Method and system for packet-based tandem free operation
AssigneeAlcatel Lucent
InventorsBrian Henry Foskett, Charles Marvin Berteau
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Abstract
A method and system are provided for enabling packet-based tandem free operation C(FO). In one example, the method includes monitoring packets sent between network elements to identify a TFO request message and a TFO acknowledgement message. A substitute TFO acknowledgement message is sent from an intermediate network element if no TFO acknowledgement message is identified, and both TFO and non-TFO call legs may be established.
Claims22
A method for providing packet-based tandem free operation (TFO) in a telecommunications system having at least a first network element, a third network element, and a second network element positioned between the first and third network elements, the method comprising:
- monitoring packets sent from the first network element to the third network element to identify a TFO request message;
- monitoring packets sent from the third network element to the first network element to identify a TFO acknowledgement message from the third network element in response to the TFO request message;
- sending a substitute TFO acknowledgement message from the second network element to the first network element if no TFO acknowledgement message is identified from the third network element;
- and
- establishing a TFO call leg between the first and second network elements and establishing a non-TFO call leg between the second and third network elements after sending the substitute TFO acknowledgement message from the second network element.
A method for providing packet-based tandem free operation (TFO) in a telecommunications system having at least a first media gateway positioned between a first device configured for TFO capability and a second device not configured for TFO capability, the method comprising:
- monitoring packets sent from the first device to the second device to identify a TFO request, wherein the monitoring is performed by the media gateway;
- monitoring packets sent from the second device to the first device to identify a TFO acknowledgement sent in response to the TFO request, wherein the monitoring is performed by the media gateway;
- sending a substitute TFO acknowledgement from the media gateway to the first device if no TFO acknowledgement is identified from the second device;
- and
- establishing a first leg between the first device and the media gateway using TFO and establishing a second leg between the media gateway and second device without using TFO after sending a TFO acknowledgement from the media gateway.
A system for providing packet-based tandem free operation (TFO), the system comprising:
- a first media gateway coupled to a Base Station Controller (BSC) having TFO capabilities and a network entity not capable of supporting TFO;
- wherein the first media gateway includes:
- monitoring packets sent from the BSC to the network entity to identify a TFO request;
- monitoring packets sent from the network entity to the BSC to identify a TFO acknowledgement sent in response to the TFO request;
- sending a substitute TFO acknowledgement from the first media gateway to the BSC if no TFO acknowledgement is identified from the network entity;
- and
- establishing a first leg between the BSC and the first media gateway using TFO and establishing a second leg between the first media gateway and the network entity without using TFO.
A system for providing packet-based tandem free operation (TFO), the system comprising:
- a first network element configured to include TFO capabilities;
- a second network element not configured to include TFO capabilities;
- at least a third network element positioned between the first and second network elements and configured to channel communications between the first and second network elements;
- means for monitoring packets sent from the first network element to the second network element during call setup to identify a TFO request message;
- means for establishing a non-TFO call if no TFO request message is identified;
- means for monitoring packets sent from the second network element to the first network element to identify a TFO acknowledgement message;
- means for establishing a TFO call between the first and second network entities if a TFO acknowledgement message is identified from the second network element;
- means for sending a substitute TFO acknowledgement message from the third network element to the first network element if no TFO acknowledgement message is identified from the second network element;
- and
- means for establishing a TFO call leg between the first and third network elements and establishing a non-TFO call leg between the second and third network elements after sending a TFO acknowledgement message from the third network element.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.