Method and apparatus for transmission of internet control message protocol messages as short message service (SMS) messages in a communications network comprised of mobile stations

摘要

In one aspect of the invention signal/control messages are embedded as packets in the payloads of SMS messages. The SMS messages are transmitted in a cellular network employing SMPP protocol. SMS messages intended to traverse an TCP/IP network are introduced to the TCP/IP network employing ICMP protocol. The protocol conversions are performed by a message center (MC), such as a SMS center or an SGSN in a cellular network or a WLAN Access Router when the SMS message is forwarded to a WLAN. The SMS messages are typically created by a mobile user, which is also capable of receiving the SMS messages having a signal/control message in the SMS message payload.