Tunnel Switching Intermediary for Wireless Network Transitions
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current techniques for managing network transitions between 3GPP cellular and WLAN systems, such as Mobile IP, lead to increased signaling traffic, tunnel switching delays, and security risks due to direct involvement of the mobile station in control signaling and the need for network node address information.
Innovation Solution
A communication apparatus and method that relay tunnel switch requests from a mobile station to a transfer apparatus only after successful authentication, allowing the apparatus to manage tunnel switching between radio networks, thereby reducing radio resource usage, switching delays, and enhancing network security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the mobile station directly transmits control signaling for tunnel switching to the packet transfer apparatus, then the mobile station can control the tunnel switching process, but the signaling traffic load in the radio communication zone increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a communication apparatus (access point or base station) as an intermediary between the mobile station and the packet transfer apparatus. This intermediary handles the tunnel switching control signaling, thereby reducing the signaling traffic load in the radio communication zone while still enabling the mobile station to control the tunnel switching process through the intermediary.
2Ease of operation
If the mobile station implements tunnel switching control function, then the mobile station can manage its own routing, but the tunnel switching processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The communication apparatus performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing tunnel parameters and routing information before the actual tunnel switching occurs. When the mobile station needs to switch tunnels, the apparatus already has the necessary configuration ready, which significantly reduces the tunnel switching processing time while the mobile station maintains its autonomy through simple switch requests.
3Ease of operation
If the mobile station transmits control signaling requiring network node address information, then the tunnel switching can be controlled, but the network node security is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The communication apparatus serves as a secure intermediary that knows the network node address information and routes control signaling through itself. The mobile station does not need to directly access or transmit signaling containing network node addresses, thereby maintaining tunnel switching control capability while improving network node security by preventing direct exposure of address information to the mobile station.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication apparatus according to the present invention is provided with a mobile station 10, a packet transfer apparatus 50, and an access point 70 which relays between the mobile station 10 and the packet transfer apparatus 50. The cellular side access point 70 transmits a tunnel switch request to the second radio network area, when an authentication processing for establishing a secured connection between the mobile station and the second radio network succeeds, and when the mobile station changes from the first radio network area to the second radio network area.