Integrated Chassis Handoff Between Access Technologies
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in seamlessly transitioning mobile nodes between different access technologies, such as CDMA, GSM, GPRS, UMTS, WiFi, and WiMAX, leading to service disruptions and inefficiencies in network handoffs.
Innovation Solution
An integrated chassis system that manages handoffs between access technologies by using an integrated session manager and access technology demux manager to maintain continuous communication, preserving identification information and providing uninterrupted service through intra-technology and inter-technology handoffs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If mobile nodes use single technology devices (e.g., WiFi card or CDMA phone), then device simplicity is maintained, but service continuity and coverage are limited when transitioning between technologies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal session manager that can handle multiple access technologies (CDMA, WiFi, WiMAX, etc.) through a single integrated chassis. The session manager maintains technology-agnostic session states and identification information, allowing mobile nodes to seamlessly transition between different access technologies without requiring complex multi-mode device configurations. This universal approach enables service continuity while keeping the core network infrastructure relatively simple.
2Adaptability or versatility
If handoff between different access technologies is implemented, then service options and network coverage are improved, but session management complexity and identification tracking difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an access technology demux manager as an intermediary component that sits between the session manager and multiple access technology stacks. This demux manager receives identification information from mobile nodes regardless of access technology, determines the appropriate session manager, and routes the communication accordingly. This intermediary layer abstracts the complexity of multi-technology handoff management, allowing service providers to offer diverse service plans and access options while maintaining streamlined session management through standardized identification tracking.
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and methods for providing a handoff between technologies are disclosed. An intra-technology handoff occurs where the same integrated chassis handles the session for the different access technologies. In an intra-technology handoff, the same IP address and the session can be maintained through the handoff. The mobile node can undergo a handoff without issuing a registration request in some embodiments. An inter-technology handoff occurs from one integrated chassis to another integrated chassis. The integrated chassis can preserve session and context information in a session manager and in a handoff from one access technology to another the same session manager can be chosen with the session and context information remaining intact even though the access technology has changed. The integrated chassis can provide an access technology handoff where the core network does not notice any change and applications running on or delivered to the mobile node are not effected.