Multicast transmission in packet based celluar networks

• US 20040266440A1
• Filed: 02/19/2004
• Published: 12/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/23/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Runcom Technologies Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Runcom Technologies Ltd.
• Inventors: Fuchs, Meir, Rosenbaum, Alexander, Arye, Ram
• Granted Patent: US 7,903,593 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/445
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1836 with heterogeneous network architecture
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/185 with management of multicast group membership
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1877 Measures taken prior to transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/189 in combination with wireless systems selective distribution or broadcast in wireless communication networks H04W4/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 68/02 Arrangements for increasing efficiency of notification or paging channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/30 Resource management for broadcast services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/26 Network addressing or numbering for mobility support
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 80/00 Wireless network protocols or protocol adaptations to wireless operation

Abstract

A method of transmitting data packets to a cellular mobile unit, comprising: establishing a data transfer path for providing data from a data network gateway to a base station controller, for a first mobile station identity; and transmitting data received along the established path to at least one mobile station having at least one second identity different from the first identity.

Claims

1. A method of transmitting data packets to a cellular mobile unit, comprising:

establishing a data transfer path for providing data from a data network gateway to a base station controller, for a first mobile station identity; and

transmitting data received along the established path to at least one mobile station having at least one second identity different from the first identity.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the first mobile unit identity represents a virtual mobile unit.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one mobile station having a second identity comprises a plurality of mobile stations.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein establishing the data transfer path for providing data comprises establishing a data transfer path for providing IP multicast data.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein establishing the data transfer path for providing data comprises establishing the data transfer path responsive to a request to establish a data transfer path from the at least one mobile station having the at least one second identity.

6. A method according to claim 5, comprising establishing a data transfer path, substantially not used for data, for the at least one mobile station having the at least one second identity.

7. A method according to claim 5, wherein the request to establish the data transfer path comprises a context request.

8. A method according to claim 5, wherein the request to establish the data transfer path comprises a request transmitted as data on a context of the at least one mobile station having the at least one second identity.

9. A method of establishing a terrestrial mobile connection, comprising:

receiving a message indicating the intent to establish a first mobile data connection between a mobile station, having a first mobile station identity, and an external data network; and

generating a request to establish a second mobile data connection with an external data network, for a second mobile station identity, responsive to receiving the message indicating the intent to establish the first mobile data connection.

10. A method according to claim 9, wherein generating the request to establish the second mobile data connection comprises generating a request carrying a same requester IP address as a requester IP address of the first mobile data connection.

11. A method according to claim 9, wherein generating the request to establish the second mobile data connection comprises generating a request having a virtual mobile station identity.

12. A method according to claim 9, wherein generating the request to establish the second data connection comprises determining whether the second connection already exists and generating the request only if the second connection does not exist.

13. A method according to claim 9, comprising instructing the mobile station for which the first mobile data connection was established to listen to a channel associated with the second data connection.

14. A method according to claim 9, wherein the request to establish the second data connection comprises a multicast requester IP address.

15. A method according to claim 9, wherein generating the request to establish the second connection comprises determining whether the message indicating the intent to establish a first mobile data connection relates to a specific group of data connections and generating the request only if the first mobile data connection relates to the specific group.

16. A method according to claim 15, wherein the specific group of data connections are identified by their requester IP address.

17. A method according to claim 9, wherein the message indicating the intent to establish the first mobile connection comprises a context request message.

18. A method according to claim 9, wherein the message indicating the intent to establish the first mobile connection comprises a context acknowledge message.

19. A method according to claim 9, wherein generating the request to establish the second mobile connection is performed by a packet control unit (PCU).

20. A method according to claim 9, wherein generating the request to establish the second mobile connection is performed by an entity separate from a packet control unit (PCU), which does not have control of the PCU.

21. A method according to claim 20, wherein generating the request to establish the second mobile connection is performed by an entity connected between the PCU and a respective BSC.

22. A method according to claim 20, wherein generating the request to establish the second mobile connection is performed by an entity located between a BSC related to the PCU and mobile units serviced by the BSC.

23. A method of operating a terrestrial cellular network gateway, comprising:

receiving requests to establish data connections;

determining, for at least one of the requests, whether to form a connection with an external data network responsive to a content of the request;

forming a connection with an external data network responsive to the at least one of the requests, if the determination was positive; and

responding positively to the at least one of the requests, without forming a connection with an external data network, if the determination was negative.

24. A method according to claim 23, wherein determining whether to form a connection with an external data network comprises determining for a specific request responsive to the requester identity listed in the request.

25. A method according to claim 24, wherein forming a connection is performed for requests carrying identities of virtual mobile connections.

26. A method of managing a mobile unit, comprising:

receiving a request to establish a data connection from a mobile unit located in a first cell; and

instructing the mobile unit to move to a second cell different from the first cell, responsive to the request to establish the connection.

27. A method according to claim 26, wherein the second cell comprises an umbrella cell.

28. A method according to claim 27, wherein the second cell comprises an umbrella cell overlaying the first cell.

29. A method according to claim 26, comprising instructing the mobile station to listen to a channel established for a different mobile station identity.

30. A method according to claim 26, wherein receiving the request comprises receiving a request related to a multicast service.

31. A method according to claim 30, wherein the second cell comprises a cell used substantially only for multicasting data.

32. A multicast supporting packet control unit, comprising:

an input interface adapted to receive messages exchanged between mobile stations and a serving GPRS support node;

a filter adapted to identify in the messages received by the input interface, messages which indicate the intent to establish a first data connection between a mobile station, having a first mobile station identity, and an external data network; and

a data generator which generates a request to establish a second mobile data connection to an external data network, for a second mobile station identity, responsive to the identified message indicating the intent to establish the first mobile data connection.

33. A unit according to claim 32, wherein the filter identifies messages related to multicast services.

34. A unit according to claim 32, wherein the input interface serves also as an input interface of a packet control unit (PCU).

35. A unit according to claim 32, wherein the input interface does not serve as an input interface of a packet control unit (PCU).

36. A unit according to claim 32, wherein the filter identifies channel assignment messages related to the first mobile data connection and changes for at least one of the identified channel assignment messages, the channel assigned by the message.

37. A method of communicating by a mobile station, comprising:

tuning onto signals of a first cell;

receiving an instruction to receive data of a multicast service;

identifying that multicast service is not provided in the first cell; and

tuning onto signals of a second cell, responsive to the identifying.

38. A method according to claim 37, wherein the signals of the first and second cells are transmitted under control of a same public land mobile network.

39. A method according to claim 38, wherein the signals of the first and second cells are transmitted under control of a same base controller station (BSC).

40. A method according to claim 37, wherein receiving the instruction to receive data of a multicast service comprises receiving a user command.

41. A method according to claim 37, wherein receiving the instruction to receive data of a multicast service comprises receiving an automatically generated command.

42. A method according to claim 37, comprising transmitting a request to receive multicast data in the second cell.

43. A method according to claim 37, wherein the signals of the first and second cells comprise GSM signals.

44. A method according to claim 37, wherein the signals of the first and second cells carry different network identities.

45. A method according to claim 37, wherein identifying that multicast service is not provided in the first cell comprises identifying based on information configured in the mobile station.

46. A method according to claim 37, wherein identifying that multicast service is not provided in the first cell comprises receiving a signal stating that the multicast service is not provided in the first cell.

47. A method according to claim 46, wherein receiving the signal stating that the multicast service is not provided in the first cell comprises receiving a service refusal signal.

48. A method according to claim 46, wherein receiving the signal stating that the multicast service is not provided in the first cell comprises receiving a cell change message.

49. A method of communicating by a mobile station, comprising:

tuning onto signals of a first cell;

receiving an instruction to request a service not provided in the first cell;

identifying that the requested service is not provided in the first cell; and

tuning onto signals of a second cell, responsive to the identifying,

wherein the signals of the first and second cells are transmitted under control of the same public land mobile network.

50. A method according to claim 49, wherein the signals of the first and second cells are transmitted under control of the same base transmission station.

51. A method according to claim 49, wherein the signals of the first and second cells are transmitted from different base transmission stations.

52. A method according to claim 49, wherein the signals of the first and second cells are transmitted under control of the same base controller station (BSC).

53. A method according to claim 49, wherein receiving an instruction to request a service not provided in the first cell comprises receiving a request for multicast data.

54. A method according to claim 49, wherein receiving an instruction to request a service not provided in the first cell comprises receiving a request for a data service to be provided at least at a predetermined QoS.

55. A method according to claim 49, wherein receiving an instruction to request a service not provided in the first cell comprises receiving a request for a Web access service.

56. A method according to claim 49, wherein the signals of the first and second cells carry different network identities.

57. A method of managing communications in a cellular network, comprising:

transmitting signals advertising first and second cells, under control of the same public land mobile network;

receiving a request for providing a first communication service in the first cell;

identifying that the requested first communication service is not provided in the first cell;

transmitting a refusal to the request for the first service in the first cell, responsive to the identification;

receiving a request for providing the first communication service in the second cell; and

providing the first communication service in the second cell,

wherein the requests for providing the first service are received from a mobile station in substantially the same location.

58. A method according to claim 57, comprising receiving a request for providing a second communication service in the first cell and providing the second service in the first cell responsive to the request.

59. A method according to claim 58, wherein the second service comprises a multicast service.

60. A method according to claim 58, wherein the second service comprises a web access service.

61. A method according to claim 58, comprising receiving a request for providing the second communication service in the second cell and refusing the second service in the second cell responsive to the request.

62. A method according to claim 58, comprising receiving a request for providing the second communication service in the second cell and providing the second service in the second cell responsive to the request.

63. A method according to claim 57, wherein the first service comprises a two way communication service.

64. A method according to claim 63, wherein the first service comprises a voice connection.

65. A method according to claim 63, wherein the first service comprises a unicast data connection.

66. A method according to claim 57, wherein transmitting the refusal is performed irrespective of the load on the first cell.

67. A method according to claim 57, wherein transmitting signals advertising the first and second cells comprises transmitting the signals in regions which cover substantially the same geographical area.

68. A method according to claim 57, wherein transmitting the signals advertising the second cell comprises transmitting the signals by a first base station controller and changing the signals by an entity located between the first base station controller and mobile stations receiving the signals.

69. A method according to claim 57, wherein transmitting the signals advertising the first and second cells comprises transmitting the signals with different network identities.

70. A method according to claim 57, wherein transmitting the refusal comprises transmitting a cell change message.

71. A method according to claim 57, wherein transmitting the refusal comprises transmitting a context refusal message.

72. A method according to claim 57, wherein the signals of the first and second cells carry different network identities.

73. A method of managing communications in a cellular network, comprising:

transmitting signals advertising first and second cells, under control of the same public land mobile network;

receiving a request for providing a multicast service in the first cell;

transmitting a refusal to the request for the multicast service in the first cell;

receiving a request for providing the multicast service in the second cell; and

providing the multicast service in the second cell.

74. A method according to claim 73, wherein the requests for providing the first service are received from a mobile station in substantially the same location.

75. A multicast support unit, comprising:

an input interface adapted to receive messages exchanged between mobile stations and a cellular packet support node;

a filter adapted to identify in messages received by the input interface, not directed to the unit, messages which indicate an intent of a mobile unit to receive multicast data; and

a controller adapted to instruct a mobile unit, indicated in a message identified by the filter, to receive a multicast channel.

76. A unit according to claim 75, wherein the unit is adapted to be positioned between a base station controller and a base transceiver station.

77. A unit according to claim 75, wherein the input interface serves also as an input interface of a packet control unit.

78. A unit according to claim 75, wherein the unit is adapted to be positioned between a base station controller and a packet control unit.

79. A unit according to claim 75, wherein the filter is adapted to identify messages which indicate an intent to receive multicast data and include at least one field that identifies a specific multicast service.

80. A unit according to claim 75, wherein the messages that indicate the intent comprise messages having IP headers.

81. A unit according to claim 75, wherein the messages that indicate the intent comprise PDP context messages.

82. A unit according to claim 75, wherein the filter is adapted to identify messages directed to a mobile unit, that indicate the intent to receive multicast data.

83. A unit according to claim 75, wherein the filter is adapted to identify messages transmitted from a mobile unit, that indicate the intent to receive multicast data.

84. A unit according to claim 75, wherein the filter is adapted to identify messages according to a value of at least one header field.

85. A unit according to claim 75, wherein the filter is adapted to identify messages according to a value in the payload of the message.

86. A unit according to claim 75, wherein the controller is adapted to establish the multicast channel responsive to identifying the message that indicates an intent to receive multicast data.

87. A unit according to claim 75, wherein the controller is adapted to instruct the mobile unit to move to a multicast channel that was established before the message was identified.

88. A unit according to claim 75, wherein the controller is adapted to instruct the mobile unit to tune to a different cell responsive to the identified message.

89. A unit according to claim 75, wherein the filter is adapted to identify messages which indicate an intent of a mobile unit to receive multicast data transmitted between the mobile unit and a server external to a land mobile network servicing the mobile unit, through the serving GPRS support node.

90. A unit according to claim 75, wherein the filter is adapted to identify messages which indicate an intent of a mobile unit to receive multicast data transmitted on a previously established unicast context.

91. A method of establishing a terrestrial mobile connection, comprising:

receiving a message indicating the intent of a mobile unit to receive multicast data, by an intercepting unit to which the message was not directed; and

generating an instruction to the mobile unit to receive a multicast channel, responsive to receiving the message.

92. A method according to claim 91, comprising determining whether the message indicating the intent relates to a specific group of data connections.

93. A method according to claim 91, wherein the message indicating the intent comprises a context request message.

94. A method according to claim 91, wherein the message indicating the intent comprises a context acknowledge message.

95. A method according to claim 91, wherein generating the instruction is performed by a packet control unit (PCU).

96. A method according to claim 91, wherein generating the instruction is performed by an entity separate from a packet control unit (PCU), which entity does not have control of the PCU.

97. A method according to claim 96, wherein generating the instruction is performed by an entity connected between the PCU and a respective BSC.

98. A method according to claim 96, wherein generating the instruction is performed by an entity located between a BSC related to the PCU and mobile units serviced by the BSC.