Patent Description:
Furthermore, the present invention relates to a telecommunications network for operating a broadband access network of the telecommunications network for providing fixed mobile convergence, FMC, and/or fixed mobile interworking, FMI, access and functionality to a plurality of residential gateways connected to the telecommunications network, the residential gateways being connected to the broadband access network via a plurality of line termination nodes, wherein the broadband access network comprises an FMC access gateway function node or instance, especially a <NUM> access gateway function node or instance.

The exchange of packetized information in broadband communication systems or telecommunications networks, both in fixed-line as in wireless communication systems (or fixed-line communication networks and mobile communication networks) has already grown dramatically and probably will also grow in the future due to the rapid spread of different data services in such communication networks.

The present invention generally relates to the area of aggregation networks linking remote or central access nodes to a backbone network or core network of the telecommunications network, e.g. broadband access network platforms such as <NUM> or CORD (Central Office Re-architected as a Data Center).

Different technical worlds have to be combined for the realization of convergent service production based on access networks from fixed network production and mobile communications (Fixed Mobile Convergence, FMC, and/or fixed mobile interworking, FMI), especially in case that a mobile core network (such as a <NUM> core network) controls the usage of fixed access lines (such as DSL lines or optical fiber lines) in such a way that user authentication, session management and the user data transfer is done by the mobile core network, especially according to 3GPP standards. In the general context of <NUM> Fixed Mobile Convergence, Broadband Forum Working Text WT-<NUM> ("<NPL>) describes the use of a <NUM> Access Gateway Function (AGF) as an adaption function for <NUM> convergence. Broadband Forum Study Document SD-<NUM> ("<NPL>) proposes the introduction of a new Subscription Permanent Identifier (SUPI) derived from the line ID for registering a Fixed Network-Residential Gateway (FN-RG). Broadband Forum Working Text WT-<NUM> ("<NPL>) provides additional technical background for the corresponding network architecture.

An object of the present invention is to provide a technically simple, effective and cost effective solution for operating a broadband access network of a telecommunications network for providing fixed mobile convergence, FMC, and/or fixed mobile interworking, FMI, access and functionality to a plurality of residential gateways connected to the telecommunications network, especially via the central office point of delivery. A further object of the present invention is to provide a corresponding telecommunications network, a corresponding system, a corresponding FMC access gateway function node or instance, and a corresponding program and computer-readable medium.

The object of the present invention is achieved by a method according to claim <NUM>.

According to the present invention, it is advantageously possible to provide a solution for an FMC access to a mobile core network, also for fixed line users (or subscribers) of the telecommunications network, in such a manner that a location information of the fixed line user is able to be effectively used by the mobile core network in a native manner. In fixed line networks, typically a large number of users need to be supported (e.g. in the order of magnitude of <NUM> million access lines in one network), each fixed-line user typically using an identifier such as a line identifier information which might be specific for that user but which at least carries (or represents) a location information related to the user, either generally or at least related to the user at the considered point in time of the user accessing the network using a specific fixed access line.

In conventionally used telecommunications networks realizing scenarios such that a mobile core network controls the usage of fixed access lines, such as DSL lines or optical fiber lines, in a way that user authentication, session management and the user data transfer is done by the mobile core network, typically a so-called FMC access gateway function (AGF) is used for protocol encapsulation/decapsulation and adaptions between the fixed line access domain and the mobile core network. However, typically no location related information is either transmitted from the fixed access domain to the mobile core network or in any case used by the mobile core network.

In case that the residential gateway is connected to the broadband access network in a mobile-enabled manner (e.g. <NUM>-enabled manner, i.e. the broadband network is able or configured to provide <NUM> network access at the location of the residential gateway), the mobile core network (especially <NUM> core (network)) is able to deliver mobility service but also acting as the backbone infrastructure for services typically delivered via a wireline network. The FMC access gateway function provides for control plane (CP) and user plane (UP) separation, and differs from a classical BNG (broadband network gateway) in that the signaling towards the core network for AAA (Authentication Authorization Accounting) are those defined within specifications of the mobile core network, especially the <NUM> core network.

According to the present invention, a method is described by means of which a location information of the fixed line user or of the used fixed line is able to be effectively used by the mobile core network in a native manner. This enables the use of any kind of location based service, e.g. an emergency call functionality based on the location of the actually used fixed access line (and/or based on the used FMC access gateway function node or instance) used by the user of the telecommunications network. According to the present invention, a mapping procedure and algorithm is defined between an identifier information of the used fixed line (especially the so-called line ID) which identifies the access port on the access node of a given access line, (and/or the used FMC access gateway function node or instance) on the one hand, and a tracking area code (TAC) and/or the gNB ID and the cell ID which are used within the mobile core network, on the other hand.

According to the present invention, the broadband access network of a telecommunications network is used with a mobile core network for providing fixed mobile convergence, FMC, and/or fixed mobile interworking, FMI, access and functionality to a plurality of residential gateways that are connected to the telecommunications network (via its fixe access lines). The broadband access network especially comprises a central office point of delivery, and the residential gateways are connected to the broadband access network via a plurality of line termination nodes in the sense of a specific residential gateway (of the plurality of residential gateways) is connected or connectable - directly or indirectly - to a specific line termination node of the plurality of line termination nodes, via a specific access node port of the specific line termination node. In this situation, the specific residential gateway (which is also called or which also provides the functionalities of a customer premises equipment or of a home gateway) uses a fixed network identifier information being specific for or indicating the specific access node port used of the specific line termination node. Furthermore, a specific FMC access gateway function node or instance (typically of the central office point of delivery that is used, or to which the residential gateway is connected to) handles the residential gateway's traffic. According to the present invention, it is proposed that (in a first step) a specific (or predefined) mobile network identifier information is mapped or assigned to or derived from the specific fixed network identifier information (i.e. defining the line ID used and/or the specific FMC access gateway function node or instance), and (in a second step), the specific mobile network identifier information is used between the FMC access gateway function node or instance and the mobile core network of or connected to the telecommunications network with respect to the specific access node port of the specific line termination node.

The telecommunications network according to the present invention might primarily be a fixed-line telecommunications network or a mobile communication network but preferably is a telecommunications network having both aspects (or parts) of a fixed-line telecommunications network (or being a fixed-line telecommunications network in such parts) and aspects (or parts) of a mobile communication network (or being a mobile communication network in such parts) - fixed-mobile-convergence networks.

According to the present invention, it is advantageously possible and preferred according to the present invention that the specific fixed network identifier information carries a location-related information, especially with respect to.

such that the mobile network identifier information likewise carries the location-related information, wherein especially the location-related information is used for a location based service, especially an emergency service, with respect to the specific residential gateway.

Thereby, it is advantageously possible to easily and effectively implement the inventive method.

Furthermore, it is advantageously possible and preferred according to the present invention that the specific mobile network identifier information is used between the FMC access gateway function node or instance and an access and mobility management function of the mobile core network, thereby especially realizing an N2 interface or reference point between the FMC access gateway function node or instance and an access and mobility management function. Especially, the specific mobile network identifier information is used in the direction from the FMC access gateway function node or instance to the access and mobility management function of the mobile core network, and in the direction from the access and mobility management function of the mobile core network to the FMC access gateway function node or instance.

Thereby, it is advantageously possible to easily and effectively realize the inventive method for operating the broadband access network of the telecommunications network for providing fixed mobile convergence.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the specific fixed network identifier information comprises or corresponds to a line identifier information, line ID, related to or assigned to.

According to the present invention, the mobile network identifier information comprises or corresponds to:.

wherein the mobile network identifier information especially comprises an information, especially one bit, indicating an FMC situation, especially indicating that the mobile network identifier information is related to a fixed network identifier information rather than to a mobile network identifier information.

Thereby, it is advantageously possible according to the present invention that the natively used pieces of mobile network identifier information are able to be used to carry meaningful information with regard to the FMC situation of residential gateways, especially comprising a location information.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the specific fixed network identifier information and/or an identifier information relating to the used FMC access gateway function node or instance and/or an identifier information relating to the used FMC access gateway function node or instance is mapped to:.

wherein especially one bit of the tracking area code indicates an FMC situation, the one bit especially corresponding to the most significant bit of the tracking area code.

Thereby, it is advantageously possible to easily and effectively implement the inventive method according to different implementation scenarios.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, at least one bit of the tracking area code is used to indicate a sector coding information.

It is thereby advantageously possible to provide (from the fixed-line part of the telecommunications network to the mobile part of the telecommunications network) or to transmit an additional piece of information, especially likewise a location-related piece of information, or an organizational piece of information.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the central office point of delivery and/or the broadband access network comprises or is assigned to a <NUM> core network.

Furthermore, the present invention relates to a telecommunications network according to claim <NUM>.

The drawings described are only schematic and are nonlimiting.

In <FIG>, a telecommunications network <NUM> according to the present invention is schematically shown, having a fixed line (broadband) access network <NUM>, and a core network <NUM>, the core network especially comprising or being associated or assigned to a mobile core network, especially a <NUM> core network (not specifically shown in <FIG>). A mobile (or cellular) access network might be present as well, as part of the telecommunications network <NUM>, but is not specifically illustrated in <FIG>. User equipments or client devices <NUM>, <NUM> are connected to the telecommunications network <NUM> by means of the fixed line (broadband) access network <NUM>. The telecommunications network <NUM> comprises, especially as part of the broadband access network <NUM>, at least one logical or physical central office point of delivery <NUM> that is preferably realized within a data center and that is especially handling different access requirements, especially different access possibilities, of the client devices <NUM>, <NUM> to network functionalities provided by the telecommunications network <NUM> or via the telecommunications network <NUM>. The client devices <NUM>, <NUM> are typically connected to the logical or physical central office point of delivery <NUM> by means of a residential gateway <NUM>, <NUM>' (also called customer premises equipment <NUM>, <NUM>') or by means of a residential gateway functionality or customer premises equipment functionality that might be built in (or realized within) the client devices <NUM>, <NUM>. Typically, a plurality of residential gateways <NUM>, <NUM>' are connected to the broadband access network <NUM>, only two of which are represented in <FIG>. Preferably but not necessarily, the central office point of delivery <NUM> comprises a switching fabric <NUM> comprising a plurality of spine network nodes and typically also a plurality of leaf network nodes which are not explicitly represented in <FIG>.

<FIG> schematically illustrates a part of the broadband access network <NUM> of the inventive telecommunications network <NUM> with an FMC access gateway function node or instance <NUM>, wherein the telecommunications network <NUM> comprises or is associated or assigned to the mobile core network <NUM>, especially a <NUM> core network.

The central office point of delivery <NUM>, as part of the broadband access network <NUM> of the telecommunications network <NUM>, typically comprises - besides a controller node and at least one repository node (not specifically shown in <FIG>) - a plurality of line termination nodes, only one of which is schematically shown by means of reference sign <NUM> in <FIG>. Typically, each of the line termination nodes has one or a plurality of access node ports (not specifically illustrated in <FIG>). In the example represented in <FIG>, the broadband access network <NUM> comprises only the line termination node <NUM> to which the residential gateway <NUM> is - directly or indirectly - connected. The line termination nodes typically present as part of a central office point of delivery <NUM> might especially be provided to support different access technologies to the residential gateways <NUM>, <NUM>' (or home gateway or customer premises equipment). The client device <NUM> (not shown in <FIG>) is connected to the telecommunications network <NUM> (i.e. to the (also called specific) line termination node <NUM>) via the residential gateway <NUM> (and, perhaps additionally but not shown in <FIG>, a network termination node). The functionality of the residential gateway <NUM> and the functionality of such a network termination node might be integrated in one device or "box". Even the functionality of the client device <NUM>, the functionality of the residential gateway <NUM> and the functionality of the network termination node might be integrated in one device or "box". In <FIG>, only one residential gateway device <NUM> (i.e. a specific residential gateway) is shown. However, a plurality of different residential gateways <NUM>, <NUM>' (and corresponding client devices) might be connected to corresponding network termination nodes (not represented in <FIG>).

In the context of the present invention, in order to separate the "specific" or considered entities from the other entities of the same kind within the broadband access network <NUM>, the line termination node <NUM> is also called the specific line termination node <NUM>, the network termination node connected to the line termination node <NUM> is also called the specific network termination node, and the residential gateway <NUM> connected to the specific network termination node is also called the specific residential gateway.

In case of such line termination nodes having a plurality of access node ports, also a plurality of network termination nodes and/or a plurality of residential gateways <NUM>, <NUM>' are able to be connected to one line termination node <NUM> and/or (in case that a network termination node has a plurality of ports) also a plurality of residential gateways are able to be connected to one network termination node. Additionally, the broadband access network <NUM> and/or the central office point of delivery <NUM> comprises - according to the exemplarily embodiment shown in Figure <NUM> - a broadband network gateway <NUM> between the line termination node <NUM> and the FMC access gateway function node or instance <NUM>.

The central office point of delivery <NUM> and/or the broadband access network <NUM> may comprise - besides the line termination nodes - a plurality of service edge nodes, a controller node, and at least one repository node (not specifically shown in <FIG>).

<FIG> furthermore shows a mobile core network <NUM> (or mobile core bundle, especially comprising a network repository function <NUM>, a network data analytics function <NUM>, an access and mobility management function <NUM>, a session management function <NUM>, and a user plane function <NUM>, connected to a data network <NUM> (or a plurality of data networks). Furthermore, the telecommunications network <NUM> (and/or the mobile core network <NUM>) especially comprises a network data layer <NUM>, comprising a unified data repository <NUM> and an unstructured data storage function <NUM>. Furthermore, the telecommunications network <NUM> (and/or the mobile core network <NUM>) especially comprises a policy and charging function <NUM>, a unified data management <NUM>, an authentication server function <NUM>, a charging function <NUM>, and an online charging system <NUM>.

According to the present invention, a method for operating a broadband access network <NUM> of a telecommunications network <NUM> for providing fixed mobile convergence, FMC, and/or fixed mobile interworking, FMI, access and functionality to a plurality of residential gateways <NUM>, <NUM>' connected to the telecommunications network <NUM> is provided. The telecommunications network <NUM> comprises or is connected (or assigned) to a mobile core network <NUM>, and the broadband access network <NUM> especially comprises a central office point of delivery <NUM>, the residential gateways <NUM>, <NUM>' being connected to the broadband access network <NUM> via a plurality of line termination nodes. A specific residential gateway <NUM> of the plurality of residential gateways <NUM>, <NUM>' is connectable - directly or indirectly - to a specific line termination node <NUM> of the plurality of line termination nodes, using a specific access node port of the specific line termination node <NUM> and using a fixed network identifier information being specific for or indicating the specific access node port used of the specific line termination node <NUM>. The broadband access network <NUM> comprises an FMC access gateway function node or instance <NUM>, especially a <NUM> access gateway function node or instance, and the inventive method comprises the steps of:.

Typically, in fixed line networks the location information of a given user (e.g. the residential gateway <NUM>) is associated with the so-called Line-ID (Identifier) of the access port (i.e. the specific access node port) on the access node (i.e. the specific line termination node <NUM>) where the access line of this respective user or residential gateway <NUM> is terminated. In a <NUM> core network an identifier as (or corresponding to) the Line-ID does not exist. Location information of a user is associated with parameters such as TAC (Tracking Area Code) and cell-ID where a TAC identifies a list of cell-IDs which belong to a certain geographical area. These parameters can be requested by the access and mobility management function <NUM> of the <NUM> Core (i.e. the mobile core network <NUM>) from the eNodeB (in case of a standard mobile user equipment connected to the mobile core network <NUM>) or from the FMC access gateway function node or instance <NUM> (in case of the residential gateway <NUM>), typically using a location reporting service standardized by or as part of 3GPP. Hence, the location information is not transmitted (by the fixed access network side (or the respective network components such as the specific line termination node <NUM> and/or the broadband network gateway <NUM>)) towards the mobile core network <NUM> (such as a <NUM> core system) such that the fixed network identifier information, and especially the location information, might be natively derived.

<FIG> schematically illustrate examples of mobile network identifier information <NUM>, <NUM>, i.e. pieces of identifier information used within the mobile core network <NUM> for the case of the mobile core network being a <NUM> core system. <FIG> schematically shows the tracking area identity <NUM> (TAI), being composed of the PLMN identity <NUM>, and the tracking area code <NUM> (TAC) (of typically <NUM> bits). The PLMN identity (or PLMN ID) <NUM> typically comprises the mobile country code <NUM> (MCC) (of typically <NUM> bits) and the mobile network code <NUM> (MNC) (of typically <NUM> to <NUM> bits). <FIG> schematically shows the new radio cell global identity <NUM> (NCGI), being composed of the PLMN identity <NUM>, and the new radio cell identity <NUM> (NCI) (of typically <NUM> bits). Again, the PLMN identity <NUM> typically comprises the mobile country code <NUM> (MCC) and the mobile network code <NUM> (MNC). The new radio cell identity <NUM> is typically composed of the next generation Node B identity <NUM> (gNB ID) (of typically <NUM> to <NUM> bits) and the cell identity <NUM> (CI) (of typically <NUM> to <NUM> bits).

It is especially preferred according to the present invention, that the specific fixed network identifier information <NUM>, <NUM> carries a location-related information such that the mobile network identifier information <NUM>, <NUM> (by virtue of the mobile network identifier information <NUM>, <NUM> being mapped or assigned to or derived (at least in part) from the specific fixed network identifier information <NUM>, <NUM>) likewise carries the location-related information. Hence, it is advantageously and preferably possible according to the present invention that the location-related information is able to be used (by the mobile core network <NUM>) for a location based service, especially an emergency service, with respect to the specific residential gateway <NUM>. This location-related information especially stems from the specific access node port of the specific line termination node <NUM> used. It is also possible and preferred according to the present invention that the location-related information not only comprises the specific access node port of the specific line termination node <NUM> used but additionally also indicates the respective central office point of delivery <NUM> used. Hence, in this latter case, from the specific fixed network identifier information <NUM>, <NUM>, not only the specific line termination node <NUM> used is derivable but additionally also the respective central office point of delivery <NUM> used. Preferably, the specific fixed network identifier information <NUM>, <NUM> comprises or corresponds to a line identifier information, line ID that is likewise especially related to or assigned to the specific access node port of the specific line termination node <NUM> used. It is also possible and preferred according to the present invention that the line identifier information, line ID, not only comprises (or is related to) the specific access node port of the specific line termination node <NUM> used but additionally also indicates the respective central office point of delivery <NUM> used. The specific fixed network identifier information <NUM>, <NUM> especially comprises or is composed of: the PLMN ID <NUM> (as part of the fixed network identifier information), and the line identifier information, line ID <NUM>.

It is furthermore preferred according to the present invention that the specific line termination node <NUM> is connected (possibly via a broadband network gateway <NUM>) to the FMC access gateway function node or instance <NUM> as if it would be connected to a purely fixed-line telecommunications network. It is especially the FMC access gateway function node or instance <NUM> that translates the specific fixed network identifier information <NUM>, <NUM> towards the specific mobile network identifier information <NUM>, <NUM> for communication purposes towards the mobile core network <NUM>, especially towards the access and mobility management function <NUM> of the mobile core network <NUM>. Typically, between the FMC access gateway function node or instance <NUM> and the access and mobility management function <NUM> of the mobile core network <NUM>, an N2 interface or reference point is realized. Furthermore typically, between the FMC access gateway function node or instance <NUM> and the user plane function <NUM> of the mobile core network <NUM>, an N3 interface or reference point is realized. Furthermore typically, between the residential gateway <NUM> and the access and mobility management function <NUM> of the mobile core network <NUM>, an N1 interface or reference point is realized. Likewise, it is especially the FMC access gateway function node or instance <NUM> that translates the specific mobile network identifier information <NUM>, <NUM> towards the specific fixed network identifier information <NUM>, <NUM> for communication purposes (of the mobile core network <NUM>, especially the user plane function <NUM> of the mobile core network <NUM>) towards the fixed network side, especially the specific line termination node <NUM> (possibly via the broadband network gateway <NUM>), hence towards the residential gateway <NUM>.

The mobile network identifier information <NUM>, <NUM> comprises or corresponds to the tracking area code, TAC, especially according to the <NUM> standard, and/or to the new radio cell identity, NCI, especially according to the <NUM> standard. Hence, the mobile core network <NUM> and its components receive identifier information related to the residential gateway <NUM> according to the same format as if the residential gateway <NUM> were a device (such as a mobile phone or a user equipment) natively connected to the mobile core network <NUM>. According to the present invention, it is preferred that the mobile network identifier information <NUM>, <NUM> comprises an information (or a specific indication) regarding the FMC case or situation of the residential gateway <NUM>. This is especially realized by means of the mobile network identifier information <NUM>, <NUM> comprising one bit indicating the FMC situation (i.e. indicating that the mobile network identifier information <NUM>, <NUM> is related to a fixed network identifier information rather than to a mobile network identifier information).

Claim 1:
Method for operating a broadband access network (<NUM>) of a telecommunications network (<NUM>) for providing fixed mobile convergence, FMC, and/or fixed mobile interworking, FMI, access and functionality to a plurality of residential gateways (<NUM>, <NUM>') connected to the telecommunications network (<NUM>), the telecommunications network (<NUM>) comprising or being connected to a mobile core network (<NUM>), the broadband access network (<NUM>) especially comprising a central office point of delivery (<NUM>), the residential gateways (<NUM>, <NUM>') being connected to the broadband access network (<NUM>) via a plurality of line termination nodes (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), wherein a specific residential gateway (<NUM>) of the plurality of residential gateways (<NUM>, <NUM>') is connectable - directly or indirectly - to a specific line termination node (<NUM>) of the plurality of line termination nodes (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), using a specific access node port of the specific line termination node (<NUM>) and using a fixed network identifier information (<NUM>, <NUM>) being specific for or indicating the specific access node port used of the specific line termination node (<NUM>), wherein the broadband access network (<NUM>) comprises an FMC access gateway function node or instance (<NUM>), especially a <NUM> access gateway function node or instance, wherein the method comprises the following steps:
-- in a first step, a specific mobile network identifier information (<NUM>, <NUM>) is mapped or assigned to or derived from the specific fixed network identifier information (<NUM>, <NUM>), wherein the mobile network identifier information (<NUM>, <NUM>) comprises or corresponds to a tracking area code, TAC, and/or a new radio cell identity, NCI, and
-- in a second step, subsequent to the first step, the specific mobile network identifier information (<NUM>, <NUM>) is used between the FMC access gateway function node or instance (<NUM>) and the mobile core network (<NUM>) of or connected to the telecommunications network (<NUM>) with respect to the specific access node port of the specific line termination node (<NUM>)