Lucent Technologies Inc.

Gopal Krishna Dommety

Malathi Veeraraghavan

Pramod Pancha

Disclosed is a location management method for a communication network. In a first embodiment, a procedure for finding an optimal path between a calling switch and a visiting switch node is integrated in the call set up procedure. The connection set up procedure starts by setting up a connection path between the calling switch and the home switch. Then, an &ldquo;optimal crossover node&rdquo; is determined along the connection path and then the connection path is cranked back starting from the home switch and moving towards the optimal crossover node. Once the optimal crossover node is reached, the a connection set-up proceeds to set up a connection between the optimal crossover node and the visiting switch. In an alternative embodiment, first a connection is set up between the calling switch and the home switch. Then the connection is extended to the visiting switch either by the call-forwarding or by two-phase crankback method. This results in a quickly routed, but sub-optimal connection. Once the connection extension is completed by call forwarding or by the two phase crankback scheme, the route is optimized by selecting a segment on the sub-optimal connection for route optimization and then utilizing the method of the first embodiment to establish an optimally routed connection.

Method for location management in a communication network

A handoff scheme for a communications network is disclosed. In a first embodiment a procedure for finding an optimal path between an originating network node and a destination network node is integrated in the handoff procedure. An optimally routed connection is obtained by first determining an optimal &ldquo;crossover node&rdquo; along the existing path and then the handoff is effected by altering the existing connection route so that it travels along the existing path until it reaches the crossover node, where the path then varies from the original route, and a new segment between the crossover node and the new location is established. Then the call is switched to the new segment and the corresponding old segment on the old connection is released. In an alternative embodiment, the handoff procedure is performed first by completing a fast reroute connection using a prior art path extension method. This results in a quick, but sub-optimal handoff connection. Once the handoff is completed, the route is optimized by selecting a segment on the sub-optimal connection for rerouting and then utilizing the method of the first embodiment to establish an optimally routed connection.

Method for rerouting and route optimization for handoff management in a communications network

A facility is provided in which an ATM switch may operate as a switch in the provision of connection oriented services and operates as a router in the provision of connectionless services. In the router mode, the ATM switch may determine 'on the fly' a route which may be used to forward received data cells to an intended destination and then forwards each of the data cells in sequence over the determined route. In the switch mode, the ATM switch operates conventionally and forwards a received data cell over a previously defined switched virtual path. In certain cases, the ATM switch may operate as a router only.

Connectionless message service using ATM routers

The tracking of mobile terminals served by base stations supported by respective switches are formed into respective peer groups of switches in which the peer groups are then formed into a hierarchical logical network having a prescribed number of levels of scope S, and in which individual ones of the switches serve as a home switch for respective ones of said wireless terminals is enhanced. Specifically, responsive to receiving a registration message sent by one of the wireless terminals, the receiving switch notifies the home switch associated with the sending terminal. The home switch, in turn, notes the current location of that terminal and sends a similar message to the switch serving the zone in which the sending wireless terminal was last located. The latter switch, responsive to receipt of the message sets a pointer that points to (a) the current location of the sending wireless terminal if the switch is within the scope of the current location of the sending terminal or (b) the home switch if the switch is outside of the scope of the current location of the sending terminal.

Growing community of inventors

Columbus, OH, United States of America

Gopal Krishna Dommety