Methods of Incorporating an Ad Hoc Cellular Network Into a Fixed Cellular Network

• US 20140301327A1
• Filed: 06/23/2014
• Published: 10/09/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/17/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Parallel Wireless, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Parallel Wireless, Inc.
• Inventors: Mishra, Rajesh Kumar, Papa, Steven Paul, Agarwal, Kaitki, Donepudi, Sridhar, Raval, Kartik Shashikant
• Granted Patent: US 9,622,253 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/329
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/4633 Interconnection of networks using encapsulation techniques, e.g. tunneling
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/6418 Hybrid transport
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/66 Arrangements for connecting between networks having differing types of switching systems, e.g. gateways
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/00 Network planning, e.g. coverage or traffic planning tools; Network deployment, e.g. resource partitioning or cells structures
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/14 Spectrum sharing arrangements between different networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/08 Testing, supervising or monitoring using real traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/18 Negotiating wireless communication parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/04 Reselecting a cell layer in multi-layered cells
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/302 due to low signal strength
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/04 based on wireless node resources
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/20 Control channels or signalling for resource management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/542 using measured or perceived quality
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 74/00 Wireless channel access
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/02 Hierarchically pre-organised networks, e.g. paging networks, cellular networks, WLAN [Wireless Local Area Network] or WLL [Wireless Local Loop]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/14 Backbone network devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/02 Inter-networking arrangements

Abstract

In this invention, we disclose methods directed toward integrating an ad hoc cellular network into a fixed cellular network. The methods disclosed herein automate the creation and integration of these networks. In additional embodiments, we disclose methods for establishing a stand-alone, ad hoc cellular network. In either of these implementations, we integrate or establish an ad hoc cellular network using mobile ad hoc cellular base stations configured to transmit and receive over a variety of frequencies, protocols, and duplexing schemes. The methods flexibly and dynamically choose an access or backhaul configuration and radio characteristics to optimize network performance. Additional embodiments provide for enhancing an existing network'"'"'s coverage as needed, establishing a local network in the event of a loss of backhaul coverage to the core network, and providing local wireless access service within the ad hoc cellular network.

Claims

1. A method of establishing an ad hoc cellular network having an ad hoc cellular base station comprising the steps of:

a. establishing a wireless backhaul connection for an ad hoc cellular base station further comprising the steps of;

i. receiving a data packet from an ad hoc cellular base station;

ii. extracting a tunnel overhead packet from the data packet so as to create a modified data packet;

iii. storing the tunnel overhead packet in a memory;

iv. forwarding the modified data packet to a second ad hoc cellular base station using an IP routing protocol;

v. receiving an acknowledgement from the second ad hoc cellular base station indicating that an establishment of a bearer is complete; and

vi. anchoring an IP session to shield an external network from a backhaul IP change.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the data packet is an initial attach request.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the modified data packet is forwarded to an evolved packet core.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising the ad hoc cellular network providing situational awareness to a local user with a software application or a central database by providing at least one of:

a location of an ad hoc cellular base station, a direction or travel of an ad hoc cellular base station, a mobility parameter for an ad hoc cellular base station, an environmental parameter for an ad hoc cellular base station, a coverage map of an ad-hoc cellular base station, an environmental parameter of a fixed base station, an operational parameter of a fixed base station, a location of a fixed base station, or a location of a user.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

a. monitoring a quality of the backhaul connection to the core network to determine if it falls below a threshold parameter;

b. providing a local limited core network to the ad hoc network if the backhaul connection falls below the threshold parameter further comprising the steps of;

i. The ad hoc cellular base station providing a minimal set of core network functionality to a user equipment within the ad hoc network on an access channel;

ii. Receiving an authentication information from a core network database having core authentication information stored therein;

iii. Storing the authentication information into a memory; and

iv. Using the authentication information to authenticate the user equipment.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

a. managing the ad hoc cellular network; and

b. providing a voice-over-IP application wherein the voice-over-IP application is chosen from the group consisting of;

push-to-talk, peer-to-peer communication, an ad hoc user nationwide dialing plan;

an ad hoc user international dialing plan, conference calling, or a speed dial list.

7. The method of claim 5 further comprising the steps of:

a. a first ad hoc cellular base station detecting a third ad hoc cellular base station wherein the third ad hoc cellular base station has a processor having a limited core network functionality; and

b. using a wired backhaul connection or a wireless backhaul connection to integrate the third ad hoc cellular base station into the ad hoc cellular network wherein the integration is performed by exchanging messaging information with the second ad hoc cellular base station.

8. The method of claim 5 further comprising the steps of:

a. determining if the quality of the backhaul connection to the core network exceeds the threshold parameter; and

b. synchronizing the authentication information stored in the memory of the ad hoc cellular base station providing the limited core functionality with the core network database.

9. A method of integrating an ad hoc cellular base station into a fixed cellular network comprising the steps of:

a. establishing a wireless backhaul connection for an ad hoc cellular base station further comprising the steps of;

i. receiving a data packet from an ad hoc cellular base station;

ii. extracting a tunnel overhead packet from the data packet so as to create a modified data packet;

iii. storing the tunnel overhead packet in a memory;

iv. forwarding the modified data packet to a second ad hoc cellular base station using an IP routing protocol;

v. receiving an acknowledgement from the second ad hoc cellular base station indicating that an establishment of a bearer is complete; and

vi. anchoring an IP session to shield an external network from a backhaul IP change.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the data packet is an initial attach request.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein the modified data packet is forwarded to an evolved packet core.

12. The method of claim 9 further comprising the ad hoc cellular network providing situational awareness to a local user with a software application or a central database by providing at least one of:

a location of an ad hoc cellular base station, a direction or travel of an ad hoc cellular base station, a mobility parameter for an ad hoc cellular base station, an environmental parameter for an ad hoc cellular base station, a coverage map of an ad-hoc cellular base station, an environmental parameter of a fixed base station, an operational parameter of a fixed base station, a location of a fixed base station, or a location of a user.

13. The method of claim 9 further comprising the steps of:

a. monitoring a quality of the backhaul connection to the core network to determine if it falls below a threshold parameter;

b. providing a local limited core network to the ad hoc network if the backhaul connection falls below the threshold parameter further comprising the steps of;

i. The ad hoc cellular base station providing a minimal set of core network functionality to a user equipment within the ad hoc network on an access channel;

ii. Receiving an authentication information from a core network database having core authentication information stored therein;

iii. Storing the authentication information into a memory; and

iv. Using the authentication information to authenticate the user equipment.

14. The method of claim 9 further comprising:

a. managing the ad hoc cellular network; and

b. providing a voice-over-IP application wherein the voice-over-IP application is chosen from the group consisting of;

push-to-talk, peer-to-peer communication, an ad hoc user nationwide dialing plan;

an ad hoc user international dialing plan, conference calling, or a speed dial list.

15. The method of claim 13 further comprising the steps of:

a. a first ad hoc cellular base station detecting a third ad hoc cellular base station wherein the third ad hoc cellular base station has a processor having a limited core network functionality; and

b. using a wired backhaul connection or a wireless backhaul connection to integrate the third ad hoc cellular base station into the ad hoc cellular network wherein the integration is performed by exchanging messaging information with the second ad hoc cellular base station.

16. The method of claim 13 further comprising the steps of:

a. determining if the quality of the backhaul connection to the core network exceeds the threshold parameter; and

b. synchronizing the authentication information stored in the memory of the ad hoc cellular base station providing the limited core functionality with the core network database.