Abstract:
A system for transmitting wireless messages from a Wireless Access Internet Network architecture for providing users a plurality of wireless protocols to access a communications network. The architecture comprises a wireless client for providing an authentication message. The wireless client includes a radio link adaptation layer and a radio interface, and the radio link adaptation layer adapts to a plurality of wireless protocols. The architecture further includes a wireless server in communication with the wireless client. The wireless server includes a charging module, a Home Location Register (HLR) signaling module, a Domain Naming System (DNS)/Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) Remote Authentication Dial-in User Service (RADIUS) module, a radio link adaptation layer, and a radio access point in communication with the radio interface. Additionally, the architecture includes a data network in communication with the wireless server.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/384,623, filed on May 31, 2002. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure relates generally to a communications system and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for an adaptive radio link for a wireless communication network. 
     There exists several wireless standard protocols for use in communications networks. However, no efficient method or system exists for computing devices to access those communications networks while having the choice of using more than one standard wireless protocol. For example, IEEE 802.11 devices can not use GPRS devices. 
     Therefore, what is needed, is a system and method for a computing device to access a wireless network through at least two wireless standard protocols. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure provides a system and method for provide computing devices access to a wireless network through the use of at least two wireless standard protocols. 
     Therefore, in accordance with the previous summary, objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent to one skilled in the art from the subsequent description and the appended claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a GPRS network architecture; 
     FIG. 2 illustrates the Wireless Access Internet Node (WAIN) system utilizing the 802.11 radio transport; 
     FIG. 3 shows details of the system elements of the WAIN client, the WAIN server and the SS7 gateway of the WAIN system; 
     FIG. 4 illustrates the WAIN system connected to the UMTS core network; 
     FIG. 5 illustrates the WAIN server integrated with a 3G RNC; 
     FIG. 6 illustrates the WAIN system connected to a cdma2000 network; 
     FIG. 7 illustrates GPRS networks with a roaming arrangement; 
     FIG. 8 illustrates a WAIN system supporting roaming users in GPRS/3G networks; 
     FIG. 9 illustrates the WAIN system connected to the SS7 network through a SS7 Gateway; 
     FIG. 10 illustrates the WAIN system with a subscription/authentication database HLR′/AuC′ with an IP interface; 
     FIG. 11 illustrates how the WAIN signaling protocol is simplified; 
     FIG. 12 illustrates GPRS data protocol migration from 2.5G to 3G; 
     FIG. 13 illustrates GPRS control protocol migration from 2.5G to 3G; 
     FIG. 14 compares the SGSN/HLR/SMS-GW interface to the WAIN server/HLR/SMS-GW interface via the SS7 Gateway; 
     FIG. 15 focuses on how the GPRS/3G protocols are adapted to the Packet Radio Subsystem in the WAIN architecture; 
     FIG. 16 illustrates GPRS data and signaling protocols for an integrated 2.5G/WAIN server over 802.11; 
     FIG. 17 illustrates 3G data and signaling protocols for an integrated RNC/3G/WAIN server; 
     FIG. 18 illustrates how the GPRS user data transfer is simplified utilizing the WAIN system; 
     FIG. 19 illustrates how the GPRS data protocols are integrated with the WLAN protocols in the WAIN system; 
     FIG. 20 illustrates how a WAIN server could connect to a home GGSN in a mobile network; and 
     FIG. 21 focuses on the interface between the WAIN server and the CGF in the mobile network. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The present disclosure can be described by the embodiments given below. It is understood, however, that the embodiments below are not necessarily limitations to the present disclosure, but are used to describe a typical implementation of the invention. A list of definitions and abbreviations will first be described and then the details of the embodiment will be described. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Definitions and Abbreviations 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 2G 
                 Second generation; generic name for second generation of 
               
               
                   
                 digital mobile networks (such as GSM) 
               
               
                 2.5G 
                 2G mobile system enhanced with higher data rates and 
               
               
                   
                 generally including packet radio transmission and switching 
               
               
                   
                 such as GPRS 
               
               
                 3G 
                 Third generation; generic name for next-generation mobile 
               
               
                   
                 networks (UTMS, cdma2000; sometimes GPRS with an 
               
               
                   
                 enanced radio system is also called 3G in North America) 
               
               
                 AAA 
                 Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting 
               
               
                 AuC 
                 Authentication Center 
               
               
                 BG 
                 Border Gateway 
               
               
                 BGP 
                 Border Gateway Protocol 
               
               
                 BSC 
                 Base Station Controller 
               
               
                 BSS 
                 Base Station System 
               
               
                 BTS 
                 Base Transceiver Station 
               
               
                 CDMA 
                 Code Division Multiple Access; wireless access protocol 
               
               
                 CDR 
                 Call Detail Record 
               
               
                 CGF 
                 Charging Gateway Functionality 
               
               
                 EIR 
                 Equipment Identity Register 
               
               
                 ESP 
                 Enhanced Security Protocol 
               
               
                 ETSI 
                 European Telecommunications Standards Institute 
               
               
                 Gb 
                 Interface between a SGSN and a BSS 
               
               
                 Gc 
                 Interface between a GGSN and a HLR 
               
               
                 Gd 
                 Interface between a SMS-Gateway and a SGSN, and between 
               
               
                   
                 a SMS-IWMSC and a SGSN 
               
               
                 Gf 
                 Interface between a SGSN and an EIR 
               
               
                 GGSN 
                 Gateway GPRS Support Node 
               
               
                 Gi 
                 Reference point between a GPRS and an extemal packet data 
               
               
                   
                 network 
               
               
                 Gn 
                 Interface between two GSNs within the same PLMN (a GSN 
               
               
                   
                 can be a SGSN or a GGSN) 
               
               
                 Gp 
                 Interface between two GSNs in different PLMNs 
               
               
                 GPRS 
                 General Packet Radio Service 
               
               
                 Gr 
                 Interface between a SGSN and a HLR 
               
               
                 Gs 
                 Interface between a GGSN and a MSCIVLR 
               
               
                 GSM 
                 Global System for Mobile communications; wireless standard 
               
               
                 GW 
                 Gateway 
               
               
                 HDLC 
                 High-level Data Link Control 
               
               
                 HLR 
                 Home Location Register 
               
               
                 IMSI 
                 International Mobile Subscriber Identity 
               
               
                 IP 
                 Internet Protocol 
               
               
                 ISP 
                 Internet Service Provider 
               
               
                 IWMSC 
                 Inter Working Mobile Switching Center 
               
               
                 LLC 
                 Logical Link Control 
               
               
                 MAC 
                 Medium Access Control 
               
               
                 MM 
                 Mobility Management 
               
               
                 MS 
                 Mobile Station 
               
               
                 MSC 
                 Mobile Services Switching Center 
               
               
                 MT 
                 Mobile Terminal 
               
               
                 PDA 
                 Personal Digital Assistant 
               
               
                 PDN 
                 Packet Data Network 
               
               
                 PDP 
                 Packet Data Protocol 
               
               
                 PLMN 
                 Public Land Mobile Network 
               
               
                 PSTN 
                 Public Switched Telephone Network 
               
               
                 QoS 
                 Quality of Service 
               
               
                 RADIUS 
                 Remote Authentication Dial-in User Service 
               
               
                 RNC 
                 Radio Network Controller (3G) 
               
               
                 SGSN 
                 Serving GPRS Support Node 
               
               
                 SIM 
                 Subscriber Identity Module 
               
               
                 SMS 
                 Short Message Service 
               
               
                 SMSC 
                 Short Message Service Center; also known as SMS-C and 
               
               
                   
                 SM-SC 
               
               
                 SS7 
                 Signaling System Number 7 
               
               
                 SMSC 
                 Short Message Service Center 
               
               
                 TDMA 
                 Time-division Multiple Access Protocol; wireless protocol 
               
               
                 Um 
                 Radio interface between the MS and the CPRS network 
               
               
                 UMTS 
                 Universal Mobile Telecommunications System 
               
               
                 VLR 
                 Visitor Location Register 
               
               
                 VPN 
                 Virtual Private Network 
               
               
                 WMN 
                 Wireless Access Internet Node 
               
               
                 WISP 
                 Wireless Internet Service Provider 
               
               
                 WC 
                 WAIN Client 
               
               
                 WS 
                 WAIN Server 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Now turning to FIG. 1 a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) based mobile data network architecture is shown. GPRS is a new enhancement to GSM communications for supporting packet data transfer over a mobile network. GPRS is the basis for packet data service in a 3 rd  Generation (3G) mobile standard called Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS). UMTS is one of the major new 3G mobile communications systems being developed within the framework which has been defined by the ITU and known as IMT-2000. The subject of intense worldwide efforts on research and development throughout the present decade, UMTS has the support of many major telecommunications operators and manufacturers because it represents a unique opportunity to create a mass market for highly personalized and user-friendly mobile access to tomorrow&#39;s “Information Society.” 
     UMTS delivers pictures, graphics, video communications and other wide-band information as well as voice and data, directed to people who may be on the move. UMTS builds on and extends the capability of mobile technologies (like digital cellular and cordless) by providing increased capacity, data capability and a far greater range of services using an innovative radio access scheme and an enhanced, evolving core network. The packet domain of UMTS is based on GPRS. Some characteristics of GPRS include: a data rate up to 150+ kbps (on entire radio channel, 8 time slots); “always connected”-session active even without radio resource assigned; error detection and correction for reliability; security functions to protect mobile&#39;s identity and packet data transfer; roaming through a secure tunneling (over IP network); standardized EP protocols; and volume based charging. 
     The Base Station Systems (BSSs)  100 ,  102  are responsible for radio transmission, radio source management and access control. The BSSs  100 ,  102  include, Base Transceiver Station (BTS)  104 ,  106 ,  108  and Base Station Controllers (BSC)  110 ,  112 . The BSSs  100 , 102  serve the Mobile Stations (MSs)  114 ,  116 ,  118 ,  120  in their coverage area via a radio link  122 . 
     One or more mobile BSSs  100 ,  102  are connected to a Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN)  124  which performs packet switching and mobility management functions. Some SGSN functions include: Frame Relay based Gb interface to BS; GPRS attach, authentication, routing area updating, paging; coordination between GPRS and CS via Gs interface; PDP context activation/deactivation; encryption and error protection (LLC); compression and segmentation; Short Message Services (SMS) Control/Relay functions and Gd interface; GTP tunneling over Gn/Gp interface; Gr interface to HLR; and charging data collection (S-CDR, M-CDR, SMS-CDRs) and Ga interface to CGF. 
     The SGSN  124  also detects MSs  114 ,  116 ,  118 ,  120  in the local area for the transmission and receipt of packets. Additionally, the SGSN  124  locates and identifies the status of MSs  114 ,  116 ,  118 ,  120  and gathers crucial call information, which is an essential aspect of billing. Accordingly, the SGSN  124  is connected to the Charge Gateway Function (CGF)  128 , which in turn is connected to the Billing System  130 . In addition to providing mobility management and connectivity between the BSSs  100 ,  102  and the Gateway GPRS Serving Node  126 , other key SGSN  124  functions include ciphering, compression and interaction with GSM circuit switched services for mobile paging and SMS. The SGSN  124  in this embodiment is connected to the Short Message Service Center (SM-SC)  132  through the SMS Gateway  134 . 
     One or more SGSNs  124  can be connected to a GGSN  126  for interworking with external IP Network (also known as PDN for Packet Data Network)  136 . The GGSN  126  acts as a gateway between GSM networks and public IP networks. Some of the GGSN functions include: a Gn Interface (similar to SGSN&#39;s); Packet Data Routing and Relay; PDP context activation and deactivation; address translation and mapping; packet store/forward and sequencing; Gi Interface; IP interworking including transparent IP access and non-transparent IP access requiring authentication; interworking for other PDP types (PPP, OSP); Gc interface to HLR; and charging data collection (G-CDR) and Ga interface to CGF. 
     The GGSN  126  can connect directly to the Internet using IP over a variety of physical and tunneling protocols. The GGSN  126  can also function as a fire wall, to ensure that all incoming and outgoing data is authorized adding security to an enterprise network. In addition to providing GSM connectivity to external data networks such as the Internet, the GGSN  126  includes all standard based functionality and even more with authentication, encryption, routing, firewall filtering, bandwidth and system management. 
     Moreover, there is a database called Home Location Register (HLR)  138  connected to the SGSN  124  and GGSN  126  that stores subscription data for all mobile users that are subscribed in any particular home network  140 . Further, an MS&#39;s security information is stored in an Authentication Center (AuC)  138  (depicted as the same entity as the HLR in this figure) which communicates with the SGSN  124  via the HLR  138  for authentication purposes. 
     In the GSM/GPRS architecture, a MS  114  consists of a Mobile Terminal (MT)  140  and a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM)  142  (both MT and SIM are shown as the same entity as MS in this figure). The MT  140  supports the radio interface communicating with the BSS  100  and the SIM  142  card stores a subscriber&#39;s subscription and security information (there is also a Universal Subscriber Identity Module defined in the UMTS standard). 
     The SIM  142 , the MT  140 , the SGSN  124  and the AuC  138  are the only entities involved in the security procedure in this embodiment. In particular, the SIM  142  in MS  114  and the AuC  138  are the two authenticating entities where a unique authentication key (Ki) is stored for each mobile subscriber. The authentication information is exchanged between the MT  140  and SGSN  124 . However, the SIM  142  is the key to the personalized service, security and billing. Before a MS  114  can use any GPRS services, it must attach itself to the network  140  through a GPRS Attach procedure, as dictated within the GPRS standard. More details are discussed in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/200,994 which is incorporated by reference above. 
     Now referring to the rest of the GPRS architecture depicted, the SGSN  124  is also shown connected to another SGSN  144  and Border Gateway  146 . The BG  146  in turn connects this network  140  to another Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN)  148  with its own BG  150 , a BSS  152 , another SGSN  154  and a GGSN  156 , along with its MS  158 . The BG  150  provides security for communication between two networks. 
     The SGSN  124  is also connected to an Equipment Identity Register (EIR)  162  and a MSC/VLR  162 , which in turn is connected to the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN)  164 . 
     Now turning to FIG. 2, the Wireless Access Internet Node (WAIN) technology of the invention is shown. The WAIN system integrates the GPRS network and security functionality with an independent high speed radio system such as IEEE 802.11. The WAIN system consists of a WAIN Client (WC)  200  and a WAIN Server (WS)  204  in the network. The WAIN supports wireless Internet access and data transfer at a high speed while providing connectivity to the mobile network for mobility, security and billing services. The WC  200  supports high layer GPRS terminal functions, interfaces to the SIM card and adapts to the underlying radio system  206 , which in this case is 802.11. 
     The WS  204  supports the GPRS network functions of the SGSN, and the GGSN and interfaces to a HLR/AuC  208  through a SS7 Gateway  210 . The WS also connects through the IP network  212  to the 802.11 Access Point (AP)  214 , that in turn communicates with the 802.11 Station (STA) module  206  in the WC  200 . By combining the multiple network elements into one single node, all unnecessary intermediate interfaces and protocols are removed in the WS  204 . Therefore, the system architecture can be greatly simplified and cost can be significantly reduced compared to the conventional mobile network architecture. More detail about the WAIN technology can be found in co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 09/851,681, which is commonly assigned. In addition, a radio link adaptation module in both the WC  200  and the WS  204  allows the WAIN architecture to support multiple radio technologies. More details follow on the methodology implemented to support multiple radio technologies. 
     In addition to the HLR/Auc  208  node, the SS7 gateway  210  also connects the WS  204  to a SMS-Gateway (SMS-GW)  216  within the GPRS/3G network  218  shown. The GPRS/3G network also shows a CGF  220  and a GGSN  222  that connect to the WS  204  through the IP network  212 . 
     Now turning to FIG. 3, the system elements of the WC  300  and the WS  302  are shown as they are adapted to communicate over the 802.11 radio transport. In addition, the system elements of the SS7 Gateway  304  are also shown, along with the connections between IP network  306  and the WS  302  and the SS7 Gateway  304 . 
     The peer system elements in the WC  300  and the WS  302  include: system controllers  308 ,  310 ; registration modules  312 ,  314 ; IP Relay modules  316 ,  318 ; SM modules  320 ,  322 ; GMM modules  324 ,  326 ; SNDCP modules  328 ,  330 ; LLC modules  332 ,  334 ; and Radio Link Adaptation modules  336 ,  338 , respectively. In addition, the WC  300  also contains an applications layer  340  and an applications GUI  342 , a Comm WSAP (WAIN Service Access Point)  344 , a SIM interface  346  connected to a SIM card  348 , and a 802.11 station module  350 . 
     The WS  302  also contains an Operation and Maintenance (O&amp;M) module  352 , a charging module (for billing)  354 , a HLR signaling module  356 , a DNS/DHCP RADIUS module  360 , and an 802.11 AP  362 . 
     The peer modules between the WS  302  and the SS7 Gateway  304  include: GTP/E-GTP modules  364 ,  366 ; TCP/UDP and TCP modules  368 ,  370 ; and IP/L2/L1 modules  372 ,  374 . The SS7 Gateway also includes a E-GTP to MAP Interworking module  376 , a MAP module  378 , a TCAP/SCCP module  380 , and a MTP/L2/L1 module  382 . The WS  302  connects to the SS7 Gateway  304  which in turn connects to the SS7 network and specifically to any HLR/AuC that is needed for authentication purposes. Additionally, the IP network  306  is connected to the other WAIN servers, GGSNs, or CGFs  386 . 
     Now turning to FIG. 4, the WAIN system is depicted connected to the UMTS core network. In this embodiment, two MSs  400 ,  402  are connected to two Node Bs  404 ,  406 , and in turn connected to a RNC  408  which is connected to a 3G-SGSN  410 . In addition, the 802.11 WLAN  412 , which includes two WAIN Clients  414 ,  416 , connected to two APs  418 ,  420 , and connects to the WAIN server (WS)  422 . In turn, the WS  422  connects to the RADIUS server  424  for User ID/Password authentication, and the Intra-PLMN IP Backbone  426  to connect to the data network and the CGF/Billing server  428 . Moreover, the WS  422  connects to the HLR/AuC  432  and the SMS-GW  434  through the SS7 Gateway  436  and the SS7 Network  430 . Also depicted in this figure, is a GGSN  438  and the public Internet  440 . 
     Now turning to FIG. 5, a WAIN server is shown integrated with a 3G RNC. Although most elements are similar to FIG. 4, the WS is shown integrated with a 3G RNC and depicted as WS/3G RNC  500 . Additionally, as an example of the adaptability of the WAIN architecture to different radio technologies, a MS  502  is shown connected to a Node B  504  which in turn is connected to the combined WS/3G RNC  500 . 
     FIG. 6 depicts another possible radio implementation. Here, the WAIN system is shown connected to a cdma2000 network. This embodiment includes two MTs  600 ,  602  connected to two BTS  604 ,  606 , and in turn connected to a BSC  608  which is connected to a MSC/VLR  610  and a private EP backbone  626 . In addition, the 802.11 WLAN  612 , which includes two wireless SIM users  614 ,  616 , connected to two APs  618 ,  620 , and connects to the WAIN server (WS)  622 . In turn, the WS  622  connects to the AAA server  624  for authentication, the HA (Home Agent)  630  and the PDSN/FA (Foreign Agent)  628  through the Private IP Backbone  626 . Moreover, the MSC/VLR  610  connects through the SS7 Network  632  to the HLR/AuC  634 . Also depicted in the this figure, is the public Internet  636  connected to the WS  622  through the private IP backbone  626 . 
     Now turning to FIG. 7, two GPRS networks with a roaming arrangement are depicted. Operator A&#39;s network  700  includes MSs  702 ,  704  connected to the a BSS  706  and SGSN  708 . Moreover, a SMS-GW  710 , a GGSN  712 , a HLR/AuC  714  and a CGF/Billing server  716  are connected to the SGSN  708 , as well as BG  718 . The GGSN  712  is connected to a VPN  720  and the public Internet  722 . 
     In turn the BG  718  connects to Operator B&#39;s network  724  through a Roaming exchange network  726  to Operator B&#39;s BG  728 . In addition, Operator B&#39;s network  724  also includes MTs  730 ,  732  connected to the a BSS  734  and SGSN  736 . Moreover, a SMS-GW  738 , a GGSN  740 , a HLR/AuC  742  and a CGF/Billing server  744  are connected to the SGSN  736 . The GGSN  740  is also connected to the public Internet  722 . 
     Now turning to FIG. 8, a WAIN system supporting roaming users in GPRS/3G networks is shown. Within one WLAN  800 , two WCs  802 ,  804  are shown connected to two Access Points  806 ,  808  which are connected to WS  810 . Another WLAN  812  is shown with one WC  814  and one Access Point  816  connected to another WS  818 . The WSs  810 ,  818  are in turn connected to the public Internet  826  and the HLR/AuC  836  and SMS-GW  834  through the SS7 Gateway  824  and the SS7 Network  838 . In addition, the WSs  810 ,  818  are also connected to a RADIUS server  820  for non-SIM authentication purposes, an O&amp;M Control Station  822 , a CGF/Billing server  828  and a GGSN  830 , both within a GPRS/3G network  832 . However, the WAIN System can connect to multiple GPRS/3G networks. 
     In this embodiment, authentication can be accomplished in one of two methods. One method is utilizing the RADIUS server for non-SIM users. However, this method can sometimes be costly and difficult to manage. Another method is to transport the SIM information to the WAIN servers  818 ,  810  which forward to the HLR/AuC  836  through the SS7 gateway  824  to obtain authentication information for authenticating the client. 
     Now turning to FIG. 9, the WAIN system is shown connected to the SS7 network through a SS7 Gateway. Within one WLAN  900 , two WCs  902 ,  904  are shown connected to two APs  906 ,  908  which are connected to WS  910 . Another WLAN  912  is shown with two WCs  914 ,  916  and two APs  918 ,  920  connected to another WS  922 . The WSs  910 ,  922  are in turn connected to the public Internet  924 . Moreover, the WSs  910 ,  922  also connect to the a HLR/AuC  926  through a SS7 Gateway  928  and the SS7 Network  930 . 
     Now turning to FIG. 10, the WAIN system is shown with a subscription/authentication database HLR′/AuC′ with an IP interface. Within one WLAN  1000 , two WCs  1002 ,  1004  are shown connected to two APs  1006 ,  1008  which are connected to WS  1010 . Another WLAN  1012  is shown with two WCs  1014 ,  1016  and two APs  1018 ,  1020  connected to another WS  1022 . The WSs  1010 ,  1022  are in turn connected to the public Internet  1024 . However, unlike FIG. 9, this figure connects the WSs  1010 ,  1022  to the HLR′/AuC′  1026  without the use of a SS7 Gateway or a SS7 Network. 
     Now turning to FIG. 11, the WAIN signaling protocol is shown. Instead of the having the GB-L1 layer  1100 , the network service layer  1102  and the BSSGP layer  1104  in the SGSN and the BSS in a conventional GPRS system, the WAIN server eliminates them and lays just the SM/GMM layer  1106  and the LLC layer  1108  on top of the RLC layer  1110 , the MAC layer  1112  and the Um-L1 layer  1114 . In turn the RLC layer  1110 , the MAC layer  1112  and the Um-L1 layer  1114  communicate directly with the corresponding layers  1116 ,  1118 ,  1120  in the MS  1122 . The RLC, MAC and Um-L1 can be replaced by the 802.11 protocol layers. 
     Now turning to FIG. 12, data protocol migration from 2.5G to 3G is depicted. When the WAIN server replaces the conventional 2.5G BSS/SGSN/GGSN, the BSSGP  1200 , the Network Service  1202 , and the Gb-L1  1204  layers are eliminated in the BSS  1206  and the SGSN  1208 . Additionally, the GTP  1210 , the UDP  1212 , the IP  1214 , the L2  1216  and the Gn-L1  1218  layers are also eliminated from the SGSN  1208  and the GGSN  1220 . The simplified 2.5G WAIN server  1238  thus includes the IP Relay layer  1222 , the SNDCP layer  1224 , the LLC layer  1226 , the RLC layer  1228 , the MAC layer  1230 , the Um-L1 layer  1232 , the L2 layer  1234  and the Gi-L1 layer  1236 . 
     Moreover, since the 3G WAIN server eliminates the GTP-U  1240 , the UDP/IP  1242 , the AAL5  1244  and the ATM  1246  layers are eliminated in the RNS  1248  and the SGSN  1250 . Additionally, the GTP-U  1252 , the UDP/IP  1254 , the L2  1256  and the Gn-L1  1258  layers are also eliminated from the SGSN  1250  and the GGSN  1260 . The simplified 3G WAIN server  1262  therefore includes the IP Relay layer  1264 , the PDCP layer  1266 , the RLC layer  1228 , the MAC layer  1270 , the Uu-L1 layer  1272 , the L2 layer  1274  and the Gi-L1 layer  1276 . In sum, the intermediate interfaces are eliminate; Frame Relay and ATM are eliminated in the WAIN server; the PDCP layer is similar to the SNDCP layer; the LLC and the RLC are combined in the 3G server; and the major differences are in the MAC and U-L1 layers, but they can also be replaced by 802.11. 
     Now turning to FIG. 13, control protocol migration from 2.5G to 3G is depicted. When the WAIN server replaces the conventional 2.5G BSS/SGSN/GGSN, the BSSGP  1300 , the Network Service  1302 , and the Gb-L1  1304  layers are eliminated in the BSS  1306  and the SGSN  1308 . The simplified 2.5G WAIN server  1310  thus includes the SM/GMM/SMS layer  1312 , the RRM/LLC layer  1314 , the RLC layer  1316 , the MAC layer  1318 , and the Um-L1 layer  1320 . 
     Furthermore, since the 3G WAIN server eliminates the RANAP  1322 , the SCCP  1324 , the Signaling Bearer  1326 , the AAL5  1328  and the ATM  1340  layers are eliminated in the RNS  1342  and the SGSN  1344 . The simplified 3G WAIN server  1346  therefore includes the SM/GMM/SMS layer  1348 , the RRC layer  1350 , the RLC layer  1352 , the MAC layer  1354 , and the Uu-L1 layer  1356 . In sum, the Gb/Iu interfaces are eliminated; there is no Frame Relay and ATM in the WAIN server; the SM/GMM/SMS layers are similar; and the major differences are the MAC and U-L1 layers, but can be replaced by 802.11. 
     Now turning to FIG. 14 the SGSN/HLR/SMS-GW interface is compared to the WAIN Server/HLR/SMS-GW interface via the SS7 Gateway. In a conventional GPRS architecture, the SS7 layers of an SGSN  1400  communicate directly to the peer layers of HLR or SMS-GW  1402 . However, in the WAIN architecture, the SS7 gateway  1404  maps the IP based layers of the WAIN server  1406  to the SS7 layers of HLR or SMS-GW  1402 . 
     In sum, the WAIN system centralizes the SS7 stack in the SS7 gateway  1404  which performs E-GTP/IP to MAP/SS7 conversion for the Gr and Gd interfaces. Accordingly, this conversion makes all network interfaces IP based. Therefore, the overall signaling architecture is greatly simplified and becomes very cost effective. 
     FIG. 15 shows how the GPRS/3G protocols are conceptionally adapted to the Packet Radio Subsystem in the WAIN architecture. As depicted, the SIM module  1500  communicates directly with the GPRS/3G protocols  1502  in the WAIN client  1504 . In turn those protocols  1502  are directly linked to the Radio Link adaptation layer  1506  and then to the Radio Subsystem  1508 . In turn, the Radio Subsystem  1508  of the WAIN client  1504  communicates directly to the Radio Subsystem  1510  of the WAIN server  1512 , which in turn is linked to the its respective Radio Link adaptation layer  1514  and its protocols  1516 . The division of the Radio Link adaptation layer and the Radio Subsystem allow the WAIN system architecture to accommodate multiple radio protocols. 
     Although 802.11 is used in most of the embodiments, as this figure illustrates, the radio subsystem is also adaptable to a BlueTooth, 3G or GPRS implemtation. Similarly, the radio subsytem is also adaptable to many more wireless protocols including 802.15 and HIPERLAN. However, if the user is not using an existing wireless account that can be checked through the HLR, the user&#39;s credentials can be authorized through the RADIUS server. 
     The WAIN server protocols  1516  connect the WAIN server to the EP network, which in turn is connected directly to the CGF  1520  and any GGSNs  1522  in the GPRS/3G network  1524 . Also, through the SS7 gateway  1526 , the IP network is connected to the SMS-GW  1528 , and the HLR/AuC  1530 . Such an architecture allows packet radio (e.g. 802.11) to provide high-speed and low-cost radio communication. In addition, the GPRS/3G standard interfaces and protocols enable mobility, security and billing. Moreover, the GSM SIM card provides convenient subscriber data for authentication and billing. 
     FIG. 16 shows yet another example of the WAIN architectures flexibility to accommodate different radio technologies, data and signaling protocols for an integrated 2.5G/WAIN server over 802.11 are shown. In comparison with FIG. 3, the WAIN client in this figure includes similar modules, but the 802.11 AP  362  in this figure is detailed as a 802.11 module  1600  that communicates to a 802.3 module  1602  that connects the AP  362  through a wired LAN to the 802.3 module  1604  in the WAIN server  302 . Again, the adaptablility of the radio link adaptation layer and the radio subsystem allows many other possible wireless protocol schemes to connect the WAIN client to the WAIN server. 
     Now turning to FIG. 17, data and signaling protocols for a 3G-WAIN Server are shown. The elements of the 3G-WAIN Server  1700  include the PDCP, the RLC, the MAC and the Uu-L1 layers  1702 , the SM/GMM/SMS, the IP Relay, the GTP/GTP′/E-GTP, the TCP/UDP, the IP, the L2 and L1 for Gp/GA/Gr/Gd, the L2 and L1 for Gi, the O&amp;M, the Charging and the HLR Signaling modules  1704 . In addition, the 3G-MS or 3G-WAIN client functions  1706  are also shown. Moreover, the MAC and L1 layers  1708  can be replaced by the 802.11 radio protocol. 
     Now turning to FIG. 18, how the GPRS user data transfer is simplified utilizing the WAIN system is shown. As indicted by the figure, the BSSGP  1800 , the Network service  1802 , and the Gb-L1  1804  layers are eliminated from the BSS  1806  and the SGSN  1808 , as well as the GTP  1810 , the UDP  1812 , the IP  1814 , the L2  1816 , and Gn-L1  1818  layers are eliminated from the SGSN  1808  and the GGSN  1820 . In addition, the RLC  1822 , the MAC  1824 , and Um-L1 layers in the MS  1826  and the BSS  1806  can be replaced in this figure with 802.11. 
     Now turning to FIG. 19, how the GPRS data protocols are integrated with the WLAN protocols in the WAIN system is shown. In comparison with FIG. 3, the WAIN client in this figure includes similar modules, but the 802.11 AP  362  in this is detailed as a 802.11 module  1900  that communicates to a 802.3 module  1902  that connects the AP  362  through a wired LAN to the 802.3 module  1904  in the WAIN server  302 . 
     Now turning to FIG. 20, how a WAIN server could connect to a home GGSN in a mobile network is shown. Similar to FIGS. 3 and 19, this figure shows how the protocol layers communicate between the WAIN client  300  and the WAIN server  302 . However, this figure also shows the protocol layer communications from the WAIN server  302  and a Home GGSN  2000 . Reciprocal layers to the WAIN server  302  in the GGSN include: the Gp-L1  2002 , the L2  2004 , the IP  2006 , the UDP  2008 , the GTP  2010 , the IP Relay  2012 , the L2  2014 , and the Gi-L1  2016  layers. 
     Now turning to FIG. 21, the interface between the WAIN server and the CGF in the mobile network is described. The WAIN server  2100  and the CGF  2102  in the mobile network both contain GTP layers  2104 , the TCP/UDP layers  2106 , the IP layers  2108 , the L2 layers  2110 , and the L1 layers  2112 . All Call Detail Records (CDRs) from the WAIN server are transmitted to the CGF through this interface. 
     It is understood that several modifications, changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosure and in some instances some features of the invention will be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the invention.