Method and Apparatus for Encapsulation of RANAP Messages in a Home Node B System

Abstract

Some embodiments are implemented in a communication system that includes a first communication system comprised of a licensed wireless radio access network and a core network, and a second communication system comprising a plurality of user hosted access points and a network controller. In some embodiments, each access point operates using short range licensed wireless frequencies to establish a service region. In some embodiments, the network controller communicatively couples the core network to the plurality of access points. The method creates a data structure comprised of a header with a core network domain identity and a context identifier, and payload data which contains the RANAP message.

Description

CLAIM OF BENEFIT TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 61 / 046,401, entitled “Mechanisms to Relay or Transfer RANAP Messages between 3G Home Node-B and the Core Network via the Home Node-B Gateway”, filed Apr. 18, 2008; U.S. Provisional Application 61 / 055,961, entitled “Mechanisms to Transport RANAP Messages between 3G Home Node-B and the Core Network via the Home Node-B Gateway”, filed May 23, 2008; U.S. Provisional Application 61 / 058,912, entitled “Transport of RANAP Messages over the Iuh Interface”, filed Jun. 4, 2008; U.S. Provisional Application 61 / 080,227, entitled “HNB System Architecture”, filed Jul. 11, 2008; and U.S. Provisional Application 61 / 101,148, entitled, “Support for Closer Subscriber Group (CSG) in Femtocell System”, filed Sep. 29, 2008. The contents of Provisional Applications 61 / 046,401, 61 / 055,961, 61 / 058,912, 61 / 080,227, and 61 / 101,148 are hereby incorporated by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013]The network controller of some embodiments seamlessly integrates each of the short range licensed wireless service regions with the core network. In some such embodiments, the network controller seamlessly integrates with the core network by using existing Iu interfaces of the core network to communicatively couple each of the service regions to the core network. Accordingly, the network controller of some embodiments uses standardized messaging and protocols to communicate with the core network while utilizing HNB-AN messaging and protocols to communicate with each of the service regions. In this manner, the network controller of some embodiments reduces deployment costs of the HNB-AN within the UMTS core network. Specifically, deployment of the network controller of some embodiments requires no change to the UMTS core network while still providing HNB wireless service that combines the mobility of licensed wireless networks with the quality and speed of landline / broadband services. In some embodiments, the network controllers take on some of the functionality of a traditional Radio Network Controller (RNC).

[0014]Additionally, the access points of some embodiments seamlessly integrate with existing user equipment (UE) of the licensed wireless radio access networks of the second communication system. In this manner, the access points reduce deployment costs of the HNB-AN, as users are able to utilize existing UE in order to wirelessly communicate through either the first communication system or the second communication system where the first communication system combines the wireless mobility afforded by the licensed wireless radio access network of the second communication system with the speed and quality of service afforded by landline / broadband services. In some embodiments, the access points are functionally equivalent to a Node-B of the UTRAN while having the flexibility and lower deployment costs associated with an ad-hoc and user hosted service region. In some embodiments, the access points take on some the functionality of a traditional Radio Network Controller (RNC).

[0018]Some embodiments provide a computer readable storage medium of an access point that stores a computer program. The computer program includes instructions that are executable by one or more processors. In some embodiments, the computer program includes a set of instruction for generating a message to send to the network controller to explicitly indicate start of a communication session with the network controller. The message includes a Radio Access Network Application Part (RANAP) message for establishing a signaling connection with the network controller. The computer program also includes a set of instructions for passing a set of RANAP messages to the core network through the network controller after establishing the signaling connection. The set of RANAP messages facilitates communications between the particular access point and the core network.

[0024]Some embodiments provide emergency responders the ability to locate a position of an emergency caller when the caller places the emergency request through a service area of the first communication system. More specifically, some embodiments provide a method whereby unauthorized UEs are still permitted limited service to the first communication system in order to establish an emergency call when in a service region of the first communication system. The method includes receiving, at a particular access point, a service request from a UE indicating that the UE is requesting emergency services. The particular access point then performs a registration procedure with the network controller that indicates that the purpose of the registration is to request emergency services for the UE. The method includes receiving a registration accept message with a context identifier to be used by the UE in order to access limited services of the first communication system, specifically, emergency services.

Problems solved by technology

The wireless transport mechanisms and frequencies employed by typical licensed wireless systems limit both data transfer rates and range.

However, with each upgrade iteration (e.g., 3G to 4G), the licensed wireless system providers incur substantial costs from licensing additional bandwidth spectrum to upgrading the existing radio network equipment or core network equipment.

Users also incur equipment costs with each iterative upgrade of the licensed wireless network as new user equipment is needed to take advantage of the new services or improved services of the upgraded network.

The problem with landline connections is that they constrain the mobility of a user.

However, other UMA associated costs remained an obstacle to the large scale adoption of UMA.

Images