Title: Broadband network with enterprise wireless communication system for residential and business environment
Abstract: The present invention sets forth a network-centric service distribution architecture that integrates a wireless access system in the residence, SOHO, business or public environment through the use of a local broadband network, such as a Residential-Business Broadband Network (RBN), to the service provider's broadband transport network and to a service provider's broadband packet network. The system includes a Media Terminal Adapter coupled via the RBN to the access port(s) and via the service provider's broadband transport network to the service provider's broadband packet network. The access port is coupled to the Media Terminal Adapter via either an RBN (e.g., a Local Area Network—LAN) or simply via a traditional POTS line interface. The access port receives and sends wireless signals to a plurality of RBN devices, allowing the user to control these devices remotely from the residence, business, SOHO or public environments. The integration of an RBN to a service provider's broadband packet network allows a subscriber to communicate at home and at the office with one communication device anytime anywhere.
Patent Number: 7,002,995 Issued on 02/21/2006 to Chow, et al.
| Inventors:
|
Chow; Albert T. (Hillsdale, NJ);
Erving; Richard Henry (Piscataway, NJ);
Kim; Jinman (Chatham, NJ);
Miller, II; Robert Raymond (Convent Station, NJ);
Russell; Jesse E. (Piscataway, NJ);
Ying; Wenchu (Cedar Knolls, NJ)
|
| Assignee:
|
AT&T Corp. (New York, NY)
|
| Appl. No.:
|
880827 |
| Filed:
|
June 14, 2001 |
| Current U.S. Class: |
370/485; 370/352 |
| Current Intern'l Class: |
H04J 1/00 (20060101) |
| Field of Search: |
370/485,486,487,352,353,338,401,465
|
References Cited [Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
| 6029067 | Feb., 2000 | Pfundstein.
| |
| 6041048 | Mar., 2000 | Erickson et al.
| |
| 6335936 | Jan., 2002 | Bossemeyer et al.
| |
| 6359881 | Mar., 2002 | Gerszberg et al.
| |
| 6407997 | Jun., 2002 | DeNap et al.
| |
| 6424646 | Jul., 2002 | Gerszberg et al.
| |
| 6526046 | Feb., 2003 | Carew.
| |
| 6587479 | Jul., 2003 | Bianchi et al.
| |
| 6751441 | Jun., 2004 | Murray et al.
| |
| 2005/0018630 | Jan., 2005 | Bianchi et al.
| |
| Foreign Patent Documents |
| 0 708 572 | Apr., 1996 | EP.
| |
| 0 766 490 | Apr., 1997 | EP.
| |
Other References
M. Ali Salman et al., "The Future of IP-PSTN Interworking", 38th European
Telecommunications Congress. Proceedings Networking The Future, Aug. 24, 1999,
pp. 163-167.
|
Primary Examiner: Pham; Chi
Assistant Examiner: Wong; Blanche
Claims
We claim:
1. A network-centric service distribution architecture that integrates a wireless
access service in a local Residential/Business Broadband Network (RBN) environment
through the use of a local RBN to a service provider's broadband transport network
and to a service provider's broadband packet network that facilitates end-to-end
packet telecommunication services, wherein the RBN of the network-centric service
distribution architecture comprises:
a Media Terminal Adapter, coupled to at least one access port (AP) and to the
service provider's broadband transport network, for providing access functions
for connecting the service provider's broadband packet network via the service
provider's broadband transport network with the RBN, the at least one access port,
coupled to the Media Terminal Adapter, arranged to receive and send wireless signals
to a plurality of wireless RBN devices, supporting telephony interworking among
TIA/EIA-316 handsets, EDGE/GRPS handsets and IEEE 802.11b devices;
a Network Server Platform (NSP), coupled to the service provider's broadband
packet network, for controlling and administering operations and services of the
access port and the plurality of wireless RBN devices associated therewith; and
a private branch exchange (PBX) coupled to the Media Terminal Adapter and, in
turn, to the service provider's broadband transport network and to the service
provider's broadband packet network for delivery of packet telecommunications services.
2. The architecture of claim 1 where there is at least one wired telephone connected
to the PBX and a wireless telecommunication device communicating with the access
port functions as a cordless extension of the wired telephone.
3. The architecture of claim 1 wherein the PBX is further coupled to a Public
Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) for circuit-switched telecommunication services.
4. A network-centric service distribution architecture that integrates a wireless
access service in a local Residential/Business Broadband Network (RBN) environment
through the use of a local RBN to a service provider's broadband transport network
and to a service provider's broadband packet network that facilitates end-to-end
packet telecommunication services, wherein the RBN of the network-centric service
distribution architecture comprises:
a Media Terminal Adapter, coupled to at least one access port (AP) and to the
service provider's broadband transport network, for providing access functions
for connecting the service provider's broadband packet network via the service
provider's broadband transport network with the RBN, the at least one access port,
coupled to the Media Terminal Adapter, arranged to receive and send wireless signals
to a plurality of wireless RBN devices, supporting telephony interworking among
TIA/EIA-316 handsets, EDGE/GRPS handsets and IEEE 802.11b devices, wherein the
access port and the Media Terminal Adapter are integrated into a single unit to
provide functions of the access port and the Media Terminal Adapter, and wherein
the Media Terminal Adapter (MTA) is integrated with one of a cable and an xDSL
modem, to form a single unit, wherein said single unit digitally encodes a multimedia
signal to form an encoded signal, encapsulates the encoded signal in IP packets,
and delivers the IP packets to the service provider's broadband packet network
via the service provider's broadband transport network via one of the cable and
the xDSL modem; and
a Network Server Platform (NSP), coupled to the service provider's broadband
packet network, far controlling and administering operations and services of the
access port and the plurality of wireless RBN devices associated therewith.
5. The architecture of claim 4, wherein said single unit provides voice transcoding.
6. The architecture of claim 4, wherein said multimedia signal is an analog signal.
7. The architecture of claim 4, wherein said multimedia signal is a digital signal.
8. The architecture of claim 4 wherein the MTA maintains a call state for each
active telephone line and participates in call signaling and telephony feature implementation.
9. The architecture of claim 4 wherein one of the cable and the xDSL modem receives
IP packets from one of the Media Terminal Adapter and a personal computer and packages
and sends packaged IP packets through the service provider's broadband transport
network using one of a cable interface and an xDSL interface.
10. A network-centric service distribution architecture that integrates a wireless
access service in a local Residential/Business Broadband Network (RBN) environment
through the use of a local RBN to a service provider's broadband transport network
and to a service provider's broadband packet network that facilitates end-to-end
packet telecommunication services, wherein the RBN of the network-centric service
distribution architecture comprises:
a Media Terminal Adapter, coupled to at least one access port (AP) and to the
service provider's broadband transport network, for providing access functions
for connecting the service provider's broadband packet network via the service
provider's broadband transport network with the RBN, the at least one access port,
coupled to the Media Terminal Adapter, arranged to receive and send wireless signals
to a plurality of wireless RBN devices, supporting telephony interworking among
TIA/EIA-316 handsets, EDGE/GRPS handsets and IEEE 802.11b devices, wherein the
access port supports at least one of a standardized air interface used for analog,
digital, circuit, and packet communication to narrowband and broadband wireless
devices, computing-telephony resources, and appliances, and wherein a communication
link between the access port and the wireless RBN devices distributes call features
and related operation, administration, maintenance and provisioning instructions
via the Media Terminal Adapter, one of a hybrid fiber coaxial cable and a xDSL
connection of the service provider's broadband packet network, and the service
provider's broadband transport network to the RBN; and
a Network Server Platform (NSP), coupled to the service provider's broadband
packet network, for controlling and administering operations and services of the
access port and the plurality of wireless RBN devices associated therewith.
11. A network-centric service distribution architecture that integrates a wireless
access service in a local Residential/Business Broadband Network (RBN) environment
through the use of a local RBN to a service provider's broadband transport network
and to a service provider's broadband packet network that facilitates end-to-end
packet telecommunication services, wherein the RBN of the network-centric service
distribution architecture comprises:
a Media Terminal Adapter, coupled to at least one access port (AP) and to the
service provider's broadband transport network, for providing access functions
for connecting the service provider's broadband packet network via the service
provider's broadband transport network with the RBN, the at least one access port,
coupled to the Media Terminal Adapter, arranged to receive and send wireless signals
to a plurality of wireless RBN devices, supporting telephony interworking among
TIA/EIA-316 handsets, EDGE/GRPS handsets and IEEE 802.11b devices, wherein the
access port supports at least one of a standardized air interface used for analog,
digital, circuit, and packet communication to narrowband and broadband wireless
devices, computing-telephony resources, and appliances; and
a Network Server Platform (NSP), coupled to the service provider's broadband
packet network, for controlling and administering operations and services of the
access port and the plurality of wireless RBN devices associated therewith, wherein
a feature set and current state of all wireless Virtual Private Network-participating
instruments is exchanged between all VPN terminations, followed by configuration
of all wireless instruments to synchronize feature availability, appearance, and state.
12. A wireless access port (AP) apparatus for communicating with a network-centric
service distribution architecture that supports RF protocols comprises:
a wireless radio, wherein said wireless radio supports wireless voice and data
communication with wireless handsets;
a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) coupled to said wireless radio;
an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) coupled to said wireless radio;
a quad upconverter coupled to said DAC;
a quad downconverter coupled to said ADC;
a plurality of digital signal processors (DSPs) coupled to said quad upconverter
and said quad downconverter;
a main processing unit coupled to said plurality of DSPs, said main processing
unit further comprising memory; and
a timing and control unit coupled to said main processing unit for setting timing
and control for radios, DSPs and for all elements of said AP.
13. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said main processing unit further comprises:
a PCMCIA slot; and
a wireless modem coupled to said PCMCIA slot, wherein said wireless modem supports
voice and entertainment distribution.
14. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said main processing unit further comprises:
a Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP)/Ethernet processor for supporting data
and IP telephony data, wherein said VOIP/Ethernet processor is coupled to memory; and
at least one 10/100 Mbit Ethernet PHY chip coupled to said VOIP/Ethernet processor,
wherein said 10/100 Mbit Ethernet PHY chip performs analog modulation and demodulation
function necessary to connect MAC functions within said VOIP/Ethernet processor
to an attached Ethernet device.
15. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said main processing unit further comprises:
a Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP)/ Ethernet processor for supporting data
and IP telephony data, wherein said VOIP/Ethernet processor is coupled to memory; and
at least one 10/100 Mbit Ethernet PHY chip coupled to said VOIP/Ethernet processor,
wherein said 10/100 Mbit Ethernet PHY chip performs analog modulation and demodulation
functions necessary to connect MAC functions within said VOIP/Ethernet processor
to an attached Ethernet device.
16. A Media Terminal Adapter (MTA) for communicating with a network-centric service
distribution architecture via a broadband transport interface, wherein a service
provider's broadband packet network distributes services to end devices via said
MTA coupled to an access port (AP), wherein said MTA comprises:
a plurality of tip/ring control units for interfacing with analog telephone sets;
a plurality of dual SLIC circuits coupled to said tip/ring control units, wherein
said dual SLICs provide connectivity to legacy analog telephone sets;
a Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP)/Ethernet processor coupled to said plurality
of dual SLICs, wherein said VOIP/Ethernet processor further comprises memory;
a main processing unit coupled to said VOIP/Ethernet processor, wherein said
main processing unit further comprises memory;
a broadband transport interface coupled to said main processing unit;
a 10/100 Mbit Ethernet PHY chip coupled to said VOIP/Ethernet processor, wherein
said 10/100 Mbit Ethernet PHY chip performs analog modulation and demodulation
functions necessary to connect MAC functions within said VOIP/Ethernet processor
to an attached Ethernet device; and
a timing and control unit coupled to said main processing unit for setting timing
and control for protocols and for all elements of said MTA.
17. An Intelligent Broadband Access Point (IBAP) apparatus for communicating
with a network-centric service distribution architecture via a broadband transport
interface, wherein a service provider's broadband packet network distributes services
to end devices via said IBAP and wherein said IBAP comprises:
a wireless radio, wherein said wireless radio supports wireless voice and data
communication with wireless handsets;
a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) coupled to said wireless radio;
an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) coupled to said wireless radio;
a quad upconverter coupled to said DAC;
a quad downconverter coupled to said ADC;
a plurality of digital signal processors (DSPs) coupled to said quad upconverter
and said quad downconverter;
a main processing unit coupled to said plurality of DSPs, said main processing
unit further comprising memory;
a plurality of tip/ring control units for interfacing with analog telephone sets;
a plurality of dual SLIC circuits coupled to said tip/ring control units, wherein
said dual SLICs provide connectivity to legacy analog telephone sets;
a Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP)/Ethernet processor coupled to said plurality
of dual SLICs, wherein said VOIP/Ethernet processor further comprises memory, further
wherein said VOIP/Ethernet processor is coupled to said main processing unit;
a broadband transport interface coupled to said main processing unit;
a 10/100 Mbit Ethernet PHY chip coupled to said VOIP/Ethernet processor, wherein
said 10/100 Mbit Ethernet PHY chip performs analog modulation and demodulation
functions necessary to connect MAC functions within said VOIP/Ethernet processor
to an attached Ethernet device; and
a timing and control unit coupled to said main processing unit for setting timing
and control for radios, DSPs and for all elements of said IBAP, wherein said timing
and control unit further provides control for all elements of said IBAP.
18. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said main processing unit further comprises:
a PCMCIA slot; and
a wireless modem coupled to said PCMCIA slot, wherein said wireless modem supports
voice and entertainment distribution.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
The present application is related to "Broadband Network with Enterprise Wireless
Communication Method for Residential and Business Environment", by Albert T. Chow,
Robert R. Miller, Richard H. Erving, Jinman Kim, Wenchu Ying and Jesse E. Russel,
which is being filed concurrently.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to communications between users in diverse communication
systems and, more particularly, to providing a wireless local access system/service
in the home, Small Office Home Office (SOHO), business and public environments
by utilizing a service provider's broadband transport network to a service provider's
broadband packet network, an Internet Protocol Telephony Network, and public switched
telephone network. Specifically, this invention relates to broadband network access
for users in the above-mentioned environments. The invention extends the scheme
of wired Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to include duplicate wireless elements
in home and office. These elements allow users to experience identical service
behaviors in both locations, effectively creating a "work" wireless feature environment
at home, as well as a "home" wireless feature environment at work.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Present day telephony voice networks are built around circuit switches, end
offices, a toll network, tandem switches, and twisted pair wires. These voice networks
are referred to as a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) or Plain Old Telephone
Service (POTS). Due to bandwidth limitations of Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS),
there is an inherent inability to efficiently integrate multiple types of media
such as telephony, data communications (including video) for Personal Computers
(PC), and television (TV) broadcasts. Accordingly, a new broadband architecture
is required. This new architecture gives rise to a new array of user services.
There are limitations on communication services provided to the public for
accessing communication networks. The most common access points to communication
networks are POTS connections in the residences, SOHO, business and public environments.
However, these access points are limited to voice telephone calls and offer practically
no additional calling services. Connections for users to access communication networks
for transmitting and receiving data is mostly limited to low-speed dial-up (e.g.,
28 kbps or slower), kiosks located in public areas for Web browsing, or dedicated
trunks (e.g., T1) in business locations. As the demand for increased sophistication
of telecommunication services increases, providing users with residential and SOHO/business
high-speed communication networks will be required.
The evolution of business enterprises toward a more decentralized business environment
coupled with new work styles and flexible organization structures has changed where,
when and how users and professionals conduct and achieve their daily residential
and business objectives. In particular, the following shifts in user and business
needs can be observed:
- a. The challenges of supporting an increasingly mobile workforce requires
corporations and businesses to focus on providing mobility and service profile
portability to them.
- b. The emergence of wireless as a "primary" phone, prompting demand
for one phone, one number, anytime, anywhere communications.
- c. Increasing numbers of computing resources in the home necessitate
the ability to link these elements together in order for consumers to leverage
their usage and capabilities.
- d. Increasing number of households that access the Internet.
Therefore, a need exists for users to be able to utilize a residential
or SOHO/business service architecture together with a flexible wireless networking
platform that links all the preselected residential or SOHO/business devices wirelessly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention implements a network-centric service distribution architecture
that integrates a wireless access system/service in the residence, SOHO, business
or public environment through the use of a local broadband network (i.e., Residential/Business
Broadband Network—RBN) to the service provider's broadband transport network
and to a service provider's broadband packet network as depicted in the FIG. 1
that facilitates end-to-end packet telecommunication services. The integration
of an RBN to a service provider's broadband packet network allows a subscriber
to communicate at home and at the office with one communication device anywhere.
A service provider can deploy services in an integrated voice, data and multimedia
environment cost-effectively from its broadband packet network to the RBN.
In the architectural perspective, the service provider's network generally includes
a broadband packet network (e.g., IP-based packet network), a broadband transport
network (e.g., generic Digital Subscriber Line (xDSL), Hybrid Fiber Coax (HFC),
Fixed Wireless, Fiber Optical Link etc.) and a local broadband network, RBN, (located
within a residence, SOHO, business or public mall) that consists of Media Terminal
Adapter (MTA) and associated access port(s) that are linked to the Media Terminal
Adapter via a network (e.g., Ethernet) or alternatively via a traditional telephone
twisted-pair line interface. The Media Terminal Adapter is coupled to the access
port(s) and via the service provider's broadband transport network to the service
provider's broadband packet network. The Media Terminal Adapter is used for providing
access functions for connecting the service provider's broadband packet network
with the RBN via the service provider's broadband transport network. The access
port is coupled to the Media Terminal Adapter via either a network (e.g., a Local
Area Network—LAN) or simply via a traditional POTS (i.e., telephone twisted
pair) line interface. The access port receives and sends wireless signals to a
plurality of wireless devices. This architecture also allows the user to control
these devices remotely from the residence, business, SOHO or public environments.
Also, the Network Server Platform (NSP) in the service provider's broadband packet
network controls and administers the operation of the access ports and the service
requests of the wireless devices associated with these access ports.
Typically, the RBN is coupled to the service provider's network via the
Media Terminal Adapter using a broadband transport network that is comprised of
a HFC cable system or xDSL. In business/SOHO environments, a private branch exchange
(i.e., PBX) that is capable of supporting packet telephony (via the Media Terminal
Adapter, and the service provider's broadband transport network and service provider's
broadband packet network) may be coupled to the RBN for business telephony features
to the RBN associated wired and wireless telephones. This PBX can also be optionally
coupled to the public switched telephone network.
Generally, the access port is a miniaturized radio base station that is
used to establish analog and/or digital communications channels. It interworks
between the wireless and packet telephony protocols (including voice transcoding)
to provide end-to-end communications between the service provider's packet network
and the associated wireless handsets. Where desired, the access port and the Media
Terminal Adapter may be integrated into a single unit, such as an intelligent broadband
access point unit, to provide the functions of the access port and the Media Terminal Adapter.
The RBN is typically a home network or business network which has a plurality
of RBN devices such as home devices, computing/telephony resources and appliances.
The present invention also provides a method for network-centric service distribution
to a wireless access system in the residence, SOHO, business or public environment
through the use of a RBN to the service provider's broadband transport network
and to a service provider's broadband packet network that facilitates end-to-end
packet telecommunication services. The method typically includes the steps of using
a Media Terminal Adapter that is coupled to an access port(s) via a network (e.g.,
LAN) or a traditional twisted-pair telephone line interface. The Media Terminal
Adapter is also coupled to a broadband transport network that includes hybrid fiber
coaxial cable, or alternatively xDSL, of the service provider's broadband packet
network to provide access functions for connecting the service provider's broadband
packet network with the RBN, and the Media Terminal Adapter uses the access port(s)
to receive and send wireless signals to a plurality of wireless devices in accordance
with the call and service termination communications. A single integrated unit
may perform these steps or, alternatively, two separate units, for example, where
an access port and Media Terminal Adapter are utilized. Where desired, the RBN
may be coupled to the service provider's broadband packet network using a HFC cable
system or xDSL. The RBN is typically a home network or a business network.
In one embodiment, a computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions
is used for remotely accessing a broadband home network. In this embodiment, the
computer-executable instructions perform the steps of the method.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The foregoing summary of the invention, as well as the following detailed description
of preferred embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, which are included by way of example, and not by way of
limitation with regard to the claimed invention.
FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an architecture for one embodiment of
broadband networking for home, Small Office Home Office (SOHO) and business in
accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a combined schematic representation and flow chart for one embodiment
of a home control scheme based on TIA/EIA-136 Short Message feature in accordance
with the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a combined schematic representation and flow chart for one embodiment
of a voice call scheme in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a combined schematic representation and flow chart for one embodiment
of an interworking call scheme in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of one embodiment of a data services implementation
in a home network in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of one embodiment of a scheme for roaming
to a visiting service area in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram of one embodiment of a wireless access point system
for supporting a plurality of RF methods in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram showing one embodiment of functions for
a Media Terminal Adapter (MTA) in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram showing one embodiment of an Intelligent
Broadband Access Point unit (IBAP) in accordance with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The present invention implements a network-centric service distribution architecture
that integrates a wireless access system/service in the residence, SOHO, business
or public environment through the use of a RBN to the service provider's broadband
transport network and to a service provider's broadband packet network that facilitates
end-to-end packet telecommunication services. This invention also provides for
access and control of home and/or office computing resources, devices, and appliances
(locally or remotely) via a service provider's broadband transport network access
to the home or office and related apparatus and methodology for home and office
networking. Currently, when people travel they must relinquish the access of their
home and office computing resources in addition to their home appliances and devices
due to lack of capability to access these resources and devices. Making these resources
available to a traveler remotely through wired or wireless means provides convenience
to the user. The service architecture, the methodologies and apparatuses enable
a traveler to "carry or reach" their office or residential environments even when
they are located at a remote location. For example, a user may turn on or off the
air conditioner, check home or office security, prepare dinner by turning on the
oven, access e-mail, send and receive data messages, utilize home computing resources,
etc. For ease of reading, many references below are addressed simply to the home
environment and home resources. However, as used herein, such references also are
intended to include the office environment and office resources applicable in the
enterprise environment. Therefore, the present invention provides for broadband
network access for the home, Small Office Home Office (SOHO) environment and for
the enterprise environment.
In residential use, the present invention provides a home with broadband network
access together with a flexible wireless networking platform that provides service
via links to all the applicable home devices and appliances wirelessly. The service
provides broadband access to the home, a home networking apparatus, methodology
and architecture that links all the home computing and telephony resources, appliances,
electronics, and preselected devices to a service provider's broadband packet network,
provides for distribution of services from a carrier service provider to the home
and to the home networking devices, thus making available a multiplicity of new
home services.
Three key wireless access technologies/standards, TIA/EIA-136, General Packet
Radio Service (GPRS)/Enhanced Data for Global Evolution (EDGE), and IEEE 802.11b
Wireless LAN, are used to define basic residential and/or small business services,
and the interworking methodologies that allow a traveler to "carry" his home and/or
small business resources anywhere. However, these standards are for illustrative
purposes only and any practices that are based on differences or variations of
given home or small business network apparatuses and/or broadband network access
to the home and/or small business environments and/or wireless protocols shall
be within the scope of the invention. For example, the IEEE 802.15 Wireless Personal
LAN (i.e., Bluetooth) or the Cellular Digital Packet Data (CDPD) standard may be
used instead of IEEE 802.11b, and any second-generation or third-generation standard
wireless protocol (e.g., Global System for Mobile communications (GSM), Call Division
Multiple Access (CDMA) (i.e., IS-95 High Data Rate (HDR)), CDMA2000, Wideband CDMA
(WCDMA), or Personal Handyphone System (PHS)) can be used instead of TIA/EIA-136).
The wireless industry (i.e., Personal Communications Service (PCS) and cellular
service) has revolutionized how people communicate, especially when they are on
the move. However, the habit of using a wired telephone at home and in the office
remains the same simply because wireless communication costs more than wired, provides
poorer voice quality than wired telephony, and does not have adequate local RF
coverage due to blind spots and often limited radio capacity in densely populated
areas. The emerging broadband access (e.g., HFC cable, fixed wireless, xDSL such
as Asymmetric DSL (ADSL), High-bit-rate DSL (HDSL), Integrated Digital Service
Network (ISDN) DSL (IDSL), Symmetric DSL (SDSL) and Very -high-data-rate DSL (VDSL),
the Local Multipoint Distribution System (LMDS), and the Microwave Multipoint Distribution
System (MMDS)), to the home creates opportunities for new services including the
integration of wireless communication for home and office (i.e., SOHO) environments.
A base station or stations located in the home for local wireless access service
may provide effective RF coverage anywhere within a home with quality of service.
In addition, a base station may provide the linkage between the service provider's
broadband network and the subscriber's home networking devices to allow a service
provider to distribute value-added services to the home conveniently.
The methodology of the present invention integrates second- and third-generation
wireless services in the home with broadband access to a service provider's network.
Enterprise Wireless Communications Service Platform (EWCSP) is the wireless access
networking system/platform. EWCSP uses a conventional (e.g., second-generation)
wireless standard communication system to provide wireless services in-doors. It
consists of miniaturized radio base stations (i.e., access ports) located in the
residence, SOHO, business, or public environments that communicate with a plurality
of wireless devices. EWCSP provides accesses and services from the service provider's
broadband packet network via a service provider's broadband transport network.
A system controller, the NSP, residing in the service provider's broadband packet
network, controls and administers the access ports and associated service requests.
A service provider can distribute services via the broadband home access devices
through the EWCSP to the subscriber at home. Some examples of such services are
voice, data, short message service, home networking related device control and
linkage to the home PC for remote access at a desired time wirelessly.
FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an architecture for one embodiment of
broadband networking for home, Small Office Home Office (SOHO) and business in
accordance with the present invention. The present invention includes both service
and equipment elements. The equipment portion of the invention typically consists
of a special miniaturized radio base station (i.e., access port) that may establish
analog and/or digital communication channels and interworks between the wireless
and packet telephony protocols (including voice transcoding). The function can
be provided efficaciously by the EWCSP Access Port (AP)
102. The AP unit
102 is based on Digital Radio Processing (DRP) techniques that accomplish
transmission and reception of wireless radio signals by numerical rather than conventional
analog processing means. The AP unit
102 supports a standard air interface
(e.g., TIA/EIA-136) and packet telephony protocols (and associated voice coding
schemes) and is connected via a wired line interface (e.g., Ethernet or ISDN/Basic
rate Interface (BRI) line interface as shown in FIG. 1) to the Media Terminal Adapter
(MTA)
104. The MTA
104 is connected via a broadband transport link
(for example, via the HFC network, xDSL, or the like) to the service provider's
broadband packet network
106. The MTA
104 provides access functions
that connect between a service provider's broadband packet network
106 and
the home devices via the service provider's broadband transport network
120.
The MTA
104 and the AP unit
102 may be two physically distinct and
interconnected units or they can be confined within one physical unit (see FIG.
9). For purposes of the description for FIG. 1, the MTA
104 and the AP unit
102 are considered as two separate units. The RBN in the home network in
the residential environment or business network in the SOHO/business environment
is the local broadband network that consists of the MTA interconnected to the AP,
the associated wireless devices including any home devices and resources, computing
devices and resources and appliances communicating wirelessly with the AP, and
associated wired devices including computing devices and resources and telecommunication
devices and resources communicating with the MTA and AP. The MTA can be entirely
within the RBN, entirely within the service provider's broadband transport network
or split between the RBN and the service provider's broadband transport network.
The system controller, the Network Server Platform (NSP)
108, for the
APs is located in the service provider's broadband packet network. The home network,
the service provider's broadband transport network, and the service provider's
broadband packet network are all based on packet/cell format (e.g., Internet Protocol
(IP)/Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM). When the connection between the AP
102
and the MTA
104 is an ISDN/BRI link, the MTA
104 acts as a concentrator
or channel bank (i.e., multiplexer/de-multiplexer) for all the line interfaces
from the AP(s)
102. Q.931 signaling is used only to establish the B-channels
between the AP
102 and the MTA
104; packetized voice or data are
then sent over the B-channels through the service provider's broadband packet network
to their end destinations. Thus, the present invention provides home, SOHO and
business (broadband) wireless services and home or business networking, typically
using EWCSP via broadband access to a service provider's broadband packet network.
Service provided by the present invention includes:
- a. When a home's or business's resources are connected to a home or
business networking platform that has broadband access to the service provider's
broadband packet network, users with predetermined security privileges can remotely
access any or all resources/appliances in or around the home or office via the
service provider's broadband packet network. Thus, the home or business networking
platform with the broadband network connectivity establishes a communications conduit
for a subscriber at one end of the conduit to remotely access, control, monitor,
and share the home's or business's resources at the other end of the conduit. This
conduit also enables the delivery of traditional communication/entertainment services
and new services. Depending on the RF coverage of the AP 102, the power
of the AP 102 may be adjusted for coverage up to, for example, a mile or
more in radius and therefore the services architecture may include the campus,
public, or enterprise environments.
- b. A home or business with broadband network connectivity and a home
or business networking platform enables the service provider to distribute value-added
network services (e.g., voice telephony) at any desired place within the home or business.
- c. A home or business with broadband network connectivity and a home
or business networking platform enables a content service provider to render services
transparently/directly to home or business via the service provider's broadband
packet network.
- d. A home or business with broadband network connectivity and a home
or business networking platform enables a subscriber to deliver and receive calls
via a service provider's broadband packet network to and from the traditional PSTN
and associated wireless PCS/Cellular networks. The services typically include all
traditional service features and applications (i.e., voice, data etc.)
- e. A home or business with broadband network connectivity and a home
or business networking platform enables a subscriber to send, receive and browse
information via a service provider's broadband packet network to and from the traditional
data/voice packet network (i.e., Internet). The services typically include traditional
Internet service features and applications.
FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a high-level home or business networking
service architecture based on the EWCSP for the home, SOHO and business environments.
In the SOHO or business environment, a PBX
110 (as shown in FIG. 1) delivers
feature applications or, alternatively, the service provider's broadband packet
network can deliver such features, as in the circuit-switched Centrex model (not shown).
As used herein, the following terms have the definitions recited below:
- a. Tip/Ring (T/R) Phone 112—Normal telephony Customer Provided
Equipment (CPE) with RJ-11 interface to the MTA. For example, the phone may be
a touch-tone telephone, fax machine, or analog modem.
- b. IP Phone 114—IP telephone with digital processing capability
to support multiple codecs and communications protocols, echo cancellation with
an Ethernet interface.
- c. Personal Computer (PC) 116—Customer's PC with a home
or business networking interface (e.g., IEEE 802.11b and/or Ethernet).
- d. Wireless Phone 118—Standard second-generation or third-generation
wireless telephone with home or business networking interfaces (e.g., TIA/EIA-136,
or EDGE/GPRS).
- e. Access Port (AP) 102—EWCSP Access Port connected to
MTA. The AP and MTA may be physically one unit or two physically distinct and interconnected units.
- f. Media Terminal Adapter (MTA) 104—Media terminal equipment
integrated with a modem for access to the service provider's broadband transport
network and to the service provider's broadband packet network. The modem interfaces
with the transport infrastructure: for example, if the HFC plant is used, then
the modem is a cable modem; alternatively, if ADSL is used, then the modem is an
ADSL modem. MTA digitally encodes multimedia signals, encapsulates the encoded
signal in IP packets, and delivers the packets to the network via the modem. The
multimedia signals may be either analog or digital. The MTA maintains a call state
for each active telephone line and participates in call signaling and telephony
feature implementation. The AP and MTA may be physically one unit or two physically
distinct and interconnected units. The modem receives IP packets from either the
Media Terminal Adapter or PC and packages and sends them through the service provider's
broadband transport network using the appropriate interface. For example, for the
HFC transport network, the interface is defined in DOCSIS 1.1.
- g. Service Provider's Broadband Transport Network 120—standard
transport infrastructure that comprises on or more of HFC, xDSL, fixed wireless,
fiber optic, etc. For example, the HFC Network is a standard two-way cable plant
with at least one 6 MHz downstream channel and several 2 MHz upstream channels
designated for cable modem IP services. This HFC network includes the Cable Modem
Termination System (CMTS) that terminates the 2 MHz upstream channels and originates
the 6 MHz downstream channel used for CM IP services. CMTS implements the Medium
Access Control (MAC) over the HFC network as defined in DOCSIS 1.1.
- h. Edge Router (ER) 124—Enforces the Quality of Service
(QoS) policies and is the access router for the packet network
- i. Service Provider's Broadband Packet Network 106—Packet
access and backbone network supporting packet transport, VPN, and QoS needed for
isochronous media service.
- j. Network Server Platform (NSP) 108—Administers the wireless
terminals, including call processing, Operations, Administration and Maintenance
(OA&M), terminal mobility, personal mobility, location mobility, and RF management.
It interworks with the other servers and/or gateways (GWs) to establish a call
end-to-end. The NSP platform 108 also functions as a transaction server
that participates in call processing and controls access to network resources (including
QoS in the packet network). It translates E.164 addresses to destination packet
addresses either internally or by accessing the Directory Server. The NSP platform
108 may physically consist of several servers.
- k. PSTN Gateway 126—Translates packet streams to standard
Time Division Multiplexed (TDM) trunks in the PSTN. It interfaces to necessary
PSTN services with trunk-based multi-frequency (MF) interfaces (e.g., 911 offices,
operator services platforms).
- l. Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) 128—Gateways
will need to interface with several existing circuit switched networks.
- m. Signaling System 7 (SS7) Gateway 130—Translates signaling
from the Gate Controllers to standard SS7 signaling. Accesses 800 Portability
and Local Number Portability (LNP) databases in the SS7 network.
- n. SS7 Network 132—SS7 Gateways will need to access several
different existing SS7 networks.
- o. Router 134—Packet routers with QoS functionality.
- p. Cellular Network 136—Network of base stations, systems
and associated elements needed to communicate with wireless devices for cellular
or PCS service.
- q. PBX 110—PBX with packet-switched (e.g., Ethernet) and
circuit-switched (e.g., T1, ISDN/Primary Rate Interface (PRI), etc) interfaces
providing traditional PBX features and supporting multiple communication protocols
(e.g., Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), Media Gateway Control Protocol (MGCP),
ISDN, analog, etc) and voice encoding schemes (circuit-switched and packetization).
The PBX supports call delivery to the packet and/or PSTN networks.
- r. Network Servers 138—Home networking, IP telephony and
OA&M servers such as:
- s. PSTN Media Gateway Controller (MGC)—The overall PSTN interworking
function is controlled by a Media Gateway Controller, which, together with the
PSTN Gateway and the SS7 Gateway, is interpreted as an SS7-capable circuit switch
to the PSTN.
- t. Network Resources—Several network resources are needed to support
data/telephony service. For example, Announcement Servers may be used to deliver
audio announcements to customers, and network bridges may be used for multi-point conferences.
- u. Directory Server—Contains E.164 number-to-IP address translation
information. An E.164 number may be translated to either the IP address of a home
device, the PSTN Gateway, or the IP address of a NSP. Responds to translation requests
from the NSP.
- v. Authentication Server—Contains authentication information that
is used to validate a MTA's identity claim. Responds to authentication requests
from the NSP.
- w. Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) Server—Assigns IP
addresses to MTAs and PCs for the high-speed data service.
- x. Domain Name Server (DNS)—Standard DNS for high-speed data service.
- y. Short Message Server—A Short Message server for low-speed home
control services. The server may also interwork with public macrocellular Short
Message Service center for delivery of Short Message Service message to wireless
devices within the home or business network. This short message server and associated
wireless devices may use any standard second-generation or third-generation wireless
protocols, e.g., TIA/EIA-136, Cellular Digital Packet Data (CDPD).
- z. DN—Directory Number.
- aa. RTP—Real-Time Protocol—An application sublayer protocol
(part of ISO Layer 7) which provides the common real-time services required by
any application sending and receiving delay-sensitive traffic, such as voice and
video. Includes mechanisms such as time stamps and sequence numbers which provide
the receiver with the timing information necessary for a proper layout. Also includes
mechanisms to support multiplexing of multiple real-time flows between the same
layer 4 ports in communicating endpoints.
- bb. RTCP—Real-Time Control Protocol—An application sublayer
protocol that provides out-of-band control information for an associated RTP flow.
Enables performance reports on parameters such as lost packets and jitter for the
RTP flow to be sent from the receiver to the transmitter.
The following describes a series of embodiments of wireless access schemes for
a subset of the wireless interface standards that may be adapted by the AP
102
and the available services in accordance with the present invention.
TIA/EIA-136
When the AP 102 supports the TIA/EIA-136 TDMA air interface, it radiates a digital
"setup" channel signal in the frequency range that is allocated for the EWCSP system
that is serving the area. The transmitted power of the signal is reduced to a level
that allows it to "reach" only within the subscribed home, SOHO, office, public,
or campus parameters, thus rendering its signal "invisible" to handsets outside
of these targeted boundaries (e.g., public macrocellular network). The subscriber
may use the same wireless telephone
118 at home, on the road, and in the
office. In the home environment, the wireless telephone
118 behaves as a
cordless extension of the home telephone; and likewise, in the office environment,
the same telephone behaves as a cordless extension of the office telephone (e.g.,
in-building wireless office service). In both cases, no airtime charges are accrued,
and the user is billed according to the normal wired local telephony subscription
plan. When the subscriber is on the road, the wireless phone is reached by its
Mobile Identification Number (MIN), it communicates with the macrocellular network
for mobile calls, and the calls are billed according to the user's cellular calling
plan. This architecture may also support the termination of MIN-based calls to
the wireless telephone in the home or office environment by interworkings between
EWCSP and the macrocellular public network.
In the home environment, the wireless Short Message feature (e.g., as defined
in TIA/EIA-136), may be used for supporting one-way/two-way low-speed home control
features such as home appliances, electronics, devices, etc., in accordance with
the present invention. The following are several embodiments using the Short Message
feature in accordance with the present invention. (Note that the CDPD standard
could also be used to send these short messages.):
1. A subscriber is on the way home and logs onto the service provider's
web site. After an authentication and authorization process, he sends a short message
to the thermostat in his house, via connectivity to his home networking platform,
to turn the air conditioner to a cooler setting. When he arrives home, the house
is at a comfortable temperature.
2. A subscriber's refrigerator is not functioning properly and the refrigerator
has been programmed to send alert messages to the subscriber via short message
feature; in turn, the subscriber sends a short message to the refrigerator (via
the home networking platform) to run a diagnostic check. After the test, the refrigerator
sends the results back in another short message so that the subscriber may determine
appropriate action.
3. A subscriber authorizes the manufacturer of a newly purchased refrigerator
to access his refrigerator through the service provider's broadband packet network
to his home networking platform to run regular maintenance checks, etc.
Through a service provider's broadband packet network connection, there are
many other potential services (e.g., programming VCRs, car maintenance, utility
reading, electrical consumption monitoring of appliances, etc.) that may be implemented,
depending on the appliance/device.
Home Control of an TIA/EIA-136-enabled Appliance via the TIA/EIA-136 Short Message Feature:
The call flows described below are for illustrative purposes only, and are not
meant to follow the exact message format of a specific call-signaling standard.
The communication exchange between the NSP and the Network Servers, and between
the NSP and the AP, and the AP and the VCR are illustrated accordingly to the ANSI-41
and TIA/EIA-136 standard respectively. However the exchange between the Web-enabled
wireless terminal (e.g., wireless Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)) and the Network
Servers are in English descriptive language and do not adhere to any specific protocol.
ANSI-41 is a known standard in the industry and is used during the exchange of
SMS messages between the SMS Center in the network and TIA/EIA-136 terminal. By
supporting the ANSI-41 standard, the NSP can also interwork with the public macrocellular
system for delivery of MIN-based calls and SMS messages to the Mobile Station (MS)
in the home network. Note that any second-generation or third-generation wireless
standard that supports the SMS feature can also be used, e.g., GSM. The access
port can also communicate with wireless enabled devices using a short message process
adapted to support home control service aspects. That is, the short message process
may not actually use or be a standard short message service as opposed to a process
that resembles a short message service and is herein denominated a short message process.
FIG. 2 shows one embodiment of a scheme for call flows for a short message-based
Home Control Implementation using the TIA-EIA-136 Short Message feature:
201. A subscriber has programmed his VCR to tape a major sports event
while he is away from home. The VCR is equipped with a TIA/EIA-136 radio and capable
of processing TIA/EIA-136 SMS messages. He discovers that the event has been delayed
by an hour. He uses his Web-enabled wireless PDA to log on to the Home Networking
Web site; and after an authentication procedure, he is authorized to communicate
with his home network. He selects an option on the Web page to send a message to
his VCR. He enters the command to reset the VCR programming to the new time.
202. The associated server creates a message (e.g., an SMS in the format
of ANSI-41 SMSDeliveryPointToPoint, SMDPP) containing the VCR command, and sends
this to the NSP.
203. The NSP translates the (ANSI-41) message into a TIA/EIA-136 SMS_DELIVER
message. The NSP retrieves the IP address for the AP of the subscriber's home network,
wraps the TIA/EIA-136 message in an IP message, and sends this to the AP.
204. When the AP receives the message, it extracts the SMS message and
sends it to the VCR.
205. The VCR receives the SMS message, and resets the program time.
206. If the user wishes to be notified of the result, the VCR responds
to the AP with a successful TIA/EIA-136 SMS_DELIVERY_ACK message.
207. The AP forwards the SMS_DELIVERY_ACK message to the NSP in an IP message.
208. The NSP sends a successful command acknowledgement message (e.g.,
in the format of ANSI-41 SMDPP) to the Web site.
209. The Web site acknowledges to the user that the VCR command was successfully executed.
EDGE/GPRS
Another instantiation of the AP may be to support the next generation of
cellular/PCS standards such as EDGE and GPRS for wireless high-speed data access.
EDGE is based on the existing infrastructure (i.e., TIA/EIA-136 or GSM) using
a high-speed modulation technology to achieve data transmission speeds of up to
384 Kbps. A subscriber can use the same dual-mode terminal for voice and data access
at home, on the road, and in the office. The GPRS standard currently supports sending
the voice calls over the voice (GSM or TIA/EIA-136) portion of the home network,
while sending the data calls over the GPRS portion of the network. The GPRS nodes
(Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) and Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN)) can be
private to the EWCPS system or can interwork with the macrocellular GPRS nodes
to support personal and private mobility.
IEEE 802.11b
Another instantiation of the AP can be to support a high-speed wireless data
access via the IEEE 802.11b wireless LAN standard. This will enable the EWCSP for
in-home networking services such as file sharing between home PCs, sharing of computing
peripherals (e.g., printers and scanners), simultaneous high-speed Internet access,
and home control features based on a 11 Mbps data rate. With QoS enhancements to
IEEE 802.11b, EWCSP can support value-added network service such as isochronous
real-time voice and video telephony. The high-speed aspects of IEEE 802.11b enable
more services such as remote viewing access to security surveillance cameras.
IEEE 802.11b may be used in conjunction with TIA/EIA-136 as illustrated in the
functional block diagram of the AP. A subscriber can therefore answer a telephone
call in their home on their wired telephone, TIA/EIA-136 handset, or on their IEEE
802.11b handset. EWCSP can also support interworking between IEEE 802.11b and GPRS
nodes to support terminal and personal mobility between the home network and the
public macrocellular GPRS network.
Some sample scenarios:
- a. Remote Access to Home PC—From a subscriber's work place, the
subscriber wants to access the Internet from their home PC. The subscriber should
be able to connect from the office network to the service provider's Home Networking
Web site and in turn to the subscriber's home network through the service provider's
Home Networking VPN after appropriate authentication procedures. Once connected,
the subscriber should be allowed to access all the home
