1. Technical Field
The present invention relates in general to a method and system for permitting rapid implementation of new services within communications systems. In particular, the present invention relates to a method and system for taking direct advantage of new technological advances in network design and traffic transport. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and system for allowing independence of session processing from the RF technology utilized in the wireless or satellite system, thus maximizing the re-use of session processing functionality, software, and hardware in diverse wireless and satellite networks. Still more particularly, the present invention relates to a method and system for partitioning the functions of RF channel assignment, session admission control, authentication, subscriber profile management, fast message services, billing operations, and OAM (Operations, Administration and Maintenance), thus simplifying the design of each function and maximizing the re-use of existing components, thereby allowing network operators to control session admission, session setup and release, the type and number of sessions that concurrently exist, and the quality of service for the sessions.
2. Description of the Related Art
Factors driving the need for wireless and satellite communications arise from changing user needs and demands. Previously, public network needs were driven primarily by voice data telephony. Wireless and satellite communications are sometimes referred to as multiple access communications systems, reflecting the fact that they involve multiple communications terminals that share the same communication medium. Multiple access communications systems are distinguished from so-called "point-to-point" communications which are found in terrestrial telephone networks in which physically separate communications links are utilized.
Data traffic has grown slowly until recently. With the lower cost in telecommunications and increase in processing power of computers, the number of users accessing wireless and satellite communications networks has increased. The needs of these users include, for example, video telephone, low cost video conferencing, imaging, high definition television (HDTV), and other applications requiring multimedia data transfers. Multimedia combines different forms of media in the communication of information between a user and a data processing system, such as a personal computer. A multimedia application is an application that utilizes different forms of communications within a single application. Multimedia applications may, for example, communicate data to a user on a computer via audio, text, and video simultaneously. Such multimedia applications are usually bit intensive, real time, and very demanding on communications networks.
A multiple access communications system is comprised of a set of transmission and reception devices that include individual communications terminals, such as a personal computer or gateways which act as communications hubs for multiple terminals. A communications session is initiated when a communications request is delivered from an originating terminal to some form of Network Control Center (NCC). In a satellite communications system, a connection request is first delivered to a transceiver aboard a satellite. Thereafter, the satellite then relays the connection request message to the NCC which is comprised of the various control devices and entities that must process the request before the connection will be permitted to proceed.
Before the NCC will authorize the satellite to perform the requested connection, the control devices and entities, referred to hereinafter as control interfaces must perform various functions such as user authentication, billing updates, RF channel allocation and updates, etc. As previously discussed, multimedia communications within a multiple access communications system is enormously complex and the control functions required to setup and monitor such communications is likewise multifaceted and complex.
As an example, an NCC may include several distinct devices responsible for different control functions. For simplicity of explanation, these devices will be referred to hereinafter as "control interfaces". Currently an NCC utilized in a multiple access communications system may employ many different control interfaces that individually perform particular control functions such as those involved in communication setup or in monitoring a parameter, such as channel quality, after the communication link has been established. These control functions are often handled as discrete functions and are therefore performed entirely separately without adequate interfacing to permit efficient, orderly and reliable control administration.
The sheer complexity and the substantial potential for confusion resulting in errors are an inherent problem involved in controlling such communications sessions. One example of such an error occurs when an authentic but financially defaulted telecommunications account is erroneously permitted to place a long-distance call. Many other such examples are possible.
Based on the foregoing, it can be appreciated that a need exists for a method and system for issuing the necessary instructions to and from communications control interfaces. Such a method and system may be utilized for coordinating activities among the various network devices in wireless and satellite communications networks. Among the advantages of implementing such a method and system is that such a technique would prevent a communications control center (located on a satellite, for example) from receiving conflicting control messages. Such a method and system would thus increase the efficiency and reliability of the control phase of wireless and satellite communications systems. Such a method and system, if implemented, would also be useful to control and regulate network traffic congestion while maintaining Quality of Service (QoS) guarantees for users of such wireless and satellite communications networks.