System and method for packet data servicing node (PDSN) initial assignment and reselection

• US 20050025116A1
• Filed: 08/30/2004
• Published: 02/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Henrik Basilier, Ning Nicholas Chen, Roger Gustavsson, Vibhor Julka
• Original Assignee: Henrik Basilier, Ning Nicholas Chen, Roger Gustavsson, Vibhor Julka
• Inventors: Julka, Vibhor, Basilier, Henrik, Chen, Ning Nicholas, Gustavsson, Roger
• Application Number:
  US10/929,236
• Publication Number:
  US 20050025116A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/349
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/10 of different types
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/5014 using dynamic host configuration protocol [DHCP] or bootstrap protocol [BOOTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/5084 Providing for device mobility network addressing or numbering for mobility support in wireless networks H04W8/26; mobile IP H04W80/04
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/5092 by self-assignment, e.g. picking addresses at random and testing if they are already in use
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1006 with static server selection, e.g. the same server being selected for a specific client
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1019 Random or heuristic server selection
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/16 Discovering, processing access restriction or access information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/26 Network addressing or numbering for mobility support
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/04 Large scale networks; Deep hierarchical networks

Abstract

An method for PDSN (Packet Data Serving Node) initial assignment and re-selection in a wireless communication system is provided. The method is implemented in PCF (Packet Control Function) within a third-generation (3G) CDMA Radio Access Network (RAN). The methodology reduces the number of point-to-point (PPP) re-establishments, when a Mobile Station (MS) roams to a different packet zone/PCF. The method generates a table of PDSN identification numbers cross-referenced to the PDSN Internet protocol (IP) addresses, residing with each PCF. A PDSN Id number is selected from the table using the MS IMSI (International Mobile Station Identifier) as a key to perform the selection. The present invention methodology addresses the issue of forward and backward compatibility, scalability, reliability, and load sharing in the PDSN selection.

Claims

1-27. -27. Cancel

28. In a wireless communication system including one Packet Control Function (PCF) and at least one Packet Data Serving Node (PDSN), a method for determining which PDSN should be used for packet data communications with a mobile station (MS), the method comprising:

maintaining a configuration table at the PCF being communicatively coupled between the MS and at least one PDSN, said configuration table having at least one unique PDSN identification (Id) number listed therein, said at least one unique PDSN Id number being respectively associated with the at least one PDSN; and

selecting a PDSN in response to a number of the PDSN Id numbers in the configuration table.

29. The method of claim 28 further comprising:

assigning a unique MS Id number to the MS, wherein selecting the PDSN further includes selecting in response to the MS Id number.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein assigning the unique MS Id number includes using an International Mobile Station Identifier (IMSI) of the MS for such assignment.

31. The method of claim 29, wherein the MS Id number is the IMSI.

32. The method of claim 29, wherein the at least one PDSN comprises n PDSNs, further wherein each of the n PDSNs has a unique Internet protocol (IP) address, and further wherein the configuration table has an ascending ordered sequence of the n PDSN Id numbers based on the unique IP addresses of the n PDSNs.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein the selection of the PDSN includes dividing the unique MS Id number by n.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the selection of the PDSN includes selecting the PDSN Id number equal to the remainder in the quotient.

35. The method of claim 32, wherein the configuration table includes one cross-reference between the at least one PDSN Id number and a respective unique IP address associated with the PDSN being communicatively coupled to the PCF.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the configuration table includes one cross-reference between the at least one PDSN Id number and a dummy address associated with one of the n PDSNs that is not communicatively coupled to the PCF.

37. The method of claim 36 further comprising reselecting an alternative PDSN if the selection yields the PDSN Id number being cross-referenced with the dummy address.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein the reselection of the alternative PDSN includes selecting the alternative PDSN in response to the PDSN Id number associated with the selected PDSN.

39. The method of claim 37, wherein the reselection of the alternative PDSN includes selecting the alternative PDSN in response to the unique MS Id number.

40. The method of claim 29, wherein the at least one PDSN includes n PDSNs, further wherein each of the n PDSNs has a unique Internet protocol (IP) address, and further wherein the configuration table has an ascending ordered sequence of some of the PDSN Id numbers based on unique IP addresses of the PDSNs associated with said some of the PDSN Id numbers.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein the configuration table includes cross-references between the PDSN Id numbers and respective unique IP addresses associated with the PDSNs being communicatively coupled to the PCF.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein the configuration table includes one cross-reference between one of the PDSN Id numbers and a dummy address associated with one of the n PDSNs that is not communicatively coupled to the PCF.

43. The method of claim 41 further comprising reselecting an alternative PDSN if the selection yields the PDSN Id number being cross-referenced with the dummy address.

44. The method of claim 32, wherein m of the n PDSNs are communicatively coupled to the PCF, further the configuration table includes cross-references between the IP addresses of the m PDSNs and the respective PDSN Id numbers and cross-references between dummy addresses and the respective (n−

m) PDSN Id numbers, and further wherein the PDSNs associated with the dummy addresses are not communicatively coupled to the PCF.

45. A Packet Control Function (PCF) for selecting which one of n Packet Data Serving Nodes (PDSNs) should be used for packet data communications with a mobile station (MS), said PCF being communicatively coupled between the MS and at least one PDSN and being configured to:

maintain a configuration table, said configuration table having at least one unique PDSN identification (Id) number listed therein, said at least one unique PDSN Id number being respectively associated with the at least one PDSN; and

select a PDSN in response to a number of the PDSN Id numbers in the configuration table.

46. The PCF of claim 45 further being configured to assign a unique MS Id number to the MS, wherein the PCF selects the PDSN in response to the MS Id number.

47. The PCF of claim 46, wherein the PCF uses an International Mobile Station Identifier (IMSI) of the MS to assign the unique MS Id number.