SMS Interworking Gateway for Cross-Network Messaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current network operators can only offer Short Message Services (SMS) to users within the same technology network, limiting inter-technology messaging between CDMA and GSM networks, among others.
Innovation Solution
A mobile network node with pseudo elements operating with foreign network protocols, such as a pseudo HLR and pseudo MSC, facilitates communication between networks through a short message interworking gateway, enabling bi-directional transfer of SMS messages across different technologies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a network operator uses its own native protocol for SMS services, then service reliability within the network is improved, but interoperability with foreign networks is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a gateway as an intermediary component that sits between the home network and foreign networks. This gateway translates SMS messages between different protocols (e.g., CDMA and GSM), allowing the home network to maintain its native protocol while communicating with foreign networks using their respective protocols. The gateway acts as a mediator that resolves the protocol incompatibility without requiring the home network to change its native protocol.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by dynamically adjusting protocol parameters at the gateway level. When receiving an SMS from a foreign network, the gateway modifies the message parameters to match the home network's protocol requirements, and vice versa when sending messages outward. This parameter transformation enables protocol adaptation without changing the core network architecture.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a mobile network node implements pseudo network elements to support foreign protocols, then network interoperability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complex protocol conversion function into a separate gateway component rather than integrating it into the core network elements. By dividing the system into home network elements and a foreign network interface gateway, the complexity is localized to the gateway while keeping the home network elements relatively simple and technology-specific.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway serves as an intermediary layer that handles all protocol conversion and translation activities. This mediator absorbs the complexity of supporting multiple foreign protocols, shielding the home network from the complexity of interoperability while providing unified access to multiple network types.
3Device complexity
If SMS services are limited to same-technology networks, then network architecture simplicity is maintained, but service coverage is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway is designed with universal functionality to support multiple foreign network protocols simultaneously. It can interface with GSM, CDMA, and other network types through a single unified component, allowing the home network to provide SMS services to subscribers of various technologies without requiring separate specialized infrastructure for each network type.
Solution Approach 2:
By introducing the gateway as a universal intermediary, the patent enables the home network to maintain its architectural simplicity while achieving broad service coverage across different technologies. The gateway handles all protocol translation and adaptation, allowing the home network to remain technology-specific while still serving multi-technology users.
Data Source
AI summary
A virtual mobile node (22) has a pseudo HLR (23) and a pseudo MSC (24). It transfers an SMS message between an entity in a foreign mobile network having a different technology to an SMS entity connected to the local network. The pseudo HLR and MSC are both located in the home network but operate with the protocol of the foreign network. Thus, communication between the home and foreign networks is via SS7 signalling.