Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (publ)

Dirk Kampmann

Karl Hellwig

Andreas Witzel

Paul Schliwa-Bertling

Philip Hodges

Jan Scheurich

Christoph Meyer

Henning Buhr

Prashant Anand

Jens Poscher

Alexandru Hlibiciuc

Srinivas Kadaba

Mark Hlady

Majid Manosouri

The invention proposes to introduce a method for a Radio Access Network for providing 'Local Switching' between call legs of a call. Within said method the Radio Access Network receives a call identifier for a leg of a call from a Core Network to be handled by the Radio Access Network. The Radio Access Network stores said received call identifier, compares said received call identifier with stored call identifiers for call legs of calls via said Radio Access Network. If said received call identifier matches a stored call identifier the Radio Access Networks establish local switching of call legs identified by the matching call identifier. In an alternative embodiment, the invention proposes to introduce a method for a Core Network for providing local switching for call legs of a call. Within said method the Core Network receives or generates a call identifier for a leg of a call. The Core Network stores said received call identifier and identifies a respective Radio Access Network for said leg of said call. Thereafter, the Core Network compares said call received identifier with stored call identifiers for call legs of calls via said identified Radio Access Network. If said received call identifier matches a stored call identifier enforce local switching of call legs identified by the matching call identifier. The invention furthermore provides for respective Nodes of the respective Networks employing the invention.

Local switching

The present invention relates to a method, by a target node classification entity (), to control an application of a service providing module () to a data packet flow, wherein the data packet flow is transmitted to a target node () through a service network where the service providing module () applies a service to the data packet flow. The method comprises the following steps: First, from a flow classification entity (), flow classification data about the data packet flow is received, the flow classification data including at least a flow classifier classifying the data packet flow, a flow identifier uniquely identifying the data packet flow, and a target node address to which the data packet flow is addressed. Then, the target node is classified based on the flow classifier contained in the received flow classification data, wherein a first service classifier is generated for the target node based on the flow classifier. Then, it is checked whether a classification database () has to be updated based on the first classifier of the target node, the classification database storing, for different target nodes, whether at least one service has to be applied to data packet flows to the corresponding target node. Furthermore, if the information in the classification database has to be updated, a flow command is generated for a central flow controller () which controls the data packet flows through the service network, wherein the generated flow command contains the information that successive data packet flows in the service network transmitted to the target node address should be passed through the service network in accordance with the generated first service classifier of the target node, and the generated flow command is transmitted to the central flow controller ().

Service application with learning capability

Systems and methods related to performing an assignment and a handover in a radio communication network are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a method performed by a Mobile Switching Center (MSC) of a radio communication network may include seizing resources for a Time Division Multiplexed (TDM) bearer and an Internet Protocol (IP) bearer for use on a terrestrial A-interface of the radio communication network for an activity to be performed by a target Base Station Controller (BSC) of the radio communication network. Further, the method may include sending, to the target BSC, an indication that requests the activity be performed by the target BSC and that also identifies the seized resources for the TDM bearer and the IP bearer for use on the terrestrial A-interface for the activity.

Assignment and handover in a radio communication network

A technique for packet ingress processing and packet egress processing in an OpenFlow, OF, switch is presented. A method aspect directed to packet ingress processing comprises receiving a packet at an OF port. The packet is associated with one of multiple logical flow entities, such as logical ports, allocated to the OF port. In a next step, the logical flow entity associated with the received packet is determined. Then, metadata for the packet is tagged with an identifier for the logical flow entity associated with the packet. The tagging controls handling of the packet at egress processing. The packet handling, in turn, may include a selective dropping or passing of the packet.

Packet processing in an OpenFlow switch

Systems and methods related to performing an assignment and a handover in a radio communication network are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a method performed by a Mobile Switching Center (MSC) of a radio communication network may include seizing resources for a Time Division Multiplexed (TDM) bearer and an Internet Protocol (IP) bearer for use on a terrestrial A-interface of the radio communication network for an activity to be performed by a target Base Station Controller (BSC) of the radio communication network. Further, the method may include sending, to the target BSC, an indication that requests the activity be performed by the target BSC and that also identifies the seized resources for the TDM bearer and the IP bearer for use on the terrestrial A-interface for the activity

The invention relates to a central control entity () configured to control a data plane flow of a stream of data packages in a radio access network part of a mobile communications network. The central control entity () comprises an information detecting unit (), configured to detect information about data plane applications (-) attached to forwarding elements (--) of the radio access network part and configured to detect information about at least one data plane application (-) that is to be applied to said data plane flow. Furthermore, the central control entity () comprises a control unit (), configured to determine a path of the data plane flow through the forwarding elements (--) of the radio access network part, wherein the control unit () is configured to determine the path taking into account said at least one data plane application (-) to be applied to said data plane flow, the control unit () being further configured to instruct the forwarding element in the path, to which said at least one data place application is attached, to pass the data plane flow through said at least one data plane application (-).

Centralized control of data plane applications

The invention relates to a central control entity () configured to control a data plane flow of a stream of data packages in an access network part of a mobile communications network, the central control entity comprising:&#x2014;a detecting unit (), configured to detect a presence of data plane applications () linked to forwarding elements () of the access network part, configured to detect information about a type of data plane application that is to be applied to said data plane flow, and configured to detect flow information reports from forwarding elements () which are directly linked to one network node containing the determined type of data plane application, each flow information report from one of the forwarding elements () containing information about a data packet volume transmitted from said one forwarding element to said one data plane application,&#x2014;a flow control unit () configured to determine a path of the data plane flow through the forwarding elements () of the access network part to one of the network nodes containing the determined type of data plane application (), wherein the flow control unit () is configured to determine a load of said one data plane application provided on said one network node, taking into account the flow information reports from the forwarding elements () which are directly linked to said one data plane application, wherein the flow control unit () determines the path of the data plane flow, taking into account the determined load of said one data plane application.

Centralized data plane flow control

A method for connecting, by a central control unit (CCU), a booting switch to a network. The network includes switches controlled by the CCU using control data packets that are transmitted via communications paths in the network. User packets are transmitted through the network using the same communications paths. A switch uses forwarding rules stored in a pipeline to forward packets in the network. A local port in each switch provides access to the pipeline. The paths in the network for the control data packets are established by storing forwarding rules configured by the CCU in the pipelines of the switches. At least one switch contains a connecting port via which the booting switch is connected to the network. The forwarding rules in the booting switch are stored by the CCU using a temporary path, which contains the existing path and a connecting path.

Connecting a booting switch to a network

A method for handling, by a ring node of a network having a ring topology, a data transfer of data packets through the network via which the data packets are transmitted to their destination node, wherein each ring node has two neighboring ring nodes. The method includes detecting data packets of an incoming data transfer received from a non ring node to be transmitted through the network to their destination node. Furthermore, a ring direction is added to the data packets of the incoming data transfer, the indication indicating in which direction the data packets of the incoming data transfer are passed through the network having the ring topology. The data packets of the incoming data transfer are forwarded to one of the two neighboring ring nodes based on the added indication.

Handling of data transfers in a network with a ring topology

The invention relates to a method for handing over a mobile entity related call from a first call control node to a second call control node, wherein identification information of a switching point seized by the first call control node is contained in a handover request message, the second call control node selecting a switching point for the call to be handed over based on the identification information contained in the handover request message.

Media gateway selection at inter-MSC handover

The invention proposes several methods for codec handling. In specific, methods involving providing a supported codec list of a Call Control Server are described. A node receives information, whether a terminal supports a wideband codec, wherein the information is received in call set up signaling from the terminal of the subscriber. Furthermore, configuration information is retrieved, whether a Radio Access Node supports the wideband codec. Additionally, information is retrieved, whether a media gateway supports the wideband codec, wherein the information is either provided by the operator or retrieved from the media gateway (MGW, MGW, MGWx). The information is analyzed and in response to the analysis a supported codec list is provided. Furthermore, alternative embodiments and devices adapted for the methods are disclosed.

Wideband codec negotiation

The Invention proposes a method for a Control Node (MSC) of a Core Network (CN) for late activation of a User Plane between a Radio Station (eNodeB, NodeB, BTS) and a control node (RNC, BSC) of a Radio Access Network (eUTRAN, UTRAN, URAN, GERAN, GRAN, RAN) of a call to be set-up. Furthermore, a method for a control node of a Radio Access Network for late activation of a User Plane between a Radio Station and a control node of a Radio Access of a call to be set-up is proposed MSC receives an indication that a call involving said MSC and a BSC of a RAN shall be set-up. MSC gains knowledge that said BSC is adapted for a late User Plane Activation. MSC instructs said BSC that the User Plane between the Radio Station and the BSC/RNC shall be reserved. Upon detecting that the User Plane of said call shall be through connected, MSC instructs the BSC to activate the reserved User Plane between Radio Station and BSC. In addition corresponding nodes are proposed.

Late Abis activation

The invention provides for a dynamic transcoder placement in case that transcoding functionality for codecs is offered in a TRAU associated to a Base Station Controller and/or a MGW selected for a call.

Dynamic transcoder placement

A network entity for a radio communication network includes a processing unit which causes a first resource and a second resource for a terrestrial interface of the radio network to be seized, where the first resource is distinct and different from the second resource. The entity includes a network interface through which a handover request or an assignment request message identifying the first and the second resource is sent. A network entity for a radio communication network includes a network interface which receives a handover request message or an assignment request message identifying a first resource and a second resource. The first resource is distinct and different from the second resource. The entity includes a processing unit that selects one of the first and second resources, allocates a radio channel associated with the handover or assignment, selects a bearer for a terrestrial interface and seizes resources for the interface.

The invention relates to a method for controlling, by a central control entity (), a topology change in a network having a ring topology with a plurality of ring nodes (-) via which data packets of various data transfers are transmitted to their corresponding destination nodes. The method comprising the steps of receiving information about a topology change of the ring topology of the network, determining which of the data transfers are affected by the topology change, determining, for each of the affected data transfers, a new path through the network, determining new switching instructions for ring nodes (-) that are affected by the new paths determined for the affected data transfers, and transmitting the new switching instructions to the affected ring nodes (-).

Growing community of inventors

Vaals, Netherlands

Dirk Kampmann