Multiplex communications – Communication techniques for information carried in plural... – Adaptive
Reexamination Certificate
1998-03-02
2001-02-20
Vu, Huy D. (Department: 2739)
Multiplex communications
Communication techniques for information carried in plural...
Adaptive
C370S338000, C455S403000, C455S422100, C455S425000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06192055
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to implementing data services in telecommunication networks, especially in mobile networks and wireless local loop (WLL) systems.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In addition to the normal speech service, modern mobile systems also provide subscribers with different data transmission properties, e.g. asynchronous bearer services or a facsimile Group 3 eleservice.
Data services usually employ a specified communication protocol within a mobile network. For example the European digital mobile system GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) comprises a UDI-coded rate adaptation protocol based on CCITT V.110, and further a radio link protocol (RLP) for non-transparent services, and a GSM facsimile protocol. A digital connection from a mobile network to the fixed network, such as an integrated services digital network (ISDN) or a public switched telephone network (PSTN), may employ protocols different from the protocols within the mobile network. Examples of protocols include CCITT V.110 and V.120 rate adaptation protocols in the ISDN network, modem protocols (CCITT V.22, V.22bis, V.32), and facsimile Group 3.
A mobile system comprises adaptation functions for adapting a data connection set up within the mobile network to the protocols used by terminal equipments and other telecommunication networks. The adaptation functions typically include a terminal adaptation function (TAF) located at an interface between a mobile station and a data terminal equipment connected thereto, and an interworking function (IWF) at an interface between the mobile network and another telecommunication network, usually in connection with a mobile services switching centre. A mobile services switching centre usually comprises different types of adapter equipment pools for supporting different data services and protocols, for example a modem pool with modems and facsimile adapters for modem and facsimile services, a UDI/RDI rate adaptation pool, etc.
FIG. 1
illustrates a GSM network comprising IWF adapter equipment pools in a mobile services switching centre (MSC).
The signalling within a mobile network usually supports the transmission of data-service-specific parameters. However, the signalling does not often support the transmission of these parameters in all the networks via which a call is routed. This happens for example when a call arrives from or is routed via the PSTN. In such a case, the mobile network should be able to conclude in some other manner the data service and the adapter equipment that an incoming call requires, for example.
A known solution to this problem is a multinumbering scheme where a mobile subscriber has as many MSISDN (mobile subscriber ISDN) numbers as he has different services to which he wants to receive incoming calls. In a multinumbering scheme, a calling subscriber dials the one of the mobile subscriber's MSISDN numbers that corresponds to the desired service. In the GSM system, the subscriber services are determined in the home location register (HLR) of the subscriber, which also stores permanently other subscriber data. The HLR also stores information on the correspondence between the MSISDN numbers and the services of the subscriber. The HLR also assigns to each MSISDN number a BCIE (bearer capability information element) that indicates the call type and the bearer services and protocol required in the call. The IWF can be configured according to this data. According to the current GSM recommendations (GSM TS 09.07), a subscriber has a dedicated MSISDN number for each service. A subscriber may have, for example, a speech service, an asynchronous 3.1 kHz bearer service (modem), an asynchronous UDI bearer service and a facsimile Group 3 teleservice, which means that the subscriber needs four MSISDN numbers. The plurality of MSISDN numbers is problematic both for the user and the network operator.
Networks where a terminal equipment of the fixed network is connected to the network via a radio connection instead of a subscriber cable are called wireless local loop (WLL) networks or radio local loop (RLL) networks. A WLL may be based on a mobile network, such as the GSM. There are several configurations by means of which a GSM-based WLL system can be implemented.
FIG. 2
shows a configuration where the GSM network is used as such. Instead of a normal mobile station (MS), the terminal equipment comprises a fixed subscriber base station
22
at the subscriber's premises and a PSTN telephone
21
connected to the subscriber base station
22
.
FIG. 3
in turn shows a configuration where a base station controller (BSC), an MSC, an HLR and a visitor location register VLR in the GSM network are replaced with a WLL-specific network element, i.e. a WLL access node. The WLL access node may contain for example the following functions: transcoding, echo cancellation, basic functions of the location registers (VLR, HLR) and adaptation functions (IWF) for data services. In each case, an IWF is required at the network side (in the MSC or the WLL access node) if data services are supported.
Such a large number of services and protocols creates difficulties for network operators and users. In order for a mobile subscriber to be able to make and receive calls requiring different protocols, he must order several network services from the network operator. For the operator it is problematic that each subscriber needs a plurality of MSISDN numbers, which uses up the numbering space of the network. Also, definition of the services in the network databases consumes the capacity of the databases.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the invention is to decrease the MSISDN numbers needed by a subscriber for the use of different data services in a telecommunication system.
The invention relates to a method for setting up a data call terminating at a subscriber. The invention is characterized by
receiving a call from another network to an MSISDN number of the subscriber that is common to two or more data services having adaptation functions integrated into the same adapter equipment,
allocating the adaptation resource required by the data call from said integrated adapter equipment,
monitoring a traffic channel arriving from the other network by means of the allocated integrated adaptation resource,
identifying the data service used by the calling party by means of signalling, synchronization or some other feature that is characteristic of the service,
configuring said integrated adaptation resource to operate in the manner according to said identified data service towards the other network.
The invention also relates to an arrangement according to claim
5
and to an adapter equipment according to claim
9
.
In the invention, different adapter equipments for different data services are integrated at the network side into a single pool where all the data services share one MSISDN number. The integrated pool supports the protocols and functions of all the data services belonging to the pool. When a terminating call is made to the MSISDN number of the integrated pool, the pool is connected to the line. Protocol or service definitions possibly provided in a service specification related to this MSISDN number, obtained for example from the switching centre during the call set-up, are not taken into account if they relate to distinguishing between data services within the pool. In other words, the integrated pool does not try to operate according to any one of the data services towards the calling subscriber but instead it monitors the incoming traffic channel in order to identify the data service and protocol used by the terminal equipment. Identification of a data service is based on detecting synchronization or signalling that is characteristic of the service. After the integrated pool has identified the data service of the calling party, it starts to operate in the manner required by the identified data service.
Any function characteristic of a data service can be used to identify the service. For example an asynchronous 3.1 kHz be
Nokia Telecommunications Oy
Pillsbury Madison & Sutro LLP
Trinh Dung
Vu Huy D.
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