Predictive client mobility session management

#A wireless network that provides wireless communications services to a large number of subscribers over a large geographic area, typically comprises a large number of wireless access points dispersed over the geographic area. Mobile computing devices (i.e., wireless devices), such as mobile telephones, laptop computers, tablet computers, and the like, connect to an access point to gain access to the network. Each wireless access point is typically associated with and in communication with a regional wireless access gateway. Each wireless access gateway may support a number of wireless access points in the network. The wireless access gateway is responsible for assigning Internet Protocol (IP) addresses and establishing IP sessions for wireless devices that connect to the network via one of the wireless access points that the wireless access gateway serves. In the past, when a wireless device “roams” from a wireless access point served by a first wireless access gateway to another wireless access point that normally is served by a second, different wireless access gateway, the current IP session of the wireless device must be terminated and a new session started by the second wireless access gateway. This sort of session interruption is disruptive to the user of the wireless device.

#One technique for avoiding such IP session interruption involves the new wireless access gateway tunneling back to the home wireless access gateway to preserve the current session and the original IP address allocated to the wireless device. But this approach may be resource intensive and may consume valuable bandwidth in the network. Improved methods and systems for maintaining IP session continuity during wireless device roaming is desirable.

#Systems and methods are disclosed that enable predictive device mobility session management in a wireless network. The systems and methods disclosed herein enable a wireless communications network to more efficiently maintain IP session continuity as a wireless device roams among wireless access points of the communications network.

#The following detailed description is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purposes of illustration, examples are shown in the drawings; however, the subject matter is not limited to specific elements and instrumentalities disclosed. In the drawings:

#FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example communications network;

#FIG. 2 depicts an example geographic area in which a plurality of wireless access points, such as the wireless access points 104a-n of FIG. 1, may be located;

#Systems and methods are disclosed that enable predictive device mobility session management in a wireless network. The systems and methods disclosed herein enable a wireless communications network to more efficiently maintain IP session continuity as a wireless device roams among wireless access points of the communications network.

#FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example communications network 100 in which the systems and methods described herein may be employed. The communications network 100 may comprise any communications network that supports Internet Protocol (IP) connectivity, including IPv4, IPv6, etc.

#As shown, the communications network 100 comprises a plurality of wireless access points 104a, 104b, 104c, . . . 104n. The wireless access points 104a-n may be disposed throughout an area, such as a geographic area, to provide wireless devices, such as wireless device 102, with wireless access to the communications network 100. Each wireless access point 104a-n may utilize any suitable radio access technology for facilitating wireless connectivity with the communications network in a limited area, such as a place of business, a home, a vehicle, a campus, or other area. For example, each wireless access point 104a-n may implement the IEEE 802.11 (“Wi-Fi”) radio access technology. In other implementations, other radio access technologies may be employed, such as IEEE 802.16 or 802.20 (“WiMAX”), IEEE 802.15.4a (“Zigbee”), or 802.15.3c (“UWB”).