Adaptable radio link for wireless communication networks

• US 6,795,701 B1
• Filed: 10/22/2002
• Issued: 09/21/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Original Assignee: Transat Technologies
• Inventors: Baker, John, Zhou, Yong, Greenwood, Martin, Hui, David, Linden, Antti
• Primary Examiner(s): GELIN, JEAN ALLAND
• Application Number:
  US10/277,759
• Time in Patent Office: 700 Days
• Field of Search: 455/406, 455/409, 455/410, 455/411, 455/414, 455/422, 455/433, 455/435, 455/550, 455/552, 455/561, 455/466, 370/328, 370/338, 370/400, 370/401, 370/402, 370/395.5, 370/395.51, 370/395.6, 370/349, 370/352, 370/395.52, 709/203, 709/217, 709/219, 709/220, 709/230, 709/229
• US Class Current: 455/411
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/50 Address allocation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/083 using passwords cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using a predetermined code H04L9/3226
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0892 by using authentication-authorization-accounting [AAA] servers or protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/062 Pre-authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/069 using certificates or pre-shared keys
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 80/04 Network layer protocols, e.g. mobile IP [Internet Protocol]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

A system for transmitting wireless messages from a Wireless Access Internet Network architecture for providing users a plurality of wireless protocols to access a communications network. The architecture comprises a wireless client for providing an authentication message. The wireless client includes a radio link adaptation layer and a radio interface, and the radio link adaptation layer adapts to a plurality of wireless protocols. The architecture further includes a wireless server in communication with the wireless client. The wireless server includes a charging module, a Home Location Register (HLR) signaling module, a Domain Naming System (DNS)/Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) Remote Authentication Dial-in User Service (RADIUS) module, a radio link adaptation layer, and a radio access point in communication with the radio interface. Additionally, the architecture includes a data network in communication with the wireless server.

Claims

1. A Wireless Access Internet Network architecture for providing users a plurality of wireless protocols to access a communications network, the architecture comprising:

a wireless client wherein the wireless client provides an authentication message and includes;

a first radio link adaptation layer and a radio interface, wherein the first radio adaptation layer adapts the authentication message to a plurality of wireless protocols;

a wireless server in communication with the wireless client wherein the wireless server includes;

a charging module;

a Home Location Register (HLR) signaling module;

a Domain Naming System (DNS)/Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) Remote Authentication Dial-in User Service (RADIUS) module;

a second radio link adaptation layer and a radio access point in communication with the radio interface;

a data network in communication with the wireless server,

wherein the authentication message is transmitted through the first radio link adaptation layer and the radio interface, then through the radio access point and the second radio link adaptation layer; and

wherein the wireless server communicates the authentication message to the data network.

2. The architecture of claim 1 further including a second wireless client in communication with the wireless server.

3. The architecture of claim 1 further including:

a wireless mobile device with a cellular protocol; and

a base station system (BSS) in communication with the wireless mobile device and connected to the data network wherein the wireless server can transmit messages from the wireless client to the wireless mobile device through the data network and the BSS.

4. The architecture of claim 1 further including:

a wireless mobile device with a wireless protocol;

a receiving system in communication with the wireless mobile device;

a SGSN in communication with the receiving system and connected to the data network wherein the wireless server can transmit messages from the wireless client to the wireless mobile device through the data network, the SGSN and the receiving system.

5. The architecture of claim 1 further including a charge and billing gateway device in communication with the wireless server wherein the wireless server transmits charge and billing information to the gateway device.

6. The architecture of claim 1 further including a RADIUS server connected to the wireless server wherein the authentication message includes a User ID and a password and wherein the wireless server transmits the User ID and password to the RADIUS server and the wireless server receives an appropriate approve/deny message back from the RADIUS server.

7. The architecture of claim 1 further including a RADIUS server connected to the wireless server wherein the wireless server transmits accounting data to the RADIUS server.

8. The architecture of claim 1 further including a HLR connected to the wireless server wherein the wireless server transmits an authentication information request message to the HLR and receives requested authentication data back from the HLR.

9. The architecture of claim 1 further including:

an AuC connected to the wireless server wherein the wireless server transmits the authentication message to the AuC and receives an appropriate approve/deny message back from the AuC; and

a GPRS Gateway Support Node (GGSN) in communication with the wireless server;

a virtual private network (VPN) in communication with the GGSN, wherein the wireless client is allowed accesss to the VPN through the GGSN.

10. The architecture of claim 1 further comprising:

an identity module connected to the wireless client and having a unique authentication key, wherein the authentication message includes information about the authentication key.

11. The architecture of claim 10 further comprising:

an AuC connected to the wireless server, wherein the wireless server transmits the authentication message to the AuC and receives from the AuC a message indicating the authenticity/inauthenticity of the information about the authentication key.

12. The architecture of claim 1 wherein the packet data network is an internet protocol network.

13. The architecture of claim 1 wherein each of the first and second wireless servers includes means for converting the authentication message to a format acceptable for authentication by an authenticating node in a UMTS network.

14. The architecture of claim 1 wherein each of the first and second wireless clients include a subscriber interface module (SIM) for providing the authentication message to the respective WLAN.

15. The architecture of claim 1 further including a charge and billing gateway device in communication with the wireless servers wherein each of the wireless servers transmits charge and billing information to the gateway device in a format of a call detail record (CDR).

16. A method for transmitting wireless messages from a Wireless Access Internet Network architecture for providing users a plurality of wireless protocols to access a communications network, the method comprising:

transmitting an authentication message from a wireless client wherein the message is transmitted through a first radio link adaptation layer and a radio interface, wherein the radio adaptation layer adapts the authentication message to a plurality of wireless protocols;

receiving the authentication message at a wireless server in communication with the wireless client through a second radio link adaptation layer and a radio access point in communication with the radio interface wherein the wireless server includes;

a charging module;

a Home Location Register (HLR) signaling module;

a Domain Naming System (DNS)/Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) Remote Authentication Dial-in User Service (RADIUS) module; and

transmitting the authentication message from the wireless server to a data network.

17. The method of claim 16 further including transmitting from a second wireless client to the wireless server.

18. The method of claim 16 further including:

transmitting a plurality of messages from a wireless mobile device with a cellular protocol; and

receiving the plurality of messages at a base station system (BSS) in communication with the wireless mobile device and connected to the data network wherein the wireless server can transmit messages from the wireless client to the wireless mobile device through the data network and the BSS.

19. The method of claim 16 further including:

transmitting a plurality of messages from a wireless mobile device with a wireless protocol;

receiving the plurality of messages at a receiving system in communication with the wireless mobile device;

transmitting the plurality of messages from the receiving system to a SGSN in communication with the receiving system and connected to the data network wherein the wireless server can transmit messages from the wireless client to the wireless mobile device through the data network, the SGSN and the receiving system.

20. The method of claim 16 further including transmitting billing information to a charge and billing gateway device in communication with the wireless server.

21. The method of claim 16 further including transmitting a User ID and Password to a RADIUS server connected to the wireless server and receiving an appropriate approve/deny message back from the RADIUS server.

22. The method of claim 16 further including transmitting an authentication information request message to a HLR connected to the wireless server and receiving requested authentication data back from the HLR.

23. The method of claim 16 further including transmitting the authentication message to a AuC connected to the wireless server and receiving an appropriate approve/deny message back from the AuC.

24. The method of claim 16 further comprising:

transmitting information about a unique authentication key from an identity module to the wireless client, wherein the authentication message from the wireless client includes the information about the unique authentication key.

25. The method of claim 24 further comprising:

transmitting the authentication message from the wireless server to an AuC; and

receiving from the AuC a message indicating the authenticity/inauthenticity of the information about the authentication key.