Fast circuit switched data architecture and method

• US 6,400,712 B1
• Filed: 05/26/1998
• Issued: 06/04/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Phillips, Marc S.
• Primary Examiner(s): CANGIALOSI, SALVATORE A
• Application Number:
  US09/085,323
• Time in Patent Office: 1,470 Days
• Field of Search: 370/355, 370/398, 370/335
• US Class Current: 370/355
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/02 Inter-networking arrangements

Abstract

An efficient method and architecture for transferring packetized digital data over a circuit switched data network. On packet data calls, the receiving entity initially identifies the packetized data call as being of the circuit switched variety, thereby permitting further processing of the call using circuit switched infrastructure. Based on identification information embedded in the received data packets, the receiving entity subsequently identifies the call as being a packet data format, and routes the payload packet data to the upper layers of the protocol stack of the receiving entity. The network layer then routes the packet data directly to the connected data network (such as the internet), bypassing normal circuit switched call processing. Accordingly, infrastructure not equipped to handle packet data can be made to do so in an efficient and reliable manner, using only existing cellular service options and a unified interworking function (IWF) module. Mobile unit dormancy is supported on mobile-terminated packet data calls through the use of a second existing cellular service option for paging and call identification.

Claims

1. A method of transferring packet data over a circuit switched network, said method comprising:

providing packet data having identification information related thereto;

directing said packet data to a circuit switched network entity, wherein circuit switched data is processed;

analyzing said identification information at said network entity; and

processing said packet data in a manner different than that used for circuit switched data.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said identification information is a network layer address.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said identification information is an internet protocol (IP) address.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said identification information is a transport layer port address.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said identification information is a transport control protocol (TCP) port address.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said identification information is a plurality of flag bytes.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said circuit switched network entity is a BSC/MSC with associated interworking function.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said manner of processing said packet data includes routing packet data bytes to a network access layer of a protocol stack.

9. A method of transferring packet data over a communication network, said method comprising:

providing packet data having identification information related thereto;

transmitting said packet data as circuit switched data from a first network entity;

receiving said packet data at a second network entity;

analyzing said identification information to identify packet data that is associated with said circuit switched data; and

processing said identified packet data within said second entity as circuit switched data.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said identification information is a network layer address.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said identification information is an internet protocol (IP) address.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein said identification information is a transport layer port address.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said identification information is a transport control protocol (TCP) port address.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein said identification information is a plurality of flag bytes.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein said first network entity is a mobile unit.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said first network entity is a cellular mobile unit complying with TIA/EIA Interim Standard IS-95.

17. The method of claim 9, wherein said second network entity is a BSC/MSC complex with associated interworking function.

18. The method of claim 9, wherein said transmission of said packet data as circuit switched data occurs over an existing cellular service option.

19. The method of claim 9, wherein said processing of said identified packet data includes routing one or more packet data bytes to a network access layer of a protocol stack.

20. A method of transferring packet data over a circuit switched communication network, said method comprising:

providing packet data having identification information related thereto;

transmitting said packet data as circuit switched data from a first circuit switched network entity;

receiving said packet data at a second circuit switched network entity wherein circuit switched data is processed;

analyzing said identification information to identify packet data associated with said circuit switched data;

processing said packet data in a manner different than that used for said circuit switched data.

21. A method of transferring packet data over a circuit switched cellular communication network, said method comprising:

providing packet data having identification information related thereto;

transmitting said packet data from a cellular mobile unit as circuit switched data;

receiving said circuit switched data at a circuit switched cellular base station;

transferring received circuit switched data from said base station to an interworking function;

analyzing said identification information associated with said circuit switched data to identify said packet data therein; and

processing said packet data and routing one or more bytes thereof to an external data network.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein said identification information is a network layer address.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein said identification information is an internet protocol (IP) address.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein said identification information is a transport layer port address.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein said identification information is a transport control protocol (TCP) port address.

26. The method of claim 21, wherein said identification information is a plurality of flag bytes.

27. The method of claim 21, wherein said external data network is the Internet.

28. The method of claim 21, wherein said circuit switched data is transferred indirectly from said base station to said interworking function.

39. The method of claim 28, wherein said identification information is a facsimile service option.

40. The method of claim 28, wherein said identification information is a network layer address.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein said identification information is an internet protocol (IP) address.

29. A circuit switched communication entity which processes both circuit switched and packet data, said entity comprising:

a receiver for receiving circuit switched transmissions having identification information from another network entity, at least one of said received circuit switched transmissions having packet data embedded therein;

a first processing element for analyzing said circuit switched transmissions received by said receiver and identifying said transmissions having packet data embedded therein through analysis of said identification information;

a second processing element for further processing of said circuit switched transmissions having no embedded packet data; and

a third processing element for further processing of said circuit switched transmissions having packet data embedded therein, said third processing element being functionally connected to an external data network.

30. The communication entity of claim 29, wherein said identification information is a network layer address.

31. The communication entity of claim 30, wherein said identification information is an internet protocol (IP) address.

32. The communication entity of claim 29, wherein said identification information is a transport layer port address.

33. The communication entity of claim 32, wherein said identification information is a transport control protocol (TCP) port address.

34. The communication entity of claim 29, wherein said identification information is a plurality of flag bytes.

35. The communication entity of claim 29, wherein said entity is an interworking function (IWF).

36. The communication entity of claim 29, wherein said first, second, and third processing elements are computer software code modules running on at one least digital signal processor.

37. The communication entity of claim 29, wherein said first, second, or third processing element utilizes a Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) serial link software protocol.

38. A method of transmitting packet data to a dormant network entity, said method comprising:

directing packet data having identification information to a first network entity;

paging a dormant network entity using a first circuit switched logical channel;

establishing a second circuit switched logical channel between said first network entity and said dormant entity in response to said paging;

transmitting said packet data from said first entity to said dormant entity over said second logical channel; and

identifying said packet data received by said dormant entity through analysis of said identification information.

42. The method of claim 38, wherein said identification information is a transport layer port address.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein said identification information is a transport control protocol (TCP) port address.

44. The method of claim 38, wherein said identification information is a plurality of flag bytes.

45. The method of claim 38, wherein said first network entity is a BSC/MSC complex with associated interworking function.

46. The method of claim 38, wherein said first and second logical channels are established in accordance with existing cellular service options.

47. The method of claim 38, wherein said dormant network entity is a cellular mobile telephone.