Network-based micro mobility in cellular networks using extended virtual private LAN service

Abstract

A new architecture provides network-based mobility in cellular networks that is built on Internet Protocol (IP)/Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) technologies, such as Virtual Private Local Area Network (LAN) Service (VPLS), the Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) and BGP MPLS Layer 3 Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). The architecture consists of several building blocks that provide functionality for different aspects of cellular network mobility. One building block is network-based macro mobility in IP/MPLS networks. The macro mobility techniques described herein are built on extensions to a routing protocol such as BGP. Another building block relates to transferring subscriber context between network devices while preserving the IP address of the subscriber. The techniques described herein provide a subscriber context transfer mechanism for mobile subscriber management that is built on extensions to a routing protocol such as BGP. Another building block of the mobility architecture is network-based micro mobility based on VPLS.

Description

[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 143,993, filed Jan. 12, 2009, the entire content of which is incorporated by reference herein.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]The invention relates to networks and, more particularly, to cellular networks.BACKGROUND[0003]A cellular network is a collection of cells that each includes at least one base station capable of transmitting and relaying signals to subscriber's mobile devices. A “cell” generally denotes a distinct area of a cellular network that utilizes a particular frequency or range of frequencies for transmission of data. A typical base station is a tower to which are affixed a number of antennas that transmit and receive the data over the particular frequency. Mobile devices, such as cellular or mobile phones, smart phones, camera phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs) and laptop computers, may initiate or otherwise transmit a signal at the designated frequency to the base station in order to initi...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0018]The embodiments described herein can be integrated with various wireless access technologies, including WiMax and LTE. In addition, a subset of the embodiments can be integrated with 3G for IP data traffic. The embodiments described herein provide Micro Mobility in a WiMax network that uses IP/MPLS for mobile backhaul by re-using, with extensions as required, the IP/MPLS mechanisms. For example, mi

Problems solved by technology

As a result, routers and other network devices that do not support the extension may ignore the encoded mobile subscriber reachability in

Images