Wireless communication method and system for implementing media independent handover between technologically diversified access networks

In a wireless communication system including a plurality of IEEE 802.X networks and Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) networks that are concurrently deployed, wherein each of at least one multi-stack wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) and the networks include a media independent handover (MIH) function, a method for interworking between at least one of the IEEE 802.X networks and the 3GPP networks, the method comprising:

• the MIH function of the WTRU reading MIH information transmitted from the IEEE 802.X network;
• the MIH function of the WTRU triggering 3GPP authentication and authorization procedures;
• the WTRU obtaining a local internet protocol (IP) address;
• the WTRU establishing a tunnel to a packet data gateway (PDG) in a 3GPP core network;
• the WTRU constructing a care of address (CoA);
• and
• the WTRU registering the CoA with a home agent of the WTRU, whereby data destined for the WTRU is routed via the home agent through a new tunnel established between the home agent and a foreign agent based on the CoA.

A system for performing a media independent handover (MIH), the system comprising:

• a plurality of IEEE 802.X networks;
• a plurality of Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) networks which are concurrently deployed with the IEEE 802.X networks;
• and
• at least one wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) configured to access both the IEEE 802.X networks and the 3GPP networks, the WTRU comprising an MIH function for performing handover between the IEEE 802.X networks and 3GPP networks.

In a wireless communication system including a plurality of technologically diversified access networks, a multi-stack wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) comprising:

• a protocol stack including:
• a user plane;
• and
• a media independent handover (MIH) management plane in communication with the user plane for managing handovers between the WTRU and different ones of the access networks in response to triggers received from the user plane.

In a wireless communication system including a plurality of technologically diversified access networks, a multi-stack wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) having an integrated circuit (IC) comprising:

• a protocol stack including:
• a user plane;
• and
• a media independent handover (MIH) management plane in communication with the user plane for managing handovers between the WTRU and different ones of the access networks in response to triggers received from the user plane.