Integration of micro-mobility with QoS in IP/MPLS-based radio access networks

This paper addresses a new approach of IP/MPLS to investigate how micro-mobility can be provided in an efficient way with continuous QoS support. A new common framework of hierarchical IP/MPLS-based for 3G-RAN (radio access network) architecture is proposed. An enhanced label edge router (LER) called local mobility agent (LMA) is introduced to setup two-stage label switched paths (LSPs) between radio network controller (RNC) and base station (BS) for reducing handover latency caused by local mobility. The method of locating LMA in the network is described and the associated signaling procedures, such as registration, LSP setup, resource management are proposed accordingly. One of the design objectives of the scheme proposed is to maximize network support of local mobility and minimize burden on the mobile terminal, as well as seamless integration with macro-mobility protocol like Mobile IP.