Patent ID: 6073015
Filing Date: 2000-06-06
Classification: H04W

Abstract:
In a communication system having a macrocellular communication network and first and second microcellular communication networks, the macrocellular communication network operable to communicate with mobile subscriber units according to a first wireless communication interface, the first and second microcellular communication networks operable to communicate with mobile subscriber units according to a further wireless communication interface other than said first wireless communication interface, the first microcellular communication network having a first mobility server that provides mobility management for mobile subscriber units roaming through the first microcellular communication network, an improvement of mobility-enhancing apparatus cooperable with the first mobility server for facilitating communication with a mobile subscriber unit which is home-registered in the first microcellular communication network but has roamed into the second microcellular communication network, said apparatus comprising:means for coupling the first and second microcellular communication networks to the macrocellular communication network;a first storage device in the mobility server for storing location information representative of positioning of the mobile subscriber unit, said first storage device also for storing therein a corresponding relationship between microcellular identity information used by the first microcellular network to identify the mobile subscriber unit and macrocellular identity information used by the macrocellular network to identify the mobile subscriber unit; anda first mobility manager provided in the mobility server and coupled to said first storage device and to the macrocellular network, said first mobility manager at least for updating the location information stored in said storage device to indicate whether the mobile subscriber unit is positioned within range of the first microcellular communication network and for receiving macrocellular network-generated mobility management data related to the mobile subscriber unit, the macrocellular network-generated mobility-management data generated when the mobile subscriber unit has roamed into the second microcellular communication network and used for the updating of the location information.