Packet pipe architecture for access networks

An access network architecture for providing terminal equipment (TE) with access to a packet data network through an access router, said architecture comprising:

• a packet pipe that provides layer 1 and layer 2 functions to convey packet data traffic between the TE and the packet data network across a radio air interface, said packet pipe including:
• a radio termination unit on a user side of the packet pipe, said radio termination unit including a first interface that converts a first protocol utilized by the TE to a second protocol;
• a radio relay unit coupled to the radio termination unit;
• and
• a radio nodes unit coupled to the radio relay unit on a network side of the packet pipe, said radio nodes unit including a second interface that converts the second protocol to a third protocol utilized by the access router;
• a first interworking function (IWF) coupled to the radio termination unit on the user side of the packet pipe, said first IWF mapping application flows between the TE and the radio termination unit, said first IWF identifying the type of flow and corresponding quality of service (QoS) requirements, and categorizing the flow for pertinent bearer services;
• and
• a second IWF coupled to the radio nodes unit on the network side of the packet pipe, said second IWF mapping application flows between the radio nodes unit and the access router, said second IWF mapping packets onto relevant bearers in accordance with the identified QoS requirements.