Abstract: Some embodiments provide methods for selecting tracking areas, including: receiving a plurality of messages from a plurality of base transceiver stations, each message including a list of tracking areas handled by the base transceiver station from which the message is received; performing domain name system queries for the tracking areas to retrieve information identifying serving gateways serving the tracking areas; based on the information identifying serving gateways, storing, in a local memory, a list of tracking area identities handled by each identified serving gateway; receiving a message from user equipment indicating a first tracking area; selecting at least one tracking area handled by a serving gateway serving the first tracking area based on the list of tracking areas handled by each identified serving gateway stored in the memory; and sending a tracking area identity list to the user equipment based on the selected at least one tracking area.

Abstract: Systems and methods that provide a mechanism to relocate functions from one gateway to another gateway in a wireless communication network are disclosed. The gateway can implement an access service network (ASN) gateway in a WiMAX based network with a number of functionalities co-located on the gateway such as an authenticator, an anchor FA, an anchor DPF, a PMIP client, and a prepaid client. These functionalities can then be relocated from a first ASN gateway to a second ASN gateway. The proposed system and method reduces the messaging needed for the relocation and the number of components in the network, which can save capital and operating expenses. Additionally, the reduced messaging can reduce latency and delay in the process of relocating, which saves bandwidth and increases the level of service provided to the user.

Abstract: A method comprising establishing a first control connection between a home node and a home node gateway having a first control connection identity, establishing a second control connection between the home node gateway and a mobility management device having a second control connection identity, communicating network traffic sent between the home node and the mobility management device on behalf of a mobile device using the first control connection and the second control connection, receiving a mobile device identifier included in a control message sent from the mobility management device using the second control connection in response to an entity type indication sent to the mobility management device from the home node gateway, the mobile device identifier uniquely identifying the mobile device, and correlating the mobile device identifier with a context including the first control connection identity and the second control connection identity.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing fast handoff support by transferring information are provided. Additionally, a generic protocol message format is presented which allows the transfer of information used in the handoff. The generic protocol allows a gateway to request contexts or session information and send information that allows tunnel setup and mapping to other connections. The session, tunnel, and mapping information allow the gateways to switch packet processing operations without causing disruption to the packet flow. Further, in inter-gateway handoffs or inter-access network handoffs, fast and seamless handoffs are provided so the mobile station keeps the same IP address and the session continues.

Abstract: A method comprising establishing a first control connection between a home node and a home node gateway having a first control connection identity, establishing a second control connection between the home node gateway and a mobility management device having a second control connection identity, communicating network traffic sent between the home node and the mobility management device on behalf of a mobile device using the first control connection and the second control connection, receiving a mobile device identifier included in a control message sent from the mobility management device using the second control connection in response to an entity type indication sent to the mobility management device from the home node gateway, the mobile device identifier uniquely identifying the mobile device, and correlating the mobile device identifier with a context including the first control connection identity and the second control connection identity.

Abstract: Systems and methods to manage network access (e.g., IPv4 and IPv6) and layer 3 mobility are provided. This can allow mobility management to be moved from a mobile node's stack to the access gateway, simplifying the stack and providing fast handoffs. The mobility management at an access gateway further allows a mobile node to keep its dynamically assigned IP address for the duration of a call session and through handoffs. The placement of access gateways in a domain of trust allows security information to be passed between access gateways in a handoff so that the security associations do not need to be re-authenticated with the mobile node. One or more of the above mobility management features can be used to provide a fast and seamless handoff for a mobile node.

Abstract: Systems and methods that provide a mechanism to relocate functions from one gateway to another gateway in a wireless communication network are disclosed. The gateway can implement an access service network (ASN) gateway in a WiMAX based network with a number of functionalities co-located on the gateway such as an authenticator, an anchor FA, an anchor DPF, a PMIP client, and a prepaid client. These functionalities can then be relocated from a first ASN gateway to a second ASN gateway. The proposed system and method reduces the messaging needed for the relocation and the number of components in the network, which can save capital and operating expenses. Additionally, the reduced messaging can reduce latency and delay in the process of relocating, which saves bandwidth and increases the level of service provided to the user.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing fast handoff support by transferring information are provided. Additionally, a generic protocol message format is presented which allows the transfer of information used in the handoff. The generic protocol allows a gateway to request contexts or session information and send information that allows tunnel setup and mapping to other connections. The session, tunnel, and mapping information allow the gateways to switch packet processing operations without causing disruption to the packet flow. Further, in inter-gateway handoffs or inter-access network handoffs, fast and seamless handoffs are provided so the mobile station keeps the same IP address and the session continues.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for sending information in a first protocol over a network that supports a second protocol. A tunnel is used to provide a roaming mobile node with IPv6 packet data over an IPv4 core network. When the mobile node is handed off while roaming, the same IP address is provided to the mobile node and the IPv6 packet data is again tunneled over the IPv4 core network. Certain embodiments allow an IPv4 core network to support a mobile node that uses Simple IPv6 or MIPv6 addressing. This system and method can be applicable to situations where the mobile node uses addressing greater than 32 bits, while the core network supports 32 bit addressing.

Abstract: Systems and methods to manage network access (e.g., IPv4 and IPv6) and layer 3 mobility are provided. This can allow mobility management to be moved from a mobile node's stack to the access gateway, simplifying the stack and providing fast handoffs. The mobility management at an access gateway further allows a mobile node to keep its dynamically assigned IP address for the duration of a call session and through handoffs. The placement of access gateways in a domain of trust allows security information to be passed between access gateways in a handoff so that the security associations do not need to be re-authenticated with the mobile node. One or more of the above mobility management features can be used to provide a fast and seamless handoff for a mobile node.