Abstract: A system and methods of global paging of mobile stations in a wireless network. The system includes a MSC pool (50) for servicing mobile stations within a specified service area of the network and a radio configuration database (70) defining a plurality of global paging areas (80, 82, 84) within the specified service area. The radio configuration database (70) is accessible by any mobile switching center (52, 54, 56) in the pool (50) to allow paging of a mobile station (28) roaming within the specified service area according to one or more global paging areas (80, 82, 84). The radio configuration database (70) can be structured in a hierarchy including cells, locations areas, and base station controller/radio network controller (20) for each global paging area in the specified service area.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for associating querying switches with responsive access nodes in a telecommunications network (10) having a switch pool (18). The methods include techniques for assigning a switch (12) of the switch pool (18) as a handling switch for queries received from the plurality of access nodes (14). The handling switch directs queries to respective target access nodes (14). The handling switch also receives responses from target access nodes. Techniques are provided for reassignment of the handling switch from among switches (12) of the switch pool (18) on the basis of various criteria such as, for example load or transaction count. Examples of the invention in the context of a Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) network (10) having a Mobile Switching Center (MSC) pool (18) are described.

Abstract: A media gateway (MGW), and methods related thereto, for controlling the routing of data packets through a “connectionless” packet-switched network, without bearer-channel control signaling. In an exemplary embodiment, an Integrated Services Digital Network User Part (ISUP) Initial Address Message (IAM) is transmitted from a controller 110-A associated with a MGW 120-A to a controller 110-B associated with a MGW 120-B; the IAM includes a source address for data packets at the MGW 120-A. The controller 110-B sends a resource allocation message to the MGW 120-B, which defines and stores an association between the source address for the data packets and an address associated with the MGW 120-B in a mapping table 230. Subsequently, when the MGW 120-B receives a broadcast message including an unknown destination indicator, it queries the mapping table 230 using the source address of the broadcast message.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for associating querying switches with responsive access nodes in a telecommunications network (10) having a switch pool (18). The methods include techniques for assigning a switch (12) of the switch pool (18) as a handling switch for queries received from the plurality of access nodes (14). The handling switch directs queries to respective target access nodes (14). The handling switch also receives responses from target access nodes. Techniques are provided for reassignment of the handling switch from among switches (12) of the switch pool (18) on the basis of various criteria such as, for example load or transaction count. Examples of the invention in the context of a Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) network (10) having a Mobile Switching Center (MSC) pool (18) are described.

Abstract: A telecommunications network (20) provides non-dedicated circuit connections between access nodes and switches of the network. A switch pool (24) enables the switches to communicate with access nodes disposed about a service area of the telecommunications network. The invention also provides methods of providing non-dedicated circuit pathways between access nodes (12a . . . n) and switches (14a . . . n) in a telecommunications network (20) having a plurality of gateways (28(a),28(b)). A media gateway selection node (22) provides a circuit connection mechanism and uses a gateway selection database (26) as a means for storing and accessing data and means for defining relationships among the media gateways (28(a), 28(b)), access nodes (12(a . . . n)) and switches (14(a . . . n)).

Abstract: A system and methods of global paging of mobile stations in a wireless network. The system includes a MSC pool (50) for servicing mobile stations within a specified service area of the network and a radio configuration database (70) defining a plurality of global paging areas (80, 82, 84) within the specified service area. The radio configuration database (70) is accessible by any mobile switching center (52, 54, 56) in the pool (50) to allow paging of a mobile station (28) roaming within the specified service area according to one or more global paging areas (80, 82, 84). The radio configuration database (70) can be structured in a hierarchy including cells, locations areas, and base station controller/radio network controller (20) for each global paging area in the specified service area.