Interworking Unit for Wireless Inter-Network Handoff
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current techniques for inter-network handoffs between wireless communication networks, such as those using different radio access technologies, require complex standardization and dual-radio capabilities, limiting the use of low-cost terminal hardware and increasing design impacts on existing networks.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system that uses a generic transmission tunnel between network nodes to facilitate handoffs, allowing signaling messages to be translated and relayed between dissimilar networks, enabling seamless handoffs with minimal changes to the source and target networks, using Layer 2 or Layer 3 tunneling mechanisms and an Interworking Unit (IWU) to handle mobility management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If dual-radio capability is used to enable inter-network handoffs, then handoff preparation can be conducted by access terminals, but terminal hardware complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an Interworking Unit (IWU) as an intermediary component that enables handoff preparation between dissimilar networks without requiring dual-radio terminals. The IWU acts as a mediator between the access terminal and the target network, translating signaling messages and facilitating resource preparation. This allows single-radio terminals to perform inter-network handoffs by leveraging the IWU's translation and relay capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs signaling message translation and encapsulation mechanisms that effectively create a virtual copy of the target network's signaling protocol. By translating source network signaling into target network-compatible messages through the IWU, the system replicates the functionality of dual-radio terminals without requiring physical dual-radio hardware in the access terminal.
2Adaptability or versatility
If an interface between mobility management entities is provided for handoff preparation, then resource preparation at target network is enabled, but standardization complexity and network modification requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the Interworking Unit with universal functionality to handle multiple network types and signaling protocols. The IWU can translate signaling messages between different radio access technologies (e.g., HRPD to E-UTRAN), making it a multi-functional component that reduces the need for network-specific interfaces. This universal approach simplifies standardization by creating a single translation layer rather than requiring multiple dedicated interfaces between different mobility management entities.
Solution Approach 2:
The IWU serves as an intermediary that sits between the access terminal and the target network's mobility management entity. It translates and relays signaling messages, enabling handoff preparation without requiring direct standardized interfaces between different network types. This intermediary approach reduces standardization complexity by centralizing the translation function in the IWU rather than requiring bilateral standardization between each network pair.
3Adaptability or versatility
If complex standardization effort is undertaken among different radio technologies, then inter-network handoffs can be enabled, but implementation feasibility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the Interworking Unit as an intermediary layer that handles the complexity of protocol translation and adaptation. By centralizing this functionality in the IWU, the system avoids the need for complex bilateral standardization between each pair of radio technologies. The IWU manages the signaling message translation, making the implementation more feasible by reducing the standardization burden on individual network operators.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a virtual copy of the target network's signaling protocol through the IWU's translation capabilities. Instead of requiring actual standardized interfaces between different radio technologies, the IWU encapsulates and translates signaling messages, effectively copying the target network's protocol behavior. This approach makes implementation more feasible by replacing complex standardization with a manageable translation mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate inter-network handoff in a wireless communication system. Various aspects described herein provide for handoff techniques that enable a target system to be prepared by an access terminal via a source system in order to minimize specific changes required to source system and/or target system. Techniques are described herein in which the protocols of a source system can be utilized with an interworking unit to tunnel signaling messages which are in a format understood by a target network.