System, method, and computer program product for connectivity of wireless base station to PSTN via an IP data network

• US 6,888,803 B1
• Filed: 03/26/1999
• Issued: 05/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Original Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited (Nortel Networks Corporation)
• Inventors: Gentry, William D., Christie, IV, Samuel H., Ress, David P., Hanzel, R. Emery, Klinge, Kevin H., Coyle, Richard M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Duong, Frank
• Assistant Examiner(s): Harper, Kevin C.
• Application Number:
  US09/280,152
• Time in Patent Office: 2,230 Days
• Field of Search: 370/259, 370/310, 370/328, 370/329, 370/338, 370/352, 370/356, 370/400, 370/401, 370/464, 370/466, 455/422, 455/432
• US Class Current: 370/259
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13034 A/D conversion, code compression/expansion
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13098 Mobile subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13296 Packet switching, X.25, frame relay
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13388 Saturation signaling systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0045 involving hybrid, i.e. a mixture of public and private, or multi-vendor systems

Abstract

A system for providing wireline telephone services to wireless subscribers utilizing a packet data network 100. The system includes a base station controller (BSC) 210 a base station controller gateway (BGW) 200 for providing client based services to mobile subscribers and providing protocol mapping between a mobile protocol and a packet data network protocol. The system further comprises a mobility gatekeeper (GK) 500 for managing network mobility services for each wireless call including the establishment of a call control path and a speech path between said base station controller and a serving end office telephone point. The system also comprises a end office gateway (EOGW) 300 for providing protocol conversion between the packet data network protocol and the end office point data protocol such that a wireless subscriber has access to all wireline services provided by the end office point. A mobile switching center (MSC) 410 and mobile switching center gateway (MGW) 400 are included to facilitate inter-system call handoffs into an existing circuit-switched wireless telephony network.

Claims

1. A method of providing end office wireline telephony services to wireless telephony subscribers using a packet data network, the method comprising:

mapping a subscriber'"'"'s wireless telephony protocol to a packet data network protocol;

managing a subscriber'"'"'s wireless mobility services for a wireless call, the managing comprising sending call origination messages to a first control node on the packet data network; and

mapping packet data network protocol information pertaining to the wireless call to an end office access protocol, such that the wireless call can utilize all of the end office wireline telephony services associated with an end office telephony switching network,

wherein managing the subscriber'"'"'s wireless mobility services includes call delivery managing, the call delivery managing comprising;

mapping termination messages from the end office access protocol used by an end office telephony switch to a call control protocol used by the packet data network;

sending the termination messages to a second control node on the packet data network;

determining a serving wireless base station controller;

sending a routing request message to a serving switch if the serving wireless base station controller is not on the packet data network;

providing a directory number to be used to deliver the wireless call to the serving switch through a public switching telephone network (PSTN);

formulating, in a third call control node of the packet data network, a re-directing call control message to a gateway associated with the end office telephony switch the initiated termination;

formulating, in the gateway associated with the end office telephony switch that initiated termination, a second re-directing call control message using the end office access protocol; and

re-directing the wireless call through the public switching telephone network (PSTN) using the directory number supplied by the gateway.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein managing the subscriber'"'"'s wireless mobility services includes call origination managing, the call origination managing comprising:

mapping a wireless base station controller protocol to the call control protocol utilized by the packet data network;

sending the call origination messages to the gateway providing access to the end office telephony switch;

mapping the call control protocol of the packet base network to the end office access protocol;

originating the wireless call using the end office access protocol; and

routing the wireless call from the end office telephony switch to its destination.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

establishing a virtual speech path on the packet data network between the wireless telephony subscriber and the end office telephony switch; and

transmitting packetized speech data in both directions on the packet data network between the wireless telephony subscriber and the end office telephony switch.

4. The method of claim 3 further comprising de-allocating the virtual speech path on the packet data network between the wireless telephony subscriber and the end office telephony switch.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein managing the subscriber'"'"'s wireless mobility services includes call termination managing, the call termination managing comprising:

sending the termination messages to the serving wireless base station controller;

mapping the call control protocol used by the packet data network to a wireless control protocol of the serving wireless base station controller; and

routing the wireless call from the wireless base station controller to its destination.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising:

establishing a virtual speech path on the packet data network between the wireless telephony subscriber and the end office telephony switch; and

transmitting packetized speech data in both directions on the packet data network between the wireless telephony subscriber and the end office telephony switch.

7. The method of claim 5 further comprising de-allocating the virtual speech path on the packet data network between the wireless telephony subscriber and the end office telephony switch.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein managing the subscriber'"'"'s wireless mobility services includes intra-network handoff managing of a call from a current cell area to a target cell area, the intra-network handoff managing comprising:

(a) mapping a pilot strength measurement message into an A-interface protocol handoff indication message;

(b) mapping the A-interface protocol indication message of the base station controller to the call control protocol utilized on the packet data network;

(c) determining the location of a base station controller which serves the target cell area;

(d) establishing a connection between a control node on the packet data network and a gateway node serving the base station controller of the target cell area;

(e) establishing a virtual conference in the control node of the packet data network between an initial call and the connection established in step (d);

(f) sending a handoff initiated response message from the original base station controller gateway upon establishment of the virtual conference;

(g) receiving a handoff completion message from the mobile in the target base station controller using the A-interface protocol; and

(h) terminating speech transmission to the original gateway node.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein managing the subscriber'"'"'s wireless mobility services includes inter-system handoff managing of the wireless call from a current cell area having a base station controller gateway with an established media channel to a target cell area, the inter-system handoff managing comprising:

maintaining a timer that will allow sufficient time for a mobile subscriber to tune from the current cell area to the target cell area;

constructing and sending a facilities directive message to a target mobile switching center gateway;

establishing a second media channel with a target mobile switching center gateway; and

simulcasting all speech to the established media channel and the second media channel until the timer expires, upon which the established media channel will cease transmitting and receiving such that only the second media channel is transmitting and receiving.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein managing the subscriber'"'"'s wireless mobility services includes inter-system handoff managing of a call from a current cell area to a target cell area, the inter-system handoff managing comprising:

mapping a pilot strength measurement message into an A-interface protocol handoff indication message of a second base station controller;

mapping the A-interface protocol handoff indication message of the second base station controller to the call control protocol utilized on the packet data network;

determining a location of a third base station controller which serves the target cell area;

establishing a connection between a fourth control node on the packet data network and a gateway node that supports trunking capabilities to a target end office wireless switch serving the target cell area;

sending a facilities directive message from the fourth control node on the packet data network to the target end office wireless switch informing the target end office wireless switch of a handoff;

establishing the wireless call from the target end office wireless switch to the current cell area;

sending a connect message to the gateway node serving the second base station controller that initiated the handoff;

sending a handoff complete message to the mobile subscriber'"'"'s base station controller using the A-interface protocol;

establishing a virtual conference in the control node of the packet data network between the initial call and the connection established by the sending a facilities directive message from the control node on the packet data network to the target end office wireless switch informing the target end office switch of the handoff;

commencing a timer in the control node of the packet data network for a duration that will ensure the mobile subscriber is tuned to the target cell area for RF transmission; and

terminating speech transmission to the gateway node upon expiration of the timer in the control node of the packet data network.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein managing the subscriber'"'"'s wireless mobility services includes intra-network handoff managing of a call from a current cell area having a base station controller gateway with an established media channel to a target cell area having a base station controller gateway, the intra-network handoff managing comprising:

establishing a media channel with the target base station controller gateway; and

simulcasting all speech to the current base station controller gateway media channel and the target base station controller gateway media channel;

signaling that the intra-network handoff is complete; and

ceasing transmitting and receiving on the current base station controller gateway media channel such that only the target base station controller gateway media channel is transmitting end receiving.

12. A method of providing wireline telephony services to packet data network protocol telephony subscribers, the method comprising:

managing the subscriber'"'"'s wireless mobility services for a packet data network call, the managing comprising;

sending a termination message to a control node on the packet data network; and

determining a service wireless base station controller; and

mapping the packet data network protocol information pertaining to the packet data network call to an end office access protocol,

such that the packet data network call can utilize all of the wireline services associated with an end office switching network wherein managing the mobility services includes call delivery managing, the call delivery managing comprising;

mapping termination messages from the access control protocol used by an end office telephony switch to a call control protocol used by the packet data network;

sending the termination messages to a control node on the data network;

determining a service wireless base station controller;

sending a routing request message to a serving switch if the serving base station controller is not on the packet data network;

providing a directory number to be used to deliver the call to the serving switch through the public switching telephone network (PSTN);

formulating, in the call control node of the packet data network, a re-directing call control message to the gateway associated with the end office telephony switch that initiated the termination;

formulating, in the gateway associated with the end office telephony switch that initiated the termination, a re-directing call control message using the access control protocol; and

re-directing the call through the public switching telephone network (PSTN) using the directory number supplied by the gateway.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein managing the subscriber'"'"'s wireless mobility services includes call origination managing, the call origination managing comprising:

(a) mapping a wireless base station controller protocol to the call control protocol utilized by the packet data network;

(b) sending call origination messages to a control node on the packet data network;

(c) sending the call origination messages to a gateway device providing access to an end office telephony switch;

(d) mapping the call control protocol of the packet data network to the end office access protocol;

(e) originating a call using the end office access protocol; and

(f) routing the call from the end office telephony switch to its destination.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising:

(a) establishing a virtual speech path on the packet data network between the wireless subscriber and the end office telephony switch; and

(b) transmitting packetized speech data in both directions on the packet data network between the wireless subscriber and the end office telephony switch.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising de-allocating the virtual speech path on the packet data network between the wireless subscriber and the end office telephony switch.

16. The method of claim 12 wherein managing the mobility services includes call termination managing, the call termination managing comprising:

mapping termination message from an end office access protocol to a call control protocol of the packet data network;

sending the termination messages to the serving wireless base station controller;

mapping the call control protocol of the packet data network to wireless control protocol of the base station controller; and

routing the call from the wireless basic station controller to its destination.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising:

(a) establishing a virtual speech path on the packet data network between the wireless subscriber and the end office telephony switch; and

(b) transmitting packetized speech data in both directions on the packet data network between the wireless subscriber and the end office telephony switch.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising de-allocating the virtual speech path on the packet data network between the wireless subscriber and the end office telephony switch.

19. A system for providing end office wireless telephony services to wireless telephony subscribers using a packet data network, the system comprising:

means for mapping a subscriber'"'"'s wireless telephony protocol to a packet data network protocol;

means for managing the subscriber'"'"'s wireless mobility services for a wireless call, the means for managing comprising means for sending call origination messages to a control node on the packet data network; and

means for mapping the packet data network protocol information pertaining to the wireless call to an end office access protocol;

such that the wireless call can utilize all of the wireline services associated with an end office telephony switching network wherein the means for managing mobility services includes means for call delivery managing, the means for call delivery managing comprising;

means for mapping termination messages from the access control protocol used by an end office telephony switch to a call control protocol used by the packet data network;

means for sending the termination messages to a control node on the data network;

means for determining a serving wireless base station controller;

means for sending a routing request message to a serving switch if the serving base station controller is not on the packet data network;

means for providing a directory number to be used to deliver the call to the serving switch through the public switching telephone network (PSTN);

means for formulating in the call control node of the packet data network, a re-directing call control message to the gateway associated with the end office telephony switch that initiated the termination;

means for formulating, in the gateway associated with the end office telephony switch that initiated the termination, a re-directing call control message using the end office access control protocol; and

means for re-directing the call through the public switching telephone network (PSTN) using the directory number supplied by the gateway.

20. The system of claim 19 wherein the means for managing mobility services includes means for call origination managing, the means for call origination managing comprising:

means for mapping a wireless bas station controller protocol to a call control protocol utilized by the packet data network;

means for sending the call origination messages to a gateway device providing access to an end office telephony switch;

means for mapping the call control protocol of the packet data network to the end office access protocol;

means for originating a call using the end office access protocol; and

means for routing the call from the end office telephony switch to its destination.

21. The system of claim 20 further comprising:

means for establishing a virtual speech path on the packet data network between the wireless subscriber and the end office telephony switch; and

means for transmitting packetized speech data in both directions on the packet data network between the wireless subscriber and the end office telephony switch.

22. The system of claim 21 further comprising means for de-allocating the virtual speech path on the packet data network between the wireless subscriber and the end office telephony switch.

23. The system of claim 19 wherein the means for managing mobility services includes means for call termination managing, the means for call termination managing comprising:

means for mapping termination messages from an end office access protocol to a call control protocol of the packet data network;

means for determining a serving wireless base station controller;

means for sending the termination messages to the serving wireless base station controller;

means for mapping the call control protocol of the packet data network to wireless control protocol of the base station controller; and

means for routing the call from the wireless base station controller to its destination.

24. The system of claim 23 further comprising:

means for establishing a virtual speech path on the packet data network between the wireless subscriber and the end office telephony switch; and

means for transmitting packetized speech data in both directions on the packet data network between the wireless subscriber and the end office telephony switch.

25. The system of claim 23 further comprising means for de-allocating the virtual speech path on the packet data network between the wireless subscriber and the end office telephony switch.

26. The system of claim 29 wherein the means for managing mobility services includes means for inter-system handoff managing of a call from a current cell area having a base station controller gateway with an established media channel to a target cell area, the means for inter-system handoff managing comprising the steps of:

means for maintaining a timer that will allow sufficient time for a mobile subscriber to tune from the current cell area to the target cell area;

means for constructing and sending a facilities directive message to a target mobile switching center gateway;

means for establishing a media channel with the target mobile switching center gateway; and

means for simulcasting all speech to the current base station controller gateway media channel and the target mobile switching center gateway media channel until the timer expires, upon which the current base station controller gateway channel will cease transmitting and receiving such that only the target mobile switching center gateway media channel is transmitting and receiving.

27. The system of claim 19 wherein the means for managing mobility services includes means for inter-system handoff managing of a call from a current cell area to a target cell area, the inter-system handoff managing comprising:

means for mapping a pilot strength measurement message into an A-interface protocol handoff indication message;

means for mapping the handoff indication message from the A-interface protocol of the base station controller to a call control protocol utilized on the packet data network;

means for determining the location of a base station controller which serves the target cell area;

means for establishing a connection between a control node on the packet data network and a gateway node that supports trunking capabilities to an end office wireless switch serving the target cell area;

means for sending a facilities directive message from the control node on the packet data network to the target end office wireless switch informing the switch of the handoff;

means for establishing a call from the target end office wireless switch to the cell serving a mobile subscriber;

means for sending a connect message to the gateway serving the base station controller that initiated the inter-system handoff;

means for sending a handoff complete message to the mobile subscriber'"'"'s base station controller using the A-interface protocol;

means for establishing a virtual conference in the control node of the packet data network between the initial call and the connection established between the control node and gateway node;

means for commencing a timer in the control node of the packet data network for a duration that will ensure the mobile subscriber is tuned to the target cell for RF transmissions; and

means for terminating speech transmission to the original gateway node upon expiration of the timer in the control node of the packet data network.

28. The system of claim 19 wherein the means for managing mobility services includes means for intra-network handoff managing of a call from a current cell area having a base station controller gateway with an established media channel to a target cell area having a base station controller gateway, the means for intra-network handoff managing comprising the steps of:

means for establishing a media channel with the target base station controller gateway; and

means for simulcasting all speech to the current base station controller gateway media channel and the target base station controller gateway media channel;

means for signaling that the intra-network handoff is complete; and

means for ceasing transmitting and receiving on the current base station controller gateway media channel such that only the target base station controller gateway media channel is transmitting and receiving.

29. The system of claim 19 wherein the means for managing mobility services includes means for intra-network handoff managing of a call from a current cell area to a target cell area, the means for intra-network handoff managing comprising:

means for mapping a pilot strength measurement message into an A-interface protocol handoff indication message;

means for mapping the handoff indication message from the A-interface protocol of the base station controller to a call control protocol utilized on the packet data network;

means for determining the location of a base station controller which serves the target cell area;

means for establishing a connection between a control node on the packet data network and a gateway node serving the base station controller of the target cell area;

means for establishing a virtual conference in the control node of the packet data network between the initial call and the connection established between the control node and gateway node;

means for sending a handoff initiated response message from the original base station controller gateway upon establishment of the virtual conference;

means for receiving a handoff completion message from the mobile in the target base station controller using the A-interface protocol; and

means for terminating speech transmission to the original gateway node.

30. A computer program product for providing end office wireline telephony services to wireless telephony subscribers using a packet data network, the computer program product having a medium with a computer program embodied thereon, the computer program product comprising:

computer program code for mapping a subscriber'"'"'s wireless telephony protocol to a packet data network protocol;

computer program code for managing the subscriber'"'"'s wireless mobility services for a wireless call, the computer program code for managing comprising computer program code for sending call origination messages to a control node on the packet data network; and

computer program code for mapping the packet data network protocol information pertaining to said wireless call to an end office access protocol,

such that the wireless call can utilize all of the wireline services associated with an end office telephony switching network wherein the computer program code for managing mobility services includes computer program code for call delivery managing, the computer code for call delivery managing comprising;

computer program code for mapping termination messages from the access control protocol used by an end office telephony switch to a call control protocol used by the packet data network;

computer program code for sending the termination messages to a control node on the data network;

computer program code for determining a serving wireless base station controller;

computer program code for sending a routing request message to a serving switch if the serving base station controller is not on the packet data network;

computer program code for providing a directory number to be used to deliver the call to the serving switch through the public switching telephone network (PSTN);

computer program code for formulating, in the call control node of the packet data network, a re-directing call control message to the gateway associated with the end office telephony switch that initiated the termination;

computer program code for formulating, in the gateway associated with the end office telephony switch that initiated the termination, a re-directing call control message using the access control protocol; and

computer program code for re-directing the call through the public switching telephone network (PSTN) using the directory number supplied by the gateway.

31. The computer program product of claim 30 wherein the computer program code for managing mobility services includes computer program code for call origination managing, the computer program code for call origination managing comprising:

computer program code for mapping a wireless base station controller protocol to a call control protocol utilized by the packet data network;

computer program code for sending the call origination messages to a gateway device providing access to an end office telephony switch;

computer program code for mapping the call control protocol of the packet data network to the end office access protocol;

computer program code for originating a call using the end office access protocol; and

computer program code for routing the call from the end office telephony switch to its destination.

32. The computer program product of claim 31 further comprising:

computer program code for establishing a virtual speech path on the packet data network between the wireless subscriber and the end office telephony switch; and

computer program code for transmitting packetized speech data in both directions on the packet data network between the wireless subscriber and the end office telephony switch.

33. The computer program product of claim 32 further comprising computer program code for de-allocating the virtual speech path on the packet data network between the wireless subscriber and the end office telephony switch.

34. The computer program product of claim 30 wherein the computer program code for managing mobility services includes computer program code for call termination managing, the computer program code for call termination managing comprising:

computer program code for mapping termination messages from an end office access protocol to a call control protocol of the packet data network;

computer program code for determining a serving wireless base station controller;

computer program code for sending the call termination messages to the serving wireless base station controller;

computer program code for mapping the call control protocol of the packet data network to wireless control protocol of the base station controller; and

computer program code for routing the call from the wireless base station controller to its destination.

35. The computer program product of claim 34 further comprising:

computer program code for establishing a virtual speech path on the packet data network between the wireless subscriber and the end office telephony switch; and

computer program code for transmitting packetized speech data in both directions on the packet data network between the wireless subscriber and the end office telephony switch.

36. The computer program product of claim 34 further comprising computer program code for de-allocating the virtual speech path on the packet data network between the wireless subscriber and the end office telephony switch.

37. The computer program product of claim 30 wherein the computer program code for managing mobility services includes computer program code for inter-system handoff managing of a call from a current cell area having a base station controller gateway with an established media channel to a target cell area, the computer program code for inter-system handoff managing comprising the steps of:

computer program code for maintaining a timer that will allow sufficient time for a mobile subscriber to tune from the current cell area to the target cell area;

computer program code for constructing and sending a facilities directive message to a target mobile switching center gateway;

computer program code for establishing a media channel with the target mobile switching center gateway; and

computer program code for simulcasting all speech to the current base station controller gateway media channel and the target mobile switching center gateway media channel until the timer expires, upon which the current base station controller gateway media channel will cease transmitting and receiving such that only the target mobile switching center gateway media channel is transmitting and receiving.

38. The computer program product of claim 30 wherein the computer program code for managing mobility services includes computer program code for inter-system handoff managing of a call from a current cell area to a target cell area, the computer program code for inter-system handoff managing comprising:

computer program code for mapping a pilot strength measurement message into an A-interface protocol handoff indication message;

computer program code for mapping the handoff indication message from the A-interface protocol of the base station controller to a call control protocol utilized on the packet data network;

computer program code for determining the location of a base station controller which serves the target cell area;

computer program code for establishing a correction between a control node on the packet data network and a gateway node that supports trunking capabilities to an end office wireless switch serving the target cell area;

computer program code for sending a facilities directive message from the control node on the packet data network to the target end office wireless switch informing the switch of the handoff;

computer program code for establishing a call from the target end office wireless switch to the cell serving a mobile subscriber;

computer program code for sending a connect message to the gateway serving the base station controller that initiated the inter-system handoff;

computer program code for sending a handoff complete message to the mobile subscriber'"'"'s base station controller using the A-interface protocol;

computer program code for establishing a virtual conference in the control node of the packet data network between the initial call and the connection established between the control node and gateway node;

computer program code for commencing a timer in the control node of the packet data network for a duration that will ensure the mobile subscriber is tuned to the target cell for RF transmission; and

computer program code for terminating speech transmission to the original gateway node upon expiration of the timer in the control node of the packet data network.

39. The computer program product of claim 30 wherein the computer program code for managing mobility services includes computer program code for intra-network handoff managing of a cell from a current cell area having a base station controller gateway with an established media channel to a target cell area having a base station controller gateway, the intra-network handoff managing comprising the steps of:

computer program code for establishing a media channel with the target base station controller gateway; and

computer program code for simulcasting all speech to the current base station controller gateway media channel and the target base station controller gateway media channel;

computer program code for signaling that the intra-network handoff is complete; and

computer program code for ceasing transmitting and receiving on the current base station controller gateway media channel such that only the target base station controller gateway media channel is transmitting and receiving.

40. The computer program product of claim 30 wherein the computer program code for managing mobility services includes computer program code for intra-network handoff managing of a call from a current cell area to a target cell area, the intra-network handoff managing comprising:

computer program code for mapping a pilot strength measurement message into an A-interface protocol handoff indication message;

computer program code for mapping the handoff indication message from the A-interface protocol of the base station controller to a call control protocol utilized on the packet data network;

computer program code for determining the location of a base station controller which serves the target cell area;

computer program code for establishing a connection between a control node on the packet data network and a gateway node serving the base station controller of the target cell area;

computer program code for establishing a virtual conference in the control node of the packet data network between the initial call and the connection established between the control node and gateway node;

computer program code for sending a handoff initiated response message from the original base station controller gateway upon establishment of the virtual conference;

computer program code for receiving a handoff completion message from the mobile in the target base station controller using the A-interface protocol; and

computer program code for terminating speech transmission to the original gateway node.