Communicating packet data with a mobile station roaming within an incompatible mobile network

DETAILED DESCRIPTION A system is disclosed for enabling a mobile station associated with a first packet data network to roam within a second packet data network where the data routing mechanisms utilized by the first and second packet data networks are incompatible.
To handle the situation where a mobile station associated with a first packet data network utilizing a first mobility management roams into a second packet data network utilizing a second mobility management, a foreign agent is introduced into the second packet data network.
The foreign agent connects with a gateway packet mobile switching center (GPMSC) associated with the second packet data network and with a home agent associated with the first packet data network.
An Internet Protocol (IP) tunnel is then established between the home agent and the foreign agent enabling the home agent to directly deliver incoming packet data to the serving foreign agent.
The GPMSC within the second packet data network further comprises an interface module for communicating with the foreign agent.
The GPMSC further comprises a Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) server for effectuating a PPP connection with the roaming mobile station.
As another embodiment of the present invention, to handle the situation where a mobile station associated with the second packet data network roams into the first packet data network, a home agent is introduced into the second packet data network.
The foreign agent currently serving the roaming mobile station then establishes a connection with the home agent and with a visited mobile switching center (VMSC) currently providing radio coverage for the mobile station located within a particular geographic area.
More specifically, the foreign agent establishes an IP tunnel with the home agent.
The foreign agent associated with the first packet data network further comprises a serving router for routing packet data communicated with the roaming mobile station.
The foreign agent in accordance with the teachings of the present invention also includes a Mobile IP Client Emulator (MICE)