SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A MOBILE ACCESS FEMTOCELL

• US 20090109979A1
• Filed: 09/26/2007
• Published: 04/30/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Westell Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Westell Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Harrington, Paul, Tong, Leon
• Application Number:
  US11/862,042
• Publication Number:
  US 20090109979A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/397
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 80/04 Network layer protocols, e.g. mobile IP [Internet Protocol]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/045 using private Base Stations, e.g. femto Base Stations, home Node B
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/08 Access point devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/02 Inter-networking arrangements

Abstract

A system and method for wireless communication indoors includes a femtocell base station coupled for operable interaction with an in-building router having a virtual private network server client connection embedded therein. A user equipment unit within range of the femtocell base station for interaction therewith cooperates with a virtual private network server, an internet protocol network, and a cellular network to provide improved wireless coverage and quality of service indoors.

Claims

1. An indoor wireless communication system for communicating with a cellular network comprising:

an in-building router having a virtual private network server client connection embedded therein,

a femtocell base station coupled for operable interaction with said in-building router,

a user equipment unit within range of said femtocell base station for interaction therewith,

a virtual private network server, and

an internet protocol network,

said user equipment unit being capable of operably communicating traffic thereof with said virtual private network server through said internet protocol network, and said virtual private network server being capable of operably communicating traffic thereof with said cellular network.

2. The wireless communication system of claim 1 wherein said virtual private network server client connection services an unlicensed mobile access client or a virtual private network client.

3. The wireless communication system of claim 1 wherein said virtual private network server includes an unlicensed mobile access controller.

4. The wireless communication system of claim 1 wherein said system accommodates at least one or more of the following cellular technologies:

GSM, CDMA, WCDMA, and WiMax.

5. The wireless communication system of claim 1 wherein said system accommodates a plurality of user equipment units.

6. A method of operating an indoor wireless communication system for communicating with a cellular network comprising:

maintaining an in-building router having a virtual private network server client connection embedded therein,

coupling a femtocell base station for operable interaction with said in-building router, providing a user equipment unit within range of said femtocell base station for interaction therewith, and

providing a virtual private network server, an internet protocol network, and

a cellular network for interaction with said in-building router, said femtocell base station,

and said user equipment unit wherein said user equipment unit is capable of operably communicating traffic thereof with said virtual private network server through said internet protocol network and said virtual private network server is capable of operably communicating traffic thereof with said cellular network.