Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (publ)

Staffan Andersson

Torgny Anders Lindberg

Mikael Agnevik

Lars Novak

Erik Lennart Bogren

Ola Engstrom

Lars Kent Konradsson

Lars-G&ouml;ran Petersen

Bengt Stavenow

Peter Carl Birger Lundh

Ola Engström

Anders Knuutinen

Lars-G&ouml;ran Peterssen

Lars John Ola Dagberg

Per Erik Filip Sydhoff

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

A communications network ( ) has ATM cells with AAL2 protocol packets carried on a first interface ( ) between two nodes ( ) of the network. Using the AAL2 protocol packets, many user channels are multiplexed onto one ATM VC between the two nodes. In one of the two nodes designated as a control node ( ), user channels are terminated by mapping AAL2 packets of the user channels into modified ATM cells having a AAL protocol different than AAL2. The AAL protocol utilized for the modified ATM cells, termed AAL2 prime, requires that AAL2 packets carried in the ATM cell payload be whole packets and that the ATM payload not have an AAL2-type start field. Preferably, in the AAL2 prime protocol only one whole AAL2 packet is carried per ATM cell payload. Termination of the AAL2 user channels at the control node preferably occurs at a pooled and centralized resource termed a cell handling unit ( ). The provision of the cell handling unit ( ) and the AAL2 prime protocol advantageously allows standard ATM equipment, e.g., an ATM switch ( ), to be employed. A mobile telecommunications network is provided as an example illustrated embodiment.

Asynchronous transfer mode system handling differing AAL protocols

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.

Internal routing through multi-staged ATM node

In a call and connection separated network that includes a number of domains, the network has a layered structure that includes a connection layer and a service layer. In each connection domain there is a connection control process for controlling hardware. An external network is used to carry a transmission channel that originates from or terminates in the call and connection separated network. Such calls are referred to as inhomogeneous calls. A connection control process at the originating side of an inhomogeneous call uses a routing number to route the transmission channel through the external network. The routing number is administered by a service used by the control process at the terminating point of the call. The routing number follows the signalling protocol of the external network.

Inhomogeneous connections

For distributive services in telecommunications networks, and in particular methods for establishing point-to-multipoint connections and multipoint-to-point connections as well as methods of releasing these types of connections. Program distribution to several subscribers uses network resources in common along common call routes. A list of potential program distribution points is created and a running index is associated with each one of the distribution points. Before a connection is set up to a subscriber the list is examined and a distribution point is selected from which a point-to-point connection is set up to the subscriber. The running index is stepped up. The running index of a distribution point is stepped down during release of a connection and is examined with release of a call route section.

Point-to-multipoint connections

User terminals are connected to a telecommunication system. The telecommunication system includes a control system for the control, such as set-up, release and modification, of connections between the user terminals. A large portion of functions are common for control of dynamical as well as semi-permanent connections. Control of a connection can be initiated from any of the user terminals to which the connection relates, or from other user terminals. Control data for the connections can be stored in different types of storage resources in the control system, the different types of storage resources having different degrees of reliability.

Method of controlling connections in a telecommunication system

A generic information model for configuration, control and management of auxiliary resources within a telecommunication network. The information mode comprises a hierarchical structure of objects classes: a network object class, a managed element class, and a fabric object class. The network object class represents the telecommunication network. The managed element object class describes the physical sites of fabric within the telecommunication network. The fabric object class describes the physical exchanges used for switching in the telecommunication network, as well as devices connected to individual exchanges. The information model is applied to a switched telecommunication network to provide an auxiliary resource pool class and an auxiliary resource connection termination point object class to allow for dynamic handling of auxiliary resources within the switched network. Centralized handling of the auxiliary resources is also completed by the invention.

Configuration method for auxiliary resources

Resource model and architecture for a connection handling system

A method of dynamic resource allocation in a stratified network structure having a dynamically switched first stratum network and at least a second stratum network underlying the first overlying stratum network. At least a first route in the first stratum is provided with a first relation which points out two access points in the second stratum. A connection between the access points in the second stratum network is established and includes a second number of resources generally referred to as an infrastructure. The infrastructure is finally assigned to the first route.

Growing community of inventors

Enskede, Sweden

Staffan Andersson