Abstract: Systems, methodologies, and devices are described that enable communication devices, such as mobile devices, to efficiently connect and communicate with public data networks (PDNs) even if overlapping Internet protocol address spaces exist in the PDNs. The subject innovation can employ virtual home agents (v-HAs) that can respectively serve PDNs. To facilitate connection of a mobile device to a desired PDN, a message, including an identifier relating to the desired PDN, can be transmitted to a v-HA and it can be discovered whether that v-HA serves the desired PDN; if so, the v-HA transmits the message to a “home” home agent (h-HA) associated with the desired PDN; and if not, the v-HA can transmit a switch message indicating the correct v-HA to which the message should be sent. Concatenation of communication tunnels associated with the correct v-HA and h-HA facilitate efficient communication associated with the mobile device and desired PDN.

Abstract: The claimed subject matter relates to assigning a home agent to a wireless terminal during authentication, authorization, and/or accounting with respect to the wireless terminal. The wireless terminal can provide identifying indicia which can be relayed to a AAA server by way of a base station. The AAA server can then determine one or more home agents that can be associated with the wireless terminal. If more than one home agent can be assigned to the wireless terminal, the base station can resolve which home agent to utilize during registration of the wireless terminal. Such determination can be important with respect to MVNOs.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for establishing communication links, used to support communications sessions with one or more end nodes, e.g., mobile devices, are described. Various features are directed to a mobile node controlling the establishment of initial links to a first access node and the establishment of new links from a first access node to a second access node during a handoff operation using highly efficient messages and signal.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for compressing messages used to support mobile communications are described. After transmission of a first mobile IP message which may be a conventional mobile IP message, a compressed mobile IP message is transmitted. The compressed message includes a new “compressed message” indicator and information which is to replace information in the previous message or to be added to the previous message to construct a new message. In some embodiments, the compressed message includes a mask field, e.g., a sequence of bits, each bit corresponding to one field of a standard registration request message or binding update message. If the mask flag bit corresponding to a field is set, it indicates that the compressed message includes information to replace the content in the corresponding field of the previous message or to be added to the previous message as a field corresponding to the asserted bit.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for using end nodes, e.g., wireless terminals, to discover base stations and communicate information about discovered access nodes, e.g., base stations, to other access nodes in a system are described. As the wireless terminal roams in the system and new access nodes are encountered, one or more physically adjacent access nodes will be informed of the presence of the new access node as a result of communications with the wireless terminal. A message indicating an access node's inability to route a message to another access node which is known to a wireless terminal may trigger the wireless terminal to begin the process of updating access node routing and neighbor information.

Abstract: Techniques for supporting policy control and charging (PCC) functions in a wireless communication network are described. In one design, a Policy Control and Charging Rules Function (PCRF) may receive a request from a first network entity (e.g., a home agent) to establish a PCC session for a user equipment (UE) accessing the first network entity using a mobility protocol (e.g., Mobile IP). The PCRF may determine the mobility protocol used by the UE based on an IP-CAN Type parameter included in the request. The PCRF may determine PCC rules for the PCC session based on the mobility protocol and may send the PCC rules to the first network entity. The first network entity may apply the PCC rules on packets for the PCC session and may count each packet for charging. A second network entity may forward the packets but would not count these packets for charging.

Abstract: Described herein are mechanisms and methods that facilitate enabling a first network module to “take over” for a second network module. An access router can be configured to act as a regional mobility agent with respect to a wireless terminal. The wireless terminal can then identify a different access router that is to act as a regional mobility agent, and transmit such request to a mobility agent. The mobility agent can create a tunnel with the access router that is acting as the mobility agent, and such access router can create an add message and transmit such message to other access routers associated with the wireless terminal. The add message informs the access routers that a particular access router is acting as a regional mobility agent and aids in creating tunnels between access routers.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for storing, manipulating, retrieving, and forwarding state, e.g., context and other information, used to support communications sessions with one or more end nodes, e.g., mobile devices, are described. Various features are directed to a mobile node controlling the transfer of state from a first access node to a second access node during a handoff operation thereby eliminating any need for state transfer messages to be transmitted between the second access node and the first access node during handoff. Other features of the invention are directed to the use of a core network node to store state information. State information stored in the core node can be accessed and used by access nodes in cases where a mobile node does not send a state transfer message during a handoff, e.g., because communication with the first access node is lost or because such messages are not supported.

Abstract: This invention proposes an integrated process for AAA (Authentication, Authorisation, and Accounting) with the order reversed whereby L2 follows L3. The L3 process treats the wireless link as any normal IP access link, and the L3 authorisation provides L3 processing, but also includes the L2 terminal authentication identifiers so that the L2 security parameters can also be returned. This means that the wireless link and the IP layer are not secured until after the L3 authorisation has completed and therefore the first IP messages that trigger authorisation are sent insecurely. This invention also provides methods to avoid these insecure messages presenting any opportunities to an attacker. Finally, the inventions include methods to enable L3 before L2 authorisation when a user is roaming in a foreign network.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for storing, manipulating, retrieving, and forwarding state, e.g., context and other information, used to support communications sessions with one or more end nodes, e.g., mobile devices, are described. Various features are directed to a mobile node controlling the transfer of state from a first access node to a second access node during a handoff operation thereby eliminating any need for state transfer messages to be transmitted between the second access node and the first access node during handoff. Other features of the invention are directed to the use of a core network node to store state information. State information stored in the core node can be accessed and used by access nodes in cases where a mobile node does not send a state transfer message during a handoff, e.g., because communication with the first access node is lost or because such messages are not supported.

Abstract: The claimed subject matter relates to systems and methods for roaming in a wireless communications environment. A method for roaming between networks is provided in one aspect. This includes receiving a request for network access at a visited network and receiving a profile from a home network in response to the request. Upon receiving the profile, selectively offering services to one or more access terminals based at least in part on the profile.

Abstract: Aspects relate to allowing peer nodes that establish a communication through a home agent to move that session to a directly connected link. Thus, the directly connected nodes can exchange packets natively without encapsulation. Further aspects allow a node that does not have any home agent entity to switch from a local network to a global network without losing ongoing sessions.

Abstract: Aspects relate to allowing peer nodes that establish a communication through a home agent to move that session to a directly connected link. Thus, the directly connected nodes can exchange packets natively without encapsulation. Further aspects allow a node that does not have any home agent entity to switch from a local network to a global network without losing ongoing sessions.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for generating, communicating, and/or using sets of addresses corresponding to a communications device are described. A first communications device generates, from a public key and a random number, both a first address and a second address. The generated address pair is communicated to a second communications device along with proof of ownership information regarding the address pair via an address signaling message such as a binding update message. The second communications device processes the received address signaling message and determines address pair validity and/or address pair ownership information. The first address may be associated with a first network, e.g., an unsecure WAN network, while the second address may be associated with a second network, e.g., a secure peer to peer network. Decisions on switching between using the first address to using the second address may be based on address validity and/or address ownership determinations.

Abstract: A device can connect to a network over a first interface to configure and obtain an IP address. To communicate with nodes in a second network, over a second interface, the IP address can be validated by a trusted third party. The validation can include conducting a return routability test to validate a Prefix of the IP address. Cryptographically Generated Address verification can be utilized to verify the validity of an Interface Identifier included in the IP address. If the IP address is validated, the trusted third party can include the address in a verification ticket, which can also include a signature of the trusted third party. The device can provide the verification ticket to nodes in the second network as authentication of the device.

Abstract: Aspects describe spectrum authorization, access control, and configuration parameters validation. Devices in an ad-hoc or peer-to-peer configuration can utilize a licensed spectrum if the devices are authorized to use the spectrum, which can be determined automatically. Aspects relate to distribution of authorization tickets by an authorization server as a result of validating a device's credentials and services to which the device is entitled. An exchange and verification of authorization tickets can be performed by devices as a condition for enabling a validated wireless link using the spectrum.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for storing, manipulating, retrieving, and forwarding state, e.g., context and other information, used to support communications sessions with one or more end nodes, e.g., mobile devices, are described. Various features are directed to a mobile node controlling the transfer of state from a first access node to a second access node during a handoff operation thereby eliminating any need for state transfer messages to be transmitted between the second access node and the first access node during handoff. Other features of the invention are directed to the use of a core network node to store state information. State information stored in the core node can be accessed and used by access nodes in cases where a mobile node does not send a state transfer message during a handoff, e.g., because communication with the first access node is lost or because such messages are not supported.

Abstract: Various embodiments relate to wireless communications devices which support multiple modes of peer discovery operation. In some embodiments, the multiple modes of peer discovery operation include different modes which are associated with different rates of transmitting peer discovery information. In some embodiments, the multiple modes of peer discovery operation include different modes which are associated with different rates of monitoring peer discovery information. In various embodiments, a communications device determines whether or not to switch between different peer discovery modes of operation as a function of proximity to a location of interest. Proximity determinations may be, and sometimes are, based upon geographic position comparisons. Alternatively or in addition, proximity determinations may be, and sometimes are, based upon received signal strength measurements.

Abstract: Techniques for supporting policy control and charging (PCC) functions in a wireless communication network are described. In one design, a Policy Control and Charging Rules Function (PCRF) may receive a request from a first network entity (e.g., a home agent) to establish a PCC session for a user equipment (UE) accessing the first network entity using a mobility protocol (e.g., Mobile IP). The PCRF may determine the mobility protocol used by the UE based on an IP-CAN Type parameter included in the request. The PCRF may determine PCC rules for the PCC session based on the mobility protocol and may send the PCC rules to the first network entity. The first network entity may apply the PCC rules on packets for the PCC session and may count each packet for charging. A second network entity may forward the packets but would not count these packets for charging.

Abstract: Systems, methodologies, and devices are described that enable communication devices, such as mobile devices, to efficiently connect and communicate with public data networks (PDNs) even if overlapping Internet protocol address spaces exist in the PDNs. The subject innovation can employ virtual home agents (v-HAs) that can respectively serve PDNs. To facilitate connection of a mobile device to a desired PDN, a message, including an identifier relating to the desired PDN, can be transmitted to a v-HA and it can be discovered whether that v-HA serves the desired PDN; if so, the v-HA transmits the message to a “home” home agent (h-HA) associated with the desired PDN; and if not, the v-HA can transmit a switch message indicating the correct v-HA to which the message should be sent. Concatenation of communication tunnels associated with the correct v-HA and h-HA facilitate efficient communication associated with the mobile device and desired PDN.