Network elements, wireless communication system and methods therefor

A method for determining a permanent identity of a wireless communication unit located within a cellular communication system comprising at least one core network element operably coupled to an access point, the method comprising, at a network node:

• assigning to the access point, a tracking area identifier relating to a tracking area that is different from a tracking area identifier relating to a tracking area assigned to neighbouring cells;
• receiving a connection request from a wireless communication unit forwarded by the access point, wherein the connection request comprises:
• a temporary identity of the wireless communication unit, and
• information identifying a most recently serving core network element that most recently served the wireless communication unit,
• sending, on receipt of the connection request message, a message to the identified, most recently serving core network element requesting the permanent identity of the wireless communication unit,
• receiving from the identified, most recently serving core network element, the requested permanent identity of the wireless communication unit, and
• sending an instruction to the access point to forward the connection request to a core network element supporting the access point.

An access point for determining a permanent identity of a wireless communication unit located within a cellular communication system comprising at least one core network element and a network node operably coupled to the access point wherein the access point serves a first cell, wherein the access point comprises:

• a receiver operably coupled to a processor and arranged to receive an assigned tracking area identifier relating to a tracking area that is different from a tracking area identifier relating to a tracking area assigned to neighbouring cells, and
• a transmitter operably coupled to the processor and arranged to broadcast a signal containing the assigned tracking area identifier, wherein the receiver and processor are further arranged to receive a connection request from a wireless communication unit located within the first cell, wherein the connection request includes:
• a temporary identity of the wireless communication unit, and
• information identifying a most recently serving core network element that most recently served the wireless communication unit and
• wherein the transmitter is further arranged to forward the connection request to the network node;
• and
• wherein the processor is further arranged to receive an instruction from the network node, in response to the network node receiving a requested permanent identity of the wireless communication unit from an identified, most recently serving core network element, where the instruction is to forward the connection request to a core network element supporting the access point, and
• wherein the transmitter is further arranged, on receipt of said instruction, to send the connection request to the core network element, supporting the access point.

A network node for determining a permanent identity of a wireless communication unit located within a cellular communication system comprising at least one core network element operably coupled to an access point, the network node comprising:

• a receiver coupled to a processor and arranged to receive a connection request message from a wireless communication unit forwarded by the access point, wherein the connection request comprises:
• a temporary identity of the wireless communication unit, and
• information identifying a most recently serving core network element that most recently served the wireless communication unit,
• wherein the processor is further arranged to, on receipt of the connection request message, send a message to the identified, most recently serving core network element requesting the permanent identity of the wireless communication unit,
• wherein the receiver and processor are further arranged to receive from the identified, most recently serving core network element, the requested permanent identity of the wireless communication unit, and
• the processor is further arranged to send an instruction to the access point to forward the connection request to a core network element supporting the access point.

A wireless communication system comprising a network node and an access point configured to:

• serve a first cell,
• receive an assignment of a tracking area identifier relating to a tracking area that is different from a tracking area identifier relating to a tracking area assigned to neighbouring cells;
• broadcast a signal containing the assigned tracking area identifier,
• receive a connection request from a wireless communication unit located within the first cell, wherein the connection request includes:
• a temporary identity of the wireless communication unit, and
• information identifying a most recently serving core network element that most recently served the wireless communication unit,
• forward the connection request message to the network node;
• receive an instruction from the network node, in response to the network node receiving a requested permanent identity of the wireless communication unit from an identified, most recently serving core network element, where the instruction is to forward the connection request to a core network element supporting the access point, and
• send, on receipt of said instruction, the connection request to the core network element supporting the access point.

A non-transitory computer readable medium having computer readable instructions stored thereon for execution by a processor to perform a method for determining a permanent identity of a wireless communication unit located within a cellular communication system comprising at least one core network element operably coupled to an access point, the method comprising, at an access point:

• serving a first cell,
• receiving an assignment of a tracking area identifier relating to a tracking area that is different from a tracking area identifier relating to a tracking area assigned to neighbouring cells;
• broadcasting a signal containing the assigned tracking area identifier,
• receiving a connection request from a wireless communication unit located within the first cell, wherein the connection request includes:
• a temporary identity of the wireless communication unit, and
• information identifying a most recently serving core network element that most recently served the wireless communication unit,
• forwarding the connection request message to a network node;
• receiving an instruction from the network node, in response to the network node receiving a requested permanent identity of the wireless communication unit from an identified, most recently serving core network element, where the instruction is to forward the connection request to a core network element supporting the access point, and
• sending, on receipt of said instruction, the connection request to the core network element supporting the access point.