RF-aware packet filtering in radio access networks that employ circuit switching

A wireless communication system comprising:

• a radio access network (RAN);
• a network access server (NAS) for providing an interface between the RAN and an internet protocol (IP) network;
• and
• a data packet filter for selectively permitting the passage of a data packet from the IP network to the RAN at least in part based on a determined usage of available radio frequency (RF) resources in the wireless communication system.

A wireless communication system comprising:

• a radio access network (RAN);
• a network access server (NAS) for providing an interface between the RAN and an internet protocol (IP) network;
• and
• a data packet filter for selectively marking and permitting the passage of a data packet from the IP network to the RAN, the marking resulting in the data packet being sent to a mobile subscriber (MS) using a special data channel.

A method for filtering data packets in a wireless communication system that comprises a radio access network (RAN), a network access server (NAS), and an internet protocol (IP) network, the method comprising:

• receiving one or more data packets destined for a mobile subscriber (MS) from the IP network;
• determining radio frequency (RF) circuit state information concerning at least one of the MS and the wireless communication system;
• and
• permitting or denying the passage of the one or more packets from the IP network to the MS based at least in part based on the determined RF circuit state information.

A method for filtering data packets in a wireless communication system that comprises a radio access network (RAN), a network access server (NAS), and an internet protocol (IP) network, the method comprising:

• receiving one or more data packets destined for a mobile subscriber (MS) from the IP network;
• determining whether the MS is RF-dormant;
• and
• when the MS is RF-dormant, marking the one or more data packets from the IP network, the marking resulting in the one or more data packets being sent to the MS using a special data channel.

A wireless communication system comprising:

• means for receiving one or more data packets destined for a mobile subscriber (MS) from an internet protocol (IP) network;
• means for determining radio frequency (RF) circuit state information concerning at least one of the MS and the wireless communication system;
• and
• means for permitting or denying the passage of the one or more packets from the IP network to the MS based at least in part on the determined RF circuit state information.