Methods of incorporating an AD HOC cellular network into a fixed cellular network

• US 9,622,253 B2
• Filed: 06/23/2014
• Issued: 04/11/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 02/17/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Parallel Wireless, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Parallel Wireless, Inc.
• Inventors: Mishra, Rajesh Kumar, Papa, Steven Paul, Agarwal, Kaitki, Donepudi, Sridhar, Raval, Kartik Shashikant
• Primary Examiner(s): Pham, Brenda H
• Application Number:
  US14/311,765
• Publication Number:
  US 20140301327A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,023 Days
• Field of Search: 370349, 3703102, 370328, 370338
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/4633 Interconnection of networks using encapsulation techniques, e.g. tunneling
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/6418 Hybrid transport
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/66 Arrangements for connecting between networks having differing types of switching systems, e.g. gateways
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/00 Network planning, e.g. coverage or traffic planning tools; Network deployment, e.g. resource partitioning or cells structures
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/14 Spectrum sharing arrangements between different networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/08 Testing, supervising or monitoring using real traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/18 Negotiating wireless communication parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/04 Reselecting a cell layer in multi-layered cells
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/30 by measured or perceived connection quality data
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/04 based on wireless node resources
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/20 Control channels or signalling for resource management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/542 using measured or perceived quality
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 74/00 Wireless channel access
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/02 Hierarchically pre-organised networks, e.g. paging networks, cellular networks, WLAN [Wireless Local Area Network] or WLL [Wireless Local Loop]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/14 Backbone network devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/02 Inter-networking arrangements

Abstract

In this invention, we disclose methods directed toward integrating an ad hoc cellular network into a fixed cellular network. The methods disclosed herein automate the creation and integration of these networks. In additional embodiments, we disclose methods for establishing a stand-alone, ad hoc cellular network. In either of these implementations, we integrate or establish an ad hoc cellular network using mobile ad hoc cellular base stations configured to transmit and receive over a variety of frequencies, protocols, and duplexing schemes. The methods flexibly and dynamically choose an access or backhaul configuration and radio characteristics to optimize network performance. Additional embodiments provide for enhancing an existing network'"'"'s coverage as needed, establishing a local network in the event of a loss of backhaul coverage to the core network, and providing local wireless access service within the ad hoc cellular network.

Claims

1. A method of establishing an ad hoc cellular network, comprising:

receiving a data packet from a first ad hoc cellular base station at a second ad hoc cellular base station;

extracting, at the second ad hoc cellular base station, a tunnel overhead packet from the data packet so as to create a modified data packet;

storing, at the second ad hoc cellular base station, the tunnel overhead packet in a memory;

forwarding the modified data packet to a local packet gateway (LGW) located at the second ad hoc cellular base station;

receiving, at the first ad hoc cellular base station, an acknowledgement from the second ad hoc cellular base station;

anchoring an IP session of the first ad hoc cellular base station at the second ad hoc cellular base station; and

routing IP traffic received from the first ad hoc cellular base station at the second ad hoc cellular base station to a local IP packet data network.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the data packet is an initial attach request and the received acknowledgement indicates that establishment of a bearer is complete.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the modified data packet is forwarded to an evolved packet core.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising the ad hoc cellular network providing situational awareness to a local user with a software application or a central database by providing at least one of:

a location of an ad hoc cellular base station, a direction of travel of an ad hoc cellular base station, a mobility parameter for an ad hoc cellular base station, an environmental parameter for an ad hoc cellular base station, a coverage map of an ad-hoc cellular base station, an environmental parameter of a fixed base station, an operational parameter of a fixed base station, a location of a fixed base station, or a location of a user.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

monitoring a quality of a backhaul connection to a core network to determine if it falls below a threshold parameter;

providing a local limited core network to the first ad hoc cellular base station if the quality of the backhaul connection falls below the threshold parameter, further comprising the steps of;

providing, at the first ad hoc cellular base station, a limited set of core network functionality to a user equipment on an access channel;

Receiving an authentication information from a core network database having core authentication information stored therein;

Storing the authentication information into a memory; and

Using the authentication information to authenticate the user equipment.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

managing the first and second ad hoc cellular base stations; and

providing a voice-over-IP application via the first and second ad hoc cellular base stations, wherein the voice-over-IP application is push-to-talk, peer-to-peer communication, an ad hoc user nationwide dialing plan, an ad hoc user international dialing plan, conference calling, or a speed dial list.

7. The method of claim 5 further comprising:

detecting, at the first ad hoc cellular base station, a third ad hoc cellular base station having a limited core network functionality; and

via a wired connection or a wireless connection, exchanging messaging information with the second ad hoc cellular base station.

8. The method of claim 5 further comprising:

determining if the quality of the backhaul connection to the core network exceeds the threshold parameter; and

synchronizing the authentication information stored in the memory with the core network database.

9. A method of integrating an ad hoc cellular base station into a fixed cellular network comprising:

receiving a data packet from a first ad hoc cellular base station at a second ad hoc cellular base station;

extracting, at the second ad hoc cellular base station, a tunnel overhead packet from the data packet so as to create a modified data packet;

storing, at the second ad hoc cellular base station, the tunnel overhead packet in a memory;

forwarding the modified data packet to a local packet gateway (LGW) located at the second ad hoc cellular base station;

receiving, at the first ad hoc cellular base station, an acknowledgement from the second ad hoc cellular base station; and

anchoring an Internet Protocol (IP) session to an external cellular network of the first ad hoc cellular base station at the second ad hoc cellular base station, thereby establishing a wireless backhaul connection for the first ad hoc cellular base station via the second ad hoc cellular base station.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the data packet is an initial attach request and the received acknowledgement indicates that establishment of a bearer is complete.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein the modified data packet is forwarded to an evolved packet core.

12. The method of claim 9, further comprising the ad hoc cellular network providing situational awareness to a local user with a software application or a central database by providing at least one of:

a location of an ad hoc cellular base station, a direction of travel of an ad hoc cellular base station, a mobility parameter for an ad hoc cellular base station, an environmental parameter for an ad hoc cellular base station, a coverage map of an ad-hoc cellular base station, an environmental parameter of a fixed base station, an operational parameter of a fixed base station, a location of a fixed base station, or a location of a user.

13. The method of claim 9 further comprising:

monitoring a quality of a backhaul connection to a core network to determine if it falls below a threshold parameter;

providing a local limited core network via the first and second ad hoc cellular base stations if the backhaul connection falls below the threshold parameter by;

providing, at the first ad hoc cellular base station, a limited set of core network functionality to a user equipment on an access channel;

receiving an authentication information from a core network database having core authentication information stored therein;

storing the authentication information into a memory; and

using the authentication information to authenticate the user equipment.

14. The method of claim 9 further comprising:

managing the first and second ad hoc cellular base stations; and

providing a voice-over-IP application via the first and second ad hoc cellular base stations, wherein the voice-over-IP application is push-to-talk, peer-to-peer communication, an ad hoc user nationwide dialing plan, an ad hoc user international dialing plan, conference calling, or a speed dial list.

15. The method of claim 13 further comprising:

detecting, at the first ad hoc cellular base station, a third ad hoc cellular base station having a limited core network functionality; and

via a wired connection or a wireless connection, exchanging messaging information with the second ad hoc cellular base station.

16. The method of claim 13 further comprising:

determining if the quality of the backhaul connection to the core network exceeds the threshold parameter; and

synchronizing the authentication information stored in the memory with the core network database.