Apparatus and Methods for Supporting Control Plane Data
AssigneeGeneral Dynamics Broadband Inc.
InventorRobert Zakrzewski
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A wireless communications system supports control plane data and comprises: a first mobility management entity, MME; at least one second mobility management entity, MME; and a terminal device; wherein both the first MME and the at least one second MME are allocated to interoperate to support control plane data for the terminal device.
Claims26
A wireless communications system supporting control plane data comprising:
- a first mobility management entity, MME;
- at least one second mobility management entity, MME operably coupled to the first MME;
- and
- a terminal device;
- wherein both the first MME and the at least one second MME are allocated to support control plane data for the terminal device.
A proxy mobility management entity, MME, located in a wireless communications system that comprises an additional first MME wherein the first MME is operational and operably coupled to the proxy MME such that they are both allocated to support control plane data for the terminal device;
- the proxy MME comprising a processor arranged to:
- monitor and modify GTP control plane data passed between a serving gateway, S-GW, and the first MME via a S11 interface;
- and
- monitor and modify S1AP messages from a base station;
- monitor and terminate control plane data passed between the terminal device and the first MME;
- and in response thereto terminate received Non-Access Stratum, NAS, protocol messages and forward NAS signalling to the first MME.
A method of operation of a wireless communications system supporting control plane data with a terminal device using a first mobility management entity, MME, and a proxy mobility management entity, MME;
- the method comprising, at the proxy MME:
- monitoring and modifying GTP control plane data passed between a serving gateway, S-GW, and the first MME via a S11 interface;
- and
- monitoring and modifying S1AP messages from a base station;
- monitoring and terminating control plane data passed between the terminal device and the first MME;
- and in response thereto terminating received Non-Access Stratum, NAS, protocol messages and forward NAS signalling to the first MME.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.