Abstract: A wireless telephony communications system includes at least one macro cell for communicating both voice and data with a mobile communications device across a first wireless link and at least one micro cell for communicating data with the mobile communications device across a second wireless communication link. Each micro cell communicates signaling information through the macro cell via a wireless link to a control element that manages the micro cells. Using a wireless link to communicate signaling between each micro cell and the control element in the UMTS system eliminates the need for a wired back haul link, thereby reducing access costs.

Abstract: There is provided a method for supporting an internetworking between a WLAN and a mobile communications network. The mobile communications network, for example UMTS network, has a GPRS support node and a serving GPRS support node. The internetworking is facilitated by an IWF. The method comprises the steps of establishing at least one GPRS tunneling protocol tunnel between the IWF and the GGSN for transferring data signals, and establishing at least one GPRS (tunneling protocol tunnel between the GGSN and the SGSN for transferring control signals.

Abstract: There is provided a method of supporting an interworking between a wireless local area network (WLAN) and a mobile communications network. The interworking is facilitated by an interworking function (IWF) disposed on a WLAN side of the interworking. The method comprises the step of connecting the WLAN to the mobile communications network by employing the IWF as an auxiliary radio network controller for the mobile communications network, in particular, a drift radio network controller (DRNC) in a UMTS network.

Abstract: A system for employing a wireless local area network (WLAN) as a cellular network routing area includes a cellular network, which is capable of determining a location where a service request is made. The cellular network includes a packet-based support node B, which determines if the request can be serviced through a WLAN, which is identified in the cellular network as a routing area. Packet data protocol context is maintained while servicing the request using the WLAN to provide smooth interworking between the WLAN and the cellular network.

Abstract: An interface for connecting networks includes an interworking function provided between a wireless local area network (WLAN) and a public mobile land network (PLMN) to provide communication interactions between the PLMN and the WLAN. The interworking function includes a dual-protocol stack, which interfaces the WLAN protocols and PLMN protocols to provide seamless communications between the WLAN and the PLMN such that an increase in available service bandwidth provided for users of the PLMN is maintained.

Abstract: A communications network (10) advantageously provides wireless telephony service to a mobile terminal user (16) from one of a first radio access mechanism (18, 20) of a wireless telephony network (12) and a second radio access mechanism (30, 32) of a wireless Local Area Network (14). The first radio access mechanism provides service at a first quality of service (QoS) level specified in a primary Packet Data Protocol (PDP) context established with the mobile terminal user during which the mobile terminal user is assigned an address for data communication. When the mobile terminal user transitions from the first access node to the second access node, the user receives service in accordance with a secondary PDP context activated by the mobile terminal user. The secondary PDP context specifies the same data address as the primary PDP context but a different QoS level.

Abstract: Secure access by a mobile wireless terminal of a wireless telephony network is achieved by having a Home Location Register store the terminal's temporary and permanent identities. Upon accessing the network following initial registration, the terminal sends a temporary identity to a Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN). If no serving node in the network knows the terminal, the terminal need not sent its permanent identity in clear as was previously required. Rather, the serving node need only query the HLR since the HLR can map the terminal's temporary identity to its permanent identity. In this way, the permanent identity of the mobile wireless terminal remains secure.

Abstract: A method for controlling bandwidth allocation of first and second data packet types (e.g. TCP traffic, real time traffic, VOIP traffic) in a single rate network by determining, by a device, a throughput rate of the first data packet type (e.g. TCP traffic, non-real time traffic, . . . ) in the network and reducing, by the device, the throughput rate of the first data packet type when the throughput rate reaches a predetermined level is described.

Abstract: An apparatus in a wireless network includes a video encoder for encoding uncompressed video information into packets with variable length of compressed frames, and a decision processor for selecting a partial bandwidth and queuing delay on a wireless channel for each of the packets based on an intended reception quality. Preferably, the queuing delay and partial bandwidth are one of a plurality of distinct queuing delay and partial bandwidth representative of wireless transmission quality of service classes.

Abstract: A wireless telephony communications system includes at least one macro cell for communicating both voice and data with a mobile communications device across a first wireless link and at least one micro cell for communicating data with the mobile communications device across a second wireless communication link. Each micro cell communicates signaling information through the macro cell via a wireless link to a control element that manages the micro cells. Using a wireless link to communicate signaling between each micro cell and the control element in the UMTS system eliminates the need for a wired back haul link, thereby reducing access costs.

Abstract: The invention provides for a receiver transmitter comprising: a plurality of logical access points; for downloading a duration into a mobile terminal in accordance with an access point determination of the maximum amount of time information linked with a downlink broadcast traffic to deliver all the broadcast/multicast information in a single communication stream. The invention also provides for a method of broadcast/multicast frames “Duration” are set to values in order to deliver all the broadcast/multicast information in a single communication stream eliminating the requirement for contending for the medium for each broadcast/multicast frame transmission. This pseudo-reservation of the wireless medium can also be made periodic for enabling broadcast/multicast services.

Abstract: A mobile wireless terminal, upon transitioning from a wireless telephony network to a wireless Local Area Network (LAN), seeks identification by sending the same identity information used for identification in the wireless telephony network. Upon receipt of the identity information, a wireless LAN Access Server in the wireless telephony network identifies a Serving General Packet Radio Service Serving Node (SGSN) that had last served the wireless terminal in the wireless telephony network prior to transition. The wireless LAN Access Server forwards the identity information to the SGSN, which, in turn, provides an identification response for validating the terminal.

Abstract: Secure access by a mobile wireless terminal of a wireless telephony network is achieved by having a Home Location Register store the terminal's temporary and permanent identities. Upon accessing the network following initial registration, the terminal sends a temporary identity to a Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN). If no serving node in the network knows the terminal, the terminal need not sent its permanent identity in clear as was previously required. Rather, the serving node need only query the HLR since the HLR can map the terminal's temporary identity to its permanent identity. In this way, the permanent identity of the mobile wireless terminal remains secure.

Abstract: A General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) network (141) includes at least one, and preferably, a plurality of radio access networks (161–16m), each providing radio access to one or more mobile terminal users (121–12n). Associated with one or more of the access networks is a corresponding one of a plurality of Serving GPRS Service Nodes (SGSNs) (241–24m), each node serving to identify and authenticate a mobile terminal user. Advantageously, each SGSN also serves to cache IP packets from a sending mobile terminal user and to examine each packet to determine if the destination IP address corresponds to another mobile terminal user in the network. If so, then that SGSN routes the packet to the destination mobile terminal user. Otherwise, if the packet destination lies outside the network, the SGSN routes the packet to a gateway (32) for routing beyond the network.

Abstract: A system for transferring content includes a wireless local area network (WLAN) and a network module provided within the WLAN or a cellular network to alert users of available content in the WLAN and handle user requests made for content when a user has access to the cellular network. The network module, which may comprise an interworking function, delivers the content to the user through the WLAN when the user is present in a coverage area of the WLAN. The invention allows a user to view the programs available for download and request a specific program using a relatively low speed network, such as a cellular network, and download the program through a high speed network, such as a WLAN.

Abstract: There is provided a method for supporting an internetworking between a WLAN and a mobile communications network. The mobile communications network, for example UMTS network, has a GPRS support node and a serving GPRS support node. The internetworking is facilitated by an IWF. The method comprises the steps of establishing at least one GPRS tunneling protocol tunnel between the IWF and the GGSN for transferring data signals, and establishing at least one GPRS (tunneling protocol tunnel between the GGSN and the SGSN for transferring control signals.

Abstract: A telecommunications system includes a Public Land Mobile Network for providing wireless service to users and a wireless local area network functioning outside the said PLMN as a separate PLMN. An inter-PLMN backbone interfaces the WLAN to the PLMN, and an interworking function is coupled to the WLAN to provide seamless interactions between the PLMN and the WLAN to increase available service bandwidth provided for users of the PLMN.

Abstract: A system for employing a wireless local area network (WLAN) as a cellular network routing area includes a cellular network, which is capable of determining a location where a service request is made. The cellular network includes a packet-based support node B, which determines if the request can be serviced through a WLAN, which is identified in the cellular network as a routing area. Packet data protocol context is maintained while servicing the request using the WLAN to provide smooth interworking between the WLAN and the cellular network.

Abstract: There is provided a method of supporting an interworking between a wireless local area network (WLAN) and a mobile communications network. The interworking is facilitated by an interworking function (IWF) disposed on a WLAN side of the interworking. The method comprises the step of connecting the WLAN to the mobile communications network by employing the IWF as an auxiliary radio network controller for the mobile communications network, in particular, a drift radio network controller (DRNC) in a UMTS network.

Abstract: A mobile wireless terminal, upon transitioning from a wireless telephony network to a wireless Local Area Network (LAN), seeks identification by sending the same identity information used for identification in the wireless telephony network. Upon receipt of the identity information, a wireless LAN Access Server in the wireless telephony network identifies a Serving General Packet Radio Service Serving Node (SGSN) that had last served the wireless terminal in the wireless telephony network prior to transition. The wireless LAN Access Server forwards the identity information to the SGSN, which, in turn, provides an identification response for validating the terminal.