Abstract: A method is implemented by a network device to establish secure communication over a maritime mesh network. The network device is in a local network of a communication system of a vessel in the maritime mesh network. The method includes receiving a communication session request from a local user device to access a remote service, determining whether the remote service is accessible via a terrestrial network available over the maritime mesh network, and establishing a secure tunnel between the network device and the terrestrial network for the communication session, in response to determining the remote service is accessible via the terrestrial network.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods and apparatuses for setting up and/or adjusting backhaul link in maritime network. A method in a first radio node in a first ship comprises: obtaining a first position and moving information of the first ship; receiving a second position and moving information of a second ship from a second radio node in the second ship; determining whether to connect to the second radio node to form a maritime network, based on radio measurements between the first and second radio nodes, the first position and moving information and the second position and moving information.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods and apparatuses for PCI collision detection. A method in a first network node comprises: receiving cell information of a second cell generated by a second network node, wherein the cell information comprises PCI of the second cell and position information of the second network node; when it is judged that the second network node is within a zone around the first network node based on the position information, determining whether a PCI of a first cell generated by the first network node is same as the PCI of the second cell.

Abstract: Methods implemented in a network device are disclosed for maintaining session integrity through load balancing. The method assigns a same virtual Internet protocol VIPA to the network device and a set of servers. The network device is assigned a set of next hop IP addresses, where each next hop IP address corresponds to a route to a server, and the VIPA of the network device is advertised to outside of the load balancing system. When a packet is a first packet from a source of a communication session and destined to the VIPA, the network device selects a next hop IP address to forward to a server according to its load balancing policy. The selection is saved so that subsequent packets of the same communication session from the same source will be forwarded to the same server.

Abstract: An emergency call in an all Internet Protocol (IP) network having GPRS access is able to be completed without a valid SIM. A valid Subscriber Identity Module is substituted for the missing or invalid SIM only when an emergency call is attempted. The emergency call is either sent via an IMSI from an embedded SIM provided by the UE making the emergency call, or the emergency call is modified with an IMSI substituted by an Emergency SIM Pool Function prior to being sent to the HLR for validation. The SIM is valid for the UE's emergency call so the emergency call is completed because the UE is considered validated by the network.

Abstract: Methods implemented in a network device are disclosed for maintaining session integrity through load balancing. The method assigns a same virtual Internet protocol VIPA to the network device and a set of servers. The network device is assigned a set of next hop IP addresses, where each next hop IP address corresponds to a route to a server, and the VIPA of the network device is advertised to outside of the load balancing system. When a packet is a first packet from a source of a communication session and destined to the VIPA, the network device selects a next hop IP address to forward to a server according to its load balancing policy. The selection is saved so that subsequent packets of the same communication session from the same source will be forwarded to the same server.

Abstract: Call placement to or from satellite UEs is optimized by reducing IMS message exchanges, the originating party has control over QoS parameters; a HPA subscription service is made available, and calls to a terminating satellite UE that is shielded from satellite coverage are completed by selectively employing HPA pages. For a call request without preconditions, an IMS node associated with an originating UE uses the NRSCPA on Offer instead of using the standard terminating node initiated NRSCPA on Answer. An IMS node associated with a terminating UE checks for HPA subscription by the user. If subscribed, the terminating INVITE request is for a “Conversational” or “Interactive” service, and the terminating UE is in PMM_IDLE state, the satellite RAN pages the terminating UE using HPA.

Abstract: A system and method for enabling a UE to roam to a visited IMS-based network from a home network that does not have an IMS infrastructure. A visiting UE sends to an Intelligent Roaming Application Server (I-RAS) in the visited network, a first SIP Registration message that includes a SIP URI identifying the UE as a visitor from a home network that does not have an IMS infrastructure. The I-RAS rejects the registration, but includes a temporary Tel URI in the rejection message. The UE sends a second Registration message using the temporary Tel URI, which is forwarded to a Visited S-CSCF for authentication. The S-CSCF returns authentication vectors, which the UE uses to compute ciphering parameters and establish an IPSEC connection with a Visited P-CSCF. The UE then sends a third Registration message, which is accepted, and registration in the visited network is complete. The I-RAS acts as a pseudo Visited MSC/VLR and performs an update location procedure with the visiting UE's home network.

Abstract: An emergency call in an all Internet Protocol (IP) network having GPRS access is able to be completed without a valid SIM. A valid Subscriber Identity Module is substituted for the missing or invalid SIM only when an emergency call is attempted. The emergency call is either sent via an IMSI from an embedded SIM provided by the UE making the emergency call, or the emergency call is modified with an IMSI substituted by an Emergency SIM Pool Function prior to being sent to the HLR for validation. The SIM is valid for the UE's emergency call so the emergency call is completed because the UE is considered validated by the network.

Abstract: Call placement to or from satellite UEs is optimized by reducing IMS message exchanges, the originating party has control over QoS parameters; a HPA subscription service is made available, and calls to a terminating satellite UE that is shielded from satellite coverage are completed by selectively employing HPA pages. For a call request without preconditions, an IMS node associated with an originating UE uses the NRSCPA on Offer instead of using the standard terminating node initiated NRSCPA on Answer. An IMS node associated with a terminating UE checks for HPA subscription by the user. If subscribed, the terminating INVITE request is for a “Conversational” or “Interactive” service, and the terminating UE is in PMM_IDLE state, the satellite RAN pages the terminating UE using HPA.

Abstract: A system and method for enabling a UE to roam to a visited IMS-based network from a home network that does not have an IMS infrastructure. A visiting UE sends to an Intelligent Roaming Application Server (I-RAS) in the visited network, a first SIP Registration message that includes a SIP URI identifying the UE as a visitor from a home network that does not have an IMS infrastructure. The I-RAS rejects the registration, but includes a temporary Tel URI in the rejection message. The UE sends a second Registration message using the temporary Tel URI, which is forwarded to a Visited S-CSCF for authentication. The S-CSCF returns authentication vectors, which the UE uses to compute ciphering parameters and establish an IPSEC connection with a Visited P-CSCF. The UE then sends a third Registration message, which is accepted, and registration in the visited network is complete. The I-RAS acts as a pseudo Visited MSC/VLR and performs an update location procedure with the visiting UE's home network.

Abstract: A system and method of using IP Multimedia System (IMS) for call setup in Mobile Satellite Systems. The method begins by a unit equipment (UE) originating a call to a second party. Next, secondary Packet Data Protocol (PDP) Context is initiated after originating the call. At least a portion of progress and acknowledgement message exchanges are handled by a Satellite Session Initiation Protocol Gateway (SSGW) in a Mobile Satellite System (MSS) on behalf of the UE without communicating with the UE. The call is then connected between the UE and the second party. A simplified Session Description Protocol (SDP) may be implemented for use between the UE and the SSGW to reduce the payload of Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) messaging. With a simplified SDP, one codec of the second party may be pre-provisioned in the SSGW.