Method for reconnecting a mobile terminal in a wireless network
View Patent ↗A method for re-connecting a mobile terminal roaming in a wireless network via a target base station (TBS) after the occurrence of an uncontrolled disconnection of the mobile from a serving base station (SBS) via which the mobile was receiving and transmitting communications prior to the uncontrolled disconnection. An entity is established associated with the wireless network operative as a single authentication access entity (SAE) for the mobile, as long as its location remains within that wireless network, the identity of which is sent to the SBS. Following the occurrence of uncontrolled disconnection and in response to the mobile sending an indication to the TBS, the TBS is requested to execute the entry of the mobile as a handover process. The SBS transmits the identity of the SAE to the TBS. At the TBS, parameters associated with the mobile are retrieved from the SAE.
1. A method for re-connecting a mobile terminal roaming in a wireless network via a target base station after the occurrence of an uncontrolled disconnection of communications between said mobile terminal and a serving base station via which said mobile terminal was receiving and transmitting communications prior to said uncontrolled disconnection, and wherein said method comprises the steps of:
establishing an entity associated with said wireless network operative as a single authentication access entity for said mobile terminal, as long as the location of said mobile terminal remains within said wireless network;
providing the serving base station with an indication of the identity of said single authentication access entity;
following the occurrence of uncontrolled disconnection and in response to an attempt made by said mobile terminal to reconnect to said wireless network via said target base station, receiving at the target base station an indication of the identity of said single authentication access entity, transmitted by said serving base station; and
at the target base station, retrieving parameters associated with said mobile terminal from the single authentication access entity,
wherein said uncontrolled disconnection is a member of the group consisting of:
loss of connectivity between said serving base station and said mobile terminal, where the latter has not transmitted a handover request or a handover indication message;
loss of connectivity between said serving base station and said mobile terminal, after receiving at said serving base station a partial indication of a handover process that said mobile terminal is about to undergo;
receiving an indication, in a handover request transmitted by said mobile terminal, of a group comprising a plurality of base stations, and wherein said target base station has not been included in said group; and
any combination thereof.
2. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the step of receiving said indication, is preceded by the following steps:
providing said target base station, by said mobile terminal, an indication of the serving base station identity; and
initiating by said target base station a request addressed to said serving base station to provide an indication of the identity of said single authentication access entity.
3. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said serving base station stores pre-defined information concerning said mobile terminal for a pre-determined period of time following an uncontrolled disconnection of communication with said mobile terminal.
4. A method according to claim 3 , wherein said pre-defined information comprises the identity of said single authentication access entity.
5. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the attempt made by said mobile terminal to reconnect via said target base station comprises sending an indication by the terminal to said target base station, requesting the latter to execute the entry of said mobile terminal as a handover process.