Abstract: The invention relates to a method for supporting load balancing in a packet data network. The method receives a registration request at a packet data serving node (PDSN) manager from a base station controller/packet core function (BSC/PCF), The registration request includes a vendor specific extension (VSE) for indicating to the PDSN manager that the BSC/PCF supports redirection of the registration request and an international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) of a mobile terminal (MT) for determining that a session does not presently exist between a mobile terminal (MT) associated with the IMSI and a PDSN agent associated with the PDSN manager. The invention also relates to a base station controller/packet core function (BSC/PCF) for creating a list of available packet data serving node (PDSN) agents.

Abstract: A system and method for optimizing the use of packet-resources by releasing a hanging packet-data connection when a Mobile Station (MS) performs a power-down while involved in a dormant packet-data session. A Base Station Controller (BSC) sends a message to a Mobile Switching Center (MSC) indicating that the MS has powered down. The MSC determines that the packet-data session is dormant, and sends an instruction to the BSC in a class-0 connectionless transaction to release network resources associated with the packet-data session. The BSC then sends an instruction to a Packet Control Function (PCF) to tear down the associated resources, and the packet-data connection is released by a Packet Data Service Node (PDSN) in response to the tearing down of the resources by the PCF.

Abstract: In a cellular telecommunications network, a method and system for performing dormant hand-off for a dormant Mobile Node (MN) between a source packet zone an a target packet zone, when the MN still has an active A10 and Point-to Point Protocol (PPP) connection in the target packet zone. According to the method, when handed-off, the MN issues an origination request with a Data Ready to Sent (DRS) parameter set to zero for the target Base Station Controller (BSC-T) which responsive to the request further sends an A9-setup-A8 registration request to a target Packet Control Function (PCF-T). The PCF-T then sends an A-11 Registration Request message to a Packet Data Service Node (PDSN-T) of the target packet zone. Responsive to the receipt of the Registration request, the PDSN-T sends an agent advertisement message to the MN and initiates the Mobile IP (MIP) registration procedure, and the MN can register the care-of-address information relating to the new serving PDSN, the PDSN-T, with its Home Agent (HA).

Abstract: A system and method of providing mobility between Internet Protocol (IP) based packet networks is disclosed. The disclosed system and method permits user equipment to roam from one IP based packet network to a second IP based packet network, without any interruption in data communications. Wide area network mobility is achieved through the modification of existing protocols to include additional network gateway addressing information.

Abstract: A method and a packet data network for providing broadcast/multicast services (BCMCS) to a mobile terminal (MT). The method receives at a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server from the MT, for requesting an IP address of a primary BCMCS controller that serves the packet data network. The method retrieves the IP address of the primary BCMCS controller and responds to the MT with a response message from the DHCP server to the MT, the response message includes the IP address of the primary BCMCS controller. Next, the MT uses the IP address of the primary BCMCS controller and sends a Hyper Text Transfer Protocol (HTTP) request message from the MT to the primary BCMCS controller for requesting BCMCS services, the HTTP request message including a location information and an access type indicator of the MT. Afterwards, a list of available BCMCS programs is provided to the MT.

Abstract: A method and a Packet Data Service Node (PDSN) for informing a mobile station of a correlation between an auxiliary service instance and a resource request. A resource request is received at the Packet Data Service Node from the mobile station, the resource request including a specified quality of service requirement. The PDSN generates and sends a message to a serving Radio Access Network requesting establishment of an auxiliary service instance with the specified quality of service for the mobile station. Afterwards, the PDSN receives a confirmation message from the Radio Access Network confirming establishment of the auxiliary service instance between the Radio Access Network and the mobile station. The confirmation message includes a reference identifier corresponding to the auxiliary service instance. The PDSN informs the mobile station of the reference identifier and its correlation to the resource request.

Abstract: A method and Packet Data Service Node (PDSN) for using traffic classes to define a Quality of Service (QoS) of a data session. The PDSN receives from an Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting (AAA) server a message comprising a QoS traffic class, and translates the QoS traffic class into at least one CDMA2000 QoS attribute using a mapping table storing correspondence between QoS traffic classes and CDMA2000 QoS attributes. The PDSN establishes a data session for the subscriber using the CDMA2000 QoS attribute. For example, a Mobile Node (MN) may request establishment of an auxiliary service instance with a requested CDMA2000 QoS attribute and, upon receipt of the request, the PDSN determines if the requested CDMA2000 QoS attribute is allowed using the CDMA2000 QoS attribute and, if allowed, sets-up the auxiliary service instance with a QoS that corresponds to the requested CDMA2000 QoS attribute.

Abstract: A method in a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) 2000 packet data network of negotiating reporting mechanisms for accounting records, and sending accounting records from a Packet Data Service Node (PDSN) to an accounting server such as a Home Radius Server utilizing the Radius protocol. The PDSN sends an Access Request (AR) message to the accounting server, via any intermediate nodes, and includes (a) an Accounting Capability (AC) attribute indicating that the PDSN can accumulate a plurality of accounting records and send the accumulated accounting records in a container in a single message, and (b) an Accounting Handling (AH) attribute indicating a plurality of alternative reporting methods that trigger the PDSN to send a container. The Home Radius Server then sends an Access Accept (AA) message to the PDSN that (a) confirms that the Home Radius Server can receive accounting records in containers, and (b) indicates a preferred reporting method for triggering the PDSN to send a container.

Abstract: A Packet Core Function (PCF) and method of consistently selecting a Packet Data Service Node (PDSN) from a plurality of PDSNs in a packet data network to host a data session for a Mobile Node (MN). In a first embodiment, a static lookup table in the PCF is used to associate a list of identifiers for MNs and a list of the plurality of PDSNs in the network. The PCF obtains an identifier for the MN and utilizes the lookup table and a hash function to associate the identifier for the MN with a PDSN. The PDSN is then selected by the PCF to host the data session for the MN. In another embodiment, the PCF also includes a cache timer and a cache memory that stores the identifier for the MN and the IP address of the selected PDSN for a predetermined time period following the handoff of the MN to another PCF. If the MN returns to the PCF within the predetermined period of time, the PCF reselects the same PDSN to host the data session.

Abstract: A method, Packet Data Access Node such as a CDMA2000 Packet Data Service Node (PDSN) and a packet data system for provisioning the PDAN with an interim prepaid quota for auxiliary service instances related to a connection with a prepaid subscriber. The prepaid terminal requests registration with the PDAN and a prepaid server returns to the PDAN an indication that the prepaid subscriber has subscribed to multiple service instances and to certain service options. Responsive thereto, the PDAN requests immediate pre-initialization of a prepaid quota for the auxiliary instances from the prepaid server, and installs the prepaid quota. When the prepaid subscriber requests the auxiliary instances during the connection with the PDAN, the prepaid quota is already installed in the PDAN, and data packets are properly routed. The PDAN may be a CDMA2000 Packet data Service Node (PDSN).

Abstract: A method, Proxy-Call State Control Function (PCSCF) and packet data network for creating packet filters for data flow mapping in the P-CSCF, and for their transmission to a Packet Data Access Node (PDAN) such as a Packet Data Service Node (PDSN) of a CDMA2000 network. A packet data session is setup between a terminal such as Mobile Station (MS) and a Corresponding Node (CN) using Session Initiation Protocol (SIP). The P-CSCF gathers information related to the IP address and port numbers of the parties, of the data flows for the data session, as well as of the service instances between the terminal and the PDAN. Based on this information, the P-CSCF creates a filter for mapping each data flow from the CN to the available service instances. The filter is sent to the PDAN, which installs and uses the filter and performs appropriate routing of the incoming data flows.

Abstract: A method and system for providing alternative prepaid service when a serving Packet Data Service Node (PDSN) does not support prepaid or at least the type of prepaid (duration-based or volume-based) the user has subscribed to. The serving PDSN sends an access request to a Home Authorization, Authentication & Accounting Prepaid Server (HAAA/PPS) with an indication of its capability to support prepaid service and to terminate sessions based on requests from remote nodes. When the serving PDSN is neither capable of prepaid service, nor does it support session termination by a remote node, the HAAA/PPS determines that a prepaid session is allowed and supported in combination with a Home Agent (HA) for duration-based prepaid service. When the PDSN is not prepaid capable but supports session termination capability, the HAAA/PPS determines that any type of prepaid service can be allowed and supported by the HAAA/PPS in combination with the HA.

Abstract: A method and a decompressor node in Internet Protocol (IP) network for fast change of IP Headers Compression (HC) mechanism are provided. A Mobile Station (MS) connected to a serving system uses a first IP HC mechanism therewith. Upon initiating handoff of the MS from the serving system to a target system, a second IP HC mechanism is chosen to be used with the target system. The second IP HC mechanism is initialized using information received at the target system from the serving system. In a preferred embodiment, the received information is a decompression context and the initialization of the second IP HC mechanism consists of translating the decompression context from the first IP HC mechanism to the second IP HC mechanism.

Abstract: A decompressor, a compressor and methods in an Internet Protocol (IP) network for reporting cause of missing packets. A cause of unsuccessful reception or sending of a compressed packet addressed is reported to a compressor/decompressor node. The compressor/decompressor node decides or predicts if a decompression context associated with the decompressor is invalidated by analyzing the cause of the unsuccessful reception and, optionally, analyzing a re-initialization agreement between the compressor and the decompressor. In an optional embodiment of the present invention, the compressor/decompressor node use the decision or prediction to exchange information to reinitialize the decompression context associated with the decompressor. In a preferable embodiment of the present invention, the detection of the unsuccessful sending or reception is performed at a Medium Access (MAC) layer associated with the compressor/decompressor node.

Abstract: An Internet Protocol (IP) headers decompressor node, a method and an IP headers manager in an IP network for fast IP headers compression initialization is thereby provided. The invention teaches how to exchange IP packets between at least two nodes of the IP network for establishment of a session therebetween, to initialize, at a first one of the at least two nodes, a static portion of a decompression context prior to completion of the establishment of the session and to uncompress application related IP packets exchanged with a second of the at least two nodes. In an optional embodiment of the present invention, it is further taught how exchanging IP packets between at least two nodes of the IP network may further comprise extracting information from the IP packets at a first one of the at least two nodes of the IP network.

Abstract: A method, system and Packet Data Access Node (PDAN), such as a Packet Data Service Node (PDSN) of a CDMA2000 network, for performing accounting based not only on the IP address of a terminal associated with the PDAN (e.g. a Mobile Station), but also on information related to a Corresponding Node (CN) with which the terminal communicates over a packet data session, such as the CN IP address, and possibly the CN application ID or port number, and the Quality of Service (QoS) for that session. The session is established between the terminal and the CN using Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) signalling, and the PDAN is provided with the CN's related information by a Proxy Call Switch Control Function (P-CSCF). The PDAN counts the traffic associated with the CN's IP address, and reports that traffic, along with the CN's information to an Authorization, Authentication, and Accounting server (AAA). Accounting can then be applied based on the CN'related information.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for linking control and bearer for a multimedia session in an ALL-IP network, and to an Access Gateway (AGW) and an Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting (AAA) server therefore. For doing so, a Mobile IP Request message is received at the AGW from a terminal. The AGW requests authentication of the terminal at the AAA server. The AAA server allocates a Proxy Session Control Manager (P-SCM) for the terminal. Then, the AAA sends an identity of the P-SCM to the AGW, and stores the identity of the allocated P-SCM for the terminal.

Abstract: Techniques for implementing Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) directly in an SS7 protocol stack enable SS7 network layer protocols to interface, via MPLS, with literally any link layer technology. As a result, label switching can be used seamlessly throughout a collection of heterogeneous networks, including both IP-based and SS7-based networks. An exemplary method of routing SS7 data packets through a heterogeneous packet-switching network using MPLS includes the steps of: establishing an MPLS forwarding equivalence class (FEC), at least one element of the FEC being an SS7 destination; associating a label with the FEC at a first router in the heterogeneous packet switching network; attaching the label, at the first router, to a data packet belonging to the FEC; and forwarding the labeled data packet from the first router to a second router in the communications network.

Abstract: A system, method and node for supporting PDSN load balancing in a CDMA2000 network. A mobile node (MN) sends an origination message to a BSC/PCF that sends a registration request indicating that it supports load balancing according to the invention to the manager part of a PDSN that selects an agent to take care of the connection and redirects the request to it. The agent then validates the request and sends a reply to the BSC/PCF indicating that the initial request has been redirected. The reply also comprises the IP address of the agent. The BSC/PCF then sets up an A10 connection with the agent, and the MN and the agent negotiate a PPP session. There is further a method of setting up a connection between two entities, via a third entity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for performing a handoff process in a packet data network. For doing so, the method provides a Mobile Switching Center (MSC) for receiving a handoff required message from a source Base Station (BS). The MSC further generates and sends to a target BS a handoff request message based on the received handoff required message. The target BS receives the handoff request message; and sends a handoff request acknowledge message including a Packet Zone identification (PZID) parameter for identifying a target Packet Core Function (PCF).