Radio Access Network Node with IP Interface

• US 20130229984A1
• Filed: 04/01/2013
• Published: 09/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/19/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Rahman, Moshiur
• Granted Patent: US 9,191,995 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/328
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1016 IP multimedia subsystem [IMS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/16 Gateway arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/02 Inter-networking arrangements

Abstract

Devices, systems, and methods are disclosed to directly connect a node of a Radio Access Network (RAN) with an Internet Protocol (IP) network. The node is provided with an interface to a broadband local loop network. Access to the local loop network or last mile enables the node to communicate directly with an IP network, including an IP Multimedia System (IMS) core. The node need not access a packet-switched core network via a controller. Embodiments include a Node B with an IP interface in a UMTS system and a Base Transceiver Station (BTS) with an IP interface in a GSM system.

Claims

1. A node in a radio access network, the node comprising:

a transceiver;

an antenna coupled to the transceiver, the antenna for receiving signals from a mobile device;

an internet protocol interface;

a processor; and

a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising

receiving, across a wireless network, a data packet from the mobile device;

determining that the data packet is destined for an internet protocol network;

determining that a controller in communication with a gateway is unavailable, the gateway being part of a packet-switched core network; and

forwarding, via the internet protocol interface, the data packet to a broadband network, wherein the broadband network is in communication with the internet protocol network.

2. The node of claim 1, further comprising an interface to the controller, the controller in communication with a cellular network.

3. The node of claim 1, wherein the gateway is a serving general packet radio service support node.

4. The node of claim 1, wherein the controller is a radio network controller, and wherein the node is a Node B.

5. The node of claim 1, wherein the controller is a base station controller, and wherein the node is a base transceiver station.

6. The node of claim 1, wherein the internet protocol interface communicates with an edge router on the broadband network.

7. The node of claim 1, wherein the broadband network is a wireless local loop.

8. The node of claim 1, wherein the internet protocol network comprises an internet protocol multimedia system network.

10. A node in a radio access network, the node comprising:

a transceiver;

an antenna coupled to the transceiver, the antenna for receiving signals from a mobile device;

an internet protocol interface;

a processor; and

a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising

receiving, across a wireless network, a data packet from the mobile device;

determining that the data packet is destined for an internet protocol network;

determining that the data packet is a non-voice over internet protocol packet;

determining if a controller in communication with a gateway is unavailable, the gateway being part of a packet-switched core network; and

if the controller is unavailable, forwarding, via the internet protocol interface, the data packet to a broadband network, wherein the broadband network is in communication with the internet protocol network.

9. The node of claim 10, wherein the internet protocol multimedia system network initiates a SIP connection between the mobile device and a third party on the internet protocol network.

11. The node of claim 10, wherein the controller is a radio network controller, and wherein the node is a Node B.

12. The node of claim 10, wherein the controller is a base station controller, and wherein the node is a base transceiver station.

13. The node of claim 10, wherein the gateway is a serving general packet radio service support node.

14. The node of claim 10, wherein the broadband network comprises a wireless local loop, and wherein the wireless local loop comprises a fiber-to-the-node network, the fiber-to-the-node network further comprising a core router and a session border controller.

15. The node of claim 10, wherein the node is a femtocell.

16. The node of claim 10, wherein the operations further comprise if the controller is available, forwarding, the data packet to the controller for subsequent transmission to the Internet Protocol network.

17. A method comprising:

receiving, at a node comprising a processor and an internet protocol interface, a first data packet from a mobile device;

determining, by the node, that the first data packet is destined for an internet protocol network;

invoking, by the node, the internet protocol interface to transmit the first data packet to the internet protocol network;

receiving, at the node, a second data packet from the mobile device;

determining, by the node, that the second data packet is destined for a packet-switched core network; and

providing, by the node, the second data packet to a controller for transmission to the packet-switched core network.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the controller is in communication with a gateway, the gateway being part of a packet-switched core network.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the controller is a radio network controller, and wherein the node is a Node B.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the controller is a base station controller, and wherein the node is a base transceiver station.