Nortel Networks Corporation

Philip N Johnson

Richard John Driscoll

Mark K Thomas

Peter Beighton

A communication system, in particular a fixed wireless access communication system, including a transmission link, such as a broadcast downlink or a multiple access uplink, having a number of channels and apparatus for transmitting circuit switched and packet switched traffic over said transmission link. The system additionally includes a controller device for periodically pre-allocating channels to circuit switched traffic for a set time period dependent on one or more system parameters existing in a previous set time period. The system parameter may be the number of circuit switched connections operating in a previous set time period. The controller device may comprise a monitoring unit for determining a first number equal to the number of operating circuit switched connections in a previous set time period, a summing unit for forming a sum of the first number and an estimated margin and apparatus for allocating the summed number of channels to circuit switched connections for the next set time period.

Communication system for circuit switched and packet switched traffic

Self installation of subscriber terminals in a wireless access network is desirable in order to reduce the costs of rolling-out such a network. However correct configuration of the terminal within a sub-method network by the subscriber cannot be relied upon. The present invention provides a method for installing subscriber terminals in a packet switched wireless access network comprising a plurality of base stations, wherein the terminals network address is dependent on the base station to which said terminal is radio linked, said method comprising the steps of determining a unique identification reference and the installation site for said terminal; pre-loading each of said base stations within the geographical area of said installation site with said reference and a network address for said terminal which is dependent on said base station; receiving a connect message including said reference from said terminal to one of said base stations; transmitting to said terminal the network address dependent on said receiving pre-loaded base station.

Self-installation of wireless access network terminals

Traditionally a user has accessed an Internet Service Provider (ISP) using a circuit switched access network such as the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). This advantage is lost in current packet switched access networks where there is no mechanism for a user to select a particular ISP in the access network. The present invention provides a method for a user in a packet switched access network to select a connection facility to a second network, the method comprising, the user prepending the access network address of the connection facility to each data packet sent across the access network by the user, and the access network connection removing the prepended address from each packet prior to sending the packets on to the second network.

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Paignton, United Kingdom

Philip N Johnson