Selectable packet-switched and circuit-switched services in a mobile communications network

territorially invention

The present invention relates to mobile communications, and in particular different services and features that can be employed to Communications between a mobile station in a mobile communication network produce and an external network device and improve.

background and Summary of the Invention

The most mobile radio systems like the GSM standard (Global System for Mobile Communications - GSM) are mainly used in mobile telephony, which normally only circuit-switched Communications support, where guaranteed "solid" lines a users for the duration of a connection are allocated. However, are packet-switched Applications such as fax transmission and the exchange of short messages over cellular networks increasingly popular. Exemplary data applications include wireless personal computers, mobile switching centers, electronic payments, road transport telemetry, customer services, Vehicle management, etc. These data applications are by traffic embossed, the data in bunches occurs in which a relatively large amount of data over a transmitted relatively short period is followed by substantial Periods, If little or no data is transferred.

During transport, the data in bunches are occurring, transmitted by means of a circuit-switched channel may, this channel is underloaded by such a transmission, since size periods between data clusters are likely during the channel is reserved but is not being used, since no information transmitted to the user or received by this. From the standpoint of the efficiency of seen, this represents a waste of transmission resources, which are particularly limited to radio communications. From the standpoint of customer service from the user, however, is substantially a certain quality of service advised as a circuit-switched channel not with other financial Benut is divided. additionally to inefficiency, it takes a relatively long, a circuit-switched establish connection and quit, compared with individual Packet routing in packet switched sessions. In traffic situations that occur in data clusters, use packet-switched carrier the transmission bandwidth better, because a communication resource be transferred only to Data is used. Communication channels are therefore normally shared by many users. A further advantage is in that - in Unlike the time-oriented billing as circuit-switched Compounds is applied - packet-switched Data services billing, depending on the actual transmitted Amount of data and the quality of service the transfer allowed.

to Provision of such mobile data applications provide packet-switched network services connectionless packet-switched data services with high bandwidth efficiency. An example is the packet-oriented GPRS (General Packet Radio Service), which in the existing circuit switched GSM network is integrated. Another is the CDPD network (Cellular Digital Packet Data), which is used in the existing D-AMPS network. A significant Interest the end user of a mobile packet data service as the packet-oriented GPRS is that wireless PCs conventional Internet-based applications support, such as file transfer, the Send and receive e-mails as well as the "surfing" the Internet via the World Wide Web. Even Meeting playback applications including video and multimedia are important services that are supported by mobile networks should.

While circuit switched Services related to mobile networks are known, are mobile packet switched services is relatively new. For this reason, now follows a brief description of the latter, said GSM / GPRS as an example is used.

<figref idrefs="S46">1</figref> shows a mobile data service from the viewpoint of a user of view, in connection with a mobile communication system <figref>10</figref>, On transmitted end Data packets using a mobile host <figref>12</figref>Including, for example a laptop computer <figref>14</figref>Equipped with a mobile terminal <figref>16</figref> connected is. The mobile host<figref>12</figref> for example, communicates with a fixed computer terminal <figref>18</figref>. in one local network (Local Area Network - LAN) <figref>20</figref> integrated is, by a mobile packet data support node <figref>22</figref> over a or more routers <figref>24</figref>, A packet data network <figref>26</figref> and a router <figref>28</figref> in the local network <figref>20</figref>, To those skilled it is of course obvious that this drawing simplified to the effect: is, that the "path" is a logical way is, and not a fact physical path or a connection. In a connectionless Data packet communication between the mobile host <figref>12</figref> and the fixed &lt;?page 3?&gt;terminal <figref>18</figref> will packages independently apart routed from the source to the destination and do not follow necessarily the same path (although they can do so).

Thus is the independent Routing or the transfer of packets within the cellular network of a mobile packet data support node <figref>22</figref> supported the as a logical interface or gateway to external packet networks acts. A participant may data in an end-to-end packet transfer mode send and receive without network resources in circuit-switched Mode can be used. Further, multiple parallel point-to-point applications possible. For example, a mobile host, such as a mobile PC, simultaneously a video conferencing application, an e-mail application, a facsimile application, a Web browsing application etc. perform. The videoconferencing application would usually more than one data stream (hereinafter referred to as an application flow referred to) require.

<figref idrefs="S47">2</figref> shows a more detailed mobile communications system using the exemplary GSM mobile communication models, which both circuit switched and packet-switched communications supported and a circuit switched network <figref>35</figref> and a packet-switched network <figref>51</figref> includes. A mobile host<figref>12</figref> full a computer terminal <figref>14</figref> and a mobile radio device <figref>16</figref> communicates via a Radio interface with one or more base stations (BS) <figref>32</figref>, Each base station <figref>32</figref> is located in a corresponding cell <figref>30</figref>, Several base stations<figref>32</figref> are having a Base station controller (BSC) <figref>34</figref> connected which the assignment administered and release of radio resources and handovers controls of mobile stations from one base station to another. A Basisstationssteue tion and its associated base stations are sometimes referred to as base station subsystem (BSS). The BSC<figref>34</figref> is connected to a mobile switching center (MSC) <figref>36</figref> in circuit-switched GSM network <figref>35</figref> connected, via the circuit-switched connections with other networks <figref>38</figref> built up are, for example, the public Switched Telephone Network (Public Switched Telephone Network - PSTN), the Integrated Services digital network (Integrated Services Digital Network - ISDN) etc.

The MSC <figref>36</figref> is over a Signaling System Number 7 (SS7) network <figref>40</figref> with a HLR (Home Location Register - HLR) <figref>42</figref>, A visitor location register (Visitor Location Register - VLR) <figref>44</figref> and an authentication center (Authentication Center - AUC) <figref>46</figref> connected. The VLR <figref>44</figref> contains a database containing information about all mobile stations currently in a corresponding location area or service area are, as well as temporary Subscriber information needed by the MSC to mobile services to provide in their service area. When a Mobile station a visiting network or service area enters, so are normally collected by the associated VLR <figref>44</figref> Data on the requested roaming mobile station from the HLR of the mobile device, receive and stored. If the visitor mobile station in a connection is involved, has the VLR <figref>44</figref> therefore already have the information that for one Connection are necessary.

The HLR <figref>42</figref> is a database node that Contribute permissions stores and manages. The HLR contains permanent subscriber data for every "home" -Mobilfunkteilnehmer as the ISDN number the mobile station (MSISDN), which mobile phone the Eligibility clearly identified in the PSTN numbering plan and an international Mobile subscriber identifier (International Mobile Subscriber Identity - IMSI) which is a unique identifier to each participant assigned and is used for signaling in the mobile networks. All network-related subscriber information associated with the IMSI. The HLR <figref>42</figref> contains a list of services which a mobile subscriber in connection may used with a current subscriber location number, which the Address of VLR corresponding to which the mobile subscriber currently operated.

Each BSC <figref>34</figref> is also connected to the packet switched GSM network, the the GPRS network <figref>51</figref> corresponds to a Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) <figref>50</figref> connected, the on for the transmission of packets responsible the mobile stations within its service area is. The gateway GPRS support node (GGSN)<figref>54</figref> acts as a logical interface to external data packet networks such as the IP data network <figref>56</figref>, SGSN node<figref>50</figref> and GGSN node <figref>54</figref> are a Intra-PLMN IP backbone <figref>52</figref> linked together. Thus is the Internet Protocol (IP) between the SGSN <figref>50</figref> and the GGSN <figref>54</figref> as the backbone for the transmission of data packets used.

Within the GPRS network <figref>51</figref> packets or protocol data units (Protocol Data Units - PDU) encapsulated at an originating GPRS support node and at the destination GPRS support node decapsulated. This encapsulation / decapsulation at the IP level between the SGSN <figref>50</figref> and the GGSN <figref>54</figref> is called "tunneling" in GPRS. The GGSN <figref>54</figref> manages routing information for "tunneling" of PDUs to the SGSN <figref>50</figref> are used, the moment the mobile station operated. A common&lt;?page 4?&gt;GPRS tunneling protocol (GTP) enables Using different underlying packet data protocols, even if these protocols are not supported by all SGSNs. In all GPRS user-related Data from the SGSN to perform routing and data transfer functions needed be, is of the HLR <figref>42</figref> over the SS7 network <figref>40</figref> accessed. The HLR <figref>42</figref> stores routing information and forms the IMSI from one or more packet data protocol (PDP) addresses or forming each PDP address from one or more GGSNs.

Before a mobile host packet data to an external network such as an in <figref idrefs="S47">2</figref> illustrated Internet service provider (ISP) <figref>58</figref> can send, must be the mobile host <figref>12</figref> in the GPRS network <figref>51</figref> Sign in (1) to its presence to make known, and a packet data protocol (PDP) context generate (2) to a relationship with a GGSN <figref>54</figref> to the external establish network accessed by the mobile host. The registration procedure is between the mobile host <figref>12</figref> and the SGSN <figref>50</figref> to Establishing a logical link executed. in the Result is the mobile host <figref>12</figref> a temporary logical assigned link identifier.

On PDP context is established between the mobile host and the GGSN <figref>54</figref> produced. The selection of the GGSN <figref>54</figref> based on the name of to reaching external network.

On or more application flows (Sometimes referred to as "routing contexts" hereinafter) can be used for a single PDP context through negotiations with the GGSN <figref>54</figref> produced will. An application flow corresponds to a stream of data packets, which is to the effect distinguishable that it a certain host application is assigned. An example application flow is an electronic Mail message from the mobile host to a fixed terminal. Another exemplary application flow is a downloaded from a website Graphics file. Both of these application flows are the same mobile host and the same PDP context assigned.

packet-switched Data communications based on specific protocol procedures, which are usually separated into different layers. <figref>3A</figref> shows a GPRS "transmission plane" that with multilayer Protkollstapeln accomplished is. The GPRS tunneling protocol engine (GTP) tunnels between the GGSN and the SGSN the PDUs through the GPRS backbone network <figref>52</figref>By Routing information added to encapsulate the PDUs. The contains GTP header a tunnel endpoint identifier (Tunnel End Point Identifier - GID) for point-to-point and multicast packets, and a group ID (GID) for point-to-point multipoint packets. additionally is a type field included that the PDU type and a PDP context session mapped Service level profile specified. Below the GTP are the well-known TCP / UDP (Transmission Control Protocol / User Diagram Protocol) and the Internet Protocol (IP) are used as the GPRS backbone network layer protocols. logs based on the Ethernet, the Frame Relay (FR) or asynchronous Transfer mode (ATM) can dependent on the network architecture of the operator, in the connection path and Bitübertragungschichten be used.

In between the SGSN and mobile station / host forms a SNDCP protocol (SubNetwork Dependent Convergence Protocol) network level protocol characteristics the underlying LLC protocol (Logical Link Control) from and provides ities func as the multiplexing of network layer messages to a single virtual logical connection, ciphering, segmentation, compressing available. A base station system GPRS protocol (Base Station System GPRS Protocol - BSSGP) is a flow control protocol, which allows the base station system allowed to start PDUs sent by the SGSN, and stop. This ensures, that the BSS is not flooded by packets , if the radio link capacity is reduced, eg due to fading and other adverse Conditions. Routing and quality of service information is also transmitted. Frame Relay and ATM can for relaying frames of PDUs over the physical layer be used.

The Radio communication between the mobile station and the GPRS network covers the physical layer and data link layer functionality from. The physical layer is in a physical link sublayer (Physical Link sublayer - PLL) and a physical RF sublayer (RF sublayer) split. The RFL leads a modulation and demodulation of the physical waveforms by and specifies carrier frequencies, Radio channel structures and unprocessed channel data rates. The PLL provides services for the transfer of information on the physical radio channel is available and includes the framing of data units, the data coding and the detection / correction of physical Medium transmission areas. The data link layer is varied in two Partial layers separated. The radio link control sublayer / medium access control sublayer (Radio link control / medium access control - RLC / MAC) mediated access Utilized together on the&lt;?page 5?&gt;te physical radio medium between multiple Mobile stations and the GPRS network. The RLC / MAC multiplexes data and Signaling information leads, a conflict resolution, Service quality monitoring and error handling through. The LLC layer operates above the MAC layer and provides a logical link between the mobile host and the SGSN.

It is important to have a specific communication service with a required quality available to put. Certain multimedia applications, or even simple Voice telephony connections, require guarantees of accuracy, For reliability and transmission speed. In packet-switched communications are usually "best efforts" applied, and guarantees regarding delay or throughput is paid little attention to. in the generally High quality of service parameters be seen divided into three classes of service, including deterministic (For use on hard Real Time Applications), statistics (for use in soft Real-time applications) and Best Efforts (everything else, which no be given guarantees). Quantitative parameters may include throughput (Such as the average transmission rate or peak transfer rate) the reliability, the delay and the jitter corresponding to the different delay between a minimum and a maximum delay time that a message learns.

in the Related to the provision of QoS (Quality of Service - QoS) in a mobile data communication system comprises a QoS option in the assignment of a certain priority to each PDP context. This Walkthrough however, is unsatisfactory. As explained above, each PDP context can have multiple application flows feature, and each application flow may have different needs. Real-time applications such as voice communications require a guaranteed service low delay, while requires video image a predictable delay service. especially need elastic applications such as interactive data tufts, interactive bulk transfer and asynchronous bulk transfer different best-effort levels as soon as possible or delay services.

The WO 95/25407 relates to a method and apparatus for data transmission over a wireless communication system is either the packet data type or from circuit-switched type. A controller determines which the communication systems eg in terms of cost or connection quality most desirable is, and then provides a link to the system here, which was determined to be the best.

The WO 96/09708 relates to a method and apparatus for simultaneous transmission tion of voice and data by means of a circuit-switched Zweiwegverbin a mobile communication system using the data transmission simultaneously with the voice transmission is conducted as a transparent background process, the existing channel resources of circuit switched Compound may be used.

The <patcit><text>EP 0789499 A2</text></patcit> describes a method in which a mobile user a session to an interactive Service network builds. The session remains active until the mobile user breaks the session or a set in a timer time expires.

On essential objective of the present invention is to provide one on a quality of service based wireless internet your access to multiple application services including to support voice, data and multimedia, in which some of the applications may have multiple concurrent operation of application flows. at Internet services are integrated as an essential quality of service factors the transport link layer delay, jitter, bandwidth and reliability considered. Instead, the quality of service be limited to a single PDP context, defines the present Invention provides a quality of service for each individual application flow, as described below and in the above Patent application. additionally the present invention allows the selection of a specific type of transmission mechanism, the best for the transfer the individual application flow according to its quality of service requirements suitable is.

Normally transmits a Network technology data only in accordance with a type of transmission mechanism - either circuit- and packet-switched - even in GSM, both a circuit-switched and a packet-switched includes network that shares the same radio access interface. According to the present Invention is an optimum type of mobile communications network transport servicees - a circuit-switched Transport or a packet-switched transport - on a individual application flow basis defined. Circuit-switched services can for example, selected be for Real-time application flows (Low delay and little jitter) such as audio and video. Packet-switched carriers can for&lt;?page 6?&gt;Non-real-time, internet moderate data applications selected are, for example, for surfing the World Wide Web, file transfer, e-mail and the Telnet, all of fast channel access and tufted Data transfer capabilities require.

A Mobile station first logs in to the mobile communication network to a communication with an external Network device such as an Internet service provider (ISP). While This communication allows an application to different data streams or fluxes an application (hereinafter referred to as application flow) between the mobile station and the external network entity to initiate. For each Application flow is conducted a determination of whether a circuit-switched or a packet switched bearer to be produced. A carrier "bears" or conveyed information from the mobile station via the Mobile communication network towards the external network device and conveyed information from the external network entity via the mobile communication network to the mobile station.

Each Application flow, a corresponding Quality of service requirement exhibit. Because of these associated QoS is performed, a determination whether a circuit switched carrier or a packet switched bearer better for is the transport of the application stream suitable. The quality of service parameters of the application for an individual application flow are defined, on the associated QoS parameters for the ready from the circuit-switched or packet-switched carriers. For each Application flow can Mobile communication equipment for the selected carrier and the associated Quality of service parameters be reserved in advance (option the resource reservation). Alternatively, the head of a field each information packet, a general in an application flow recognized quality of service define the intended reading whether a circuit-switched carrier or a packet switched bearer promoted this package (possibility differentiated services).

Various algorithms can to determine the carrier type be used, the specific application associated with the flow shall be. For example, a determination can be made, whether an application power a real-time service or a non-real-time service requests. A circuit-switched bearer is allocated if a is real-time service is requested, and a packet-switched bearer is assigned when a non-realtime type of service is requested. More can criteria here apply. For example, a circuit-switched carrier be assigned when the application flow, a low delay or low jitter per package requests, and a packet-switched bearer may be assigned when the application flow fast channel access or tufted Data transfer capabilities requests. Another exemplary possibility can consist in that for each application flow an information to be transmitted quantity and / or whose flow duration is determined. A circuit-switched carrier may be assigned, if a large amount of information sent to be or when applying current long life having. Otherwise would packet-switched bearer be assigned.

at any possibility the carrier assignment it is preferable (but not necessary) that a packet-switched carrier is used to convey control information tufted naturally and briefly are, and because of the ring structure and termination times packet-switched carriers offer. Exist other hand, for an application flow already a circuit switched carrier to a mobile station, so can packet-switched information on be transferred to the existing circuit-switched bearer (because it exists) even if this information for transmission over a packet switched carrier are more suitable. This approach is for example used in mobile stations which simultaneously held circuit switched and packet switched traffic can not quit, ie so-called Class B GPRS mobile stations.

On significant advantage of the present invention is that Applications that run on a mobile station or an external network device as an ISP run, on an individual can define application flow basis a requested quality of service and with this information, the applicable type of support when transferring Select the application flow through the mobile communication network. Both the quality of service features for one Application flow as well as the type of carrier / transmission mechanism can on the appli cation layer selected be, which is advantageous since the application of the best end-to-end perspective of communication has.

The Mobile station and a mobile network gateway node each comprise an imager for imaging individual application flows on a the circuit-switched and packet-switched network carrier, depending on the for an individual application flow requested QoS. Quality of service parameters, which belong to an individual application flow, are also on circuit-switched Parameters displayed, &lt;?page 7?&gt;when applying power to the circuit-switched Network is ready, and packet-switched parameters when the application flow is mapped to the packet switched network.

Of the Gateway node includes a common access server that it a Mobile station, the first a communication session with an external network device manufactures, allowed only a single common access procedure for subsequent carry out communications, wherein either the circuit switched network or the packet switched Network is used. After the common access procedure ends is, subsequent application flows between the mobile station prepared, and the external network entity, without any further Access procedure, involving the external network device, be carried out have to be.

The common access procedure includes a common authentication procedure to authenticate the identity of the mobile station in the external Network device. subsequently is the mobile station for subsequent application flows in the external network entity for both circuit-switched and PSNs authorized. The common authentication procedure includes confirmation an identifier and a password of the mobile station, to determine of the mobile station to communicate with the external network entity is authorized.

The common access procedure also employs a common configuration procedure on, to configure the mobile station in the external network entity. subsequently is the mobile station to a common network address for subsequent application flows in the external network entity for both lei-switched and PSNs configured. The common configuration procedure comprises providing parameters to the mobile station, the are needed for communicating with the external network entity, including the network layer address that is associated with the mobile station. The configuration parameters are of the common access server stored so that for subsequent application flows, which while the mobile station involve the meeting, the common access server stored retrieves parameters and configures the subsequent application stream, without the external network device to involve.

Thereby, that it is individual application flows possible quality of service parameters (1) and transmission mechanism types (2) (either circuit-switched or packet-switched carrier) individually select, the present invention provides better services for different types of Application types. Same time, the common access procedure for all application flows in a meeting faster services. In fact, authentication and Configuration procedures between a mobile station and an Internet service provider When using a circuit-switched carrier, the order of twenty to thirty seconds for the implementation accept. This substantial delay is even more troublesome, as that such access procedures for each of a plurality of application flows accomplished Need to become. the delay length Consider, for example, in connection having a conferencing application, the simultaneous execution of multiple application flows requires.

These bothersome delay are the present Invention eliminates. In the mobile application is a Erstauthentifizierungs- and configuration procedure that uses a packet-switched bearer, in less than half of the above 20 to 30 seconds performed. It takes even greater time savings instead, as these Erstauthentifizierungs- and configuration procedure not for each subsequent individual application flow is performed. Instead, the common access server shortened Erstauthentifizierungs- and configuration procedures for subsequent flows, contained within the mobile communication network, in only few seconds performed.

Short description tHE dRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the invention apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments, in the accompanying Drawings are shown, outlined, where the numerals in the several views refer to the same parts. The Drawings not necessarily to scale, emphasis on an illustration of the principles the invention.

<figref idrefs="S46">1</figref> is a simplified diagram, the data communication between a a mobile host and a fixed host displays;

<figref idrefs="S47">2</figref> is a more detailed diagram, which is a GSM mobile communication system comprising a GPRS data network shows;

&lt;?page 8?&gt;

<figref idrefs="S48">3</figref> shows exemplary data communication protocols between different Node in the packet switched GPRS data communication network in GSM will be applied;

<figref idrefs="S49">4</figref> is a flowchart, the optimum carrier selection procedures per application flow according to a exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

<figref idrefs="S50">5</figref> is a Protokollstapeldiagram, an exemplary implementation for imaging an application current to a specific carrier in accordance with specific Quality of service parameters according to the present Invention;

<figref idrefs="S50">6</figref> shows exemplary data communication protocols between different Nodes in a circuit-switched mobile communication network in GSM will be applied;

<figref idrefs="S51">7</figref> is a diagram showing a plurality of mobile application streams according to a ge exemplary embodiment according to the present be managed invention and ready;

<figref idrefs="S52">8</figref> is a flow diagram illustrating exemplary priority decisions for the selection a carrier and associated QoS support parameters for one Application flow according to a exemplary embodiment according to the present Invention,

<figref idrefs="S53">9</figref> is a functional block, an exemplary implementation of the present invention in a GSM / GPRS mobile communications system shows,

<figref idrefs="S54">10</figref> is a message sequence showing exemplary application flows, wherein both circuit switched and packet switched bearer services selected will;

<figref idrefs="S55">11</figref> is a flowchart, the common external network access procedures according to a exemplary embodiment according to the present Invention;

<figref idrefs="S56">12</figref> is a message sequence that is both an example of common authentication procedures for circuit-switched as well as packet-switched services shows; and

<figref idrefs="S57">13</figref> is a message sequence of an exemplary configuration IP hosts both circuit-switched and for packet switched bearer services shows.

Detailed DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To Illustrative purposes, and not limitation, sets out specific details in the following description, such as particular embodiments, hardware, techniques etc., to a thorough understanding the invention mediate. For skilled in the art it is obvious that the present Invention in other embodiments may be practiced, which depart from these specific details. While For example, a specific embodiment of the present described the invention in connection with a cellular GSM / GPRS telephone network is, it is for the skilled artisan that the present invention in each Mobile communication system can be implemented by other Architectures and / or protocols for mobile data communications be used. In other examples, detailed Descriptions of known methods, interfaces, devices omitted and signaling techniques to the description of the present invention is not obscured by unnecessary detail to make.

As already explained above, includes each application flow has an associated data stream. To a mobile station to allow communication with an external network entity, for example an Internet service provider (ISP), the mobile station must Communications connect to the mobile communication network by using a dial-out circuit-switched Compound is used, or an authenticated packet tunnel. The present Invention uses the latter option to the first production of the Application session to the for a dialout call required To avoid build-up time.

at the example of the GSM / GPRS mobile station initiates a packet data protocol (PDP) -Kontextaktivierung, to register in the mobile communication system and a data session to start. The HLR<figref>42</figref> according to <figref idrefs="S47">2</figref> stores a PDP context for each Mobile subscribers in the accompanying Participation records. The PDP participation record includes corresponding service level profiles / parameters, associated external &lt;?page 9?&gt;Networks, a MSid, eg an IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity) etc. to logs a mobile station in a GPRS network, so the attendance record of the mobile station is of the HLR <figref>42</figref> accessed. As a result of PDP context activation is a network layer support between the mobile station and the gateway GPRS support node (GGSN) <figref>54</figref> produced.

After the PDP context activation is a host configuration process of Network layer, such as IP, is performed to a network layer (IP) -Trägerkommunikation between the mobile host and an external network entity such an ISP produce. The IP configuration includes assigning a network layer (IP) address to the mobile station, setting of output values ​​for the World Wide Web (WWW) server, the domain name server (DNS), an ARP protocol (Address Resolution Protocol) cache, etc. If an IP bearer between the mobile host and the GGSN, which is produced in the PDP context activation, is extended from the GGSN to the ISP, so packets can be between the Mobile station and terminal systems in the ISP are passed back and forth.

As above-mentioned one of the essential objectives of the present invention in the provision of QoS-based wireless internet for support a plurality of services, including voice, data and multimedia, at the same time. An Internet application can request a quality of service, the one or more of the following factors determines: perceived Transport link layer delay, jitter, bandwidth and / or reliability. One or more of these quality of service factors can, dependent on provided their values, better by a special type of support available will. A circuit-switched carrier for the transport of Real-time services such as voice or video, a low delay and / or low jitter require more suitable. Traditional Internet data applications such as the WWW, file transfer, e-mail and Telnet, are packet-switched carriers better served, since these for fast channel access and data transmission tufted are more suitable.

The present invention provides mobile subscribers a considerable flexibility and a wide range of services available, by making it possible applications makes a special quality of service and a special type of mobile network transmission mechanism (a circuit-switched carrier or a packet-switched bearer) for individual application flows select, take all application flows to a single quality of service and / or a single transmission mechanism to restrict. The <figref idrefs="S49">4</figref> shows an optimal carrier selection routine (block <figref>60</figref>). It is assumed here that the mobile station already in the mobile network by using, for example, the above written (block <figref>61</figref>) PDP context activation procedures is registered.

After the registry are a variety of application flows between an external network device, such as in <figref idrefs="S47">2</figref> shown Internet service provider (ISP), and transmitted to the mobile station. An application (such as a multimedia conference) calls one or more quality of service (QoS) parameters for one or more individual application flows (Block <figref>62</figref>) at. Due to the required quality of service for a special Application flow, an optimal a circuit-switched and a packet-switched carrier selected to to convey the specific application flow (block <figref>64</figref>). The for each application flow requested quality of service parameters, including for example, the peak bit rate, the block depth (bucket depth) (maximum caching requirement for the Current) as well as the per-packet delay, then on vehicle parameters the selected carrier ready, including, eg in the case of a packet-switched bearer, the peak throughput, the data clump size and delay class (Block <figref>66</figref>). As a result, each application receives a stream optimal service in terms of quality of service parameters, as well as the transmission mechanism type, the best for conveying from in this specific application flow to be transmitted suitable is.

in the Generally, a typical application with a plurality of application flows that a communication between a mobile station and an external Network device such as the ISP requires, the following exemplary Procedures follow: <ul><li>(1) The mobile station reports both by using a common access procedure for circuit-switched and packet-switched communications to the ISP, a "cost-effective" packet switched carrier and a fully dynamic configuration support is used. is then only an abridged Authentication and configuration procedure for subsequent absolute application flows required as more fully below is described.</li><li>(2) The packet-switched bearer service with a predictable quality of service delay class is to convey used by application control messages.</li><li>(3) The packet-switched bearer service is to transfer use of mass data with a best effort quality of service delay class.</li>&lt;?page 10?&gt;<li>(4) A provided by the circuit switched bearer service QoS lower Delay QoS is for the promotion use of audio or video components.</li></ul>

The <figref idrefs="S50">5</figref> provides a protocol model is that it allows individual application flows, to be individually supplied with services, rather than just one only application is operated. The in<figref idrefs="S50">5</figref> shown Protocol structure in the mobile station and in the gateway node the mobile communication network can be implemented, for example a GGSN in the example of GSM / GPRS. Assuming that the application (for example, a conference or playback application) both control signals and also several independent application flows includes, as calls for the application for each application flow (including (a) the application associated with (n) control signal current (currents)) a associated QoS on by a QoS application programming (Applicati on Programming Interface - API). WinSock 2.0 or Win32 Microsoft are choices for a quality of service API.

The QoS is then mapped to an IP reservation protocol, such as the by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) produced RSVP. Dependent on Application of current characteristics, a reliable transport protocol (TCP) or unreliable Transport Protocol (UDP) are applied. A picture layer for Carrier / Verbindungsstrecken- and quality of service parameters according to the present Invention is used to the RSVP quality of service requirement either the circuit-switched bearer mapping, by said circuit-switched network in the mobile communication system is supported, or a packet switched bearer, the packet-switched from the Network is not supported in the mobile communication system.

As soon as the RSVP quality of service requirement mapped to the circuit-switched or packet-switched carrier is, the for each individual application flow specified quality of service parameters depending on the selected carrier type mapped to circuit-switched or packet-switched parameters. In circuit-switched network involves such a mapping QoS parameters For example, the selection of an appropriate number of radio channels (eg Time slots in a TDMA-based system, spreading codes in a CDMA system, etc.) to meet the requested bandwidth. In packet-switched network, it is, multiple options to support the QoS to be considered in different protocol layers.

A generalized set of QoS parameters can be defined for a transmission mechanism be and is used as a support service level profile designated. The support service level profile can be used to the quality of service in the radio link control layer, the logical link control layer and the GPRS Tunnelprotokoll- (GTP) layer in the packet switched bearer according to <figref idrefs="S48">3</figref> to define so as to produce an end-to-end quality of service. The radio link control layer is of the Paketverzögerungs- Reliability and quality of service parameters the carrier service profile affected while the logical link control layer and the bit rate and precedent / priority information is affected. The GPRS tunneling protocol between the Serving GPRS and the gateway node SGSN and GGSN must ensure that the Tunnel no parameter injured in the service level profile. This requirement is normally met because the radio link the bottleneck of the architecture of the illustrating the mobile communication system.

The associated Layers in the circuit-switched bearer according <figref idrefs="S50">6</figref> are these Radio link protocol and the layer-2 tunneling protocol. The radio link protocol is capable of one or more time slots of a Mo Bilstation assigned to the bandwidth the circuit-switched connection to assign or change. The Radio link protocol also provides a partial selection bearer service types within a range of circuit-switched carrier available. Of the Bearer Service Type can for Voice, video or data is optimized, for example, is V.110, as in the <figref idrefs="S50">6</figref> shown on a Data modem optimized. The support service type (Voice, video or data) in the circuit-switched bearer may compared to individual QoS parameters of reliability, delay and Priority, as used in the packet-switched link layer control Provided, be seen as a rough quality of service differentiation.

The circuit-switched layer-2 tunneling protocol has substantially the same role as the GPRS tunneling protocol in the packet switched Carrier. It will tunnel a connection between the gateway node and the mobile switching center via a IP infrastructure. The control phase in the layer 2 tunneling protocol contains all information for a normal GSM circuit-switched connection. In contrast to GPRS tunneling protocol that carries the IP protocol directly promoted the Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol IP packets in a point-to-point protocol (PPP). The addition of the&lt;?page 11?&gt;Point-to-point protocol is for the fragmentation of packets necessary for the authentication of Compounds as well as for the configuration of terminal functions which are already incorporated in the GPRS tunneling protocol.

The <figref idrefs="S51">7</figref> is a diagram showing a particular mobile application which three exemplary application flows covers, including a video application flow, an audio application flow, a conference application flow together with a system of use current (A total of four application flows). Each stream has an associated quality of service on the IP layer is recognized. At the transport layer used each application flow possibly different coding and communication protocols. The video and audio streams are usually application means Codes processed, eg H.263 / H.261 for video or GSM 06:10 for Audio and then in the real-time transfer protocol (RTP) for delay sensitive End-to-end transport encapsulated. Application flows comprising control data for application sessions as conference sessions do not require codecs, but instead use Realtime Sitzungssteuerung- (RTSP), Sitzungsaufforderungs- (SIP) and Sitzungsankündigungs- (SAP) protocols. These Protocols are still encapsulated in the UDP or TCP, to establish a total transport layer. The last "application flow" refers to the Control Panel and supports to transport protocols, the resource reservation the the other streams unwinds, for example, RSVP, and the dynamic configuration of the mobile station, eg DHCP.

Instead of to use a multiplexer, such as H.223, which all of the four application types for the current Transportation by a carrier type multiplexes, for example, by a circuit-switched bearer as a V.110 modem, the present invention provides a carrier selection and quality of service parameter mapping layer before that for each application flow on the IP layer, the most appropriate a circuit switched carrier and a packet-switched bearer selects. in accordance with this exemplary illustration <figref idrefs="S51">7</figref> is a circuit-switched carrier represented as a V.110 modem, which uses an IP / PPP protocol, and a packet-switched bearer is shown as a GPRS-modem, which is an IP over a SNDCP protocol applies. A circuit-switched modem connection is choosing up a phone number, a dedicated connection there produce, whereas no individual IP packets are routed. The point-to-point protocol (PPP) is a Einkapselungsprotokoll that for the transport of IP packets over a serial line, dial up connection is used, and therefore for circuit-switched carrier is well suited. Conversely passes the GPRS modem each IP packet due to its header information further. The SNDCP protocol (Sub Network Dependence Convergence Protocol) provides a segmentation and compression of header fields and data between the mobile station and the SGSN in front of GPRS. The SNDCP is specially designed for the direct transport developed by IP packets, so as to avoid the PPP.

According to a preferred, particularly, but nonetheless illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the selection of a particular carrier type and the mapping of QoS parameters according to different carried out priority criteria be what is now related to the Trägerauswahl- and QoS mapping routine (block <figref>70</figref>) which according to the function block format <figref idrefs="S52">8</figref> illustrated is, will be described. First is an individual application flow together with an associated application stream identifier or an associated QoS class recognized. In the embodiment the resource reservation, an individual application flow desired IP-level QoS parameters define and advance reservations. Alternatively, according to the differentiated Service implementation a predefined new class of service an individual application flow be assigned. All the packages within this application stream then according to this QoS class processed. The approach the resource reservation permits greater flexibility in Selection of different IP-level quality of service parameters. The differentiated service Solution and the predefined quality of service parameters, associated with each general class of service are easier manage.

Some the specified IP-level quality of service parameters are more important than others. In block<figref>74</figref> For example, a decision met if not a packet delay corresponding IP QoS parameters present, or if it exists, whether it below, above or within a threshold range (T). The delay in this example, the parameters, the most important is attached. If the delay parameter ago, and it is above the threshold, a new packet-switched (PS) is prepared carrier. If a packet-switched bearer the existing packet-switched carrier already prepared, it can be corrected, to the newly detected delay parameter take (block <figref>84</figref>). Accordingly, the IP QoS parameters to packet switched bearer service quality parameters ready. On the other hand, the delay associated parameters below the threshold range, then a new circuit-switched (CS) support produced, or an existing circuit-switched bearer is changed to the newly detected delay parameter take (block <figref>86</figref>). Similar to the Picture&lt;?page 12?&gt;function in block <figref>84</figref> will requested by IP IP QoS parameters to the accompanying circuit-switched bearer QoS parameters ready.

can thus applying power to tolerate a large amount of delay, will a packet-switched bearer selected. Can be tolerated only a small or no delay, is a circuit switched carrier selected. If, however, the detected delay parameter within the threshold range or not available, then a taken decision whether a next Quality of service parameters lower priority - in this For the block depth (corresponding to a buffer size to store to be transferred to the Message is required) - either not, under, over or is in a threshold range. If there is the block depth, namely above the threshold range, are packet-switched Support functions selected (block <figref>84</figref>). If the block to be deep below the threshold range, the circuit-switched bearer procedures selected (Block <figref>86</figref>). The block depth is analogous to a tufted quality the application flow. An error occurring in very strong data tufts application flow is better conveyed by a packet-switched carrier. Conversely, is an application of current with little or no tufting (Ie continuously) for better a circuit-switched bearer suitable.

Lies the parameters of the block for depth this application flow not before, or it is within the threshold range, then a further decision in block <figref>78</figref> the effect made as to whether a service class for this particular application flow is set. If a best-effort service class set, so is a packet-switched bearer according to the procedures in block <figref>84</figref> selected. If there is a guaranteed service class, as are the circuit switched support procedures in block <figref>86</figref> selected. However, if no service class set, or is a "controlled Load "(ie somewhere between the best effort and the guaranteed service type) before, so is a decision in block <figref>80</figref> made as to whether a life duration parameter (Time-to-Live - TTL) either below, present above or within a threshold range. Has the Application of a short life span, so is a packet-switched carrier according to the procedures in block <figref>84</figref> selected, to connected to a circuit-switched bearer connection setup times to eliminate and to transmit the data hopefully before their lifespan expires. Lies on the other hand the longevity parameter is above the threshold range, a circuit switched carrier as is in accordance with the block <figref>86</figref> illustrated Procedures selected since the application flow through sufficient durability features, to wait for a manufactured circuit-switched bearer.

Lies the lifetime parameter is not within the threshold range or before, so a decision is in block <figref>82</figref> the effect made as to whether the volume of the application flow (obtained by multiplying determines the lifetime parameter with an average bit rate (MBR) is) not below, above or within the threshold range present. the volume of the flow is below the threshold range and provides a relatively small volume, so is a packet-switched carrier optimal, and block <figref>84</figref> will be chosen. If the data size large, so it alternatively optimal, a circuit-switched bearer in accordance with the procedures in block <figref>86</figref> select. For the purpose of simplifying the description, it should be noted that, if the volume is within the threshold or not otherwise present, so a default decision is made, a packet-switched carrier select. The skilled worker knows, of course, that other quality of service parameters similarly Way can be queried.

The two blocks <figref>84</figref> and <figref>86</figref> show the picture quality of service to a specific carrier quality of service parameters. An example for the mapping of IP quality of service (QoS) parameters on packet-switched QoS parameters (such as those used in GPRS) is shown below: <tables><table><tgroup cols="2"><colspec colname="1" colwidth="1*" /><colspec colname="2" colwidth="1*" /><tbody><row><entry colname="1">IP QoS parameters</entry><entry colname="2">PS QoS parameters</entry></row><row><entry colname="1">peak bit rate</entry><entry colname="2">Peak throughput</entry></row><row><entry colname="1">middle arbitrage</entry><entry colname="2">middle throughput</entry></row><row><entry colname="1">lifespan (TTL)</entry><entry colname="2">middle throughput</entry></row><row><entry colname="1">block depth</entry><entry colname="2">Tufting size</entry></row><row><entry colname="1">Total packet delay</entry><entry colname="2">delay class</entry></row><row><entry colname="1">class of service</entry><entry colname="2">reliability class</entry></row><row><entry colname="1">class of service</entry><entry colname="2">Präzedenzklasse</entry></row></tbody></tgroup></table></tables>

A similar exemplary quality of service illustration is for circuit-switched carrier: &lt;?page 13?&gt;<tables><table><tgroup cols="2"><colspec colname="1" colwidth="1*" /><colspec colname="2" colwidth="1*" /><tbody><row><entry colname="1">IP QoS parameters</entry><entry colname="2">CS QoS parameters</entry></row><row><entry colname="1">class of service</entry><entry colname="2">Bearer Service Type</entry></row><row><entry colname="1">peak bit rate</entry><entry colname="2">number of the time slots</entry></row><row><entry colname="1">middle bitrate</entry><entry colname="2">number of the time slots</entry></row></tbody></tgroup></table></tables>

reference is now on the <figref idrefs="S53">9</figref> put that in a function block format a system based on the exemplary GSM / GPRS mobile communication system Model shows, in which an exemplary embodiment of the present Invention is applied. The mobile communication system<figref>100</figref> includes a mobile station <figref>102</figref>That a DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration) protocol client <figref>104</figref>. a Point-to-Point (PPP) protocol client <figref>106</figref> and a Trägerauswahl- and quality of service parameters images <figref>107</figref> contains. The mobile station <figref>102</figref> is (about a circuit-switched and / or packet-switched bearer) over the radio interface with a base station subsystem (BSS) <figref>108</figref> connected. The BSS includes base station in communication with the mobile station, which is linked to a base station controller. Like in the<figref idrefs="S47">2</figref> shown, directs the base station controller in the BSS <figref>108</figref> circuit switched communications over a circuit-switched bearer a random access unit (DAU) <figref>102</figref> in the MSC <figref>110</figref> in the circuit-switched GSM network <figref>35</figref> continue, and packet switched communications over a packet-switched carrier to the SGSN <figref>114</figref> in the packet switched (GPRS) GSM network <figref>51</figref>, The random access unit <figref>102</figref> terminates the radio link protocol and the V.110 modem connection. As instructed by the HLR and transmitted via the MSC, generates the DAU <figref>102</figref> the layer-2 tunnel to the GGSN. Among Using the phone number of the external device and from the HLR retrieved subscription information, such as the IMSI of the mobile device determines the DAU <figref>102</figref>To which certain GGSN the L2TP tunnel to be produced.

at Calls made from the mobile station, the selection of Network and network support for application flows, the from the mobile station <figref>102</figref> go out of the imager <figref>107</figref> of mobile device made. Circuit-switched carrier be transferred to an external network gateway node, the exemplary in the Ausfüh bodiment the GGSN <figref>116</figref> corresponds to that IP / PPP / L2TP protocols used. The IP tunnel is generated in the V.110 modem connection, which is terminated by the random access unit. The term "layer-2 tunnel-over-IP" means that the L2TP protocol, which carries the end-to-end IP traffic, also an underlying IP network as the transport mechanism between the direct access unit and the GGSN used.

The packet switched application flows be transmitted using the DHCP / IP / GPRS tunneling protocol. We DHCP applied only at configuration time. subsequent IP packets are transported (after configuration) directly to the GPRS bearer. The GPRS Tunneling Protocol (GTP) encapsulates the end-to-end IP packets between the serving and the gateway node and used similar to the L2TP, the underlying IP network as the transport mechanism between the serving GPRS and Gateway nodes. According to find the transmission of both circuit-switched as well as packet-switched data from the MSC <figref>110</figref> or. the SGSN <figref>114</figref> to the GGSN <figref>116</figref> over instead of IP tunnels. The Usage IP as a transport mechanism provides a flexible and scalable Implementation of mobile communication backbones use of the Internet as the basis.

Of the GGSN <figref>116</figref> contains shared access server <figref>118</figref>, A configuration relay agent <figref>120</figref>. a PPP server <figref>122</figref>, An L2TP Server <figref>124</figref>, a RTP translator <figref>126</figref> and a mapper <figref>128</figref> similar to in the mobile station <figref>102</figref> shown images <figref>107</figref>, Concurrency Server <figref>118</figref> is for the interface to the external network entity responsible and uses remote authentication protocols such as RADIUS, to to communicate with an external network device interacts, when it comes, the mobile station communication to reach to allow the target in the external network or not to allow. The RADIUS protocol (or another security negotiation protocol) can for tuning with the external network device on safety measures for the Transport mechanism between the common access server in the GGSN and the entry point to the external network entity be used.

Of the Configuration Relay Agent <figref>120</figref> gives the DHCP message between the DHCP client in the mobile station and the DHCP server in the external network to the configuration time continue. The configuration Relay Agent<figref>120</figref> receives particular the mobile station of the assigned IP address, and uses this for the subsequent configuration of other mobile communication carrier services, eg the PPP. The configuration Relay Agent<figref>120</figref> adds the configuration also a safety measure added by talking about ID checks all Information between the DHCP client and the server uses.

Of the PPP server <figref>122</figref> terminates the PPP link, which the circuit-switched mobile communication carrier is prepared from Mobile station to the GGSN. The PPP server<figref>122</figref> terminated particular&lt;?page 14?&gt;special the authentication and configuration requests from the mobile station for the circuit-switched bearer and uses information from the common access server <figref>118</figref> and the configuration relay agent <figref>120</figref>To the requests of the to answer the mobile station.

Of the L2TP Server provides "virtual Calls "on the IP network between the GGSN and the direct access unit <figref>112</figref> in MSC <figref>110</figref> ago and finished it. A virtual call contains same information and takes just as long as a real circuit-switched call between the direct access unit <figref>112</figref> and the Mobile station. The RTP translator<figref>126</figref> performs a translation of coding schemes in between the high-speed network applied between the GGSN and the external network entity and a coding scheme by which the low-speed wireless network is more suitable in the GSM. The RTP translator<figref>126</figref> can with a user profile for each mobile user to be equipped, for example, via RADIUS, a customized RTP translation for a make certain mobile station. The functionality of RTP translation elevated the probability that two devices communicating with each other can.

Of the images <figref>128</figref> leads the link layer selection and QoS Abbildefunktionen per individual application flow through. In particular, as above describes decides the images <figref>128</figref>Whether an application reservation request ready onsträger on a circuit-switched or packet-switched Mobilkommunikati to be translated and Quality of service parameters of an application "view" in a mobile Kommunikationsträger- "view". However, the images, the link layer support selection per package in certain change situations.

A of these situations is when a class B mobile device already a circuit-switched connection have established and during this circuit-switched connection also receives packet data. With the development of mobile data communications is forecast different classes of mobile stations with different Skills give. For example, through the GSM currently three different Mobile classes defined: Class A, Class B and Class C. A Class A mobile device can transport both circuit-switched and packet-switched on vehicles at the same make and / or receive. A Class B mobile device supports simultaneous activation and monitoring of the circuit switched and packet switched services, but can only send traffic or received, the application flows on a support type associated with a time is. A class-C mobile unit is the least flexible and supports only send / receive traffic on a carrier type. In this case, in which the class B mobile device a circuit-switched Connection has prepared sends the images <figref>128</figref> the Data via exactly these circuit-switched further support, rather than on to wait for a packet-switched bearer is established when the circuit-switched carrier disbanded is.

Of the GGSN <figref>116</figref> is using IP tunneling or virtual Connections with a permanent link with a layer Internet service provider (ISP) connected. is Facing scalability IP tunneling preferred because the IP tunnel only at the end points of the tunnel must be configured, ie the GGSN and the external network entity, while a permanent virtual connection in each intermediate node must be configured. In certain cases, the in permanent virtual connections in accordance with the asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) and Frame Relay (FR) built-in safety However, compared to more vulnerable IP tunnel may be preferred.

Of the ISP includes an authentication server <figref>132</figref>. a configuration server <figref>134</figref> and a conference server <figref>136</figref>, The exemplary authentication server to which only the Purposes of the description, reference is made, is a RADIUS server service (Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service), which is around a protocol for authentication, authorization, configuration and billing between the common access server <figref>118</figref> the GGSN and the ISP <figref>130</figref> concerns. The following description for exemplary configuration server used is a DHCP server, the configuration information between hosts on a TCP / IP network forwards. The for the following description used exemplary application server is a conference server <figref>136</figref>Serving as a reception for the entire Conference acts. Reception Conference Server<figref>136</figref> managed records about that, who will participate in the conference and what application flow type.

Both packet-switched and circuit switched bearer services share the same Billing relationship with the ISP. The RADIUS server manages, for example, one record for a mobile station. The data accumulated billing information for both Bearer service types, with a billing data record identifier in accordance with the MSid the mobile unit connected are.

&lt;?page 15?&gt;

The <figref idrefs="S54">10</figref> shows an exemplary signaling messages between various Node of the <figref idrefs="S53">9</figref> shown communication system, in the optimum circuit-switched or packet-switched support service for different application flows selected is. It is assumed that one ISP relationship between the mobile station and the ISP conference server is already established, and the mobile station already has some application control packets over a packet-switched carrier receive. In this example, the ISP conference server sends<figref>136</figref> Now IP packets corresponding to a real-time application flow of the conference to the mobile station from the GGSN in the mobile communication system received. selects the GGSN the optimal packet-switched or circuit-switched bearer and Other parameters like encoding and / or compression ratios.

at This example modifies the RTP translator <figref>126</figref> the GGSN <figref>116</figref> the Encoding the stream of high-speed conferencing server <figref>136</figref> to the Mobile communication network at a lower speed, namely because the profile of the mobile station and the current RTP encoding that are displayed in the packet header field. Due to the real-time characteristics the incoming stream is made a circuit-switched carrier. The profile of the mobile station can be administratively configured, of an authentication (RADIUS) server or from a set other user interface are defined. The GGSN uses the profile of the mobile station for selecting the optimal coding or the optimum bearer service for each Application flow as described above in connection with <figref idrefs="S52">8</figref> is explained. The GGSN uses the class of the mobile station together with the Bearer service type, to between packet-switched and circuit-switched bearer services switch for Class B mobile devices.

receding on <figref idrefs="S54">10</figref> initiated by the GGSN in response to the of the ISP Konferenzserverempfangenen Real-time IP-packets comprise a circuit-switched application flow via L2TP, or a packet switched application flow over GTP, depending on optimum Carrier selection. The GTP protocol between the SGSN and the GGSN is "extended" to the MS-class parameter that the GGSN allows to determine whether the mobile station is a class A, B or C-mobile is. As described above, the GGSN uses certain rules for Class B mobile devices.

Goes one assumes that a circuit-switched carrier due to the real-time characteristics selected the incoming packets is, the GGSN sends an outgoing L2TP call request, the which the associated MSid elected Telephone number (in this example the mobile device is being called), a call identifier and a circuit-switched bearer service type contains. The circuit-switched virtual call from the direct access unit <figref>112</figref> in received the mobile switching center that a circuit-switched Call with the mobile station via establishes the radio link.

During the circuit-switched carrier nor is established, the GGSN mixed, in this example IP packets from non-real-time application flows with the real-time traffic flow. Although these non-real-time packets for one packet-switched carrier are better suited, the GGSN forwards the IP packets along the already manufactured circuit-switched carrier, because it is at the mobile device is one of the class B and can support only one type of carrier at once. The non-real-time packets (ie protocol data units (PDUs)) as a point-to-point over the frame L2TP tunnel on the circuit-switched bearer to direct access unit sent in the MSC, via a radio link these PDUs from circuit-switched type passes to the mobile station.

The Mobile station then decides to end the call and triggers the circuit-switched carrier on. The mobile device sends the random access unit a connection abort notification message via the L2TP tunnel to the GGSN, the resolution the the circuit-switched carrier causes. In the following, the ISP conference server non-real-time IP packets sends to the mobile device. Since no existing circuit-switched carrier is present, determines the GGSN that a packet-switched bearer service for non-real-time packets optimal is and provides a packet-switched bearer for carrying the packets to the mobile station ago. Specifically, a packet switched tunnel between the GGSN and the SGSN via the GTP tunnel established, together with the IP packets of associated Tunnel identifier (TID) transported. The SGSN then provides a logical data link (logical Link control - Logical Link Control - LLC)) between the SGSN and the mobile station and initiates the packets on a Best-effort basis to the mobile station on.

one of the essential advantages of the present invention is that they have a common access procedure for both circuit-switched as well as packet switched bearer services providing communication between the mobile station and the ISP. The common access procedure is packet switched using a "cost-effective" carrier accomplished and contains a common authenticatio&lt;?page 16?&gt;tion procedure and a common configuration procedure. Having completed the common access procedure for initial notification is subsequent application flows are authorized and configured by Using a very short procedure that no contact with the ISP requires.

The <figref idrefs="S55">11</figref> shows exemplary procedures for a common external network access routine (block <figref>170</figref>) according to a further aspect of the present invention. When the mobile station establishes a session with the mobile communication network, it is only performed for a single common access procedure, the the mobile station access to both circuit-switched and to packet-switched services provides (block <figref>172</figref>). In particular, only an authentication procedure with a or more authentication parameters, eg MSid, userid, password etc., carried out, resulting from this procedure and for later use (Block <figref>174</figref>) get saved. The common access procedure includes also the implementation only a single ISP to mobile station host configuration procedure as well as circuit-switched and for packet switched bearer services with the resulting configuration parameters that also for later Use are stored (block <figref>176</figref>).

Of the the most suitable type of mobile network carrier is selected for each application flow, as described above, using the walkthrough a dynamic Reservation or a solution path differentiated services (block <figref>178</figref>). When Walkthrough Dynamic reservation are communication resources as radio channels advance for a selected carrier reserved for the these carriers specifically requested QoS parameter provides. When Walkthrough the differentiated services each packet header is analyzed, to determine whether the header field of a general from several service classes specifies that or transport through a circuit-switched bearer a packet-switched carrier indicates. In the present example, the approach of the dynamic booking prefers. On subsequent application flows that this mobile station involve, the stored authentication and configuration parameters applied to a truncated (Rapid) to perform authentication and configuration without that the external network device must be involved (block <figref>180</figref>).

The common external network access procedure is preferably only once for all application flows conducted after the initial registration has been completed. This common authentication and Configuration procedure is performed using a packet-switched carrier in less than half of the normal time performed the conventional Registration procedures with the circuit switched carriers is necessary. It takes an even greater time savings Instead, as the first authentication and configuration procedure not for each subsequent individual application flow are performed have to be. Instead is a shortened Authentication and configuration for subsequent flows within the mobile communication network in the common access server in only few seconds performed.

The common authentication procedure is now in conjunction with <figref idrefs="S56">12</figref> described be that between an exemplary exchange of messages the various nodes according to <figref idrefs="S53">9</figref> shows. Assuming that a PDP context of the mobile was requested, produced and accepted by the GGSN, so start playing mobile device also the common dynamic host configuration procedure (with the common authentication procedure interleaved), an establish logical relationship to the GGSN by sending a DHCP Discover message, the unique identifier (MSid) of the mobile station, a user identifier (Userid), password, and optionally further parameters to the Provides, which used to identify and authenticate the mobile station can be.

Of the GGSN is the DHCP authentication request from a RADIUS request by he a Radius authentication server <figref>132</figref> in ISP <figref>130</figref> based selects on the user ID, if the user ID is in the form of user @ ISP. Otherwise a the user static picture on the ISP used in the GGSN. Assuming that the information conveyed authentic is sent by the Radius server <figref>132</figref> a message "access accepted "with Tunnel configuration information to the common access server the GGSN. The tunnel configuration information from the GGSN to Forward common host configuration messages and other IP packets to the ISP. The GGSN stores the MSid the mobile station (Based on the IMSI of the mobile device based), the user ID and password, and continues with the common host configuration procedure, the fully below describes fort. At this point, the common authentication procedure with the ISP for both circuit-switched and packet-switched support services terminated.

furthermore with reference to the <figref idrefs="S56">12</figref> it is assumed that a starts a new application flow in the mobile station (for example, Phone call from the mobile device (Subscriber A) to a called subscriber B), for a circuit-switched carrier selected is. The random access unit<figref>112</figref> in the MSC &lt;?page 17?&gt;<figref>110</figref> completed the modem connection in accordance with the new for this application flow chosen circuit-switched bearer. The random access unit <figref>112</figref> analyzes the B-phone number of the called subscriber and selects an L2TP endpoint due this B-number and the HLR subscription data, ie the appropriate GGSN for the connection of the call to B. The random access unit <figref>112</figref> sends then an authentication request to the common access server on selected GGSN which in the example shown <figref idrefs="S56">12</figref> shown is, in the form of a Passwortauthentifizierungsprotokol- (PAP) - or Challenge Authentifizierungsprotokoll- (CHAP) request to the authentication parameters the mobile station including MSid, the userid and password to the common access server forward.

Instead of perform another authentication procedure, in which the external ISP is involved, are received in the PAP / CHAP challenge MSid, userid and password with values ​​compared to that in common Access server while the first authentication procedure has been saved. Fit the received values ​​with those stored in the access server together, then an authentication assertion as a CHAP / PAP response transmitted through the random access unit in the MSC to the mobile station. The Common Access server matches the information provided to the stored information, and authenticates the mobile device, without that it comprises a further authentication procedure with the Radius server must make the ISP. The same kind of a shortened authentication procedure is for further, subsequent application flows performed, which started during the session have.

The common access procedure further provides a common IP host configuration procedure both for circuit-switched as well as packet-switched services before, as will now be in communication with the in the <figref idrefs="S57">13</figref> Signaling sequence shown will be described. The IP host configuration is compared to the support structure transparent, except for the inclusion of the DHCP configuration relay agent <figref>120</figref> in the GGSN. The DHCP Relay Agent<figref>120</figref> acts as a medium between the DHCP client <figref>104</figref> in the mobile station <figref>102</figref> and the DHCP server <figref>134</figref> in ISP <figref>130</figref>, The Relay Agent<figref>120</figref> provides message delivery between the DHCP client <figref>104</figref> and the server <figref>134</figref> safe by an agent identifier (corresponding the MSid) each DHCP message to the DHCP server configuration <figref>134</figref> in the ISP is sent, adds. The configuration Relay Agent <figref>120</figref> uses the agent identifier at a later Time in order to filter packets to / from the mobile station and to stop that did not have the correct IP address in the header field. The remote agent identifier (remote ID) and a subnet mask and a gateway IP address (giaddr), which is an address that the GGSN identified, the ISP <figref>130</figref> Posted, where they are checked and stored will.

Of the ISP <figref>130</figref> uses the subnet mask and the giaddr to an answer back to direct to the GGSN, which in turn reply to the mobile station forwards due to the remote agent ID. Also offers remote agent ID to the ISP, the additional security that the Mobile station whose identity during the dynamic host configuration procedures not "distorted". described Following the above common authentication procedure adds configuration Relay Agent <figref>120</figref> the IP address of the GGSN add the giaddr field and gives the DHCP Discover message to the DHCP servers.

Of the DHCP server <figref>134</figref> the ISP the Discover message replies with an offer message from the GGSN relay agents <figref>120</figref> at the mobile station including the "offered" encompasses configurations the DHCP server <figref>134</figref> (After checking the incoming and outgoing may provide tunnel IDs), will be forwarded. A variety quotes can be received by different DHCP servers. selects the mobile station the DHCP offer from that best meets their needs, and sends a DHCP request message to the DHCP server that the tender selected ready set. The DHCP server will provide the GGSN in a DHCP acknowledgment message then an IP address. The IP address and, together with the remote agent ID of the mobile device Agent Connection ID / tunnel identifier provided in a table.

The DHCP acknowledgment message is forwarded to the mobile host, the selected with a set of DHCP parameters including IP address, DNS server name etc. configured. The common access server in the GGSN stores also this configuration parameters such as the IP address that the Mobile station is assigned, together with the authentication parameters as the MSid, userid, password etc. from.

There the circuit switched and packet switched bearer services the same IP termination / IP address in the mobile station share, covers the joint over the packet-switched (GPRS) support service made IP host configuration subsequent circuit-switched PPP sessions from the same mobile station from which the circuit-switched support service used. Initiated the mobile station a new application flow&lt;?page 18?&gt;over a circuit-switched bearer, ie in the example of <figref idrefs="S57">13</figref>. by a PPP configuration request over an L2TP tunnel to the GGSN sends the common access server compares the PPP configuration request parameters including a MSid and the standard configuration parameters with the stored DHCP configuration information and sends back a confirmation when the results of the comparison match. Another configuration process the ISP DHCP server is not required. After this abbreviated configuration procedure simply sends the common access server PPP configuration confirmation of Direct access unit to the back mobile station and the selected circuit-switched carrier starts with transporting the desired information.

The present invention combines both circuit switched and and packet switched bearer services, to end users improved and lower-efficient applications Costs available deliver. Both circuit-switched and packet-switched services can at individual application flows be used if they are best suited. additionally looks the present invention provides a common access procedure, through the access to external network devices such as ISPs very is much less costly and significantly shorter build times require. The initial Authentication and configuration procedures between the common Access server in the gateway nodes are only once in performed first filing and apply to both circuit-switched and for packet switched bearer services. Following are just truncated Authentication and configuration procedures between the mobile station and the common access server for subsequent new application flows necessary.

While the present invention in conjunction with certain embodiments, has been described, the skilled artisan will appreciate that the present Invention to the described and illustrated herein specific embodiments limited is. In addition to those shown and described may have different formats, embodiments and adjustments as well as many other variations, modifications and equivalent Arrangements may be used to implement the invention. For example, instead of the exemplary described above circuit-switched GSM network to a wireless network (wireless Local Area Network - WLAN) or the DAB / DVB technology (Digital Audio / Video Broadcast) are used. Similarly way can other packet-switched networks are used. While present invention been described in connection with preferred embodiments is, it is understood, therefore, that this disclosure is illustrative and exemplary for and the present invention is merely for the purpose of providing a full and feasible Disclosure of the invention is used.