Patent Description:
Wireless communication has become ubiquitous and forms the basis of many applications and services provided to the consumer of today. A particularly widespread set of wireless communication systems, colloquially known as Wi-Fi, has been developed by the Wi-Fi Alliance and is standardized in the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers' (IEEE) <NUM> standards. Wi-Fi wireless communication systems are typically used to implement Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs) in many different environments, such as in homes, workplaces, or public areas.

Wi-Fi systems provide many functions, features and services suitable for efficient implementation of WLANs and data communication. The IEEE <NUM> standards have been, and are being, developed to provide an increasing number of functions, services and benefits. The initial versions of the IEEE <NUM> standards were based on radio communication in the <NUM> band, but this has been enhanced to also include the <NUM> band. One variant is known as IEEE <NUM>. 11ad and this further expands the standard to support communications in the <NUM> band.

A particular difficult challenge for a communication infrastructure is to support mobility. In particular, it is difficult to provide high data rate support for fast moving vehicles, such as for example in order to support high capacity Internet access on board trains.

Conventional Wi-Fi systems allow handovers between different access points and accordingly provide some mobility support. However, the handovers and general mobility support tend to be relatively slow (with an interruption in data connectivity) and relatively complex and tend to not be suitable for faster moving stations, such as fast moving vehicles. Traditional Wi-Fi access points also tend to be limited to a relatively low capacity/ throughput.

Another approach is to use cellular communication systems that are inherently developed to support mobility. However, such systems tend to have large cells and to be restricted to much lower capacity and throughput speed than desired. Examples of cellular communication systems using a mobile proxy to provide multiple links to base stations is disclosed in <CIT>. Another example of a cellular system is provided in <CIT> which discloses the use of an MPTCP for a mobile station. An example of a communication system using multiple access networks together with an MPTCP proxy and a mobility anchor is disclosed in <CIT>.

A general problem is that in order to support high capacity communication with, in particular, a fast moving vehicle, a significant amount of air interface resource (spectrum) is required, and this tends to restrict the capacity that can be provided by many existing systems in already used frequency ranges. This in particular applies to both cellular and Wi-Fi based wireless communication systems. It is therefore desirable to exploit less used frequency bands and there is substantial interest in providing high capacity support of fast moving vehicles using millimetre-wave (mm) wavelength based communication, such as specifically the <NUM> frequency band. However, the mobility challenges known from e.g. Wi-Fi systems become even more significant. For example, for <NUM> communications, the radio communication link is directional and heavily dependent on the specific current conditions, such as distance, line of sight, etc. For a fast moving vehicle this results in an increased number of handovers and in continuously fast changing conditions. Whilst some direction changes can be accommodated by steering the antennae of the radio communication link, there is not the omnidirectional capability of typical cellular and Wi-Fi radios.

Hence, an improved approach for supporting communication with fast moving vehicles would be advantageous. In particular, an approach that allows improved operation, improved reliability, increased flexibility, facilitated implementation, facilitated operation, improved resource utilisation, and/or improved support for communication with vehicles would be advantageous.

According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a wireless communication system for supporting communication between an end node of a vehicle and a correspondent node; the communication system comprising: a fixed network; a plurality of wireless modems for supporting wireless communication between end nodes of the vehicle and the fixed network, the plurality of wireless modems being located with the vehicle; wherein the fixed network comprises: a plurality of stationary wireless access points for providing wireless communication links to the plurality of wireless modems; a mobility anchor being a common mobility anchor for the plurality of wireless modems and arranged to perform individual mobility management for each wireless modem of the plurality of wireless modems, the mobility management for a wireless modem including determining communication paths from the mobility anchor to the wireless modem; a first multipath proxy for coupling a proxy connection for the correspondent node to a plurality of subflows, each subflow being associated with one wireless modem of the plurality of wireless modems and with the communication path determined by the mobility anchor for the one wireless modem, at least two of the subflows having communication paths via different wireless modems of the plurality of wireless modems; and wherein the wireless modems are arranged to connect the end node and the plurality of subflows and the mobility anchor and the first multipath proxy are co-located by being comprised in one network node; and the multipath proxy is arranged to change the subflows in response to the mobility management.

The invention may provide improved operation and support for mobility in many communication systems. The approach may be particularly suitable for supporting fast moving mobile communication devices using short range and/or very high frequency air interface wireless radio links, such as e.g. supporting data communication from trains using <NUM> wireless links.

The multipath proxy and mobility anchor may provide a closely integrated and synergistic operation which allows improved support for fast mobile communication. The approach may for example allow network level implementation of effective air interface diversity.

The end node and/or wireless modems may be in/ on/ attached to/ move with etc the vehicle, and may be part of a mobile network that moves with the vehicle.

A complementary multipath proxy operation combining the subflows of the multipath proxy may be implemented on the vehicle side of the wireless links, such as e.g. by the end node, a wireless modem, or often by a specific complementary multipath proxy implemented in a network node of the mobile network. The term mobile node may include a node of a network on the vehicle side of the wireless communication links, including the end node and the wireless modems.

According to an optional feature of the invention, the communication system further comprises a second multipath proxy for coupling the plurality of subflows to a proxy connection for the end node, the second proxy being located with the vehicle.

According to an optional feature of the invention, the proxy connection for the correspondent node is linked to a first wireless modem of the plurality of wireless modems and the first multipath proxy is arranged to forward a datagram addressed to the first wireless modem to a second wireless modem of the plurality of wireless modems.

The multipath proxy is arranged to change the subflows in response to the mobility management.

According to an optional feature of the invention, the first multipath proxy is arranged to select a subflow for a datagram received from the correspondent node in response to a status of the communication link for wireless links of the wireless modems of the communication paths of the subflows.

According to an optional feature of the invention, the mobility anchor is arranged to change a communication path for a subflow from including a first wireless modem to including a second wireless modem in response to a detection that a wireless link for the first wireless modem is inactive.

According to an optional feature of the invention, the mobility anchor is arranged to determine communication paths to the wireless modems in response to signalling received from at least one of a wireless access point and a mobile access gateway.

The end node and wireless modems may be co-moving with the vehicle such that any movement of the vehicle will impart a motion to the end node and wireless modems, and the end node and wireless modems may accordingly be substantially co-moving.

According to an optional feature of the invention, the mobility anchor comprises a network address table arranged to map between an address of a wireless modem for a communication path and a local address of the end node.

According to an optional feature of the invention, the mobility anchor and the first multipath proxy are arranged to communicate using a tunnel network connection.

According to an optional feature of the invention, the communication system further comprises an additional multipath proxy for coupling a proxy connection for a second node to a second plurality of subflows and wherein a communication path determined by the mobility anchor for a first wireless modem is used by subflows for the first wireless modem of both the first multipath proxy and the additional multipath proxy.

According to an optional feature of the invention, the first multipath proxy comprises a MultiPath Transmission Control Protocol, MPTCP, proxy.

According to an optional feature of the invention, the mobility anchor is arranged to perform individual Proxy Mobile IP mobility management for each wireless modem.

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a network node for a wireless communication system for supporting communication between an end node of a vehicle and a correspondent node; the communication system comprising: a fixed network; a plurality of wireless modems for supporting wireless communication between end nodes of the vehicle and the fixed network, the plurality of wireless modems being located with the vehicle; wherein the fixed network comprises a plurality of stationary wireless access points for providing wireless communication links to the plurality of wireless modems; the network node comprising: a mobility anchor being a common mobility anchor for the plurality of wireless modems and arranged to perform individual mobility management for each wireless modem of the plurality of wireless modems, the mobility management for a wireless modem including determining communication paths from the mobility anchor to the wireless modem; and a first multipath proxy for coupling a proxy connection for the correspondent node to a plurality of subflows arranged to connect to the end node via the plurality of wireless modems, each subflow being associated with one wireless modem of the plurality of wireless modems and with the communication path determined by the mobility anchor for the one wireless modem, at least two of the subflows having communication paths via different wireless modems of the plurality of wireless modems; wherein the multipath proxy is arranged to change the subflows in response to the mobility management.

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of operation for a wireless communication system supporting communication between an end node of a vehicle and a correspondent node; the communication system comprising: a fixed network; a plurality of wireless modems supporting wireless communication between end nodes of the vehicle and the fixed network, the plurality of wireless modems being located with the vehicle; wherein the fixed network comprises: a plurality of stationary wireless access points providing wireless communication links to the plurality of wireless modems; the method comprising: a mobility anchor, being a common mobility anchor for the plurality of wireless modems, performing individual mobility management for each wireless modem of the plurality of wireless modems, the mobility management for a wireless modem including determining communication paths from the mobility anchor to the wireless modem; a first multipath proxy coupling a proxy connection for the correspondent node to a plurality of subflows, each subflow being associated with one wireless modem of the plurality of wireless modems and with the communication path determined by the mobility anchor for the one wireless modem, at least two of the subflows having communication paths via different wireless modems of the plurality of wireless modems; and the wireless modems connecting the end node and the plurality of subflows; and wherein the mobility anchor and the first multipath proxy are co-located by being comprised in one network node and the multipath proxy changes the subflows in response to the mobility management.

<FIG> illustrates an example of elements of a communication system which supports communication with end nodes that are located in moving vehicles, and in particular in fast moving vehicles such as cars, boats, buses, and trains. The following description will focus on an example in which the vehicle is a train, but it will be appreciated that in other embodiments the end node may be part of other vehicles, such as e.g. a bus driving on a motorway.

In the example of <FIG> a communication session is established between a correspondent node <NUM> and an end node <NUM> located in a train/ vehicle <NUM>. It will be appreciated that references to an entity being at/with/in/on etc a vehicle includes any physical or logical form of the vehicle and entity being substantially co-moving, including the entity being positioned on, attached to, embedded within, etc. the vehicle. It will also be appreciated that it does not require the entity to be immovable with respect to the vehicle but rather it may include, for example, an entity being manually moved by a person (such as a person carrying a mobile device comprising the end node <NUM>). An entity being in a vehicle may include all scenarios wherein the movement of the entity is at least partially dependent on the movement of the vehicle/ where the movement of the vehicle imparts a movement on the entity.

The correspondent node <NUM> may be any communication node/ service, and indeed may itself be a mobile node, or a node located in a vehicle. The following description will consider a scenario wherein the correspondent node <NUM> is a server supporting a corresponding client operating on the end node <NUM>, and specifically a World Wide Web application will be considered where the end node <NUM> is supporting a web browser accessing an Internet site supported by a server on the corresponding node <NUM>.

The communication session is supported by a fixed network <NUM> which may specifically be a complex network comprising routers, switches, management nodes, mobility controllers, modems etc as will be known to the skilled person. In the example, the fixed network <NUM> is a Wide Area Network, WAN, based on the Internet Protocol (IP).

The correspondent node <NUM> is coupled to the fixed network <NUM> through a communication connection which supports the communication session with the end node <NUM>. The communication connection is in the example an IP connection and may be established using any suitable means, such as e.g. by a direct connection of a device comprising the corresponding node <NUM> to a node of the fixed network or e.g. it may be a connection which is provided by a network coupled to both the fixed network <NUM> and the corresponding node <NUM>. The network may in particular be the Internet, and the coupling of the correspondent node <NUM> to the fixed network <NUM> may be via an Internet connection. It will also be appreciated that the fixed network <NUM> itself may be considered fully or partially part of the Internet.

The coupling of the fixed network <NUM> to nodes on the train <NUM> is supported by wireless communication links. For this purpose, the fixed network <NUM> comprises a plurality of wireless access points <NUM> which in the specific example may be a relatively large number of stationary access points positioned along the train tracks.

Correspondingly, the train/vehicle <NUM> comprises a plurality of wireless modems <NUM>, <NUM> which are arranged to establish wireless (radio) communication links with the access points <NUM>. The wireless modems <NUM>, <NUM> are further arranged to establish one or more connections with the end node <NUM>. The wireless modems <NUM>, <NUM> are accordingly located at (in/on etc) the train and are arranged to communicate with the access points <NUM> in order to provide an interface between the vehicle network nodes and entities (and specifically the end node <NUM>) and the fixed network <NUM>.

In the specific embodiment, the wireless radio links between the wireless modems <NUM>, <NUM> and the access points <NUM> are formed using relatively high radio frequencies, and specifically mm wave radio communication may be used. For example, the wireless links may be formed by radio communications using the <NUM> frequency band.

Radio communications at higher frequencies tend to be more suited for shorter distances and using direct line of sight propagation. Directional beams are employed to increase the link distance, but the maximum distance for the wireless links tends to be relatively limited and each access point <NUM> will typically only cover a relatively short distance or interval. For example, for a <NUM> system supporting a train, the coverage from each access points <NUM> may practically be restricted to e.g. around <NUM>-<NUM> from the access points <NUM>. Accordingly, the distance between access points <NUM> will tend to be relatively small with the result that a relatively large number of access points <NUM> will be employed. For example, along a railway track, access points may be distributed for each, e.g. <NUM>-<NUM> of track.

As a consequence, the radio conditions will tend to change quickly for the wireless modems <NUM>, <NUM>, and specifically the optimum access points <NUM> to connect to will tend to change quickly, e.g. for a train moving along train tracks at a potentially high speed. Furthermore, the directional radio beam of the wireless modems <NUM>, <NUM> can not necessarily be steered over all directions, but is limited to e.g. a <NUM> degree range in the horizontal (azimuth) plane. In order to support such scenarios, the system supports handovers between different access points <NUM> such that a connection from an end node <NUM> to the fixed network <NUM> (and the correspondent node <NUM>) can be sequentially supported by different access points <NUM> as the vehicle/ train <NUM> moves.

It is desirable for such handovers to be seamless to the end node <NUM> such that the communication and the supported service is not interrupted. It is specifically desirable to establish new access point connections before terminating the previous ones (also known as make before break handovers).

However, supporting mobile communications, and in particular in situations where the wireless scenario experienced by the mobile unit changes quickly requiring many and frequent handovers, is a very difficult and challenging problem. The challenge tends to be exacerbated for communication systems and networks, such as IP networks, that are not originally designed to support such mobility.

The system of <FIG> is arranged to provide efficient and high-performance mobility support for end nodes of a vehicle, such as specifically for end nodes that are comprised in e.g. handheld devices of passengers on a fast moving train. The approach will be described in more detail with reference to.

<FIG> which shows an example of a specific scenario of <FIG> in which an end node <NUM> in a train <NUM> communicates with a correspondent node <NUM>.

In the specific example, the correspondent node <NUM> is coupled to the fixed network <NUM> via a connection of the Internet <NUM> (it will be appreciated that the fixed network <NUM>, as indeed the wireless modems <NUM>, <NUM>, may be considered fully or partially part of the Internet).

<FIG> illustrates a specific situation in which the train <NUM> has simultaneous access to a first access point <NUM> and a second access point <NUM> of the access points <NUM> via first and second modems of the wireless modems <NUM>, <NUM>. In the specific situation, a first wireless modem <NUM> has established a wireless link with the first access point <NUM> and the second wireless modem <NUM> has established a wireless link with the second access point <NUM>.

The end node <NUM> and corresponding node <NUM> have established a communication session which is supported by the fixed network <NUM>. For example, the correspondent node <NUM> may operate a web server providing a web service to a client running on a device implementing the end node <NUM>. As a specific example, a passenger on the train may operate a web browsing application which operates a web browsing client that initiates and supports a web service provided by the correspondent node <NUM>.

The fixed network <NUM> provides connections that can be used by the client and the server. In order to support the mobility of the fast moving train, the fixed network <NUM> comprises a mobility anchor <NUM> which operates as a fixed anchor for the mobile nodes of the train <NUM>. Specifically, the mobility anchor <NUM> operates as a common fixed anchor in the fixed network <NUM> for all the wireless modems <NUM>, <NUM> of the train <NUM>.

The mobility anchor <NUM> may provide a common node for all connections and communication paths from the correspondent node <NUM> to the end node <NUM> regardless of which of the access points <NUM> and wireless modems <NUM>, <NUM> (currently) support the communication.

Accordingly, all data from the correspondent node <NUM> to the end node <NUM> for the communication session may be routed via the mobility anchor <NUM> regardless of the wireless link that is used on the air interface between the access points <NUM> and the train. This may for example be achieved by the mobility anchor <NUM> advertising that it is a mobility anchor <NUM> for the wireless modems <NUM>, <NUM> (or other nodes on the train <NUM>) such that any datagrams addressed to any of these nodes will be routed to the mobility anchor <NUM>.

Similarly, all data from the end node <NUM> to the correspondent node <NUM> for the communication session may be routed via the mobility anchor <NUM> regardless of the wireless link that is used on the air interface between the access points <NUM> and the train <NUM>.

The system may accordingly operate a mobility anchor functionality which provides a fixed anchor point for the mobile nodes of the train <NUM>. The mobility anchor <NUM> will perform mobility management which includes keeping track of which access points <NUM> the wireless modems <NUM>, <NUM> are currently connected to, and updating the routing path for the individual wireless modems <NUM>, <NUM>/ the end node <NUM> when conditions change. Thus, when the train moves and the individual modems dynamically switch/ handover to different access points <NUM>, the mobility anchor <NUM> will register the resulting changes and update the communication path for the individual connection/ flow.

In the example of <FIG>, each of the access points <NUM>, <NUM> is coupled to a mobile access gateway <NUM>, <NUM>. Each mobile access gateway <NUM>, <NUM> is typically linked with a plurality but not all of the access points <NUM>, <NUM>.

The use of a mobile access gateway (MAG) <NUM>, <NUM> may typically facilitate mobility management as it allows the mobility anchor <NUM> to relatively easily change the communication path when handovers occur. For example, the mobility anchor <NUM> may implement a bidirectional tunnel connection to the appropriate mobile access gateway <NUM>, <NUM> for a given connection, with the mobile access gateway <NUM>, <NUM> then routing datagrams from/to the appropriate access point <NUM>.

The fixed network <NUM> may specifically be an IP based network and may exploit many of the techniques and principles known from such IP networks. Specifically, the mobility anchor <NUM> may implement a Proxy Mobile IPv6 (PMIP) mobility management function.

The mobility anchor <NUM> is involved in IP address allocation for the modems <NUM>, <NUM>, when they first establish a wireless connection to an access point <NUM> (AP). Once a wireless connection has been established, a wireless modem <NUM>, <NUM> will send a message to the fixed network <NUM> (for example, a router solicitation message), and the MAG connected to the AP of the wireless connection will send a message to the mobility anchor <NUM> to request a context or binding establishment at the anchor. The context is a list of parameters related to a single modem, and stores for example the identity of the MAG to which the modem is reachable. In PMIP, the message would be a proxy binding update. The mobility anchor establishes the context and returns a set of IP addresses (the 'prefix') to the MAG. The MAG and AP establish a bi-directional tunnel to carry traffic to and from the modem. The tunnel is a mechanism to carry any IP traffic from the MA to the MAG when its destination address matches a prefix address, and traffic from the MAG to the MA in the reverse direction. The modem chooses an IP address (or multiple addresses) from the prefix.

When the modem does a handover and connects to an AP linked to a different MAG from the current MAG, the MAG contacts the MA to inform it that the modem has moved MAGs (in PMIP this is a proxy binding update). The tunnel for the modem is now switched from the MA to the new MAG. Since the MA captures incoming traffic destined for the modem, it can be seen that the path from the CN to the modem is maintained continuously.

The modem can maintain the same IP address as it moves, establishing connections with different APs. This is true even if the modem has no wireless connection for a considerable time (multiple seconds) provided that the binding is maintained at the MA. The lifetime included in the initial proxy binding update message should preferably in many embodiments exceed the maximum time of disconnection over the train's journey.

The mobility anchor <NUM> is accordingly a common mobility anchor for a plurality of the wireless modems <NUM>, <NUM> of the train <NUM>, and typically for all of the wireless modems <NUM>, <NUM>.

Further, the mobility management of the mobility anchor <NUM> is performed individually for each of the wireless modems <NUM>, <NUM> for which the mobility anchor <NUM> is an anchor.

Accordingly, the mobility anchor <NUM> is arranged to determine a communication path individually for each wireless modem <NUM>, <NUM> and different wireless modems <NUM>, <NUM> may at a given time have different paths/routes, and specifically may have different paths that involve different access points <NUM>, and even different mobile access gateway <NUM>, <NUM>.

in the example of <FIG>, the first wireless modem <NUM> is currently coupled to the first access point <NUM> and the second wireless modem <NUM> is coupled to the second access point <NUM>. The first access point <NUM> is coupled to a first mobile access gateway <NUM> and the second access point <NUM> is coupled to a second mobile access gateway <NUM>. Thus, the same mobility anchor <NUM> individually tracks two different paths to the train <NUM>. In the example of <FIG>, the train <NUM> is moving towards the second access point <NUM> and accordingly the first wireless modem <NUM> will proceed to handover from the first access point <NUM> to the second access point <NUM>. This will result in the connection now being via not only the second access point <NUM> but also via the second mobile access gateway <NUM>. The mobility anchor <NUM> will be notified of the new connection and will proceed to update the communication paths stored for the connection.

Thus, the mobility management of the mobility anchor <NUM> continuously and dynamically keeps tracks of the wireless modems <NUM>, <NUM> and maintains a communication path to each of the wireless modems <NUM>, <NUM>. Further, this is done individually for each wireless modem <NUM>, <NUM> (it will be appreciated that in addition to the set of a plurality of wireless modems <NUM>, <NUM> for which individual mobility management is performed there may potentially be other wireless modems at the vehicle which are not individually tracked (e.g. operating as a slave to one of the individually tracked modems)).

In addition to the mobility anchor <NUM>, the fixed network <NUM> further comprises a multipath proxy <NUM> which is arranged to couple a proxy connection for the correspondent node <NUM> to a plurality of subflows with each subflow being associated with one wireless modem of the plurality of wireless modems. Thus, a single proxy connection established between the multipath proxy <NUM> and the correspondent node <NUM> is divided out into multiple subflows between the multipath proxy <NUM> and the wireless modems <NUM>, <NUM>, and from these to the end node <NUM>.

Each of the subflows has an associated communication path to the corresponding wireless modem <NUM>, <NUM> and the multipath proxy <NUM> is arranged to support subflows having communication paths via different wireless modems. Accordingly, a plurality of subflows may be used to traverse the air interface between the fixed network <NUM> and the train <NUM> and with these subflows being supported by different wireless modems <NUM>, <NUM>.

The communication paths for the subflows are determined by the mobility management of the mobility anchor <NUM>. Thus, for each of wireless modems <NUM>, <NUM> (or at least each active modem involved in a communication session via the mobility anchor <NUM>), the mobility anchor <NUM> maintains communication path information. Each of the subflows maintained by the multipath proxy <NUM> is associated with a wireless modem <NUM>, <NUM> and thus for each subflow, the mobility anchor <NUM> maintains a communication path to the train.

The subflows may be combined by a suitable node or entity at the train. Specifically, in many embodiments, the end node <NUM> itself may be simultaneously connected to each of the plurality of wireless modems <NUM>, <NUM> and may be arranged to combine datagrams received from different modems. In other embodiments, a corresponding complementary multipath proxy may be included on the train and this complementary multipath proxy may be arranged to combine the subflows into a single proxy connection to the end node <NUM>.

The approach accordingly provides a system wherein individual mobility management for individual wireless modems <NUM>, <NUM> is combined with a multipath proxy approach for communicating with the mobile entities. The multipath proxy <NUM> and mobility anchor <NUM> provide a closely integrated and synergistic operation which allows improved support for fast mobile communication.

The approach is particularly suited for systems with small distances between access points and with fast moving vehicles, such as the described <NUM> based system for supporting communications with trains. The approach allows a highly efficient operation in systems wherein suitable access points for different modems relatively quickly and frequently pop into range and then are out of reach of the modem. It is highly suited for systems wherein the pool of suitable access points for a vehicle (e.g. train) is fast changing due to fast varying wireless conditions.

Indeed, in such systems, it is typically very impractical to continuously monitor and react to changes in radio conditions (as e.g. is known from cellular mobile systems). As radio conditions change very fast for higher frequency and increasing speeds, individual mobile entity controlled or dependent handovers can typically not be implemented sufficiently quickly and reliably to in itself provide sufficient performance. Further such approaches are complex and require substantial signalling.

The current approach may provide for a network based approach to address the challenges posed, and specifically it may provide a network based air interface diversity approach that allows very efficient performance for fast moving vehicles and (relatively) short range radio links. The approach can furthermore be implemented with low complexity and does not require large overheads or resource usage. It may also require little or no modifications to many nodes of the communication system.

The multipath proxy <NUM> may for example comprise a MultiPath Transmission Control Protocol, MPTCP, proxy (as e.g. described in the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) RFC <NUM> and <CIT>) which can provide functionality for mapping a single proxy connection to a plurality of subflows. In the system, each of the generated subflows is not merely a path/connection through the network but is specifically linked with a specific wireless modem <NUM>, <NUM> and thus it represents/ is linked to a specific wireless communication link across the air interface. Further, each subflow is individually mobility managed by the mobility anchor <NUM> thereby allowing the multipath proxy <NUM> to provide air interface diversity from a network level operation.

Specifically, the multipath proxy can use MPTCP in which case the subflows are individual TCP subflows that operate to the MPTCP termination point. There is a MPTCP instance for each application running on the end node <NUM> which requires a TCP socket connection. The MPTCP may be terminated in the end node <NUM> when it operates a native MPTCP protocol stack. Alternatively, a second MPTCP proxy located on the train can terminate MPTCP, with an additional communication link to the end node <NUM>. For example, this additional link could be over a wireless LAN (WLAN) located on the train. The additional link may involve multiple hops over intermediate network nodes, for example, via a wireless router or a WLAN access point. MPTCP supports several mechanisms to add and remove subflows. When a modem loses connectivity with an AP, for example, when it moves out of range and no immediate handover to another AP is possible, the subflow may be maintained or torn down. When the same modem later re-establishes a wireless connection the TCP subflow can be used again, if it was maintained, or if it was torn down it can be reestablished.

Using multiple flows over multiple modems allows connectivity to be maintained to the train (and end node <NUM>) as modems connect and disconnect, by maintaining at least one modem connection at any point in time (make before break operation). It should be noted that typically the connection and disconnection of modems is a consequence of the limited range and steerability of the modem to AP links, coupled with the design objective of maximising the separation of adjacent APs.

Each MPTCP instance is able to transmit packets over any of the subflows that are active, according to the scheduling principle it employs. This includes redundancy operation in which a packet is sent over multiple subflows at the same time. The MPTCP receiver is able to reorder TCP segments by exploiting a MPTCP sequence number. It also generates MPTCP level acknowledgements that enable the transmitting MPTCP to resend packets.

The end application is unaware of the multipath operation. Furthermore, the coupling with the mobility management operation ensures there is no change to IP addresses as the vehicle moves, so there is no risk of session interruption or dropping.

The approach may provide a high degree of flexibility and improved performance while allowing compatibility with many existing approaches, algorithms, applications and devices. In particular, the close integration of a multipath proxy and mobility management allows effective and quick adapting air interface diversity without requiring complex processes and typically without requiring changes to the operation of other nodes, services, or devices.

Specifically, the correspondent node <NUM> may operate exactly as if it were serving a fixed client, and it need not have any knowledge that the communication session is with a mobile node. Nor does the correspondent node <NUM> need to be aware of any multipath operation but rather it simply communicates with the multipath proxy <NUM> using a single connection and a single IP address.

As an example, a passenger on the train may initiate a web browsing service and access a server at the correspondent node <NUM>. This initial access may for example be routed to the correspondent node <NUM> via the first wireless modem <NUM>, the first access point <NUM>, the first mobile access gateway <NUM>, and the mobility anchor <NUM>. In response, a communication session may be setup in which the correspondent node <NUM> is provided with the address for the first wireless modem <NUM> as the address of the originating node (e.g. with a Network Address Translation, NAT, being located at the first wireless modem <NUM> for translating this into a local address for the end node <NUM>).

The correspondent node <NUM> will accordingly proceed to address datagrams to the end node <NUM> using the address of the first wireless modem <NUM>. The mobility anchor <NUM> will publish that it is a mobility anchor for the address of the first wireless modem <NUM> and will accordingly receive these datagrams. It will further perform mobility management for the first wireless modem <NUM> as well as for the second wireless modem <NUM> (and typically for all modems).

The received datagrams are passed to the multipath proxy <NUM> from mobility anchor <NUM>. The multipath proxy <NUM> further receives mobility management information for the wireless modems <NUM>, <NUM> allowing it to keep track of the routing/ forwarding required for each individual modem.

The multipath proxy <NUM> implements a multipath proxy for the communication session with multiple subflows with different wireless modems <NUM>, <NUM>. the multipath proxy <NUM> may establish a subflow for the first wireless modem <NUM> and another subflow for the second wireless modem <NUM>.

When the multipath proxy <NUM> receives a datagram addressed to the first wireless modem <NUM>, it may now forward this datagram on one of the subflows. Some datagrams addressed to the first wireless modem <NUM> may accordingly not be forwarded on the subflow for the first wireless modem <NUM> but may be forwarded on the subflow for the second wireless modem <NUM>. Accordingly, although the datagram is addressed to the first wireless modem <NUM>, it is transmitted across the air interface using the second wireless modem <NUM>.

Accordingly, in a situation where the proxy connection for the correspondent node is linked to a first wireless modem <NUM>, e.g. by the datagrams being addressed to the first wireless modem <NUM>, the multipath proxy may forward some (or indeed in some scenarios possibly all) datagrams that are addressed to the first wireless modem <NUM> on a subflow linked to a different wireless modem.

The operation on the vehicle side of the system may be different in different embodiments and scenarios.

For example, in many embodiments, a complete network may be implemented in the train. Specifically, an IP based network may be implemented, such as e.g. a Wi-Fi based Local Area Network, LAN. In some such embodiments, each (or at least some of the) wireless modems <NUM>, <NUM> may also be coupled to Wi-Fi access points for nodes on the train.

In some such embodiments, multiple connections may be established between the end node <NUM> and the wireless modems <NUM>, <NUM>. For example, a separate IP connection may be established between the end node <NUM> and each wireless modem <NUM>, <NUM> which supports a subflow for the end node <NUM>. In this case, each wireless modem <NUM>, <NUM> receiving a datagram for the communication session established for the end node <NUM> and the correspondent node <NUM> may be arranged to forward this datagram directly to the end node <NUM> on the established IP connection. For example, if the second wireless modem <NUM> receives a datagram on a subflow from the multipath proxy <NUM>, it will forward this directly to the end node <NUM> even if the datagram was addressed to the first wireless modem <NUM> by the correspondent node <NUM>.

Such an approach may be considered to correspond to the end node <NUM> implementing a complementary multipath proxy to the one operating in the multipath proxy <NUM>. The end node <NUM> may combine the data received from different wireless modems <NUM>, <NUM> to a single data stream corresponding to the one transmitted by the correspondent node <NUM>.

In other embodiments, the vehicle side network (the network at the vehicle side of the air interface) may comprise a second complementary multipath proxy which is arranged to combine the multiple subflows into a single proxy connection for the end node <NUM>. In such an approach, the wireless modems <NUM>, <NUM> may be arranged to forward datagrams to the complementary multipath proxy which will then be arranged to combine the received datagrams and forward them to the end node <NUM>. In such an approach, the end node <NUM> accordingly simply establishes a single connection (to the complementary multipath proxy), and the network (the combination of the vehicle side network and the fixed network <NUM>) performs the necessary operation to provide the mobility support based on network implemented air interface diversity.

In some embodiments, the complementary multipath proxy may effectively be linked to one of the wireless modems <NUM>, <NUM>. For example, the wireless modems <NUM>, <NUM> may be coupled to each other, e.g. via a vehicle side network, and may be arranged to communicate data with each other. In such a case, the wireless modems <NUM>, <NUM> may be arranged to forward datagrams received on a given subflow to the specific wireless modem <NUM>, <NUM> that is addressed by the correspondent node <NUM>. For example, the second wireless modem <NUM> may forward any datagrams received and addressed to the first wireless modem <NUM> to the first wireless modem <NUM>. The first wireless modem <NUM> may then operate a complementary multipath proxy or may forward the data to a node that does so.

It will be appreciated that different approaches for providing multiple destination indications/ addresses may be used in different embodiments, and specifically for identifying both e.g. a wireless modem and the end node. In some embodiments, this may for example be achieved using tunnelling. In other embodiments, port numbers may be used to identify the specific end node <NUM>.

In other embodiments, the vehicle network may operate a NAT which is arranged to translate between the external address, being e.g. that of a specific wireless modem <NUM>, <NUM>, and the internal local address of the end node <NUM>. A NAT may allow a large number of end nodes to be given individual IP addresses whilst the vehicle itself only presents a small number of external (routable) IP addresses to the mobility management. Individual end nodes are distinguished by the NAT operation by translating the source IP address of packets sent to one of the modem IP addresses and by assigning a TCP port number such that the combination of assigned external address and port number is unique for the vehicle. Translation takes place by NAT for incoming and outgoing packets. The CN receives packets with a source address set to one of the modem addresses.

It will be appreciated that the multipath proxy <NUM> may use different algorithms, criteria, and approaches for selecting which subflow to use for a given datagram.

Indeed, in some embodiments, the multipath proxy <NUM> may simply select a subflow at random or e.g. in accordance with a predetermined pattern. In such embodiments, datagrams that are not received at the end node <NUM> (or possibly the wireless modem <NUM>, <NUM>) may be requested to be retransmitted (either directly by the destination detecting a missing datagram and requesting this to be retransmitted, or indirectly by no acknowledgment being received when employing an acknowledgement and retransmit scheme). The retransmissions may in some embodiments again use a random or changing subflow and, in some embodiments, may be required to use a different subflow than the original transmission.

Such an approach will result in datagrams not being lost due to e.g. temporary losses of the corresponding wireless link but rather being retransmitted using air interface diversity.

In other embodiments, the multipath proxy <NUM> may adopt a more complex operation. Specifically, in some embodiments, the multipath proxy <NUM> may be arranged to select subflows for the datagrams in response to the statuses of wireless links associated with the subflows.

The status may for example be indicative of a current throughput or error rate for the wireless link of the given subflow.

This status may in some embodiments be determined by the multipath proxy <NUM> itself. For example, it may continuously for each subflow monitor whether datagrams are successfully acknowledged or not. If a large number of retransmissions are required on a subflow, it may be considered that the current throughput is low and that the current error rate is high. Accordingly, the weighting of this subflow may be reduced and other subflows may be weighted higher. Additionally, the multipath protocol on the vehicle may signal to the multipath proxy regarding the termination of a subflow or the priority or relative priority of a subflow(s). When the multipath protocol is MPTCP these could be carried by FIN and MP_PRIO messages.

In other embodiments, the multipath proxy <NUM> may determine an indication of the wireless link status in response to signalling and data received from another node, such as specifically from one of the access points <NUM>. For example, the access points <NUM> may measure a(n averaged) packet or bit error for the wireless links and may report this to the multipath proxy <NUM>. The multipath proxy <NUM> may then prioritise the individual subflows in response to the measured error rate. In other embodiments the wireless link status may be represented by radio measurements such as received power, signal-to-noise-ratio etc..

An advantage of such adaptable selection of the subflows is that it allows a faster adaptation to the changing wireless conditions. As the train <NUM> moves from one access point towards the next, the multipath proxy <NUM> may adapt and start prioritising the subflow of the second access point <NUM> higher than the subflow of the first second access point <NUM> resulting in a softer transition and typically a reduced need for retransmissions etc..

The multipath proxy <NUM> is further arranged to change the subflows in response to the mobility management, and specifically may be arranged to remove a subflow and/or to add a subflow in response to the mobility management.

In many embodiments, the multipath proxy <NUM> may be arranged to do so in response to the mobility management detecting that a wireless link has changed from an active status to a passive status, typically corresponding to a change of a wireless link from performing acceptable to performing unacceptably (e.g. with respect to throughput, error rate, etc).

In some embodiments, the mobility management may for example detect that the condition of a wireless link has deteriorated to the point where it is not longer usable, and it may designate the wireless link as inactive. This decision may be indicated to the multipath proxy <NUM> which accordingly may proceed to remove the subflow from the list of subflows currently being used.

As an example of a possible operation, when the mobility anchor <NUM> becomes aware that a wireless link to a first modem is inactive, it may redirect traffic destined for the first wireless modem <NUM> to another wireless modem, e.g. the second wireless modem <NUM>, that is known to be active. The tunnel to the inactive first wireless modem <NUM> may be moved to the active second wireless modem <NUM>, and the packets whose destination address is equal to the first wireless modem <NUM> are pushed into the subflow originally in use and passed down the redirected tunnel. When the packets reach the second wireless modem <NUM> they are directed to the correct subflow termination (with MPTCP this would be the corresponding TCP instance).

In many embodiments, the mobility management is arranged to update communication paths for a mobile node (such as e.g. the end node <NUM> or the first wireless modem <NUM>) in response to signalling from a wireless access point or e.g. from a mobile access gateway.

For example, the first wireless modem <NUM> may initially be coupled to the first access point <NUM>. However, as the train moves, this link may deteriorate and as the train <NUM> approaches the second access point <NUM> the first wireless modem <NUM> may instead be able to access the second access point <NUM>. This may be detected by the first wireless modem <NUM> which accordingly may transmit an access request message to the second access point <NUM>. This may cause the second access point <NUM>, or in some embodiments the associated mobile access gateway <NUM> to transmit a binding update to the mobility anchor <NUM> indicating that the first wireless modem <NUM> is now connected to the second access point <NUM>.

In response to receiving such a binding update, the mobility management will update the determined communication path for the first wireless modem <NUM> to be via the second access point <NUM> rather than the first access point <NUM>. Accordingly, subflows linked to the first wireless modem <NUM> will now be routed via the second access point <NUM> as the routing for the subflows of the multipath proxy <NUM> is based on the mobility management of the mobility anchor <NUM>.

However, in some embodiments, it may not be possible for a wireless modem <NUM>, <NUM> to access a new access point <NUM> when a wireless link becomes unusable. In such a situation, it may be detected (by the mobility anchor <NUM> or by the multipath proxy <NUM> itself), that the link no longer supports communication and that it is inactive.

In response, the multipath proxy <NUM> may proceed to remove this subflow from the set of active subflows. However, in many embodiments, rather than simply removing the subflow, it may be desirable to replace it by a subflow which includes a different wireless modem. For example, as the train has moved, it may now be possible for a third wireless modem to access the second access point <NUM> (which it could not do before). This may be detected by the mobility management tracking all the wireless modems, and accordingly the mobility anchor <NUM> may inform the multipath proxy <NUM> of the new availability of the third wireless modem. In response, the multipath proxy <NUM> may proceed to change the previous subflow linked to the first wireless modem <NUM> to a new subflow linked to the third wireless modem.

The described approach is based on a close and synergistic interworking of the multipath proxy <NUM> and the mobility anchor <NUM> to provide very efficient network based support for fast moving vehicles and short distance access point communications. This synergistic interworking includes dynamic control and user data exchange between the multipath proxy <NUM> and the mobility anchor <NUM>.

In particular, the multipath proxy <NUM> utilizes mobility information from the mobility management of the mobility anchor <NUM> and the routing of the individual subflows is based on the individual mobility management for the wireless modems <NUM>, <NUM>. Similarly, the mobility anchor <NUM> provides a single common anchor point for all data exchanges but with the connection between this anchor point and the mobile node being based on the multiple paths established by the multipath proxy <NUM>. Thus, all data captured by the mobility anchor <NUM> and intended for the mobile node is via the multipath proxy <NUM> and thus the multipath proxy <NUM> may also be a fixed node that does not change as a function of the movement of the mobile node.

The mobility anchor <NUM> and the multipath proxy <NUM> are co-located and thus efficient interworking is achieved. Indeed, a particular feature of the described approach is in many embodiments that a highly efficient mobility support with low overhead can be achieved by implementing co-located interworking mobile proxies and mobility anchors.

In some embodiments, the mobility anchor (<NUM>) may comprise a Network Address Table, NAT, arranged to map between an address for one of the wireless modems and a local address of the end node (<NUM>).

With a NAT in the fixed network, a local IP address may be used between the mobile node (typically a wireless modem) and the mobility anchor <NUM>. At the mobility anchor <NUM> on the upstream (traffic to the correspondent node <NUM>, CN), NAT would then take place, mapping the local source address to one of the modem addresses. In the downstream (traffic from the correspondent node <NUM>, CN), incoming packets may typically have their destination address swopped to the local address, and passed over the subflows to MAGs. Delivery would then take place to the train. This method requires different trains attached to the same mobility anchor to be configured with non-overlapping local IP address ranges. The advantage of NAT in the network is that it moves complexity away from a train node to a centralised network node that can typically provide more resources, such as higher computing power or cloud computing.

The previous description has focussed on a single communication session being supported. However, it will be appreciated that the approach may be used to simultaneously support a plurality of different communication sessions including sessions for different end nodes, users, and devices.

In such scenarios, the system may be arranged to employ multiple parallel multipath proxies, and specifically may e.g. establish a multipath proxy for each communication session or correspondent node connection. In a typical scenario, the network may accordingly simultaneously implement a potentially large number of mobile proxies each with a number of subflows. The total number of subflows may therefore be relatively large.

However, by performing individual mobility management for each wireless modem <NUM>, <NUM>, the mobility management for a given wireless modem <NUM>, <NUM> may in many embodiments be reused for different multipath proxies having subflows using the same wireless modem <NUM>, <NUM>.

For example, the mobility anchor <NUM> may track the first wireless modem <NUM> and continuously determine a communication/ routing path to use for any subflow that is linked to this first wireless modem <NUM>. This mobility management is performed for the first wireless modem <NUM> rather than for the individual subflow. Accordingly all subflows of all multipath proxies that are linked to the first wireless modem <NUM> may use the same mobility management information, and specifically may use the same routing information and communication path.

This may result in a very efficient operation and may significantly reduce the required resource.

It will be appreciated that whereas the approach has been described with focus on applying the multipath proxy approach in communicating from the correspondent node <NUM> to the end node <NUM>, the multipath proxy approach is also applicable to communication of data from the end node <NUM> to the correspondent node <NUM>.

Indeed, the functionality may be implemented in a single unit, in a plurality of units or as part of other functional units.

Claim 1:
A wireless communication system for supporting communication between an end node (<NUM>) of a vehicle (<NUM>) and a correspondent node (<NUM>); the communication system comprising:
a fixed network (<NUM>);
a plurality of wireless modems (<NUM>, <NUM>) for supporting wireless communication between end nodes of the vehicle (<NUM>) and the fixed network (<NUM>), the plurality of wireless modems (<NUM>, <NUM>) being located with the vehicle (<NUM>);
wherein the fixed network (<NUM>) comprises a plurality of stationary wireless access points (<NUM>, <NUM>) for providing wireless communication links to the plurality of wireless modems (<NUM>, <NUM>);
the wireless communication system being characterized by further comprising:
a mobility anchor (<NUM>) being a common mobility anchor for the plurality of wireless modems (<NUM>, <NUM>) and arranged to perform individual mobility management for each wireless modem of the plurality of wireless modems (<NUM>, <NUM>), the mobility management for a wireless modem including determining communication paths from the mobility anchor (<NUM>) to the wireless modem;
a first multipath proxy (<NUM>) for coupling a proxy connection for the correspondent node (<NUM>) to a plurality of subflows, each subflow being associated with one wireless modem of the plurality of wireless modems (<NUM>, <NUM>) and with the communication path determined by the mobility anchor (<NUM>) for the one wireless modem, at least two of the subflows having communication paths via different wireless modems of the plurality of wireless modems (<NUM>, <NUM>); wherein the wireless modems are arranged to connect the end node; and wherein
the plurality of subflows and the mobility anchor (<NUM>) and the first multipath proxy (<NUM>) are co-located by being comprised in one network node; and
the multipath proxy (<NUM>) is arranged to change the subflows in response to the mobility management.