interface enabling interaction with the user of the communication device.
  • the user interface may comprise a display, a keypad or a keyboard, a loudspeaker, etc.
  • the apparatus carrying out the embodiments of the invention in the access node comprises at least one processor 30 and at least one memory 40 including a computer program code, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus to carry out the functionalities of the access node according to any one of the embodiments of Figures 2 and 4 to 6.
  • the at least one processor, the memory, and the computer program code form processing means for carrying out embodiments of the present invention in the access node.
  • Figure 9 illustrates an embodiment of an apparatus comprising means for carrying out the above-mentioned functionalities of the access network configurator apparatus.
  • the access network configurator apparatus may be a control server configured to configure operations of a plurality of access nodes and access networks.
  • the access network configurator apparatus may be a server computer.
  • the apparatus carrying out the above-described functionalities of the access network configurator apparatus is comprised in such a server computer, e.g. the apparatus may comprise a circuitry, e.g. a chip, a chipset, a processor, a micro controller, or a combination of such circuitries in the server computer.
  • the apparatus may comprise a processing circuitry 50 configured to control access networks established by one or more access nodes with which the apparatus may communicate.
  • the processing circuitry 50 may configure the establishment, operation, and termination of access networks in the access nodes.
  • the apparatus may further comprise an input/output interface 66 that provides a connection to the access nodes, wireless devices, cellular communication system, and/or the Internet, for example.
  • the processing circuitry 50 may comprise a request processor 52 configured to process request messages received through the I/O interface 66.
  • the request messages may be received from the wireless devices through access nodes or from the access nodes.
  • the request messages may comprise a request for establishing a new access network, wherein the request comprises the identifier of the access network.
  • the request processor 52 may receive the request and extract the identifier and, in some embodiments, any other properties of the requested access network from the received request.
  • the request processor 52 may forward the request and the properties of the requested access network to a network establishment controller 54 configured to determine whether or not to allow the establishment of the access network.
  • the network establishment controller 54 may use various criteria, e.g.
  • the network establishment controller 54 may further determine a traffic situation in the access node etc.
  • the network establishment controller may output a control signal to a network parameter selection module 56 configured to retrieve operational parameters of the requested access network from a database 64 stored in a memory 60 of the apparatus or accessible to the apparatus.
  • the network parameter selection module 56 may use the access network identifier and/or other information on the requested access network when searching for a correct record in the database 64.
  • the network parameter selection module 56 may prepare the access network configuration message and transmit it to the corresponding access node through the I/O interface 66.
  • the above- mentioned properties may include an indication whether or not the access node has determined to be capable of establishing the access network.
  • the access node may already have the operational parameters of the access network. If the access node has not provided the capability information, the parameter selection module may send the parameters to the access node. The access node may then locally decide whether or not to establish the access network. If the access node determines to establish the access network, the access node may update the capability information in the database 64.
  • the circuitries 52 to 56 of the processing circuitry 50 may be carried out by the one or more physical circuitries or processors. In practice, the different circuitries may be realized by different computer program modules. Depending on the specifications and the design of the apparatus, the apparatus may comprise some of the circuitries 52 to 56 or all of them.
  • the apparatus may further comprise the memory 60 that stores computer programs (software) 62 configuring the apparatus to perform the above- described functionalities of the access network configurator apparatus.
  • the memory 60 may also store communication parameters and other information needed for the establishment of the access networks, e.g. the operational parameters of one or more access networks.
  • the apparatus carrying out the embodiments of the invention in the access network configurator apparatus comprises at least one processor 50 and at least one memory 60 including a computer program code 62, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus to carry out the functionalities of the access network configurator apparatus according to any one of the embodiments of Figures 3 to 5.
  • the at least one processor, the memory, and the computer program code form processing means for carrying out embodiments of the present invention in the access network configurator apparatus.
  • An embodiment of the invention provides a system comprising the above-described wireless device, the above-described access node, and the above-described access network configurator apparatus or a subset of these apparatuses.
  • the term 'circuitry' refers to all of the following: (a) hardware-only circuit implementations such as implementations in only analog and/or digital circuitry; (b) combinations of circuits and software and/or firmware, such as (as applicable): (i) a combination of processor(s) or processor cores; or (ii) portions of processor(s)/software including digital signal processor(s), software, and at least one memory that work together to cause an apparatus to perform specific functions; and (c) circuits, such as a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that require software or firmware for operation, even if the software or firmware is not physically present.
  • circuitry would also cover an implementation of merely a processor (or multiple processors) or portion of a processor, e.g. one core of a multi-core processor, and its (or their) accompanying software and/or firmware.
  • circuitry would also cover, for example and if applicable to the particular element, a baseband integrated circuit, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and/or a field-programmable grid array (FPGA) circuit for the apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • ASIC application-specific integrated circuit
  • FPGA field-programmable grid array
  • the processes or methods described in Figures 2 to 6 may also be carried out in the form of a computer process defined by a computer program.
  • the computer program may be in source code form, object code form, or in some intermediate form, and it may be stored in some sort of carrier, which may be any entity or device capable of carrying the program.
  • Such carriers include transitory and/or non-transitory computer media, e.g. a record medium, computer memory, read-only memory, electrical carrier signal, telecommunications signal, and software distribution package.
  • the computer program may be executed in a single electronic digital processing unit or it may be distributed amongst a number of processing units.
  • the present invention is applicable to wireless systems defined above but also to other suitable wireless communication systems.
  • the protocols used, the specifications of the wireless communication systems, their network elements and subscriber terminals, develop rapidly. Such development may require extra changes to the described embodiments. Therefore, all words and expressions should be interpreted broadly and they are intended to illustrate, not to restrict, the embodiment. It will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that, as technology advances, the inventive concept can be implemented in various ways.
  • the invention and its embodiments are not limited to the examples described above but may vary within the scope of the claims.

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

Abstract

Le présent document présente une solution dans laquelle un dispositif sans fil peut demander (202) l'établissement d'un réseau d'accès spécifié. Le dispositif sans fil peut transmettre une demande pour l'établissement d'un nouveau réseau d'accès à un noeud d'accès. La demande comprend un identifiant de réseau d'accès pour le nouveau réseau d'accès. Ensuite, le dispositif sans fil peut détecter (208) un message (206) provenant du noeud d'accès indiquant que le nouveau réseau d'accès a été établi, le message comprenant l'identifiant de réseau d'accès.
PCT/FI2013/051173 2013-12-18 2013-12-18 Établissement d'un nouveau réseau d'accès WO2015092114A1 (fr)

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WO2019245881A1 (fr) * 2018-06-22 2019-12-26 Sharp Laboratories Of America, Inc. Procédés et appareil pour indiquer des ressources restreintes d'un terminal sans fil et pour indiquer une capacité d'un nœud d'accès à prendre en charge une connexion ayant un terminal sans fil présentant des capacités restreintes
US10986527B2 (en) 2018-06-22 2021-04-20 Sharp Laboratories Of America, Inc. Method and apparatus for indicating restricted resources of wireless terminal and for indicating access node capability to support connection with a wireless terminal with restricted capabilities
EP3761565A1 (fr) * 2019-07-04 2021-01-06 Telia Company AB Mise à jour d'un dispositif de réseau dans un réseau de communication mobile
CN110933734A (zh) * 2019-10-17 2020-03-27 中富通集团股份有限公司 一种基于lte模块与mesh模块融合的通信系统及方法
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CN113794736A (zh) * 2021-10-14 2021-12-14 珠海格力电器股份有限公司 网关设备控制方法及装置、入网方法及装置、控制系统

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