Wireless Core Gateway for Non-IP Wireline Access

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless networks face challenges in providing connectivity to non-IP devices such as landline phones and fax machines, which require non-IP based messaging, without the need for separate wireline cores that handle SS7 signaling and wireline call routing, leading to network complexity and cost.

Innovation Solution

Deployment of a Wireless Core Gateway (WCG) that facilitates connectivity between non-IP devices and a wireless core network using IP-based communication sessions, including IPSec tunnels, and supports various physical and wireless interfaces to enable communication with a wide range of devices, including landline phones and IoT devices, through a wireless core network.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate wireline cores are deployed to handle SS7 signaling and wireline call routing, then non-IP devices can communicate, but network complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnectivity to non-IP devicesVSAvoidnetwork complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functionality of separate wireline cores (SS7 signaling, wireline call routing) into the wireless core network by deploying a Wireless Core Gateway (WCG). The WCG provides a unified gateway that handles both wireline and wireless communications through a single core network infrastructure, eliminating the need for parallel separate wireline core systems and reducing overall network complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The Wireless Core Gateway is designed as a universal interface that supports multiple communication protocols and device types (IP and non-IP devices) through a single platform. It provides multi-functional capabilities including SS7 signaling support, IPSec tunneling, and direct IP connectivity, allowing one system to serve multiple purposes that previously required separate dedicated systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If separate wireline cores are deployed to handle SS7 signaling and wireline call routing, then non-IP devices can communicate, but deployment cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnectivity to non-IP devicesVSAvoiddeployment cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functionality of separate wireline cores (SS7 signaling, wireline call routing) into the wireless core network by deploying a Wireless Core Gateway (WCG). The WCG provides a unified gateway that handles both wireline and wireless communications through a single core network infrastructure, eliminating the need for parallel separate wireline core systems and reducing overall network complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The Wireless Core Gateway is designed as a universal interface that supports multiple communication protocols and device types (IP and non-IP devices) through a single platform. It provides multi-functional capabilities including SS7 signaling support, IPSec tunneling, and direct IP connectivity, allowing one system to serve multiple purposes that previously required separate dedicated systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If IP-based communication sessions are used to connect non-IP devices to wireless core network, then network security is maintained, but communication protocol compatibility challenges arise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork securityVSAvoidprotocol compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The Wireless Core Gateway acts as an intermediary between non-IP devices and the IP-based wireless core network. It performs protocol translation and adaptation, converting non-IP protocols (such as SS7) into IP-compatible formats for transmission over the wireless core network, while maintaining security through IPSec tunneling. This mediator approach allows incompatible protocols to communicate securely without requiring the core network to support multiple native protocols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The gateway transforms communication parameters by converting non-IP protocols into IP-based protocols. It changes the protocol parameters (signaling format, data structure, transmission method) to be compatible with IP networking while preserving the functional intent of the original non-IP communications, enabling seamless integration into the IP-based wireless core network.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20250358723A1Systems and methods for wireline access to a wireless core network

Publication Date: 2025.11.20 VERIZON PATENT & LICENSING INC

AI summary

A device may securely obtain access to a wireless core network, and may identify a particular endpoint associated with a particular physical interface of a plurality of physical interfaces of the device. The device may request a communication session with the particular endpoint via the wireless core network. The device may receive, via the particular physical interface, a first plurality of analog signals, generate first Internet Protocol (“IP”) traffic based on the first plurality of analog signals received via the particular physical interface, and output the first IP traffic to the particular endpoint via the wireless core network. The device may receive second IP traffic from the particular endpoint via the wireless core network, generate a second plurality of analog signals based on the second IP traffic received from the particular endpoint via the wireless core network, and output the second plurality of analog signals via the particular physical interface.