MXPA00011719A - Integrated data centric network (idcn) - Google Patents

Abstract

A fixed wireless point-to-multipoint distribution network for providing seamless communication coverage to a plurality of subscribers that includes a plurality of base stations for providing wireless access to said subscribers;each base station having connectivity to one another on a first network layer via at least one of a number of IP and/or ATM switches, called IDCN switches;each IDCN switch having connectivity to another over a second network layer via a transport ring thereby enabling one user to communicate directly with another user in said first network layer, or externally of said first network layer via one of said IDCN switches. An integrated data centric network is provided that integrates voice, data and video services into a single network, defines user services by the end user by providing middleware to enable the end user to develop services and applications;and provides a carrier grade service with distributed networking and services.

Description

CENTRAL NETWORK OF INTEGRATED DATA (IDCN) FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a fixed wireless point-to-point and / or point-to-multipoint wireless communication system but, more particularly, to a Central Integrated Data Network (IDCN) where the services of voice, data and video are integrated in the same network.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The traditional fixed wireless access networks of the past had to use separate networks to provide remote clients with voice and data services. The voice network offers customers the best quality of service but lacks the efficiency required to transport data. The data network, in particular the IP network, offers efficiency in data transport but lacks the quality of the services required by voice and video services. In addition, due to the intelligence currently resident within the network, customer services were actually defined by the network and, therefore, the new services can not be easily deployed and marketed as much as the services are not easily portable.

* - * These types of networks, where intelligence is contained within the network, use dumb terminals and services and features are controlled by the service providers and by the switching equipment. 5 Any of these services are offered through complex signaling protocols and, therefore, their introduction is slow. There are several documents that analyze the use of networks. For example, patent EPO 0 657 074 A2 reveals a communication system for the provision of voice and / or data services to a set of terminals either in the form of telephones or of any other type. Further on, WO 97/48191 discloses a multicellular and low power broadband communication system for the transmission and unidirectional (ie, broadcast), bidirectional and multidirectional reception of voice, video, audio, television and data signals provided within the context of a point-to-multipoint network topology. The EPO patent 0 818 940 A2 discloses a method for transport a signal in asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) with SONET / SDH format and / or a signal in synchronous transfer mode (STM) on a switched line ring in a unidirectional path. The United States patent ,537,411 discloses a novel architecture of an access network of a mobile radiotelephone network, formed by a dual bus for a double rotary counter ring to which an access point and several base stations are connected capable of receiving various mobile stations and offering a virtual circuit service using cells whose header indicates the number or virtual circuit identifier. Next, the article by Wile G E. and collaborators "The Architecture of the DPN Data Networking System", analyzes the benefits of the evolution of a clear technological product base. The paper describes Northern Telecom's strategy to develop its packet data communications products that meet DPN product objectives. Next, Ray Hunt's article "ATM - Protocols and architecture" describes the protocol, technology and ATM architecture, as well as to solve the issues for which it was designed. These types of networks have resulted, for customers, in a high maintenance cost of the network. In accordance with the above, there is a need for a central network of integrated data, where voice, data and video services are integrated within the network. In addition, there is a need for a central network of integrated data in which the services are defined by the user and enable the portability of the service. Finally, there is a need for a central integrated data network, where voice, data and video services have the quality of traditional voice network services and the transport efficiency of traditional data networks (IP).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a wireless, fixed, point-to-multipoint distribution network, 1 to provide a continuous communication coverage to a multitude of subscribers, characterized by: a multitude of base stations to provide the subscribers wireless access; each base station has connectivity with another in a first network layer through at least one of several switches; and each of the switches has connectivity with another in a second network layer, by means of a transport to enable in this way a user to communicate directly with another user in the first network layer by means of one of the switches. A central integrated data network is provided that integrates voice, data and video services into a single network; defines the services to the user by the end user by providing a middieware that enables the end user to develop services and applications and provides a carrier quality service with distributed services and network operation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The particular embodiments of the invention will be described in association with the following drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a block diagram of a fixed wireless point-to-multipoint network of the prior art; Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating the transport of voice and data services (IP and iFrame Relay) with respect to the previous embodiment of Figure 1; Figure 3 is an illustration of the fixed wireless point-to-multipoint network of the present invention; Figure 4 illustrates the multiple transport layers of the fixed point-to-multipoint wireless system of the present invention; Figure 5 is a functional block diagram illustrating the network architecture of the fixed point-to-multipoint wireless system of the present invention; Figure 6 is a functional block diagram of the control and management functions of the fixed wireless point-to-multipoint system of the present invention; and Figure 7 is a functional block diagram of the subnetwork controller of the fixed point-to-multipoint wireless system of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITY In order to facilitate the description of the present invention, the following abbreviations have been used: CPE Equipment in the DHCP Client Local Protocol Dynamic Main Configuration DMAT Dynamic Adaptation Technique by DPAT Modulation Dynamic Power Adaptation Technique DS Digital Signal (A Bellcore term to describe the hierarchy level of the digital signal) DNS Domain Name Server GR Generic Requirement (a Bellcore term for the approved generic standard) IDCN Central Integrated Data IP Network Internet Protocol, the The context used in this document includes all the network applications that run over the LAN Internet Protocol Local Area Network 2/91 LMCS Local Communication Service Multipuntp LMDS Multipoint Local Distribution System MVDS Multipoint Video Distribution Service NIU Network Interface Unit, a device at the subscriber's site that provides the interface between the equipment at the client's premises and the wireless access network. OA P Operation, Administration and Maintenance Procedures PBX Private Central Station PC Personal Computer POTS Basic Telephone Service PVC Permanent Virtual Circuit, a PVC is a connection that is established using PSTN administrative procedures Basic Telephone Network SNMP Simple Network Management Protocol SVC Virtual Circuit Switched , an SVC is a connection that is established using signaling procedures based on demand (per call) TFTP Trivial File Transfer Protocol UNI User Interface to Network in an ATM network / 91 VPN Private virtual network Fixed wireless point-to-multipoint access networks consist of topologies that have multiple overlapping cells, which provide coverage in an urban, suburban or rural area. The design of overlapping cell structures will depend on the application but ideally they should provide the client's sites with link redundancy, as well as the acceptance of new urban structures that can block previously available links. Those systems that use wireless ATM accesses are designed around the concepts of frequency division multiple access (FDMA) and time division multiple access (TDMA). The FDMA is used for service bandwidths of DSl / El and above (ie leased lines) and the TD.MA is used for burst traffic sources with regimes specifically below DSl / El. TD.MA systems are designed to share bandwidth among many users, thus enabling it to be more efficient when dealing with bursty traffic sources.

TDMA systems allow bandwidth sharing, thus providing multiple users with bursts or low bit rate users access to the channel. TDMA systems share a single demodulator among hundreds of users and are especially suitable for lObaseT, ethernet, IP and POTS voice applications. On the other hand, FDMA 'systems are designed to provide a specific user with a dedicated bandwidth, where those users are usually leased line users who have requirements of an almost constant data rate. Wireless ATM systems allow the use of broadband microwave infrastructure, thus making effective use of the multi-carrier nature of the broadband microwave system. These multiple carrier systems allow the best mix of low introduction costs of the network operator with flexibility to expand the cellular range and traffic handling capabilities. Normally, at each cell site, there is a base station consisting of microwave equipment and digital radio. The base station provides connections to the network, the connections are usually the OC3c ATM UNI interface. The microwave equipment of the base station is mounted on the top of the building, usually on the outside, and provides the subscriber with the wireless connection capability. At the customer premises, the outdoor microphone equipment (antenna integrated with the transceiver) is connected to a network interface. The sizes of the cells or cells are usually from 1 to 10 kilometers, depending on the frequency of operation of the system, the level of availability required by the system operator and the performance of the services required by the system operator. In general, the wireless access system is designed to support, with a good cost-benefit ratio, the system that requires voice, video and data solutions, in which the number of clients is large enough to guarantee point-to-multipoint deployment. These types of systems include LMCS (Canada), LMDS (United States of America and several countries) and MVDS (Europe). Referring now to Figure 1, we have shown a block diagram of a wireless distribution system in accordance with the prior art. In this configuration, customers receive fixed wireless access to the telephone network through diverse equipment at the customer's premises. Access is provided through a wireless link, a communication tower and a base station. An ATM switch is used to provide access to various multimedia services, such as voice and data. The connection between the base station and the ATM switch can be made either through the leased line of a point-to-point wireless link. For a client to have access to one of the various services, such as voice, data, the ATM switch requires a connection link with the PSTN (through the public network), a link to the IP network for access to the internet or a link to a Frame Relay network for data communications. Similarly, a link can be provided to access other ATM networks. In a situation where the subscriber requires access or a link to the PSTN, the ATM switch is required to be connected to the central switch by a multiplexer and a hub as shown in Figure 2. As illustrated in FIG. Figure 2, depending on the configuration at the customer site, the equipment at the customer premises can be connected to either a PBX via an lOBaseT ethernet link or to an access node via a DSl link. The customer site is then linked to the base station via a fixed wireless access link. The base station consists of modulators, demodulators and radio transmission / reception equipment, which is connected to the ATM switch by either the leased line of a point-to-point wireless link. The ATM switch is 52/91 then connects to a multiplexer from 2 to 1 via a DS3 link. The ATM switch is then connected! to a 3 to 1 multiplexer via a DS3 link. The multiplexer is then connected to the concentrator via a DSl link before it is connected to the switchboard of the exchange via a GR303 signaling link. As indicated above, the disadvantages associated with this existing telecommunications network is that, depending on the communication needs of the subscriber, separate voice and data networks are required. Since access to various services may have different owners, customer services' are actually defined by the network as opposed to the customer. Similarly, by the very nature of the network, the logic of the service resides in the network, thus making it difficult to achieve the portability of the service. The end-to-end network design is such that the network dictates to the client the capacity and availability of the client's communication link. In other words, without taking into account the needs of the subscriber, the network will give the client what he can, when he can. Another problem associated with prior art telecommunications networks 1 is that intelligence is contained within the network. That is, subscribers are provided with terminals where the 52/91 particularities and services are controlled by the switching centers. Because services are offered through complex signaling protocols, operators slowly introduce new services and applications. The complex interaction functions between protocols are caused by the clear distinction between the protocols used within the network and the protocols used between the users of the network and the protocols between users of network elements. In view of this complexity, service operators do not like to grant access to transport protocols and services to avoid any potential failures in the network. This results in a limited amount of user-to-user signaling. This complexity also causes the operator a rigid billing structure and a high maintenance cost of the network. Referring now to Figure 3, we have presented a block diagram illustrating the network configuration of the fixed point-to-multipoint wireless network of the present invention. The architecture of Figure 3 provides a Central Integrated Data Network, where the voice, data and video network services are integrated. The network configuration enables the portability of the service, as well as the defned services 52/91 by the user, required by individual users. The parameters and network requirements are dictated by the needs of the user as opposed to the needs of the network. Each end user is provided with an intelligent terminal, such as a PC? to enable the logic of the network service to reside in the terminal of the end user. In effect, the network provides the middieware (which points out the functions between the end user's terminal and the network) to allow users to develop the services and applications in accordance with their needs. The network configuration illustrated in Figure 3 represents a hybrid architecture of ring, star and mesh, wherein a multitude of base stations provide wireless access to a multitude of subscribers. Each base station has connectivity to each other in the first network layer by at least one of several IDCN switches. This allows a user to communicate directly with another user in this first network layer. As illustrated in Figure 4, each IDCN switch has connectivity to another in a second network layer in the hybrid ring. As illustrated in Figure 4, at the national / regional level, a transport and routing layer is supported by multiple IDCN switches connected in a ring and star configuration. 52/91 Similarly, at the level of the metropolitan distribution and the routing layer, a transport ring and LAN are used between base stations that have connectivity to IDCN switches to enable access to a higher level of layers. The routing layer enables a client to access the IDCN network, the IP network, the frame relay network or the public PSTN network through an international exchange. The sublayer to the metropolitan distribution and to the routing layer is the access layer / last mile, where the base station communicates over fixed wireless access with multiple clients identified as the client's local layer. Referring now to Figure 5, we have shown a block diagram illustrating the network architecture of the fixed point-to-multipoint wireless system of the present invention. As indicated above, the distribution level is made in a layer between base stations and IDCN switches. This allows the consolidation of the backward routing of the base station to the IDCN switches, as well as from base station to base station, thus optimizing the routing of the distribution network. In addition, user-to-user traffic will remain within the network without going through a third party's network, thus reducing the costs of network services. This configuration allows the 52/91 signaling between base stations, management sections and contains the initial position record of the conversion / registration address within the subnetwork controller. Depending on the user's requirement, the IDCN switch can access H.323 servers, an international IP exchange, an international ATM exchange, an international Frame Relay exchange or an international telephone exchange, for voice, data communication and video with the users of the network of a third party. The fixed point-to-multipoint wireless system consists of several main software and hardware system blocks. There are point-to-multipoint base stations for ATM or IP transport; team of the customer's premises; building interfaces; centralized compression; and / or network operations center. The IDCN base station includes digital and microwave equipment, designed to route ATM cells or IP packets to the appropriate modulators, where cells or IP packets will be transmitted to the subscriber population. The IDCN base station also routes the traffic (ATM cells and IP packets) received from the subscriber's equipment through the appropriate demodulators to the IDCN switch to route them to another IDCN switch, base station, international exchange, etc. 52/91 The base station provides both access alternatives, the FDMA and the TDMA. The coding is done by logical channel per subscriber. Routing is performed based on the logical channel. ATM signaling interfaces support SVC and PVC connections. , IP signaling interfaces support IP connections. The open NMS interfaces as provided by the use of the SNMP interface standards throughout the equipment including microwave transmitters and receivers. The OC-3c UNI ATM network interface is provided for the lOOBaseT ATM connections and the lOOBaseT network interface for IP connections. The base stations include both video network to wireless transmission equipment as well as transmitters, receivers, microwave antennas and common equipment elements. Referring to Figure 6, we have shown the function block diagram of the network sub-controller. The multiple and distributed subnetwork controller can exist within a single IDCN network. Each subnet controller controls a segment (metropolitan area) of the IDCN network. Multiple subnet controllers form a peer-to-peer control network. The key functions provided by the subnetwork controller are the subscriber database, the authentication, the security, the confidentiality, the serviceability management of the service, 52/91 the call controls, the management of the assignment and the provisioning. Referring to Figure 7, we have shown the block diagram configuration of the subnet controller. The subnetwork controller has two function blocks, namely interface and services. The interface section provides the interface connections with other subnet controllers, with the network management center and with the IDCN switches. The service section provides server functions such as: 1. Standards server - controls the bandwidth, the Quality of Service and the access rules of the subscriber; 2. TFTP Server - provides file transfer services for diskless clients; 3. DNS server, DHCP - provides address correlation and address resolution services; 4. QAMP, Billing - provides collection of billing records, configuration management, fault management, maintenance and administration; 5. Session manager - manages the terminal login or login and the connection sessions, the 2/91 entry or login authorizations; 6. Traffic manager - provides real-time traffic management, control of congestion, control of the admission of calls; 7. Address binding server - provides the union or link of addresses between different layers, - 8. Subscriber management server - manages the subscriber database, subscriber status and subscription profile; 9. Subscriber authentication server provides subscriber authentication; and 10. Authentication management / encryption key - provides management of the encryption key for subscriber authentication and encryption of subscriber data. Based on the information and functions provided by the subnet controller, high-speed tunnels can be established between the aborted ones, for subscribers within the same network and high-speed tunnels can be established between the subscriber and the international exchange for the connection with another subscriber in the network of a third party; therefore, routing efficiency is improved and operating costs are reduced 52/91 of the network. The link interface serves as a link (agent) to the outside world (outside the subnet controller). The normal flow of events is as follows: Through the link interface, an external request enters, the interface that decrypts the request, determines the procedures that will be used and generates requests for actions or information retrieval to the servers appropriate. Each server involved acts according to the request and generates the appropriate responses. The link interface consolidates the responses and the works through the appropriate algorithms so that, after these, the responses or controls can be sent to the switch, base station or other relevant subnetwork controller. For example, the request to establish a high-speed tunnel between two network entities involves the following flow of events: The link interface receives and decrypts the request, chooses the high-speed tunnel establishment procedure and sends the requests to: the subscriber authentication server to determine if the subscriber is the legitimate one; 52/91 to the subscriber management server, to determine if the subscriber's account is up-to-date and to obtain information about the level of service and the settings of the features; to the rules server to determine the rules and limits of the tunnel to be established (ie, how the tunnel should be established), - to the address binding server to establish the union of addresses between the two requested points; and to the OAM &P and billing to begin the registration of the billing information. The link interface consolidates the responses and passes through the tunnel establishment algorithm and sends the controls to the switches in the request path to identify the two points to establish the tunnel. After receiving the confirmation from all the network entities involved, the link interface sends a response to the requestor, indicating that the high-speed tunnel is established, as well as indicating the tunnel information (path). 52/91

Claims (17)

1. CLAIMS; 1. A fixed point-to-multipoint wireless network to provide continuous communication coverage to a multitude of subscribers, characterized by: a multitude of base stations to provide wireless access to subscribers; each base station has connectivity with another in a first network layer through at least several switches; and each of the switches has connectivity with another in a second network layer through a transport thus allowing a user to communicate directly with another user in the first network layer through one of the switches.
2. 2. A network according to claim 1, further characterized by a subnet controller configured to provide information and functions and intelligent equipment in the customer's premises, configured to cooperate with the information and functions provided by the subnetwork controller to have available from a subscriber the ability to dictate what bandwidth it requires and when.
3. 3. A network according to claim 1, further characterized by a subnet controller 52/91 configured to provide information and functions, and the direct tunnel connection established by the information and functions provided by the subnetwork controller, thereby improving the routing efficiency of the network and reducing network costs.
4. 4. A network according to claim 1, characterized in that the switches are Integrated Data Central network switches, IDCN.
5. 5. A point-to-multipoint wireless distribution network, characterized by: a multitude of base stations and a multitude of switches; a first network layer and a second network layer; and a transport, each of the base stations 1 has connectivity with another of the first network layer through at least one of the switches, each of the switches has connectivity with another on the second network layer through transport, the transport represents some of a ring architecture, a star architecture and a hybrid architecture of ring, star and mesh.
6. 6. A network according to claim 5, characterized in that the switches are Integrated Data Central network switches, IDCN. 52/91 . r * 3m ^ 7.
7. A network according to claim 6, characterized in that each of the base stations has digital and microwave equipment adapted to route any of the cells in asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) and Internet protocol packets (IP). ) to the appropriate modulators or to the appropriate demodulators and after that, route back to the network.
8. A network according to claim 7, characterized in that the digital and microwave equipment includes both video network and wireless transmission equipment, transmitters, receivers and microwave antennas.
9. 9. A network according to claim 6, characterized in that each of the base stations has multiple access by frequency division and multiple access by division in time.
10. A network according to claim 9, further characterized by a network architecture with hierarchy in layers, the first and second network layers are part of the architecture and are supported by the multitude of switches connected in a ring, star and mesh.
11. 11. A network according to claim 5, characterized in that the second network layer is 52/91 configured to have access to each of a Central Integrated Data Network (IDCN), Internet Protocol (IP) network, frame-relay network or a public switched transfer network (PSTN) through an international telephone exchange.
12. A network according to claim 5, characterized in that the transport and a local area network are arranged between the base stations and have connectivity to the switches of the IDCN Integrated Data Central Network and are within the second layer.
13. 13. A network according to claim 5, characterized in that the second network layer is configured and arranged to provide access through an international telephone exchange to at least one additional network.
14. 14. A method of communication through a wireless point-to-multipoint distribution network, characterized by: providing wireless access to subscribers through a multitude of base stations and a multitude of switches; providing each of the stations with connectivity to another base station on the first network layer through at least one of the switches; provide each of the switches with the 52/91 connectivity with another switch on the second network layer through transport, the transport represents some of a ring architecture, a star architecture and a hybrid architecture of ring, star and mesh; and providing communication between subscribers directly in either the first network layer or externally to the first network layer through at least one of the switches. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that the switches are IDCN Integrated Data Central Network switches. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that the communication is made from providing a continuous communication coverage to a multitude of subscribers, as a result of all the provisioning steps. The method according to claim 14, further characterized by integrating voice, data and video services in the first and second layers. 52/91