Method and network element for connecting a subscriber to a cellular telecommunication network

• US 6,973,329 B1
• Filed: 06/24/1999
• Issued: 12/06/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Hamberg, Max
• Primary Examiner(s): D AGOSTA, STEPHEN M
• Application Number:
  US09/719,070
• Time in Patent Office: 2,357 Days
• Field of Search: 455/422, 455/426.1, 455/426.2, 455/433, 455/435.1, 455/445, 455/411, 455/461, 455/552.1, 455/554.1, 455/554.2, 455/432.1, 455/432.3, 455/436, 370/310.2, 370/385, 379/220.01, 379/221.02
• US Class Current: 455/554.2
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/14 WLL [Wireless Local Loop]; RLL [Radio Local Loop]

Abstract

The present invention relates to an arrangement and a method for providing access between a number of user stations connected by ratio via a number of radio base stations (RFP) and a switching arrangement (LE) of a telecommunications network. At least one access network (AN) is provided and it connects to the switching arrangement (LE) over at least one interface. A radio access network (DRAN) comprising a number of base stations (RFP) is provided which also comprise the access network (AN). An address field of the addressing mechanism of the existing in (V5.1) between the access network (AN) and the switching arrangement (LE) is so structured that it comprises a first part for addressing base stations (RFP) and a second part for addressing/identifying selected bearer channel on the existing interface (V5.1).

Claims

1. A method for connecting a subscriber system comprising a subscriber apparatus of a user to a host mobile network, comprising the steps of:

storing, in a network element connected to the host mobile network, subscriber data corresponding to information concerning the subscriber apparatus of the user of the subscriber system, wherein the network element associates the subscriber apparatus of the user with a mobile communication means of the user on the host mobile network;

transporting user'"'"'s subscriber identity to the network element;

realizing emulation of network functions towards said host mobile network and towards said subscriber system based on said user'"'"'s subscriber identity and/or said stored subscriber data;

emulating towards said host mobile network a first desired interface by producing first signals representing signals of the host mobile network in said network element, said first desired interface being of said host mobile network;

emulating towards said subscriber system a second desired interface by producing second signals representing signals of the subscriber system in said network element, said second desired interface being of said subscriber system; and

connecting, in said network element, said second signals to the host mobile network and said first signals to said subscriber system based on said stored subscriber data.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said network element is used to emulate mobile network functions associated with mobile communication devices of the host mobile network that are not realized by the subscriber apparatus in said subscriber system.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein at least a part of said functions are functions dependent on said subscriber data.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the network element is used to receive signals from said subscriber system, which signals are coming from signal lines of which there are a certain first number, and said received signals are concentrated into signal lines of the host mobile network of which there are a certain second number such that said second number is smaller than said first number.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein said first desired interface is an interface between a base station controller and mobile switching center.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein said first desired interface is an interface between a base station controller and base station.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein said first desired interface is a radio interface between a mobile communication device and base station.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least part of host mobile network subscriber information needed by the network element is read from a database stored in the network element.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least part of host mobile network subscriber information needed by the network element is generated automatically.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein said subscriber system comprises at least one fixed telephone network.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein said subscriber system comprises at least one radio network.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein said subscriber system comprises at least one interphone network.

13. A network element for connecting a host mobile network with a subscriber apparatus of a subscriber system, comprising:

memory means for storing subscriber data corresponding to information concerning the subscriber apparatus of a user of the subscriber system, wherein the network element associates the subscriber apparatus of the user with a mobile communication means of the user on the host mobile network;

means of signaling for transporting user'"'"'s subscriber identity to the network element;

an emulation block for emulating a desired interface of network functions towards said host mobile network and towards said subscriber system based on said user'"'"'s subscriber identity and/or said stored subscriber data;

an input unit and an output unit for providing signals of the desired interface towards said host mobile network and towards said subscriber system; and

a switching block for connecting signals of said subscriber system to the host mobile network and signals of the host mobile system to said subscriber system based on said stored subscriber data.

14. The network element according to claim 13, wherein said emulation block is arranged so as to emulate mobile network functions associated with mobile communication devices of the host mobile network which are not provided by said subscriber apparatus in said subscriber system.

15. The network element according to claim 13, wherein the output unit realizes functionality according to a predetermined interface of said host mobile network.

16. The network element according to claim 15, wherein said predetermined interface is an interface between a base station controller and mobile switching center.

17. The network element according to claim 15, wherein said predetermined interface is an interface between a base station and base station controller.

18. The network element according to claim 15, wherein said predetermined interface is an interface between a mobile communication device and base station.

19. The network element according to claim 13, wherein said memory means comprises a database block for storing host mobile network subscription data corresponding to the subscriber apparatus in said subscriber system.

20. The network element according to claim 13, wherein said subscriber data corresponds to information in a subscriber identity module (SIM) of the mobile communication means of the user on the mobile network.