Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (publ)

Mikael Agnevik

Staffan Andersson

Ola Engstrom

Bo Jerker Karlander

Per Wollbrand

Ola Engström

Anders Knuutinen

Lars-G&ouml;ran Peterssen

An AAL2 path group () comprises plural AAL2 paths (). Bandwidth of an individual AAL2 path comprising the AAL2 path group is contributed to a total bandwidth of the AAL2 path group rather than to the individual AAL2 path exclusively. An admission decision regarding a connection seeking to use an AAL2 path belonging to the AAL2 path group is based on available bandwidth of the AAL2 path group rather than available bandwidth of an individual AAL2 path. ATM VCCs which comprise the AAL2 path group are transported on a virtual path (VP) together with ATM VCCs of a different type (e.g., a second type which differs from a first type of ATM VCC which comprise the AAL2 path group). The AAL2 path group also features quality of service (QoS) separation, e.g., differing treatment for differing AAL2 connections within the AAL2 path group based on the QoS requirements for the differing AAL2 connections.

Bandwidth efficient Quality of Service separation of AAL2 traffic

Various binding information techniques are provided for a telecommunications network () having separated call and connection layers. In a first embodiment of the invention, binding information is associated with connection endpoint information for a first connection end point (A) at a first end node (A) of the network. In a second embodiment, an ATM end system address (AESA) is associated with a first connection end point at the first end node and is transmitted in the call layer to the second end node, and included in connection layer signaling sent from the call layer to the connection layer. Upon receipt of the connection layer signaling at the first end node, the first end node uses the AESA to through connect the ATM switch in the physical layer to the first connection endpoint. In a third embodiment, a dynamic ATM end system address (AESA) is associated both with a first end node of the network and with a first connection end point at the first end node. Since the dynamic AESA is reusable for association with other connection end points at the first end node, a table maintained at the first end node keeps track for which end point the dynamic AESA is currently used. In a fourth embodiment, connection endpoint information for a first connection end point of a first end node of the network is included in a vacant or otherwise unused field in an ATM end system address (AESA) of the first end node.

Binding information for telecommunications network

In a radio access network of a telecommunications system, an end-to-end signaling protocol is utilized to establish plural distinct connection or link segments comprising a radio connection involving a user equipment unit (). The plural distinct connection segments extend in series between a device () in a first radio network control node (SRNC) and a device at a base station () controlled by a second radio network control node (DRNC). An example end-to-end signaling protocol is AAL2. Provision of the plural distinct connection segments is advantageous when performing a SRNC relocation procedure to make the second radio network control node serve as the SRNC for the radio connection involving the user equipment unit. After performance of the SRNC relocation procedure, a retained one of the plural distinct connection segments () can still be utilized, e.g., a segment extending between the device at the base station controlled by the second radio network control node and a device at the second radio network control node. The retained one of the connection segments can either be utilized in series with a post-relocation connection segment to establish a path between the base station controlled by the second radio network control node and a diversity handover unit at the second radio network control node, or have its connection point moved to the diversity handover unit at the second radio network control node. Disclosed modes include a three connection segment mode and a two connection segment mode. In one of its aspects, the present invention utilizes binding information to accommodate employment of the multiple connection segments such as described in the three connection segment mode and the two connection segment mode.

Connection handling in SRNC relocation

AAL2 (ATM Adaptation Layer ) paths are dynamically established and/or released in an ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) network/system. For purposes of example, during network operation a determination(s) may be made as to whether AAL2 mux (i.e., multiplexor(s) and/or demultiplexor(s)) resources are lacking and/or excessive relating to a particular AAL2 signaling relation(s). When AAL2 mux resources are determined as lacking for the AAL2 signaling relation, then at least one AAL2 mux is added to the relation. However, when AAL2 mux resources are determined as excessive for the AAL2 signaling relation, then at least one AAL2 mux is removed or dropped from the relation. AAL2 paths may be selectively and dynamically added and/or dropped from an AAL2 signaling relation in response to the above determinations. In such a manner, ATM resources can be preserved and not wasted thereby resulting in a more efficient ATM AAL2 system/network.

Dynamic AAL2 path configuration in ATM system

An internal routing tag ( ) is appended to a payload of a received ATM cell upon ingress of the ATM cell into a multi-stage ATM node ( ). The routing tag comprises routing information for routing the payload of the received ATM cell through plural stages ( ) of the multi-stage node. Preferably the routing information comprises a list of destination addresses, e.g., utopia address of physical units ( ) in the multi-stage ATM node. Use of the internal routing tag streamlines connection setup, reduces the number of internal control paths required, and obviates VPI/VCI conversion at the plural stages of the multi-stage node.

Growing community of inventors

Nacka, Sweden

Mikael Agnevik