Apparatus and Method for Providing a Rapidly Deployable Wireless Network

Abstract

The invention includes apparatus and method for providing a rapidly deployable wireless network. An apparatus includes means for providing radio access network (RAN) functions, means for providing at least one core (CORE) networking function, and means for providing at least one service. The RAN functions include at least one air interface, at least one control function, and at least one network gateway function. The CORE networking functions include at least one of an AAA function, a DNS function, a DHCP function, a call/session control function, and the like. The apparatus may further include means for providing at least one additional wireless interface, including one or more of a wireless mesh interface, a wireless backhaul interface, and a wireless management interface. The apparatus is adapted for being deployed on a mobile platform. The apparatus may be used to provide a standalone wireless network independent of existing network infrastructure, or an integrated wireless network utilizing existing network infrastructure.

1 . An apparatus for providing a rapidly-deployable, fully-functional, standalone cellular network, comprising:
 means for providing radio access network (RAN) functions comprising at least one air interface, at least one control function, and at least one network gateway function;   means for providing at least one core networking function; and   means for providing at least one service;   wherein the apparatus is adapted for being deployed using a mobile platform;   wherein the apparatus is adapted for providing the at least one core networking function and the at least one service independent of any existing network infrastructure.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one air interface comprises at least one interface supporting wireless access communications for user devices. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 means for providing at least one additional wireless interface.   
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one additional wireless interface comprises at least one interface supporting wireless mesh communications. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one additional wireless interface comprises at least one interface supporting wireless backhaul communications with an existing network infrastructure. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one additional wireless interface comprises at least one interface supporting wireless management communications with a management device. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the means for providing RAN functions comprises a base station router (BSR). 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one core networking function comprises at least one of an authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) function, a domain name service (DNS) function, a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) function, and a call/session control function. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one service function comprises at least one of a voice application, a voice conferencing application, a data application, a video application, and a video conferencing application. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the mobile platform comprises a vehicle. 
   
   
       11 . A method for providing a rapidly-deployable, fully-functional, standalone cellular network, comprising:
 communicating information using a network element, wherein the network element is adapted to support radio access network (RAN) functions, at least one core networking function, and at least one service;   wherein the RAN functions comprise at least one air interface, at least one control function, and at least one network gateway function;   wherein the network element is adapted for being deployed using a mobile platform;   wherein the network element is adapted for providing the at least one core networking function and the at least one service independent of any existing network infrastructure.   
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one air interface comprises at least one interface supporting wireless access communications for user devices. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the network element is further adapted to support at least one additional wireless interface. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one additional wireless interface comprises at least one of at least one interface supporting wireless mesh communications, at least one interface supporting wireless backhaul communications with an existing network infrastructure, and at least one interface supporting wireless management communications with a management device. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one core networking function comprises at least one of an authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) function, a domain name service (DNS) function, a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) function, and a call/session control function. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one service comprises at least one of a voice application, a voice conferencing application, a data application, a video application, and a video conferencing application. 
   
   
       17 . A method for providing a rapidly-deployable, fully-functional, standalone cellular network, comprising:
 placing a node on a mobile platform, wherein said node supports radio access network (RAN) functions, at least one core networking function, and at least one service, wherein the RAN functions comprise at least one air interface, at least one control function, and at least one network gateway function, wherein the node is adapted for providing the at least one core networking function and the at least one service independent of any existing network infrastructure; and   directing the mobile platform to a network site at which the rapidly-deployable, fully-functional, standalone cellular network is to be formed.   
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 configuring the node to support communications at the network site.   
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 supporting communications associated with at least one wireless user device at the network site using the node.   
   
   
       20 . An apparatus for providing a rapidly-deployable, fully-functional, standalone cellular network, comprising:
 a base station router providing radio access network (RAN) functions comprising at least one air interface, at least one control function, and at least one network gateway function;   a wireless interface module providing at least one of a wireless mesh interface, a wireless backhaul interface, and a wireless management interface;   a core networking functions module providing at least one core networking function; and   a services module providing at least one service;   wherein the apparatus is adapted for being deployed using a mobile platform;   wherein the apparatus is adapted for providing the at least one core networking function and the at least one service independent of any existing network infrastructure.   
   
   
       21 . An apparatus for providing a rapidly-deployable, fully-functional, standalone cellular network independent of existing network infrastructure, comprising:
 a base station router providing radio access network (RAN) functions comprising at least one air interface, at least one control function, and at least one network gateway function;   a wireless interface module providing at least one wireless mesh interface, at least one wireless backhaul interface, and at least one wireless management interface;   a core networking module providing at least one core networking function; and   a services module providing at least one service;   wherein the apparatus is adapted for being deployed using a mobile platform;   wherein the apparatus is adapted for selecting between providing the at least one core networking function and the at least one service independent of any existing network infrastructure and providing the at least one core networking function and the at least one service using backhaul connectivity to an existing network infrastructure.