Abstract: A method to provide an optimized intra-HeNB GW handover operation that reduces signaling to and from an LTE MME (Mobility Management Entity) function of the 3GPP E-UTRAN Evolved Packet core (EPC). In operation, an HeNB Gateway (GW) intercepts handover requests from a source HeNB to a target HeNB and processes these requests locally, with minimal interaction from the MME. Where possible, messaging to and from the MME is minimized and/or reduced, irrespective of the 3GPP requirement that the GW relay all handover-related messages to the MME.

Abstract: A method to provide an optimized intra-HeNB GW handover operation that reduces signaling to and from an LTE MME (Mobility Management Entity) function of the 3GPP E-UTRAN Evolved Packet core (EPC). In operation, an HeNB Gateway (GW) intercepts handover requests from a source HeNB to a target HeNB and processes these requests locally, with minimal interaction from the MME. Where possible, messaging to and from the MME is minimized and/or reduced, irrespective of the 3GPP requirement that the GW relay all handover-related messages to the MME.

Abstract: In a network that supports mobility of a mobile node, a tunnel between a first mobility node and a second mobility node is established in the network. The established tunnel is according to a tunneling protocol (e.g., Generic Routing Encapsulation tunneling protocol) that uses at least one key (208) for encapsulating data communicated through the tunnel. The symmetric or asymmetric key may be used for identifying a particular traffic flow in either the forward or the reverse direction between mobility nodes, e.g., when supporting mobility nodes that are using overlapping private IPv4 addressing. Signaling is communicated to provide mobility support of the mobile node according to a mobility protocol, where the mobility protocol is selected from among a Proxy Mobile Internet Protocol and Mobile IP version 6.

Abstract: A serving GPRS node (SGSN) is made content aware by passing content based rate information in the GPRS tunnel protocol (GTP) header. The SGSN uses the PDP context request to inform a GPRS support node (GGSN) that it is content aware and can process the content based rate information. In one embodiment, the rate information is passed in a GTP extension header. A new GTP header type tells the SGSN that rate information is present in the GTP header content field. In an alternate embodiment, the rate information is passed in a fourth octet of a four octet tunnel endpoint identifier (TEID).

Abstract: In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a method and apparatus is presented for identifying packet-based applications in a packet-based network. As such, the packet-based applications may receive specialized treatment.

Abstract: A system for delivering SMS messages to a mobile terminal includes an apparatus and method that deliver the SMS messages either using legacy SMS message formats or data packet formats. Additionally, a connection is created between a message center and a gateway GPRS support node wherein SMS messages may be transmitted to the gateway GPRS support node in a data packet format. To provide this capability, the gateway GPRS support node includes a unique port address for receiving SMS messages and circuitry for processing SMS messages received in a data packet format. A serving GPRS support node is formed to include circuitry for determining whether to transmit the SMS message to the mobile terminal in a data packet format or in a legacy SMS message format.

Abstract: A system for delivering SMS messages to a mobile terminal includes an apparatus and method that deliver the SMS messages either using legacy SMS message formats or data packet formats. Additionally, a connection is created between a message center and a gateway GPRS support node wherein SMS messages may be transmitted to the gateway GPRS support node in a data packet format. To provide this capability, the gateway GPRS support node includes a unique port address for receiving SMS messages and circuitry for processing SMS messages received in a data packet format. A serving GPRS support node is formed to include circuitry for determining whether to transmit the SMS message to the mobile terminal in a data packet format or in a legacy SMS message format.

Abstract: The present invention supports the initialization of an interface between a wireless network and a packet-based communication network, including the exchange of initial endpoint address information and the revision of such endpoint address information through an addition and/or deletion procedure.

Abstract: A system for delivering SMS messages to a mobile terminal includes an apparatus and method that deliver the SMS messages either using legacy SMS message formats or data packet formats. Additionally, a connection is created between a message center and a gateway GPRS support node wherein SMS messages may be transmitted to the gateway GPRS support node in a data packet format. To provide this capability, the gateway GPRS support node includes a unique port address for receiving SMS messages and circuitry for processing SMS messages received in a data packet format. A serving GPRS support node is formed to include circuitry for determining whether to transmit the SMS message to the mobile terminal in a data packet format or in a legacy SMS message format and to receive the message regardless of the path utilized by the message center to transmit the message.

Abstract: A serving GPRS node (SGSN) is made content aware by passing content based rate information in the GPRS tunnel protocol (GTP) header. The SGSN uses the PDP context request to inform a GPRS support node (GGSN) that it is content aware and can process the content based rate information. In one embodiment, the rate information is passed in a GTP extension header. A new GTP header type tells the SGSN that rate information is present in the GTP header content field. In an alternate embodiment, the rate information is passed in a fourth octet of a four octet tunnel endpoint identifier (TEID).

Abstract: A system for delivering SMS messages to a mobile terminal includes an apparatus and method that deliver the SMS messages either using legacy SMS message formats or data packet formats. Additionally, a connection is created between a message center and a gateway GPRS support node wherein SMS messages may be transmitted to the gateway GPRS support node in a data packet format. To provide this capability, the gateway GPRS support node includes a unique port address for receiving SMS messages and circuitry for processing SMS messages received in a data packet format. A serving GPRS support node is formed to include circuitry for determining whether to transmit the SMS message to the mobile terminal in a data packet format or in a legacy SMS message format and to receive the message regardless of the path utilized by the message center to transmit the message.

Abstract: A system for delivering SMS messages to a mobile terminal includes an apparatus and method that deliver the SMS messages either using legacy SMS message formats or data packet formats. Additionally, a connection is created between a message center and a gateway GPRS support node wherein SMS messages may be transmitted to the gateway GPRS support node in a data packet format. To provide this capability, the gateway GPRS support node includes a unique port address for receiving SMS messages and circuitry for processing SMS messages received in a data packet format. A serving GPRS support node is formed to include circuitry for determining whether to transmit the SMS message to the mobile terminal in a data packet format or in a legacy SMS message format.

Abstract: A system for delivering SMS messages to a mobile terminal includes an apparatus and method that deliver the SMS messages either using legacy SMS message formats or data packet formats. Additionally, a connection is created between a message center and a gateway GPRS support node wherein SMS messages may be transmitted to the gateway GPRS support node in a data packet format. To provide this capability, the gateway GPRS support node includes a unique port address for receiving SMS messages and circuitry for processing SMS messages received in a data packet format. A serving GPRS support node is formed to include circuitry for determining whether to transmit the SMS message to the mobile terminal in a data packet format or in a legacy SMS message format.

Abstract: A system for delivering SMS messages to a mobile terminal includes an apparatus and method that deliver the SMS messages either using legacy SMS message formats or data packet formats. Additionally, a connection is created between a message center and a gateway GPRS support node wherein SMS messages may be transmitted to the gateway GPRS support node in a data packet format. To provide this capability, the gateway GPRS support node includes a unique port address for receiving SMS messages and circuitry for processing SMS messages received in a data packet format. A serving GPRS support node is formed to include circuitry for determining whether to transmit the SMS message to the mobile terminal in a data packet format or in a legacy SMS message format. The mobile terminal of the present invention is formed to transmit and receive SMS messages in at least one of a legacy and a data packet format.

Abstract: The present invention supports the initialization of an interface between a wireless network and a packet-based communication network, including the exchange of initial endpoint address information and the revision of such endpoint address information through an addition and/or deletion procedure.