Abstract: An authentication mechanism renders a communications network impervious to unauthorized requests for interaction termination or cessation. In a release authentication mode of operation, the authentication mechanism protects against an unauthorized connection release message directed to a mobile node (30) of the network, e.g., a mobile station such as a user equipment unit, thereby thwarting an attempt to request an unauthorized connection release procedure concerning a connection involving the mobile node. In a detach authentication mode of operation, the authentication mechanism protects against an unauthorized detach message deceptively transmitted on behalf of a mobile node, thereby thwarting an attempt to request an unauthorized detach procedure for the mobile node. In its modes of operation, the authentication mechanism involves a first node (Ni) of the communications network at which authentication key is provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to the implementation of changing a service between a user equipment (UE) and a Telecommunications network operating according to Universal Mobile Telecommunication System standards by using a known radio bearer assignment message for indicating the change of use of a connection from a first service to a second service.

Abstract: Telecommunications network decision making (such as call admission and call congestion control) utilizes as input, not only information in the cell where the call is setup, but also cell condition information from cells which neighbor the cell where the call is setup. The cell condition information from neighboring cells is obtained even in situations in which the neighboring cell is controlled by another exchange, e.g., another radio network controller (RNC). In an illustrated embodiment, the cell condition information utilized by the decision making includes measured data taken over at least a multi-connection portion of cell, one example of which is radio interference information. The cell condition information utilized in the network decision making is transmitted between exchanges (e.g., between radio network controllers [RNCs] using common channel signaling.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for improved and efficient usage of radio network resources with regard to the transmission properties of applied communication channel types and total network load by means of using early indications on the uplink or downlink of requests to establish new communication connection or adjust parameter settings of already existing connections regading the expectable amount of additional traffic due to such a connection. Early indications are, e.g., information on protocol type, the kind of requested communication service, the profile of the user equipment that has sent the request, or traffic history. In response to such indications the inventive method can forward, e.g., an uplink request and at the same time initiate a channel type switching providing appropriate channel parameter settings or adjustments. In case of congestion control it is another possibility to delay or even suppress uplink requests.

Abstract: A radio access network portion of a telecommunications network (18) which serves a mobile station (MS) is connecting to a core network. The radio access network portion has plural base stations (BS) serving respective plural cells (C), as well as plural control nodes (RNCs). The control nodes include a first control node (RNC1) for controlling a first group of the plural base stations and a second control node (RNC2) for controlling a second group of the plural base stations. A multicell area (MCA) includes cells served by at least some of the first group of base stations and cells served by at least some of the second group of base stations. The radio access network portion of a telecommunications network further has a paging control node which stores information regarding the multicell area.

Abstract: The invention relates to the implementation of changing a service between a user equipment (UE) and a Telecommunications network operating according to Universal Mobile Telecommunication System standards by using a known radio bearer assignment message for indicating the change of use of a connection from a first service to a second service.

Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus enables automatic radio base station (RBS) rehoming from a first radio network controller (RNC) to a second RNC when the first RNC becomes overloaded and/or automatic resource sharing between/among RNCs when one RNC becomes overloaded. A managing/controlling entity receives load measuring reports from RNCs and analyzes them. If a first RNC is frequently and/or constantly experiencing an overcapacity condition, then an RBS of the RNC may be rehomed to a second RNC without operator intervention. If a first RNC temporarily experiences an overcapacity condition, then the workload of the first RNC may be shared by a second RNC also without operator intervention. When rehoming an RBS or sharing a load of a first RNC, ongoing connections are completed by the first RNC where the connection was initiated, but new connections are (for the rehoming case) or new connections may be (for load sharing cases) initiated using a second RNC.

Abstract: A paging origination identifier associated with an origination of a page to a mobile radio terminal is included with a mobile terminal's response to the page. For example, assuming that the page to the mobile terminal is in a first area, the mobile terminal responds to the page from a second area and includes the identifier in that response. The second area may be a cell controlled by another radio network control node, another radio network operator, or even another type of cellular system. The identifier is used to route the page response through the radio network ultimately to the paging originator. The identifier may be, for example, a paging area identifier, a registration area identifier, or a network exchange identifier. Another example identifier is the cell where the mobile terminal received the page. Cell evaluation and selection processes need only be performed while the mobile terminal is listening to the paging channel, for example, thereby saving mobile terminal battery life.

Abstract: A method for performing Cell-Updates or URA-Updates in a mobile communication system is disclosed, whereby a User Equipment (UE) sends a Cell-Update message or URA-Update message to an SRNC. The-transported Cell-Update message or URA-Update message includes a sequence counter which is incremented each time the UE sends such a message to the SRNC. The SRNC stores the value of the sequence counter for each Cell-Update message or URA-Update message received and acknowledged. If the SRNC receives a Cell-Update message or URA-Update message with a corresponding sequence counter value'that is lower than the sequence counter value stored for the previously received Cell-Update message or URA-Update message, then the SRNC ignores the received Cell-Update message or URA-Update message. Also, the SRNC does not store the sequence counter value for the ignored, received Cell-Update message or URA-Update message.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of an invention is disclosed, whereby the size of certain (e.g., S-RNTI and scrambling code number) Information Elements (IEs) in the UTRAN RRC “HANDOVER TO UTRAN COMMAND” message can be reduced, by reserving a subrange of the IE parameter values for exclusive use by the User Equipment (UE) which is performing an inter-Radio Access Technology (RAT) handover to a UTRAN. For example, the lowest values of scrambling code number or S-RNTI number can be reserved for initial assignment to a UE performing a handover from one system network to the UTRAN. Upon completion of the handover procedure, the UTRAN can assign another scrambling code number or S-RNTI number to that UE. Consequently, by significantly reducing the size of the IEs used in the HANDOVER TO UTRAN COMMAND message, additional (e.g., optional) parameters may also be used in the same message.

Abstract: An enhanced radio network controller (RNC) node of a radio access network stores context information for a user equipment unit which is in a Connected Mode, and initiates a cell update-prompting message which is transmitted the user equipment unit. The stored context information is used by the context-enhanced radio network controller (RNC) node for addressing the cell update-prompting message to the user equipment unit. After the user equipment unit (which is in its Connected Mode) performs the prompted cell update procedure, such user equipment unit (UE) can be paged with a conventional paging message. The invention with its context-enhanced radio network controller (RNC) node is particularly suitable to user equipment units which are in a critical state of the Connected Mode, such as (for example) either a CELL_PCH state or a URA_PCH state of the Connected Mode.

Abstract: An authentication mechanism renders a communications network impervious to unauthorized requests for interaction termination or cessation. In a release authentication mode of operation, the authentication mechanism protects against an unauthorized connection release message directed to a mobile node (30) of the network, e.g., a mobile station such as a user equipment unit, thereby thwarting an attempt to request an unauthorized connection release procedure concerning a connection involving the mobile node. In a detach authentication mode of operation, the authentication mechanism protects against an unauthorized detach message deceptively transmitted on behalf of a mobile node, thereby thwarting an attempt to request an unauthorized detach procedure for the mobile node. In its modes of operation, the authentication mechanism involves a first node (Ni) of the communications network at which authentication key is provided.

Abstract: An architecture for resource management of an IP-based cellular radio access network is presented. A measurement-based admission control scheme is used to monitor the load for each path in the network and QoS (quality of service) class and resource decisions are made based upon that information. A bandwidth broker is introduced in the cellular radio access network (RAN). The bandwidth broker processes the on-demand admission requests for IP resources by using the results of load control measurements. Since the requests can be processed very quickly using a simple table look-up, response times are fast, and the architecture is thus suitable for the cellular environment.

Abstract: An omnibus connection release message transmitted from a control node of radio access network is used to release plural radio connections, thereby obviating problems attending transmission of plural release messages. In accordance with a first example mode of the present invention, a control node of the radio access network prepares the omnibus release message so that, when a first selected parameter thereof has a predetermined value, all radio connections controlled by the radio network control (RNC) node are released. The first selected parameter can be included in a mobile terminal global identity information element of the omnibus release message (e.g., in a Radio Network Temporary Identity (U-RNTI) information element of the omnibus release message, such as a Serving Radio Network Temporary Identity (S-RNTI) information element).

Abstract: A radio access network portion of a telecommunications network (18) which serves a mobile station (MS) is connecting to a core network. The radio access network portion has plural base stations (BS) serving respective plural cells (C), as well as plural control nodes (RNCs). The control nodes include a first control node (RNC1) for controlling a first group of the plural base stations and a second control node (RNC2) for controlling a second group of the plural base stations. A multicell area (MCA) includes cells served by at least some of the first group of base stations and cells served by at least some of the second group of base stations. The radio access network portion of a telecommunications network further has a paging control node which stores information regarding the multicell area.

Abstract: Telecommunications network decision making (such as call admission and call congestion control) utilizes as input, not only information in the cell where the call is setup, but also cell condition information from cells which neighbor the cell where the call is setup. The cell condition information from neighboring cells is obtained even in situations in which the neighboring cell is controlled by another exchange, e.g., another radio network controller (RNC). In an illustrated embodiment, the cell condition information utilized by the decision making includes measured data taken over at least a multi-connection portion of cell, one example of which is radio interference information. The cell condition information utilized in the network decision making is transmitted between exchanges (e.g., between radio network controllers [RNCs] using common channel signaling.

Abstract: A radio access network portion of a telecommunications network (18) which serves a mobile station (MS) is connecting to a core network. The radio access network portion has plural base stations (BS) serving respective plural cells (C), as well as plural control nodes (RNCs). The control nodes include a first control node (RNC1) for controlling a first group of the plural base stations and a second control node (RNC2) for controlling a second group of the plural base stations. A multicell area (MCA) includes cells served by at least some of the first group of base stations and cells served by at least some of the second group of base stations. The radio access network portion of a telecommunications network further has a paging control node which stores information regarding the multicell area.

Abstract: In a soft handover cellular system, diversity handling operations are multistaged for a mobile connection which is controlled by an original or Source RNC (1221) and which also utilizes a secondary or Target RNC (1222). Non-Source RNCs each have a diversity handling units (DHU) which perform connection splitting and connection combining operations for all involved base stations (BS) owned by the non-Source RNC, so that only one transport connection need exist between the Source RNC and the Target RNC for the mobile connection. The Source RNC (1221) has a diversity handover unit (1301)which not only performs connection splitting and connection combining with respect to the involved base stations owned by the Source RNC, but also with respect to the one transport connection for each Target RNC involved in the mobile connection.

Abstract: A telecommunications network has a target exchange (RNC 2222) which determines a congestion condition in a region supervised by the target exchange, and which sends a congestion message to a source exchange (RNC 2221). The source exchange controls at least some connections which utilize radio resources in the region supervised by the target exchange. The congestion message causes the source exchange to adjust at least one connection which it controls in the region supervised by the target exchange. In a first mode of the invention, the target exchange determines a selected connection to be adjusted in view of the congestion condition. In this first mode, the congestion message identifies the selected connection to be adjusted and further includes an adjustment value (e.g., power reduction value) for the selected connection to be adjusted. In a second mode of the invention, the congestion message includes an identification of a congested area (e.g.

Abstract: In connection with a diversity handling moveover procedure for a cellular system having soft handover, allocation of a replacement diversity handling unit in a target node occurs only after a moveover decision has been made by a source node. Initially, an original or source diversity handling unit at the source node performs connection combining and connection splitting functions for legs of a mobile connection routed through plural base stations serving a mobile station. In accordance with movement of the mobile station, the source node makes the movement decision. The moveover decision can be based on factors such as base station utilization and/or actual and/or predicted directional movement of the mobile station. In some embodiments, the diversity handling moveover procedure involves selection among plural nodes for situs of the replacement or target diversity handling unit.