WO2004071030A1

WO2004071030A1 - Method of exchanging data between a wireless local area communication network and a data network via a radio network, and associated base station

Info

Publication number: WO2004071030A1
Application number: PCT/FR2004/000067
Authority: WO
Inventors: Siegfried Loeffler
Original assignee: Evolium S.A.S.
Priority date: 2003-01-17
Filing date: 2004-01-14
Publication date: 2004-08-19
Also published as: FR2850230A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a dedicated method of exchanging data between a wireless local area network (WLAN) comprising at least one radio access point (AP1) and a data network (DN) which is connected to a main radio network (RP) comprising at least one base station (BTS). The inventive method consists in connecting at least one of the radio access points (AP1) of the local area network (WLAN) to one of the base stations (BTS) of the main network (RP), such as to enable the exchange of data between the local area network (WLAN) and the data network (DN) via the main network (RP).

Description

METHOD FOR EXCHANGING DATA BETWEEN A LOCAL WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK AND A DATA NETWORK VIA A RADIO COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK AND BASE STATION THEREOF

The invention relates to packet mode communications of mobile terminals connected to wireless local area networks, such as WLAN (for "Wireless Local Area Network" meeting the IEEE 802.11 standard), and the connection of such local area networks to networks. of different types.

Local wireless communications networks (WLAN) were initially designed to allow certain mobile terminals (or equipment), located in their coverage area, to access local information from a local area network, such as an intranet. Subsequently, due to the development of data networks and the importance they have taken in daily life, both private and professional, it was proposed to use WLAN networks for so-called "public" access to "data networks", ie in coverage areas outside of companies. These areas are today generally covered by mobile networks such as GSM / GPRS or UMTS networks.

The term “data networks” is understood here to mean packet protocol networks, such as for example Ethernet or IP, used for services and applications, such as those available on the Internet or in private local networks of the Intranet type.

The establishment of these public accesses, for example to the Internet or to a remote private network, generally requires the connection (or “backhauling”) of the access points of the WLAN network to a service provider, such as for example a service provider. Internet access (or ISP for "Internet Service Provider"), via servers or access routers. For this, cable links are typically used (such as for example leased lines of the ISDN or ADSL type), which turns out to be an expensive solution. The invention therefore aims to improve the situation. To this end, it proposes a method for exchanging data between a WLAN network, comprising at least one radio access point, and a data network coupled to a main radiocommunication network comprising at least one base station.

The term “main radiocommunication network” is understood here to mean a mobile telephone network, for example of the so-called “2G” type, such as GSM networks, or of the so-called “2.5G” type, such as GPRS networks, or else so-called “3G” type, such as UMTS networks. This process is characterized in that it consists in coupling at least one of the radio access points of the WLAN network to one of the base stations of the main network, so as to allow an exchange of data between the network WLAN and the data network, via the main network.

This sharing of resources of the main access network (GSM / GPRS or UMTS) makes it possible to very significantly reduce the costs of establishing bridges between WLANs and data networks, in particular when the operator of the main network is also the operator of local WLAN networks. In addition, the large number of base stations installed makes it easier to deploy WLANs, which can easily be set up on identical or neighboring sites.

The coupling between a radio access point and a base station can be done by wire, and preferably according to an Ethernet type protocol. However, this coupling can also be carried out by integrating the radio access point into the base station. Furthermore, it is possible to couple several radio access points, or even all the radio access points, of a local network to a base station of a main network. In addition or as a variant, it is possible to couple one or more radio access points of a local network to the radio access point which has been coupled to the base station of the main network. In this case, the coupling between the different radio access points can be done by wire or by radio waves.

The invention also relates to a base station, for a main radiocommunication network coupled to a data network, comprising connection means capable of being coupled to at least one of the radio access points of a WLAN network, so as to allow an exchange of data between this WLAN network and the data network, via the main network. Preferably, the connection means are arranged in the form of a connector connectable by wire to the access point. Even more preferably, this connector is of the Ethernet type.

Alternatively, the base station can integrate a radio access point into a WLAN network. The invention further relates to a radiocommunication network coupled to at least one data network and comprising at least one base station of the type presented above.

The invention relates generally to the exchange of data between a wireless local area network (WLAN) and any other data network, and in particular IP networks (such as the Internet), private networks. Intranet type and satellite access networks, such as Thuraya and Iridium.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent on examining the detailed description below, and the single appended figure which schematically illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a communications installation comprising base stations according to the invention ensuring the connection between a local wireless communications network and a data network. This figure could not only serve to complete the invention, but also contribute to its definition, if necessary. The communications installation illustrated in the single figure includes, without limitation, a main RP radio network, belonging to a mobile operator, a DN data network, for example of the Internet type and coupled to the main RP network. , and a local wireless communications network, of the WLAN type and coupled to the main network RP by means (EP) which will be detailed below.

The invention is not limited to this type of configuration. The communications installation may in fact include one or more local networks (WLANs), one or more data networks and one or more communication networks. mobile telephony.

Furthermore, in what follows it is considered that the main network RP is a GPRS network, but it could be a network of another type of which it is possible to reserve or share part of the bandwidth, and in particular d '' a GSM or UMTS network.

The main GPRS network (RP) not being directly the subject of the invention, and being perfectly known to those skilled in the art, it will therefore not be described in detail here. To simplify, it firstly comprises a radio access network, also called BSS / RAN, consisting, on the one hand, of a multiplicity of transmit / receive base stations, called BTS, each associated with a cell C, in which UE user equipment can send and receive data, and on the other hand, from one or more base station controllers, called BSCs (for “Base Station Controller”), each connected to a or several BTSs. The example illustrated only includes a single BTS base station and a single BSC controller for reasons of simplification.

The main GPRS (RP) network also includes a core network (or CN for “Core Network”) comprising, on the one hand, a server of a first type, called SGSN and connected to the various BSC controllers, and on the other hand On the other hand, one or more servers of a second type, called GGSN (for “Gateway GPRS Serving Node”) and each coupled to the SGSN and to at least one DN data network. Each GGSN in fact constitutes an access point to a DN data network. It takes part in particular in what a person skilled in the art calls “context activation”, in particular of PDP (for “Packet Data Protocol”) type, each time that a UE user equipment, such as a mobile phone, wants to connect to a data network, such as the Internet. More specifically, a GGSN can in particular be seen as one of the ends of a tunnel relating to a PDP context.

The term “user equipment UE” is understood here to mean any mobile terminal capable of communicating by radio waves (here according to GPRS protocols) with the radio access network BSS / RAN of the main network RP. Consequently, it may in particular be mobile telephones or portable personal computers or even personal digital assistants (or PDAs) equipped with a modem (here GPRS).

Of course, in reality a GPRS network includes many other network equipments useless for understanding the invention. Thus, one can provide a server of HLR type (for “Home Location Register”), and a proxy server, for example of RADIUS type, responsible for routing authentication requests originating from the radiocommunication network to a server of RADIUS type which implements an AAA type function (for “Authorization, Authentication, Accounting”).

A WLAN network usually consists of at least one radio access point AP allowing user equipment UE, which are in its coverage area and which are specially equipped, to connect to it in order to access all or part of the information and / or services that it makes available to their users. Such WLAN networks are frequently installed in what are usually called "hot spots", such as stations or airports.

“User equipment UE” is understood here to mean any mobile terminal provided with equipment for connection to a wireless local area network (for example a WLAN PC card or WLAN PDA, removable or integrated, meeting the 802.11 standard). Consequently, it may in particular be mobile telephones or personal digital assistants (or PDAs) or even portable computers.

In the example illustrated, the WLAN network comprises 3 radio access points AP1, AP2 and AP3. According to the invention, the radio access point AP1 is coupled to one of the base stations BTS of the main network RP. Preferably, this coupling is carried out by wire, for example using an Ethernet type protocol. To this end, the base station BTS, the object of the coupling, comprises an EP connection module arranged, for example, in the form of an Ethernet connector. This connection module EP of the BTS base station also includes the routing function for routing the WLAN packets to a GGSN server. For this, it can use the same protocols and mechanisms (such as for example the activation of a PDP context) as those used to connect mobile equipment UE of the mobile access network GPRS to the server GGSN. It is also possible that it implements other data transport mechanisms, such as a tunnel, possibly of fixed bandwidth, towards certain equipment of the main GPRS network (RP) which are connected to the core network CN, such as for example the BSC controller or the SGSN server. In order to allow all UE user equipment, equipped for this purpose, to access the DN data network regardless of their position within the WLAN network, it is preferable, as illustrated on the single figure, to couple by wire all the access points (here AP2 and AP3) to the access point (here AP1) which is itself coupled to the base station BTS by wire.

As a variant, it is possible to envisage coupling the AP radio access points of a WLAN network to the BTS base station over the air, using the WLAN protocols. Another variant can also be envisaged in which certain radio access points of a WLAN network are coupled to the base station BTS, while the other radio access points of this WLAN network are coupled to the radio access points coupled to said BTS base station.

Furthermore, there has been described, with reference to the single figure, an embodiment in which the base station BTS and the radio access point AP were distant from each other and coupled via a connection module EP. However, it is possible to envisage a variant (not illustrated) in which the radio access point AP is integrated into the base station BTS. In this case, the connection module EP only performs the packet routing function.

In addition to enabling the mobile operator to offer new “IP WLAN” services, the invention makes it possible to extend the coverage area of the existing mobile telephone network by coupling to WLAN networks (for example inside buildings, tunnels, including metro, and the like) for existing services on the mobile phone network.

Several methods can be envisaged for the activation of the context, concerning the user equipment UE connected to the WLAN network, which is managed by the servers SGSN and GGSN of the mobile telephone network RP.

The simplest solution is to establish a single tunnel (or session) between the WLAN and the GGSN server (PDP context), in which traffic is transported from all UE user equipment connected to the WLAN. In this case, authentication and access control of type AAA (for authentication, authorization, accounting) is preferably implemented in the access point (s) AP of the WLAN network which communicate for this purpose with a server of type AAA , which can for example be located at an Internet service provider (ISP) or in the HLR server of the mobile telephone network RP which has the list of identifiers of said user equipment UE. Another solution is to establish a dedicated tunnel between the access point AP and the GGSN server for each user connected to the WLAN, so that the GGSN server can perform its control and authentication procedure.

It is important to note that the connection of an AP access point to a BTS base station can also be used to provide users of the local WLAN network with services offered by the main RP network, such as for example the routing of voice packets. In this case, unlike data packets which are routed to a GGSN, voice packets can be routed to a dedicated Voice over IP (VoIP) server, which interconnects with a telephone network.

The invention also provides a method of exchanging data between a WLAN network, comprising at least one radio access point AP1, and a DN data network coupled to a main radiocommunication network RP comprising at least one base station BTS. . This can be implemented using one of the base stations

BTS presented above. The main and optional functions and sub-functions provided by the steps of this method being substantially identical to those provided by the different means constituting the BTS base stations, only the steps implementing the main functions of the method will be summarized below. the invention.

This method consists in coupling at least one of the radio access points AP1 of the WLAN network to one of the base stations BTS of the main network RP, so as to allow data exchange between the WLAN network and the DN data network, via the main RP network.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments of the method and of base stations described above, only by way of example, but it encompasses all the variants that a person skilled in the art may envisage within the framework of claims below.

Claims

1. Method for exchanging data between a local wireless communications network (WLAN), comprising at least one radio access point (AP1), and a data network (DN) coupled to a main radiocommunication network (RP) ) comprising at least one base station (BTS), characterized in that it consists in coupling at least one radio access point (AP1) of said local network (WLAN) to a base station (BTS) of said main network ( RP), so as to allow data exchange between said local area network (WLAN) and said data network (DN) via said main network (RP).

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that said coupling between said radio access point (AP1) and said base station (BTS) is carried out by wire.

3. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that said coupling between said radio access point (AP1) and said base station (BTS) is effected by integration of said radio access point (AP1) in said station. base (BTS).

4. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that at least one other radio access point (AP) of said local network (WLAN) is coupled to said base station (BTS) of said main network (RP).

5. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that at least one other radio access point (AP2, AP3) of said local network (WLAN) is coupled to said radio access point (AP1) coupled to said base station (BTS) of said main network (RP).

6. Method according to claim 5, characterized in that said coupling between said radio access points (AP1-AP3) is carried out by wire.

7. Method according to claim 5, characterized in that said coupling between said radio access points (AP1-AP3) is carried out by radio waves.

8. Method according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that one proceeds to an authentication and an access control to said data network at said radio access point (AP1), via a communication with an authentication server.

9. Method according to claim 8, characterized in that said authentication server is located at an Internet service provider.

10. The method of claim 8, characterized in that said authentication server is located in an HLR type server of said main network (RP).

11. Method according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that a dedicated tunnel is established between said radio access point (AP1) and a server (GGSN) for access to said data network (DN) , belonging to said main network (RP), so that said access server (GGSN) can perform an authentication and access control procedure to said data network.

12. Base station (BTS) for a main radiocommunication network (RP) coupled to a data network (DN), characterized in that it comprises connection means (EP) suitable for being coupled to at least one point radio access network (AP1) of a local wireless communications network (WLAN), so as to allow data exchange between said local network (WLAN) and said data network (DN) via said main network (RP) .

13. Base station according to claim 12, characterized in that said connection means (EP) are arranged in the form of a connector connected by wire to said radio access point (AP1).

14. Base station according to claim 13, characterized in that said connector (EP) is of the Ethernet type.

15. Base station for a main radiocommunication network (RP) coupled to a data network (DN), characterized in that it is equipped with a radio access point (AP) to a local communications network without wire (WLAN), so as to allow data exchange between said local area network (WLAN) and said data network (DN) via said main network (RP).

16. Radiocommunication network (RP) coupled to at least one data network (DN), characterized in that it comprises at least one base station (BTS) according to one of claims 12 to 15.

17. Network according to claim 16, characterized in that it is chosen from a group comprising GSM, GPRS and UMTS networks.