초록 ▼

A communication system includes a radio access network (RAN) and a core packet network that allows registration of mobile devices. A temporary mobile device identifier (TMDI) assigned to the mobile device includes, at least in part, an address of a mobility control function (MCF) currently serving t

A communication system includes a radio access network (RAN) and a core packet network that allows registration of mobile devices. A temporary mobile device identifier (TMDI) assigned to the mobile device includes, at least in part, an address of a mobility control function (MCF) currently serving the mobile device. Components in the system use the TMDI to direct messages to the appropriate MCF.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method for registering a mobile device, comprising:receiving a registration request from a mobile device;assigning a temporary mobile device identifier (TMDI), wherein the TMDI comprises at least a portion of an address of a mobility control function (MCF) serving the mobile device; andcommunic

1. A method for registering a mobile device, comprising:receiving a registration request from a mobile device;assigning a temporary mobile device identifier (TMDI), wherein the TMDI comprises at least a portion of an address of a mobility control function (MCF) serving the mobile device; andcommunicating the TMDI to the mobile device;wherein the TMDI further comprises:a first part designating a selected one of a plurality of pools within a core packet network, each pool comprising a plurality of mobility control functions (MCFs);a second part designating a selected one of the MCFs in the selected pool of the core packet network to service the mobile device; anda third part designating the mobile device.2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of receiving comprises:receiving, at a router, a registration request from a mobile device; andcommunicating the registration request to a selected one of a plurality of mobility control functions (MCFs) based on the loading characteristics of the MCFs.3. The method of claim 1, wherein the TMDI comprises:a first part designating a selected one of a plurality of mobility control functions (MCFs) to service the mobile device; anda second part designating a local identifier of the mobile device.4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:receiving subscriber information from the mobile device;storing the subscriber information at the MCF;receiving a message from the mobile device, the message identifying the MCF and the mobile device; andretrieving the subscriber information to process the message.5. The method of claim 1, further comprising the following steps performed before assigning a temporary mobile device identifier (TMDI):communicating an authentication request to a remote location; andreceiving a positive authentication response from the remote location.6. The method of claim 5, wherein the remote location comprises a home location register of the mobile device.7. The method of claim 1, wherein the TMDI comprises at least a portion of a 128-bit Internet protocol address.8. A system for providing a distributed mobility control function to a plurality of mobile devices, comprising:a router operable to receive a plurality of registration requests from a plurality of mobile devices and to route the registration requests to a plurality of mobility control functions (MCFs) based on the loading characteristics of the MCFs; andthe MCFs operable to receive the registration requests, each MCF further operable to assign a temporary mobile device identifier (TMDI) that includes at least a portion of an address of the MCF;wherein the TMDI further comprises:a first part designating a selected one of a plurality of pools within a core packet network, each pool comprising the plurality of MCFs;a second part designating a selected one of the MCFs in the selected pool of the core packet network to service the mobile device; anda third part designating the mobile device.9. The system of claim 8, wherein each MCF is further operable to:communicate an authentication request to a remote location;receive a positive authentication response from the remote location; andcommunicate the TMDI to the mobile device.10. The system of claim 8, wherein the TMDI comprises:a first part designating a selected one of a plurality of mobility control functions (MCFs) to service the mobile device; anda second part designating a local identifier of the mobile device.11. The system of claim 8, wherein the TMDI comprises at least a portion of a 128-bit Internet protocol address.12. An apparatus for registering a mobile device, comprising:an interface operable to receive a registration request from a mobile device; anda processor coupled to the interface and operable to assign a temporary mobile device identifier (TMDI), wherein the TMDI comprises at least a portion of an address of a mobility control function (MCF) serving the mobile device;wherein the interface is further operable to communicate the TMDI to the mobile device in response to the registration request;wherein the TMDI further comprises:a first part designating a selected one of a plurality of pools within a core packet network, each pool comprising a plurality of mobility control functions (MCFs);a second part designating a selected one of the MCFs in the selected pool of the core packet network to service the mobile device; anda third part designating the mobile device.13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the TMDI comprises:a first part designating a selected one of a plurality of mobility control functions (MCFs) to service the mobile device; anda second part designating a local identifier of the mobile device.14. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a memory operable to store subscriber information received from the mobile device, wherein the processor retrieves the subscriber information from the memory to process a message received from the mobile device.15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the interface is further operable to communicate an authentication request to a remote location and to receive an authentication response from the remote location.16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the TMDI comprises at least a portion of a 128-bit Internet protocol address.17. An apparatus for registering a mobile device, comprising:means for receiving a registration request from a mobile device;means for assigning a temporary mobile device identifier (TMDI), wherein the TMDI comprises at least a portion of an address of a mobility control function (MCF) and a local identifier of the mobile device; andmeans for communicating the TMDI to the mobile device;wherein the TMDI further comprises:a first part designating a selected one of a plurality of pools within a core packet network, each pool comprising a plurality of mobility control functions (MCFs);a second part designating a selected one of the MCFs in the selected pool of the core packet network to service the mobile device; anda third part designating the mobile device.18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the TMDI comprises at least a portion of a 128-bit Internet protocol address.19. Logic encoded in media for registering a mobile device, the logic operable to:receive a registration request from a mobile device;assign a temporary mobile device identifier (TMDI), wherein the TMDI comprises at least a portion of an address of a mobility control function (MCF) and a local identifier of the mobile device; andcommunicate the TMDI to the mobile device;wherein the TMDI further comprises:a first part designating a selected one of a plurality of pools within a core packet network, each pool comprising a plurality of mobility control functions (MCFs);a second part designating a selected one of the MCFs in the selected pool of the core packet network to service the mobile device; anda third part designating the mobile device.20. The logic of claim 19, wherein the TMDI comprises at least a portion of a 128-bit Internet protocol address.