The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 22, 2006
Filed:
Jun. 28, 2002
Mooi Choo Chuah, Marlboro, NJ (US);
Enrique Hernandez-valencia, Highlands, NJ (US);
Wing Cheong Lau, Middletown, NJ (US);
Mooi Choo Chuah, Marlboro, NJ (US);
Enrique Hernandez-Valencia, Highlands, NJ (US);
Wing Cheong Lau, Middletown, NJ (US);
Lucent Technologies Inc., Murray Hill, NJ (US);
Abstract
The present invention sets forth a methodology for providing improved downlink backhaul services from a radio network controller (RNC) to a plurality of base stations via a backhaul network that provides Ethernet services. The Ethernet services are provided by a group of provider edge (PE) switches and regular label switch routers (referred to as P switches). Base stations within the network are assigned into clusters, each of the clusters having a cluster ID. The RNC transmits packets to a given switch or switches out on the network based on a cluster ID included within the transmitted packet. The communications traffic is then multicast from at least one last hop switch in the network to candidate base stations on the basis of the cluster ID and an active set within the cluster. Advantageously, the clusters act as subgroups for more easily directing the transmission of the backhaul multicast traffic. Significant advantages are realized through use of the present invention, including the ability to allow faster and smoother handoffs, as well as backhaul bandwidth savings since intelligence regarding cell switching is extended out at a point farther along the network than was previously enabled.