System and method of mobility management in a mobile communications network having a proxy switch

Abstract

A proxy switch, communication methods, and communication logic for use in a mobile network are described. A proxy switch is deployed between a base station subsystem and a mobile station center. It receives signaling messages and either retransmits them, blocks them, converts them, or siphons them to an alternative network. Besides providing an ability to offload offload mobile traffic it provides a platform for new communication services. Among other things, to handle mobility management within the network, a proxy switch includes signaling message handling logic for receiving signaling messages from the MSC and BS in accordance with a mobile signaling protocol. The switch also includes state logic for maintaining state information of call sessions and mobile stations (MSs) used within the mobile communications network, and message interception logic for detecting whether the signaling message is a handoff message from a MS. The message interception logic prevents the handoff messages from being forwarded to the MSC if the MS is involved in the call, and if the MSC is not involved in the call. The switch further includes message conversion logic for converting a handoff message to a location update message for transmission to the MSC if the MS is involved in the call, and if the MSC is not involved in the call; and message transmission logic for transmitting the handoff messages to the MSC if the MS is not involved in the call.