Multi-hop data path through each of separate layer-three data links between a relay station, base station and ASN-GW

摘要

In a wireless network 500, a separate layer-three data link 512, 516 is formed between each of a relay station 506, a base station 504 and an access service network gateway (ASN-GW) 502. Each separate layer-three data link 512, 516 is mapped from the ASN-GW 502 to a next element in the wireless network to form a data path from the ASN-GW 502 to the relay station 506. Data packets can be sent between a mobile station 508 and the ASN-GW 502 through each layer-three data link 512, 516 using a tunneling protocol such that each layer-three data link 512, 516 forms a separate tunnel 510, 514. The tunneling protocol may be generic routing encapsulation (GRE) for a MiMax network or GPRS tunneling protocol (GTP) for a 3GPP network. Additionally, when the data path between mobile station 508 and ASN-GW 502 is changed due to handover, single hop tunnel sections that remain in the data path can be reused (see figure 7). Thus, data transmission in a multi-hop infrastructure may be improved.