Method and system for providing wireless services using an access network and a core network based on different technologies
Provided is a method and system for enabling mobile devices, radio access networks (RANs), and core networks (CNs) based on different specifications and underlying technologies to communicate. The mobile device and the RAN may be based on one technology, such as a code division multiple access (CDMA) specification, while the CN may be based on another technology, such as a global system for mobile communications (GSM) specification. The method takes a CDMA message received by the RAN, converts it into a corresponding GSM message, and passes it to the CN. Alternatively, a new GSM message may be created. Similarly, a GSM message from the CN may be converted into a CDMA message (or a new CDMA message may be created) and the CDMA message passed on to the RAN. The method may also initiate a function or procedure in one portion of a network using one technology when a certain message is received from another portion of the network using a different technology. This provides a cost-effective and flexible process that, among other advantages, enables the mobile device to communicate with incompatible CNs.
1. A telecommunications system for providing a wireless service between a mobile device of a wireless access network using CDMA technology and a wireless core network using GSM technology, the system comprising:
a radio access network in the wireless access network for receiving a first message from the mobile device, wherein the radio access network uses CDMA technology;
the wireless core network accessible to the radio access network;
a first means for converting the received first message from CDMA technology to GSM technology, so that the wireless core network is accessible to the mobile device, said first means including
a processor;
a memory accessible to the processors; and
a plurality of instructions stored in the memory for processing by the processor, the instructions for;
identifying a second message, wherein the second message is based on GMS technology and corresponds to the first message;
adding information associated with GSM technology to the first message if a comparison between the first and second messages indicates that additional information is needed to make the first message compatible with the GMS technology; and
removing information associated with CDMA technology from the first message if the comparison between the first and second messages indicates that information should be removed to make the first message compatible with the GSM technology.
2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a second means for converting a third message from GSM technology to CDMA technology.
3. The system of claim 2 wherein the second means includes further instructions stored in the memory for processing by the processor, the instructions comprising:
analyzing the third message to identify a fourth message, wherein the fourth message is based on CDMA technology and corresponds to the third message;
adding information associated with CDMA technology to the third message if a comparison between the third and fourth messages indicates that additional information is needed to make the third message compatible with CDMA technology; and
removing information associated with the GSM technology from the third message if the comparison between the third and fourth messages indicates that information should be removed to make the third message compatible with the CDMA technology.
4. The system of claim 3 wherein at least one of the first and second means is a mobile switching center.
5. The system of claim 1 wherein the means for converting the first message includes a mobile switching center.
6. The system of claim 5 wherein the mobile switching center includes a first interface compatible with CDMA technology and a second interface compatible with GSM technology.
7. The system of claim 1 wherein the means for converting the first message includes a software switch.
8. The system of claim 1 further comprising a second radio access network based on GSM technology, wherein a second mobile device compatible with GSM technology can communicate directly with the wireless core network.