Method and system for providing an integrated functional topology for wireless and wireline communication networks

• US 6,967,971 B1
• Filed: 11/09/1999
• Issued: 11/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited (Nortel Networks Corporation)
• Inventors: Elliott, Stephen B., Basu, Kalyan K., Lauson, Dave, Mizell, Jerry, Tseng, Stone
• Primary Examiner(s): Chin, Wellington
• Assistant Examiner(s): Fox, Jamal A.
• Application Number:
  US09/436,008
• Time in Patent Office: 2,205 Days
• Field of Search: 370/395, 370/328, 370/252, 370/400, 370/310.2, 370/466, 370/352, 370/353, 370/354, 370/355, 370/349, 370/310.1, 370/316, 370319-321, 370/337, 370/342, 370/344, 370/347, 370/431, 370/442, 370/441, 370/465, 370/467, 370/469, 370/401, 370/398, 370/235, 370/230, 370/231, 455/426, 455/552, 455/553, 709/232, 709/226, 709/244
• US Class Current: 370/466
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/5601 Transfer mode dependent, e.g. ATM
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/5607 Radio
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/5618 Bridges, gateways [GW] or interworking units [IWU]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/5665 Interaction of ATM with other protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/18 Information format or content conversion, e.g. adaptation by the network of the transmitted or received information for the purpose of wireless delivery to users or terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/02 Communication route or path selection, e.g. power-based or shortest path routing

Abstract

An asynchronous transfer mode infrastructure is integrated with the communications network. The asynchronous transfer mode infrastructure is composed of an asynchronous transfer mode fabric and asynchronous transfer mode gateway. Wireless and wireline data are linked to the communications network via the asynchronous transfer mode infrastructure, such that all wireless and wireline data transactions within the communications network are processed independently of any switching devices present within the communications network. Wireless and wireline data is transmitted to and from the communications network via a network access function that allows wireless and wireline data to flow to and from the communications network. The wireless and wireline data is converted within the network access function in response to transmittal of the wireless and wireline data to the network access function. The wireless and wireline data is then transferred to the asynchronous transfer mode infrastructure from the network access function.

Claims

1. A method for efficiently integrating wireless and wireline functions within a communications network, comprising the steps of:

integrating an asynchronous transfer mode infrastructure with said communications network;

linking said wireless and wireline functions to and from said communications network by transferring said wireless and wireline data to said asynchronous transfer mode infrastructure from a network access function within a network edge switch; and

transmitting both wireless and wireline data to said network access function to allow wireless and wireline data to flow to and from said communications network;

determining target recipients for each wireless and wireline data received in a first communication protocol; and

converting within said network access function said wireless and wireline data to a second communication protocol appropriate for said target recipient.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

utilizing multiple functions within said network access function for consolidating and interfacing signal traffic to and from said communications network.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of integrating an asynchronous transfer mode infrastructure with said communications network, further comprises:

integrating an asynchronous transfer mode infrastructure with said communications network, wherein said asynchronous transfer mode infrastructure comprises an asynchronous transfer mode fabric interfaced with an asynchronous transfer mode gateway.

4. A system for efficiently integrating wireless and wireline functions within a communications network, comprising:

said communications network;

an asynchronous transfer mode infrastructure for transmitting signals within said communications network;

a network edge switch for linking said wireless and wireline functions to and from said communications network by transfer said wireless and wireline data to said asynchronous transfer mode infrastructure from a network access function within said network edge switch;

transmitting means for transmitting both wireless and wireline data to said network access function to allow wireless and wireline data to flow to and from said communications network;

means for determining target recipients for each wireless and wireline data received in a first communication protocol; and

means for converting within said network access function said wireless and wireline data to a second communication protocol appropriate for said target recipient.

5. The system of claim 4, further comprising:

multiple functions within said network access function for consolidating and interfacing signal traffic to and from said communications network.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein integrating an asynchronous transfer mode infrastructure with said communications network, further comprises:

integrating an asynchronous transfer mode infrastructure with said communications network,

wherein said asynchronous transfer mode infrastructure comprises an asynchronous transfer mode fabric interfaced with an asynchronous transfer mode gateway.

7. A program of instructions, the instructions stored on a computer readable media associated with a telecommunication system for efficiently integrating wireless and wireline functions within a communications network, comprising:

instructions within said computer readable media for integrating an asynchronous transfer mode instructions with said communications network;

instructions within said computer readable media for linking said wireless and wireline functions to and from said communications network by transferring said wireless and wireline data to said asynchronous transfer mode infrastructure from a network access function within a network edge switch;

instructions within said computer readable media for transmitting both wireless and wireline data to said network access function to allow wireless and wireline data to flow to and from said communications network;

instructions within said computer readable media for determining target recipients for each wireless and wireline data received in a first communication protocol; and

instructions within said computer readable media for converting within said network access function said wireless and wireline data to a second communication protocol appropriate for a target recipient.

8. The program of instructions of claim 7, further comprising:

instructions within said computer readable media for utilizing multiple functions within said network access function for consolidating and interfacing signal traffic to and from said communications network.

9. The program of instructions of claim 7, wherein instructions for integrating an asynchronous transfer mode infrastructure with said communications network, further comprises:

instruction with said computer readable media for integrating an asynchronous transfer mode infrastructure with said communications network, wherein said asynchronous transfer mode infrastructure comprises an asynchronous transfer mode fabric interfaced with asynchronous transfer mode gateway.