Methods and apparatus for controlling resource allocation where tunneling and access link packet aggregation are used in combination

• US 7,474,650 B2
• Filed: 12/18/2003
• Issued: 01/06/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: O'Neill, Alan
• Primary Examiner(s): Orgad; Edan
• Assistant Examiner(s): Haliyur; Venkatesh
• Application Number:
  US10/739,579
• Publication Number:
  US 20040170156A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,846 Days
• Field of Search: 370/328, 370/338, 370/349, 370/351, 370/389, 370/392, 370/401, 370/313, 370/352, 455/437, 455/439, 455/445
• US Class Current: 370/349
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 3/24 in which the allocation is indicated by an address the different channels being transmitted sequentiallyH04J3/17 takes precedence; in computers G06F12/00, G06F13/00 code multiplex systems H04J13/00; selecting techniques H04Q; relay systems H04B7/14
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/189 in combination with wireless systems selective distribution or broadcast in wireless communication networks H04W4/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/28 characterised by path configuration, e.g. LAN [Local Area Networks] or WAN [Wide Area Networks] wireless communication networks H04W ; arrangements for dividing the transmission path H04W40/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/4633 Interconnection of networks using encapsulation techniques, e.g. tunneling
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/0247 based on conditions of the access network or the infrastructure network central resource management H04W28/16
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/06 Optimizing the usage of the radio link, e.g. header compression, information sizing , discarding information system modifying transmission characteristic according to link quality by modifying frame length H04L1/0007; dynamic adaptation of the packet size for flow control or congestion control H04L47/365
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/23 in the downlink direction of a wireless link, i.e. towards a terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/005 Data network PoA devices

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for aggregating IP packets over an access link between a wireless access router and a core node and for managing resource allocation to access link packet aggregates, e.g., as a function of the status of wireless communications links used to couple mobile nodes to the access router are described. Improved aggregate resource control messages and use of such messages are described. Some of the new messages allow aggregate resources for both upstream and downstream aggregates to be controlled in a single message. A single message may include information corresponding to multiple aggregates and/or multiple constituent flows included in an aggregate with aggregate direction information being included. Use of tunnels to communicate management messages, e.g., messages used to control resource allocation to aggregates is also described. Propagation of access link aggregate information is communicated to tunnel end nodes which generate packets that are communicated over the access link.

Claims

1. A communications method for use in a communications system including an access node and at least one mobile node, a communications path extending between said at least one mobile node and said access node, said communications path including a wireless communications link, the communications system further including a first network node coupled to said access node by an access link and a second network node coupled to said first network node, a first packet tunnel extending between said second network node and one of said access node and said mobile node, said first packet tunnel passing through said first network node and over said access link, said first packet tunnel being used to communicate at least one packet tunnel constituent packet flow, the method comprising:

storing packet classification information in said access node, said packet classification information including;

i) information used to identify packets corresponding to said first packet tunnel, ii) information used to identify packets corresponding to a first access link packet aggregate, and iii) information defining a mapping between packet tunnels and access link aggregates to be used for routing packets between said packet tunnels and said access link aggregates, said information including information indicating a mapping between said first packet tunnel and said first access link packet aggregate; and

operating the access node to communicate said packet classification information to the first network node.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said second network node is a mobile IP home agent node and wherein said first packet tunnel is used to direct packets from said Home Agent node to mobile nodes attached to said access node.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said first packet tunnel identification information is the same as said first access link packet aggregate identification information, matching of said first packet tunnel identification information and said first access link packet aggregate identification information indicating a mapping between said first packet tunnel and said first access link packet aggregate.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

operating at least one of said first network node and said access node to;

receive a packet corresponding to said first packet tunnel; and

modify said received packet to include information matching said first access link packet aggregate classification information.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

operating the access node to communicate at least some of said packet classification information to the second network node, the communicated packet classification information including information indicating packet header content that should be added to packets being routed into said first packet tunnel so that said routed packets will be classified by the first network node as corresponding to said access link packet aggregate.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

operating the access node to communicate at least some of said packet classification information to the mobile node, the communicated packet classification information including information indicating packet header content that should be added to packets being routed into said first packet tunnel so that said packets will be classified by the access node as corresponding to said first packet tunnel.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

operating the access node to control the resources available for communicating said first packet tunnel over said first access link by transmitting a resource management signal to said first network node.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

operating said access node to generate said resource management signal in response to one of;

i) packet flow admission control event information received in a tunnel aggregate dedicated to communicating packet flow admission control information; and

ii) resource management information included in resource management signals used to control resources associated with at least one packet tunnel.

9. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

storing additional packet classification information in said access node, said additional packet classification information including;

i) information used to identify packets corresponding to a second packet tunnel, and ii) information used to identify packets corresponding to a second access link packet aggregate; and

operating the access node to communicate said additional packet classification information to the first network node.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said first and second packet tunnels carry packets in the downstream direction;

and

wherein said first access link packet aggregate and said second access link packet aggregate carry packets in the downstream direction.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein said first packet tunnel carries packets in the downstream direction and said second packet tunnel carries packets in the upstream direction;

and

wherein said first access link packet aggregate carries packets in the downstream direction and said second access link packet aggregate carries packets in the upstream direction.

12. A communications system for use with a mobile node comprising:

an access node, a communications path extending between said mobile node and said access node, said communications path including a wireless communications link;

a first network node coupled to said access node by an access link;

a second network node coupled to said first network node, a first packet tunnel extending between said second network node and one of said access node and said mobile node, said first packet tunnel passing through said first network node and over said access link, said first packet tunnel being used to communicate at least one packet tunnel constituent packet flow;

said access node including means for storing packet classification information, said packet classification information including;

i) information used to identify packets corresponding to said first packet tunnel, and ii) information used to identify packets corresponding to a first access link packet aggregate;

said access node further including means for using said stored information to map packets received from said first packet tunnel to said first access link packet aggregate; and

means for transmitting a packet received from said first packet tunnel through said first access link packet aggregate.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein said access node further includes:

means for communicating said packet classification information to the first network node.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein said access node further includes:

means for receiving a packet corresponding to said first packet tunnel; and

means for modifying said received packet to include information matching said first access link packet aggregate classification information.

15. A computer readable medium embodying computer executable instructions for controlling an access node to implement a communications method in a communications system including said access node and at least one mobile node, a communications path extending between said at least one mobile node and said access node, said communications path including a wireless communications link, the communications system further including a first network node coupled to said access node by an access link and a second network node coupled to said first network node, a first packet tunnel extending between said second network node and one of said access node and said mobile node, said first packet tunnel passing through said first network node and over said access link, said first packet tunnel being used to communicate at least one packet tunnel constituent packet flow, the method comprising:

storing packet classification information in said access node, said packet classification information including;

i) information used to identify packets corresponding to said first packet tunnel, and ii) information used to identify packets corresponding to a first access link packet aggregate, and iii) information indicating a mapping between said first packet tunnel and said first access link packet aggregate; and

communicating said packet classification information to the first network node.

16. The computer readable medium of claim 15, wherein said second network node is a mobile IP home agent node and wherein said first packet tunnel is used to direct packets from said Home Agent node to mobile nodes attached to said access node.

17. A device for use in an access node, said device comprising a processor configured to control said access node to implement a communications method in a communications system including said access node and at least one mobile node, a communications path extending between said at least one mobile node and said access node, said communications path including a wireless communications link, the communications system further including a first network node coupled to said access node by an access link and a second network node coupled to said first network node, a first packet tunnel extending between said second network node and one of said access node and said mobile node, said first packet tunnel passing through said first network node and over said access link, said first packet tunnel being used to communicate at least one packet tunnel constituent packet flow, the method comprising:

storing packet classification information in said access node, said packet classification information including;

i) information used to identify packets corresponding to said first packet tunnel, ii) information used to identify packets corresponding to a first access link packet aggregate, and iii) information indicating a mapping between said first packet tunnel and said first access link packet aggregate; and

communicating said packet classification information to the first network node.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein said second network node is a mobile IP home agent node and wherein said first packet tunnel is used to direct packets from said Home Agent node to mobile nodes attached to said access node.

19. An access node for use in a communications system including said access node and at least one mobile node, a communications path extending between said at least one mobile node and said access node, said communications path including a wireless communications link, the communications system further including a first network node coupled to said access node by an access link and a second network node coupled to said first network node, a first packet tunnel extending between said second network node and one of said access node and said mobile node, said first packet tunnel passing through said first network node and over said access link, said first packet tunnel being used to communicate at least one packet tunnel constituent packet flow, said access node comprising:

a memory for storing packet classification information, said packet classification information including;

i) information used to identify packets corresponding to said first packet tunnel, and ii) information used to identify packets corresponding to a first access link packet aggregate;

a classifier module for using said stored information to map packets received from said first packet tunnel to said first access link packet aggregate; and

a transmitter for transmitting a packet received from said first packet tunnel through said first access link packet aggregate.

20. The access node of claim 19, further comprising:

an interface for communicating said packet classification information to the first network node.

21. The access node of claim 20, further comprising:

a receiver for receiving a packet corresponding to said first packet tunnel; and

a processing module for modifying said received packet to include information matching said first access link packet aggregate classification information.