Patent ID: 7747017

Claim:
A method for transport of encrypted payload across a network of a wireless communication system comprising: receiving a request to convert a communication session to an encrypted communication session, wherein the request comprises a Service Request message comprising a Service Option (SO) value in an SO data field corresponding to a clear channel mode of operation; determining whether an encrypted communication session is supported; in response to determining that an encrypted communication session is supported, granting the request to convert the communication session to an encrypted communication session, wherein granting the request comprises conveying a Service Connect message comprising a service configuration record in an SO data field informing that the request has been granted; receiving a frame via an air interface, wherein the frame is formatted pursuant to an air interface protocol and comprises encrypted payload; demultiplexing the frame to separate the encrypted payload; assembling an Intersystem Link Protocol (ISLP) frame that comprises the encrypted payload; adding a link layer header to the ISLP frame that identifies one or more of frame type information and a sequence value associated with the frame; and conveying the ISLP frame and added header to a network element.