Cross-Technology Session Continuity via IP Address Replication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in maintaining continuous connectivity and uninterrupted application sessions when a mobile device switches between different wireless technologies, such as WiMAX and CDMA, due to differences in network access identifiers and mobile IP addresses.
Innovation Solution
A session continuity service is implemented, where a wireless device registers with a first network type, receives a mobile IP address and network access identifier, and this information is replicated across authentication servers and a service node, allowing seamless switching to a second network type by assigning the same mobile IP address and associating the appropriate network access identifier, ensuring uninterrupted sessions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a mobile device switches between different wireless technologies (e.g., WiMAX and CDMA), then network accessibility and mobility are improved, but session continuity and connectivity are lost due to differences in network access identifiers and mobile IP addresses
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by assigning a mobile IP address to the mobile station on the first wireless network before the switch occurs. The network access identifier from the first network is stored and replicated across authentication servers and service nodes in advance, so that when the mobile device switches to the second network, the pre-prepared IP address and identifier information can be immediately applied to maintain session continuity without interruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism through authentication servers and service nodes that replicate and manage network access identifiers across different wireless networks. These intermediaries facilitate the translation and mapping between different network identifiers, allowing the mobile device to switch networks while maintaining a consistent mobile IP address and uninterrupted session state across heterogeneous network environments.
2Reliability
If different network access identifiers are used for different wireless networks, then network-specific authentication is improved, but seamless switching and session maintenance are hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements universality by making the mobile IP address a universal identifier that works across multiple different wireless network types. Instead of requiring separate identification mechanisms for each network, the mobile IP address serves as a universal key that can be used for authentication and session management on both WiMAX and CDMA networks, allowing seamless switching while maintaining network-specific authentication requirements through the use of replicated network access identifiers.
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless network of a first type receives a request for network entry from a mobile station. A service continuity query is sent to a service node. A service continuity response is received from the service node. The service continuity response includes a network access identifier. The network access identifier is determined to be associated with an existing session on a wireless network of a second type. The existing session is using a mobile internet protocol address. On the wireless network of the first type, a session is assigned the mobile internet protocol address.