WO2018196755A1

WO2018196755A1 - Differentiated services in legacy communication networks

Info

Publication number: WO2018196755A1
Application number: PCT/CN2018/084295
Authority: WO
Inventors: Chunbo Wang; Li Chen
Original assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson AB
Current assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson AB
Priority date: 2017-04-24
Filing date: 2018-04-24
Publication date: 2018-11-01
Anticipated expiration: 2019-10-24

Abstract

System comprising one or more Wi-Fi capable user entities, UE, a fixed wireless terminal, FWT, offering Wi-Fi access to Wi-Fi capable UE's, the FWT further communicating via Long Term Evolution, LTE, access to an eNodeB, that again provides user plane communication to a Serving Gateway, SGW, a Packet Data Network Gateway, PGW, and to a Wi-Fi Mobility Gateway, WMG. The FWT is -connecting (1) to LTE network as a standard LTE terminal, -obtaining (2) an IP address from LTE network for data service, -setting up (3) a GRE tunnel with the WMG, whereby a WMG IP address (601) is the tunnel end-point and whereby user plane traffic from and to the UE's is encapsulated inside said GRE tunnel and relayed between the FWT and the WMG via the LTE network as a backhaul communication (902 -903; 1001 -1003), said GRE tunnel traversing the eNodeB, the SGW and the PGW and terminating in the WMG. Upon UEs are connecting to the FWT, the FWT -acting (4) as a Wi-Fi AP from the UE point of view whereby a plurality of UEs can connect to the FWT at the same time.

Description

Differentiated services in legacy communication networks

This invention is directed to methods and apparatus enabling establishing differentiated ser-vices for users via legacy communication networks. In particular, the invention is directed to en-abling differentiated services for backhaul communication over Long Term Evolution networks.

Background

LTE/4G (Long Term Evolution /Fourth Generation) services have been widely deployed almost in every corner of the world. The LTE/4G data services attract more and more end users with the boom of Smartphones. But in some countries, although LTE network has been deployed, yet the LTE network is not fully utilized due to low penetration of LTE capable User Equipment’s (UEs) and low LTE subscriptions. In order to solve that issue, some operators provide FWT (Fixed Wireless Terminal) as LTE (Long Term Evolution) data modem to its subscribers. The FWT supports both Wi-Fi AP (Access Points) and LTE terminal functions. The FWT connects to the LTE network as an LTE terminal, and the FWT also plays the Wi-Fi AP functions, which al-lows several Wi-Fi capable devices connected to it. The Wi-Fi device connects to the FWT via IEEE 802.11 procedure, then uses the FWT as LTE backhaul to access Internet service. The network architecture for using FWT as LTE backhaul is shown in fig. 1.

Another similar deployment is to install FWT in a moving platform or environment such as an underground train/metro, or bus. The FWT provide Wi-Fi AP functions to the devices of the pas-sengers and acts as an LTE UE connecting to the 4G network. The passengers can surf the Internet when taking the metro or train.

One shortcoming with such systems is that features are inherently associated with the quality and service associated with the given instance pertaining to the subscriber identity of the LTE modem.

Summary

One problem in the above type of network shown in fig. 1 may further be seen in that the net-work side can only see the identity (IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity) , IP (Internet Protocol) address and MSISDN (Mobile Station International Subscriber Directory Number) ) of the FWT. The real identities (e.g., IMSI, MSISDN) of the UEs using the FWT is not visible or de-tectable to the network operator. All the devices connecting to FWT uses the FWT IP address and Identity (thus share the same identity) to access the Internet service with LTE as the back-haul.

The following issues may occur:

1) The operator can not authenticate and charge individually the real user who are using Internet services through the FWT;

2) The operator can not identify the user behind the FWT. That can be a security issue for regulation.

It is a first object to provide data services to Wi-Fi capable UE’s that may not have LTE capabili-ties.

This object has been achieved by a method for a system comprising one or more Wi-Fi capable user entities, UE, a fixed wire-less terminal, FWT, offering Wi-Fi access to Wi-Fi capable UE’s, the FWT further communicating via Long Term Evolution, LTE, access to an eNodeB, that again provides user plane communication to a Serving Gateway, SGW, a Packet Data Network Gate-way, PGW, and to a Wi-Fi Mobility Gateway, WMG.

The method comprises the steps of the FWT:

-connecting to LTE network as a standard LTE terminal,

-obtaining an IP address from LTE network for data service,

-setting up a GRE tunnel with the WMG, whereby a WMG IP address (601) is the tunnel end-point and whereby user plane traffic from and to the UE’s is encapsulated inside said GRE tun-nel and relayed between the FWT and the WMG via the LTE network as a backhaul communi-cation, said GRE tunnel traversing the eNodeB, the SGW and the PGW and terminating in the WMG,

upon Wi-Fi capable UEs are connecting to the FWT, the FWT

-acting as a Wi-Fi AP from the UE point of view whereby a plurality of UEs can connect to the FWT at the same time.

The above object has also been accomplished by a Fixed wireless terminal, FWT, in a system comprising one or more Wi-Fi capable user entities, UE, the FW, offering Wi-Fi access to the UE’s, the FWT further communicating via Long Term Evolution, LTE, access to an eNodeB, that again provides user plane communication to a Serving Gateway, SGW, a Packet Data Network Gateway, PGW, and to a Wi-Fi Mobility Gateway, WMG.

The FWT is being adapted for

-connecting to LTE network as a standard LTE terminal, the FWT obtaining an IP address from LTE network for data service,

-setting up a GRE tunnel with the WMG, whereby a WMG IP address is the tunnel end-point and whereby user plane traffic from and to the UE’s is encapsulated in-side said GRE tunnel and relayed between FWT and WMG via the LTE network as a backhaul communication, said GRE tunnel traversing the eNodeB, the SGW and the PGW and terminating in the WMG, upon UE’s are connecting to the FWT,

The object has also been accomplished by a Wi-Fi Mobility Gateway, WMG in a system com-prising one or more Wi-Fi capable user entities, UE, a fixed wireless terminal, FWT, offering Wi-Fi access to UE’s, the FWT further communicating via Long Term Evolution, LTE, access to an eNodeB, that again provides user plane communication to a Serving Gateway, SGW, a Packet Data Network Gate-way, PGW, and to the WMG.

The WMG comprising processing means being adapted for

-participating transferring of uplink and downlink traffic encapsulating traffic inside the GRE tunnel, while

-acting as a gateway for the UE traffic from/to the Internet, performing policy control and charg-ing.

The above object has also been achieved by a system comprising one or more Wi-Fi capable user entities, UE, a fixed wireless terminal, FWT, offering Wi-Fi access to Wi-Fi capable UE’s, the FWT further communicating via Long Term Evolution, LTE, access to an eNodeB, that again provides user plane communication to a Serving Gateway, SGW, a Packet Data Network Gate-way, PGW, and to a Wi-Fi Mobility Gateway, WMG, the FWT:

-connecting to LTE network as a standard LTE terminal,

-obtaining an IP address from LTE network for data service.

The system is

-setting up a GRE tunnel with the WMG, whereby a WMG IP address is the tunnel end-point and whereby user plane traffic from and to the UE’s is encapsulated inside said GRE tunnel and relayed between the FWT and the WMG via the LTE network as a backhaul communication, said GRE tunnel traversing the eNodeB, the SGW and the PGW and terminating in the WMG. Upon UEs are connecting to the FWT, the FWT is

Thereby, the FWT’s LTE data path functions as backhaul and can provide data services to UE’s via Wi-Fi, which UE’s may not support LTE.

It is a further object of the invention to provide differentiated services in networks such as LTE networks.

It is a still further object to effectively detect the identity of the “real user” (UE) connected with the FWT.

According to an embodiment of the invention, a trusted Wi-Fi gateway, also denoted Wi-Fi Mo-bility Gateway, WMG (e.g. from Ericsson) , is provided in the network over the SGi interface. An EoGRE (Ethernet over Generic Routing Encapsulation) tunnel Another option is that the UE shall perform the address allocation procedures for at least one IP address (either IPv4 address or IPv6 prefix) after the default bearer activation if no IPv4 address is allocated during the de-fault bearer activation. The IP address can be obtained by the usage of DHCPv4, in such case the PDN Address shall be set to 0.0.0.0, indicating that the IPv4 PDN address shall be negoti-ated by the UE with DHCPv4 after completion of the Default Bearer Activation procedure in ac-cordance with 3GPP TS 23401.

3) After the FWT is obtaining an IP address from the LTE network (603 (Dst: FWT) ) , FWT sets up a GRE tunnel with the WMG. The WMG IP address is the tunnel end point. All user plane traffic to and from the Wi-Fi UE will be encapsulated inside the GRE tunnel and relayed between FWT and WMG via the LTE network as the backhaul.

4) Wi-Fi capable UEs connect to the FWT via a standard 802.11 interface of the FWT using standard procedures. The FWT is acting as a Wi-Fi AP from an UE point of view. Several UEs can connect to the FWT at the same time.

5) The Wi-Fi capable UEs pass access authentication (501-504, 601-604) to get an Internet service. The access authentication is performed via the known Extensible Authentication Proto-col, EAP, authentication through an operator’s network. The EAP payload (502-504, 601-603) is carried by Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service, RADIUS, protocol and transferred as the FWT payload through the LTE user plane between FWT and WMG. The EAP payload is the EAP message that carries EAP protocol for exchange authentication vectors and procedures.

6) The UE obtains an IP address from the WMG through DHCP (701-705; 801-804) .

7) Transfer of uplink and downlink traffic (901-903; 1001-1004) , while

8) WMG acts as gateway for the UE traffic from/to the Internet. Perform policy control and charging.

A control plane protocol stack is as shown in fig. 3B:

Upon association with the FWT via an IEEE 802.11 access procedure, the UE initiates an EAP (Extensible Authentication Protocol) procedure to the FWT, the standard 802.11 stack is used between UE and FWT.

Between FWT and WMG, the EAP payload is carried in RADIUS messages, WMG is acting as the RADIUS proxy and FWT acting as the RADIUS client. The RADIUS messages are trans-ferred transparently through the LTE network as the FWT payload.

WMG relays the RADIUS messages between FWT and the operator’s AAA server. Note that the FWT IP address is terminated at WMG. The RADIUS messages exchanged between WMG and AAA use the IP addresses of the WMG and the AAA server.

The stack between the UE and the FWT comprises (In the following –top to bottom direction) –EAP; 802.11 MAC; 802.11 PHY.

Between FWT and eNodeB: Radius; Data IP (UE) *, IP (FWT) , RDCP, RLC, MAC.

Between eNodeB and SGW+PGW: RADIUS (EAP) ; IP (FWT) ; GTP-U; UDP; IP; L2; L1.

Between SGW+PGW and WMG: Data; IP (UE) *; Ethernet *; GRE *; IP (FWT) ; L2; L1.

Between WMG and Internet: Data; IP (UE) *; L2; L1.

The user plane protocol stack is shown in fig. 4:

Between UE and FWT, the standard 802.11 stack is used for user plane traffic;

Between FWT and WMG, an end-to-end GRE tunnel is used to encapsulate the user packets (including the Ethernet layer) .

- For uplink traffic, the FWT inserts the Ethernet header and the whole IP packet of the UE into the GRE tunnel, and the GRE packet is transferred from FWT to WMG as the FWT payload transparently through the LTE network.

- For downlink traffic, the WMG insert the Ethernet header and the whole IP packet of the UE into the GRE tunnel, and the GRE packet is transferred from WMG to FWT as the FWT pay-load transparently through the LTE network.

WMG acts as the gateway for the UE traffic to/from the Internet.

The stack comprises:

Between the UE and the FWT: Data; IP (UE) *; 802.11 MAC; 802.11 PHY.

Between FWT and eNodeB: Data; IP (UE) *; Ethernet *; GRE *; IP (FWT) ; PDCP; RLC; MAC.

Between eNodeB and SGW+PGW: Data;

IP (UE) *; Ethernet *; GRE *; IP (FWT) ; GTP-U; UDP; IP; L2; L1.

Between SGW+PGW and WMG: Data; IP (UE) *; Ethernet *; GRE *; IP (FWT) ; L2; L1.

Between WMG and Internet: Data; IP (UE) *; L2; L1.

Signalling Flow

The signalling flow of the access authentication procedure for the UE is as shown in figs. 5 and 6:

The UE connects to the FWT via 802.11 procedure and triggers EAP authentication. Note that the EAP payload contains the real IMSI of the UE. In step 501, an EAPoL (Extensible Authenti-cation Protocol (EAP) over LAN) message is transmitted between the UE and the FWT.

The FWT uses RADIUS message to carry the EAP payload and the RADIUS messages are ex-changed between the FWT and WMG over LTE user plane as the FWT payload. The RADIUS messages are transparent to the LTE network and handled as the FWT payload.

Note that the first RADIUS request also contains the UE MAC address, which can be used by WMG to correlate the UE context later during the DHCP procedure. Radius Request messages 502 –504 are transmitted from FWT to eNodeB, to SGW+PGW and further to WMG.

The FWT IP packets (encapsulating RADIUS messages) are routed between PGW and WMG over the Gi interface.

WMG forwards the RADIUS messages 505 to the operator’s AAA server for EAP authentication. The AAA server can fetch the authentication vectors from HSS/HLR (Home Location register) and execute the standard EAP authentication.

Fig. 5 shows the following packets with contents:

Between the UE and the FWT 501 [to be completed] : EAPoL

Between FWT and eNodeB 502: RLC; RDCP; IP (Src: FWT, Dst: Wi-Fi Gateway) ; UDP: RADI-US.

Between eNodeB and SGW+PGW 503: IP (Src: eNB, Dst: EPG) ; GTP-U IP (Src: FWT, Dst: Wi-Fi Gateway) ; UDP; RADIUS .

Between SGW+PGW and WMG 504: IP (Src: FWT, Dst: Wi-Fi Gateway) ; UDP; RADIUS.

Between WMG and AAA 505: RADIUIS request; RADIUS accept.

The Radius Accept

message

601, 602, 603 is transmitted back from WMG to SGW+PGW, to eNodeB and FWT and to UE in EAPoL message 604

Fig. 6 shows:

Between WMG and SGW+GPGW 601-Radius Accept: IP (Src: Wi-Fi Gateway, Dst: FWT) ; UDP; RADIUS.

Between SGW+PGW and eNodeB 602-Radius Accept: IP (Src: EPG, Dst: eNB) ; GTP-U; IP (Src: Wi-Fi Gateway, Dst: FWT; ) UDP; RADIUS.

Between eNodeB and FWT 603-Radius Accept: RLC; RDCP; IP (Src: Wi-Fi Gateway, Dst: FWT) ; UDP; RADIUS.

Between FW and UE 604 –EAPoL message.

The signalling flow of the DHCP procedure for the UE is as shown in figs. 7 and 8:

After the successful EAP authentication procedure, the UE initiates Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol, DHCP, procedure over the Ethernet link layer to get an IP address. In 701 a DHCP Discovery message is transmitted from the UE to FWT.

The DHCP packets including the Ethernet layer are encapsulated inside the GRE tunnel be-tween the FWT and WMG 702. And the GRE packets are exchanged between the FWT and WMG as the FWT payload over LTE user plane 702 –704. The GRE packets are transparent to the LTE network and handled as the FWT payload. The Ethernet layer of the DHCP packets inside the GRE tunnel contains the MAC address of the UE, which is used by WMG to correlate UE context which is created during the access authentication.

The FWT IP packets (encapsulating GRE payload) 704 are routed between PGW and WMG over the Gi interface.

WMG allocates an IP address for the UE and stores the UE IP address in the UE context. The WMG response to the DHCP Discovery with a DHCP offer 705.

Fig. 7 shows the following packets with contents:

Between the UE and the FWT 701 -DHCP Discovery: Ethernet (Src: UE MAC) ; IP (Src: 0.0.0.0, Dst: 255.255.255.255) ; UDP; BOOTP.

Between FWT and eNodeB 702-DHCP Discovery: RLC; RDCP; IP (Src: FWT, Dst: Wi-Fi Gate-way) ; GRE; Ethernet (Src: UE MAC) ; IP (Src: 0.0.0.0, Dst: 255.255.255.255) ; UDP; BOOTP. Between eNodeB and SGW+PGW 703 -DHCP Discovery: IP (Src: eNB, Dst: GW) ; GTP-U; IP (Src: FWT, Dst: Wi-Fi Gateway) ; GRE; Ethernet (Src: UE MAC) ; IP (Src: 0.0.0.0, Dst: 255.255.255.255) ; UDP; BOOTP.

Between SGW+PGW and WMG 704 -DHCP Discovery: IP (Src: FWT, Dst: Wi-Fi Gateway) ; GRE Ethernet (Src: UE MAC) ; IP (Src: 0.0.0.0, Dst: 255.255.255.255) ; UDP; BOOTP.

Between WMG and SGW+PGW 705 DHCP-Offer: IP (Src: Wi-Fi Gateway, Dst: FWT) ; GRE; Ethernet (Dst: UE MAC) ; IP (Src: Wi-Fi Gateway, Dst: UE) ; UDP; BOOTP.

The DHCP offer is transmitted back 801 –803 to the UE. Subsequently, a DHCP Request/Acknowledge is signalled between the UE and the WMG.

Fig. 8 shows the following packets with contents:

Between SGW+PGW and eNodeB 801 705 DHCP-Offer: IP (Src: GW, Dst: eNB) ; GTP-U; IP (Src: Wi-Fi Gateway, Dst: FWT) ; GRE; Ethernet (Dst: UE MAC) ; IP (Src: Wi-Fi Gateway, Dst: UE) ; UDP; BOOTP.

Between eNodeB and FWT and 802 705 DHCP-Offer: RLC; RDCP; IP (Src: Wi-Fi Gateway, Dst: FWT) ; GRE; Ethernet (Dst: UE MAC) ; IP (Src: Wi-Fi Gateway, Dst: UE) UDP BOOTP.

Between the UE and the FWT and UE 803 705 DHCP-Offer: Ethernet (Dst: UE MAC) ; IP (Src: Wi-Fi Gateway, Dst: UE) ; UDP; BOOTP.

Between WMG and UE 804 –DHCP Request /Ack

The signalling flow of the UE payload is as shown in figs. 9 and 10:

After the successful DHCP procedure, the UE can initiate Internet service via the IP address allocated by WMG. Between the UE and FWT, the UE packets 901 are transferred through the 802.11 link layer. Between FWT and WMG 902, the UE packets including the Ethernet layer are encapsulated inside the GRE tunnel. The GRE packets are exchanged between the FWT and WMG as the FWT payload over LTE user plane. The GRE packets are transparent to the LTE network and handled as the FWT payload, 902 –903.

Fig. 9 shows the following packets with contents:

Between the UE and the FWT 901 Payload: Ethernet (Src: UE MAC) ; IP (Src: UE, Dst: Server) ; UDP/TCP; Application.

Between FWT and eNodeB 902 Payload: RLC; RDCP; IP (Src: FWT, Dst: Wi-Fi Gateway) ; GRE; Ethernet (Src: UE MAC) ; IP (Src: UE, Dst: Server) ; UDP/TCP; Application.

Between eNodeB and SGW+PGW 903 Payload: IP (Src: eNB, Dst: EPG) ; GTP-U; IP (Src: FWT, Dst: Wi-Fi Gateway) ; GRE; Ethernet (Src: UE MAC) ; IP (Src: UE, Dst: Server) ; UDP/TCP; Appli-cation.

Between SGW+PGW and WMG 904 Payload: IP (Src: FWT, Dst: Wi-Fi Gateway) ; GRE; Ether-net (Src: UE MAC) ; IP (Src: UE, Dst: Server) ; UDP/TCP; Application.

In fig. 10, the payload is transmitted back from VMG to the UE via SGW+PGW, eNodeB and FWT in messages 1001 –1004.

Fig. 10 shows the following packets with contents:

Between WMG and SGW+PGW 1001 –Payload: IP (Src: Wi-Fi Gateway, Dst: FWT) ; GRE; Ethernet (Dst: UE MAC) ; IP (Src: Server, Dst: UE) ; UDP/TCP Application.

Between SGW+PGW and eNodeB 1002 -Payload: IP (Src: EPG, Dst: eNB) ; GTP-U IP (Src: Wi-Fi Gateway, Dst: FWT) ; GRE Ethernet (Dst: UE MAC) ; IP (Src: Server, Dst: UE) ; UDP/TCP; Ap-plication.

Between eNodeB and FWT 1003 -Payload: RLC; RDCP; IP (Src: Wi-Fi Gateway, Dst: FWT) ; GRE; Ethernet (Dst: UE MAC) ; IP (Src: Server, Dst: UE) UDP/TCP; Application.

Between FWT and UE 1004 Payload: Ethernet (Dst: UE MAC) ; IP (Src: Server, Dst: UE) ; TCP/UDP; Application.

It is seen that some of the above embodiments of the invention, an operator can differentiate services for UEs using the FWT for LTE backhaul and apply the individual charging and policy control to the real end user. In this way, the operator can utilize the LTE network resource to provide high speed Internet service for non-LTE capable UEs and apply usage control charging for the UEs using LTE backhaul.

In fig. 11, there is shown a user equipment, UE, apparatus according to the invention.

The UE comprises processing means comprising a processor PCU_UE an external interface IF_UE and a memory, MEM_UE, in which memory instructions are stored and a processor PRC_UE for carrying out the method steps explained above. The UE communicates via the in-terface IF_UE. The interface IF_UE may comprise at least a Wi-Fi module.

There is moreover shown a FWT comprising processing means comprising a processor PCU_A, an interface IF_A; and a memory, MEM_A. Instructions are stored in the memory for being per-formed by the processor such that the method steps explained above are carried out and sig-nalling is communicated on the interface. The interface IF_E may comprise a Wi-Fi module and a LTE module for communicating with an eNodeB.

In fig. 11, there is further shown an eNodeB, apparatus according to the invention.

The eNodeB comprises processing means comprising a processor PCU_E an external LTE in-terface IF_E and a memory, MEM_E, in which memory instructions are stored and a processor PRC_E for carrying out the method steps explained above. The eNodeB communicates via the interface IF_E with the FWT.

There is also shown a SGW/PGW comprising processing means comprising a processor PCU_U an interface IF_U; and a memory, MEM_U. Instructions are stored in the memory for being performed by the processor such that the method steps explained above are carried out and such that corresponding signalling is effectuated on the interface.

In fig. 11, there is moreover shown an AAA comprising processing means comprising a proces-sor PCU_S, an interface IF_S; and a memory, MEM_S. Instructions are stored in the memory for being performed by the processor such that the method steps explained above are carried out and signalling is communicated on the interface.

Finally, a WMG is shown comprising processing means comprising a processor PCU_W an in-terface IF_W; and a memory, MEM_W. Instructions are stored in the memory for being per-formed by the processor such that the method steps explained above are carried out and such that corresponding signalling is effectuated on the interface.

In conclusion there is provided:

A method for a system comprising one or more Wi-Fi capable user entities, UE, a fixed wire-less terminal, FWT, offering Wi-Fi access to Wi-Fi capable UE’s, the FWT further communicating via Long Term Evolution, LTE, access to an eNodeB, that again provides user plane communica-tion to a Serving Gateway, SGW, a Packet Data Network Gateway, PGW, and to a Wi-Fi Mobili-ty Gateway, WMG.

The method comprising the steps of the FWT

-connecting 1 to LTE network as a standard LTE terminal,

-obtaining 2 an IP address from LTE network for data service,

-setting up 3 a GRE tunnel with the WMG, whereby a WMG IP address 601 is the tun-nel end-point and whereby user plane traffic from and to the UE’s is encapsulated inside said GRE tun-nel and relayed between the FWT and the WMG via the LTE network as a backhaul communi-cation 902 -903; 1001 -1003, said GRE tunnel traversing the eNodeB, the SGW and the PGW and terminating in the WMG.

Upon Wi-Fi capable UEs are connecting to the FWT, the FWT

-acting 4 as a Wi-Fi AP from the UE point of view whereby a plurality of UEs can con-nect to the FWT at the same time.

The UEs may be

-performing 5 access authentication via Extensible Authentication Protocol, EAP, authentication through an operator’s network,

EAP payload may be carried by Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service, RADIUS, protocol 502 –504; 601 -603 and transferred as a FWT payload through the LTE user plane between FWT and WMG.

The UE may be

- obtaining 6 an IP-address from the WMG through Dynamic Host Configuration Proto-col, DHCP, 701-705; 801-804 procedure.

A UE MAC address may be derived form a RADIUS request, which MAC address is used by WMG to correlate a UE context during the DHCP procedure.

The system can

-transfer 7 of uplink and downlink traffic 901-903; 1001-1004 encapsulating traffic inside the GRE tunnel, while

The WMG may be

-acting 8 as a gateway for the UE traffic from/to the Internet, performing policy control and charging.

There is also provided a fixed wireless terminal, FWT, in a system comprising one or more Wi-Fi capable user entities, UE, the FW, offering Wi-Fi access to the UE’s, the FWT further communi-cating via Long Term Evolution, LTE, access to an eNodeB, that again provides user plane communication to a Serving Gateway, SGW, a Packet Data Network Gateway, PGW, and to a Wi-Fi Mobility Gateway, WMG.

The FWT being adapted for

-connecting 1 to LTE network as a standard LTE terminal, the FWT obtaining 2 an IP address from LTE network for data service,

-setting up 3 a GRE tunnel with the WMG, whereby a WMG IP address 601 is the tunnel end-point and whereby user plane traffic from and to the UE’s is encapsulated in-side said GRE tun-nel and relayed between FWT and WMG via the LTE network as a backhaul communication 902 -903; 1001 -1003, said GRE tunnel traversing the eNodeB, the SGW and the PGW and terminating in the WMG,upon UE’s are connecting to the FWT,

-acting 4 as a Wi-Fi AP from the UE point of view whereby a plurality of UEs can connect to the FWT at the same time.

The processing means may comprise a processor PCU_A an interface IF_A and a memory, MEM_A and wherein instructions are stored in the memory for being per-formed by the proces-sor.

There is also provided a Wi-Fi Mobility Gateway, WMG in a system comprising one or more Wi-Fi capable user entities, UE, a fixed wireless terminal, FWT, offering Wi-Fi access to UE’s, the FWT further communicating via Long Term Evolution, LTE, access to an eNodeB, that again provides user plane communication to a Serving Gateway, SGW, a Packet Data Network Gate-way, PGW, and to the WMG.

The WMG is comprising processing means being adapted for

-participating transferring 7 of uplink and downlink traffic 901-903; 1001-1004 encapsulating traffic inside the GRE tunnel, while

The above processing means may comprise a processor PCU_W an interface IF_W and a memory, MEM_W and wherein instructions are stored in the memory for being performed by the processor.

There is provided a system comprising one or more Wi-Fi capable user entities, UE, a fixed wireless terminal, FWT, offering Wi-Fi access to Wi-Fi capable UE’s, the FWT further communi-cating via Long Term Evolution, LTE, access to an eNodeB, that again provides user plane communication to a Serving Gateway, SGW, a Packet Data Network Gateway, PGW, and to a Wi-Fi Mobility Gateway, WMG.

The FWT

-connecting 1 to LTE network as a standard LTE terminal,

-obtaining 2 an IP address from LTE network for data service,

-setting up 3 a GRE tunnel with the WMG, whereby a WMG IP address 601 is the tunnel end-point and whereby user plane traffic from and to the UE’s is encapsulated inside said GRE tun-nel and relayed between the FWT and the WMG via the LTE network as a backhaul communi-cation 902 -903; 1001 -1003, said GRE tunnel traversing the eNodeB, the SGW and the PGW and terminating in the WMG.

Upon UEs are connecting to the FWT, the FWT

The above described methods may be carried out by means of instructions of a computer pro-gram or computer program product, the computer program or computer program product being stored in memory.

Claims

Method for a system comprising one or more Wi-Fi capable user entities, UE, a fixed wire-less terminal, FWT, offering Wi-Fi access to Wi-Fi capable UE’s, the FWT further com-municating via Long Term Evolution, LTE, access to an eNodeB, that again provides user plane communication to a Serving Gateway, SGW, a Packet Data Network Gateway, PGW, and to a Wi-Fi Mobility Gateway, WMG,

the method comprising the steps of

the FWT

- connecting (1) to LTE network as a standard LTE terminal,

- obtaining (2) an IP address from LTE network for data service,

- setting up (3) a GRE tunnel with the WMG, whereby a WMG IP address (601) is the tun-nel end-point and whereby user plane traffic from and to the UE’s is encapsulated inside said GRE tunnel and relayed between the FWT and the WMG via the LTE network as a backhaul communication (902-903; 1001-1003) , said GRE tunnel traversing the eNodeB, the SGW and the PGW and terminating in the WMG,

upon Wi-Fi capable UEs are connecting to the FWT, the FWT

- acting (4) as a Wi-Fi AP from the UE point of view whereby a plurality of UEs can con-nect to the FWT at the same time.
Method according to 1 comprising the steps of the UEs are

- performing (5) access authentication via Extensible Authentication Protocol, EAP, au-thentication through an operator’s network,
Method according to claim 2, wherein EAP payload is carried by Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service, RADIUS, protocol (502–504; 601-603) and transferred as a FWT payload through the LTE user plane between FWT and WMG.
Method according to claim 2 or 3, wherein further comprising the UE

- obtaining (6) an IP-address from the WMG through Dynamic Host Configuration Proto-col, DHCP, (701-705; 801-804) procedure.
Method according to claim 3 and 4, wherein a UE MAC address is derived form a RADIUS request, which MAC address is used by WMG to correlate a UE context during the DHCP procedure.
Method according to claim 4 or 5, wherein further comprising the system

- transferring (7) of uplink and downlink traffic (901-903; 1001-1004) encapsulating traffic inside the GRE tunnel, while

the WMG is

- acting (8) as a gateway for the UE traffic from/to the Internet, performing policy control and charging.
Fixed wireless terminal, FWT, in a system comprising one or more Wi-Fi capable user en-tities, UE, the FW, offering Wi-Fi access to the UE’s, the FWT further communicating via Long Term Evolution, LTE, access to an eNodeB, that again provides user plane commu-nication to a Serving Gateway, SGW, a Packet Data Network Gateway, PGW, and to a Wi-Fi Mobility Gateway, WMG,

the FWT being adapted for

- connecting (1) to LTE network as a standard LTE terminal, the FWT obtaining (2) an IP address from LTE network for data service,

- setting up (3) a GRE tunnel with the WMG, whereby a WMG IP address (601) is the tun-nel end-point and whereby user plane traffic from and to the UE’s is encapsulated in-side said GRE tunnel and relayed between FWT and WMG via the LTE network as a backhaul communication (902-903; 1001-1003) , said GRE tunnel traversing the eNodeB, the SGW and the PGW and terminating in the WMG,

upon UE’s are connecting to the FWT,

- acting (4) as a Wi-Fi AP from the UE point of view whereby a plurality of UEs can connect to the FWT at the same time.
FWT according to claim 7, wherein the processing means comprises a processor (PCU_A) an interface (IF_A) and a memory, (MEM_A) and wherein instructions are stored in the memory for being per-formed by the processor.
Wi-Fi Mobility Gateway, WMG in a system comprising one or more Wi-Fi capable user entities, UE, a fixed wireless terminal, FWT, offering Wi-Fi access to UE’s, the FWT fur-ther communicating via Long Term Evolution, LTE, access to an eNodeB, that again pro-vides user plane communication to a Serving Gateway, SGW, a Packet Data Network Gateway, PGW, and to the WMG,

the WMG comprising processing means being adapted for

- participating transferring (7) of uplink and downlink traffic (901-903; 1001-1004) encap-sulating traffic inside the GRE tunnel, while

- acting (8) as a gateway for the UE traffic from/to the Internet, performing policy control and charging.
WMG according to claim 9, wherein the processing means comprises a processor (PCU_W) an interface (IF_W) and a memory, (MEM_W) and wherein instructions are stored in the memory for being performed by the processor.
System comprising one or more Wi-Fi capable user entities, UE, a fixed wireless terminal, FWT, offering Wi-Fi access to Wi-Fi capable UE’s, the FWT further communicating via Long Term Evolution, LTE, access to an eNodeB, that again provides user plane commu-nication to a Serving Gateway, SGW, a Packet Data Network Gateway, PGW, and to a Wi-Fi Mobility Gateway, WMG,

the FWT

- connecting (1) to LTE network as a standard LTE terminal,

- obtaining (2) an IP address from LTE network for data service,

- setting up (3) a GRE tunnel with the WMG, whereby a WMG IP address (601) is the tun-nel end-point and whereby user plane traffic from and to the UE’s is encapsulated inside said GRE tunnel and relayed between the FWT and the WMG via the LTE network as a backhaul communication (902-903; 1001-1003) , said GRE tunnel traversing the eNodeB, the SGW and the PGW and terminating in the WMG,

upon UEs are connecting to the FWT, the FWT

- acting (4) as a Wi-Fi AP from the UE point of view whereby a plurality of UEs can con-nect to the FWT at the same time.
Computer program or computer program product comprising instructions that when run on a processor carries out any of the methods according to claims 1–6.