Method and arrangement for legacy fallback between communication network systems
09736736 · 2017-08-15
Assignee
Inventors
Cpc classification
H04W36/0022
ELECTRICITY
H04W72/0453
ELECTRICITY
H04W60/00
ELECTRICITY
International classification
Abstract
A method for handling Circuit Switched Fallback from a Packet Switched domain includes receiving an indication that Circuit Switched Fallback is supported from an eNodeB located within the Packet Switched domain. The method also includes registering to a Circuit Switched domain associated with Circuit Switched Fallback by tunneling Circuit Switched Registration information, via the eNodeB, to the Circuit Switched domain, thereby enabling the User Equipment to setup a Circuit Switched call or receive a Circuit Switched page. The method also includes receiving a Circuit Switched specific parameter setting from the eNodeB. The Circuit Switched specific parameter setting includes decoding information to facilitate decoding of transmissions in the Circuit Switched domain. Additionally, the method includes, after receiving the Circuit Switched specific parameter setting, switching from the Packet Switched domain to the Circuit Switched domain and using the decoding information to access the Circuit Switched domain.
Claims
1. A method for handling Circuit Switched Fallback, in a User Equipment residing in a Packet Switched domain, comprising: receiving an indication that Circuit Switched Fallback is supported from an eNodeB located within the Packet Switched domain; registering to a Circuit Switched domain associated with Circuit Switched Fallback, enabling the User Equipment to subsequently setup a Circuit Switched call or subsequently receive a Circuit Switched page; receiving a message comprising a Circuit Switched specific parameter setting from the eNodeB, wherein the Circuit Switched specific parameter setting comprises an indication of a 1xRTT carrier frequency utilized by the Circuit Switched domain, wherein the message comprises a radio resource control (RRC) connection release and re-direct message; applying the received Circuit Switched specific parameter setting; and switching from the Packet Switched domain to the Circuit Switched domain.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein registering to a Circuit Switched domain associated with Circuit Switched Fallback comprises tunneling Circuit Switched Registration information, via the eNodeB, to the Circuit Switched domain.
3. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving an indication of an incoming Circuit Switched Service from the eNodeB.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the User Equipment is in idle mode, the method further comprising: transiting the User Equipment from idle mode to active mode after registry to the Circuit Switched domain associated with Circuit Switched Fallback.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the message further comprises a CDMA system time or a Long Code State or a combination thereof.
6. A method in a User Equipment residing in a Packet Switched domain, the method comprising: receiving an indication that Circuit Switched Fallback is supported from an eNodeB located within the Packet Switched domain; registering to a Circuit Switched domain associated with Circuit Switched Fallback, enabling the User Equipment to subsequently setup a Circuit Switched call or subsequently receive a Circuit Switched page; receiving a message comprising a Circuit Switched specific parameter setting from the eNodeB, wherein the Circuit Switched specific parameter setting comprises an indication of a 1xRTT carrier frequency utilized by the Circuit Switched domain, wherein the message comprises a handover message; applying the received Circuit Switched specific parameter setting; and switching from the Packet Switched domain to the Circuit Switched domain.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein registering to a Circuit Switched domain associated with Circuit Switched Fallback comprises tunneling Circuit Switched Registration information, via the eNodeB, to the Circuit Switched domain.
8. The method of claim 6, further comprising receiving an indication of an incoming Circuit Switched Service from the eNodeB.
9. The method of claim 6, wherein the User Equipment is in idle mode, the method further comprising: transiting the User Equipment from idle mode to active mode after registry to the Circuit Switched domain associated with Circuit Switched Fallback.
10. The method of claim 6, wherein the message further comprises a CDMA system time or a Long Code State or a combination thereof.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) In the drawings, wherein like reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views:
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
(13) The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numbers in different drawings may identify the same or similar elements. Also, the following detailed description does not limit the invention.
(14) Abbreviations/Definitions
(15) UE User Equipment (mobile terminal) 1xRTT A CDMA2000 system supporting both Circuit Switched and Packet Switched traffic HRPD or EVDO A CDMA2000 system only supporting Packet Switched traffic MSC Mobile Switching Center (used for Circuit Switched services) MME Mobility Management Entity eNB or eNode B Long Term Evolution (LTE) base station
(16) The described concept is different from traditional handover concepts since it is applies the principles to Circuit Switched fallback from one system in a first environment to another system in a second environment and it further deals with Circuit Switched specific parameters, and CDMA2000 specific parameters in particular, like CDMA system time and PN offset that are not used in GERAN/UTRAN.
(17) The basic concept of the embodiments described herein is to, when the mobile terminal/user equipment (UE) 110 in LTE wants to setup a Circuit Switched call or receives a Circuit Switched page, let the LTE network provide the user equipment 110 with information, which will speed up the access towards the 1xRTT system. This information will include parameters such as 1xRTT carrier frequency, 1xRTT system time (Global Positioning System (GPS) time used for synchronization), target cell physical cell identity (PN offset) as well as any other information needed by the user equipment 110 in order to access the system.
(18) This information is either static and can be stored in the LTE network or can easily be generated by the LTE network (e.g. the system time), thus avoiding the need to perform any signaling with the 1xRTT network before the 1xRTT transition.
(19) The 1xRTT system time can be expressed as a reference to by the user equipment 110 and network known time in LTE (e.g. a specific system frame number). Which cell the user equipment 110 should go to, can also be statically configured, in order to avoid additional measurements on the 1xRTT cells from LTE (typically the 1xRTT and LTE cells can be co-sited). If these parameters are provided to the user equipment 110 the access delay can be significantly reduced.
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(28) Microphone 810 may receive audible information from a user of user equipment 110. Speaker 820 may provide audible information to a user of user equipment 110. Input elements 830 may include control buttons and/or a keypad. The control buttons may permit a user to interact with user equipment 110 to cause user equipment 110 to perform one or more operations. For example, the control buttons may be used to cause user equipment 110 to transmit information. The keypad may include a standard telephone keypad. Display 840 may provide visual information to a user. For example, display 840 may display text input into user equipment 110, text and/or graphics received from another device, and/or information regarding incoming or outgoing calls or text messages, media, games, phone books, address books, the current time, etc.
(29) Although
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(32) Antenna 930 may include one or more antennas to transmit and/or receive radio frequency (RF) signals over the air. Antenna 930 may, for example, receive RF signals from transceiver 905 and transmit the RF signals over the air to an eNB and receive RF signals over the air from said eNB and provide the RF signals to transceiver 905.
(33) Transceiver 905 may include, for example, a transmitter that may convert baseband signals from processing logic 910 to RF signals and/or a receiver that may convert RF signals to baseband signals. Alternatively, transceiver 905 may include a transceiver to perform functions of both a transmitter and a receiver. Transceiver 905 may connect to antenna 930 for transmission and/or reception of the RF signals.
(34) Processing logic 910 may include a processor, microprocessor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field programmable gate array (FPGA), or the like. Processing logic 910 may control operation of user equipment 110 and its components.
(35) Memory 915 may include a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), and/or another type of memory to store data and instructions that may be used by processing logic 910. Input device(s) 920 may include mechanisms for entry of data into user equipment 110. For example, input device(s) 920 may include input mechanisms, such as microphone 810, input elements 830, display 840, etc. Output device(s) 925 may include mechanisms for outputting data in audio, video and/or hard copy format. For example, output device(s) 925 may include speaker 820, display 840, etc. Bus 930 may interconnect the various components of user equipment 110 to permit the components to communicate with one another.
(36) Although
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(38) Antennas 1010 may include one or more directional and/or omni-directional antennas. Transceivers 1020 may be associated with antennas 1010 and include transceiver circuitry for transmitting and/or receiving symbol sequences in a network, such as network 100, via antennas 1010.
(39) Processing system 1030 may control the operation of eNB 410. Processing system 1030 may also process information received via transceivers 1020 and interface 1040. As illustrated, processing system 1030 may include processing logic 1032 and a memory 1034. It will be appreciated that processing system 1030 may include additional and/or different components than illustrated in
(40) Processing logic 1032 may include a processor, microprocessor, an ASIC, FPGA, or the like. Processing logic 1032 may process information received via transceivers 1020 and interface 1040. The processing may include, for example, data conversion, forward error correction (FEC), rate adaptation, and quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK) modulation, etc. In addition, processing logic 1032 may generate control messages and/or data messages and cause those control messages and/or data messages to be transmitted via transceivers 1020 and/or interface 1040. Processing logic 1032 may also process control messages and/or data messages received from transceivers 1020 and/or interface 1040. Memory 1034 may include a RAM, a ROM, and/or another type of memory to store data and instructions that may be used by processing logic 1032.
(41) Interface 1040 may include one or more line cards that allow eNB 410 to transmit data to and receive data from other devices over wired and/or wireless connections. As illustrated, interface 1040 may include an S1 interface 1042 that allows eNB 410 to communicate, for example, with a MME/GW 120, and an X2 interface 1044 that allows eNB 410 to communicate with another eNB.
(42) eNB 410 may perform certain operations in response to processing logic 1032 executing software instructions contained in a computer-readable medium, such as memory 1034. A computer-readable medium may be defined as one or more physical and/or logical memory devices. The software instructions may be read into memory 1034 from another computer-readable medium or from another device via interface 1040. The software instructions contained in memory 1034 may cause processing logic 1032 to perform processes described herein. Alternatively, hardwired circuitry may be used in place of or in combination with software instructions to implement processes described herein. Thus, embodiments described herein are not limited to any specific combination of hardware circuitry and software.
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(45) Processing system 1110 may control the operation of MME/GW 120. Processing system 1110 may also process information received via interface 1120. As illustrated, processing system 1110 may include processing logic 1112 and a memory 1114. It will be appreciated that processing system 1110 may include additional and/or different components than illustrated in
(46) Processing logic 1112 may include a processor, microprocessor, an ASIC, FPGA, or the like. Processing logic 1112 may process information received via interface 1120. In addition, processing logic 1112 may generate control messages and/or data messages and cause those control messages and/or data messages to be transmitted via interface 1120. Processing logic 1112 may also process control messages and/or data messages received from interface 1120. Memory 1114 may include a RAM, a ROM, and/or another type of memory to store data and instructions that may be used by processing logic 1112.
(47) Interface 1120 may include one or more line cards that allow MME/GW 120 to transmit data to and receive data from other devices over wired and/or wireless connections. As illustrated, interface 1120 may include an S1 interface 1122 that allows MME/GW 120 to communicate, for example, with an eNB. It will be appreciated that interface 1120 may include additional interfaces than illustrated in
(48) MME/GW 120 may perform certain operations in response to processing logic 1112 executing software instructions contained in a computer-readable medium, such as memory 1114. The software instructions may be read into memory 1114 from another computer-readable medium or from another device via interface 1120. The software instructions contained in memory 1114 may cause processing logic 1112 to perform processes described herein. Alternatively, hardwired circuitry may be used in place of or in combination with software instructions to implement processes described herein. Thus, embodiments described herein are not limited to any specific combination of hardware circuitry and software.
(49) Although
(50) Below the embodiments of the present solution which will be described in more detail, reference is made to
(51) Step 700 a Network Node 410, servicing a user equipment 110 residing in a Packet Switched domain, transmits an indication to the User equipment 110, the indication comprises information to the user equipment 110 that Circuit Switched Services are supported and that the Network Node 410 may enable a Circuit Switched fallback mechanism to a legacy network 420. In some embodiments, the Circuit Switched fallback mechanism enables fallback from the E-UTRAN network towards the CDMA2000 network.
(52) Step 705 the user equipment 110, which resides/camps in the Packet Switched domain, i.e. LTE or has ongoing services in the Packet Switched domain, i.e. LTE, accordingly receives the indication transmitted from the Network Node 410, that Circuit Switched Services are supported.
(53) Step 710 the Network Node 410, follows the transmitted indication by tunneling a signaling procedure, further described in step 715 below, enabling the User Equipment 110 to register to the Circuit Switched domain.
(54) Step 715, in response to the received indication of step 705 the user equipment 110 performs one or more attempts to initiate a signaling procedure, via the Network Node 410 enabling registry to the Circuit Switched domain.
(55) The user equipment 110, thus after receiving the indication that Circuit Switched services are supported therefore performs a registration with the Circuit Switched domain. The registration signaling is tunneled transparently through the Packet Switched system, i.e. the LTE system, via a Third Node 120, i.e. the MME, towards the (1x RTT) network 420, i.e. the CDMA2000 network.
(56) The detailed signaling path on the CDMA2000 network side is tunnelled transparently through the LTE system and in
(57) Step 720, should the user equipment 110 be in Idle Mode; i.e. no on-going Packet Switched Services and the Mobile Switching Centre of the Circuit Switched network (CS-MSC) 150 receives an incoming Circuit Switched service, i.e. an incoming Circuit Switched voice call, the CS-MSC 150 generates a page message, which is tunneled via the LTE network and received at the user equipment 110 on the paging channel. The user equipment 110 is thus aware of an incoming Circuit Switched service and the user equipment 110, after having received the page message, then performs a transition from Idle Mode to LTE Active Mode (i.e. RRC connected). The CS-MSC 150 is not aware of which state the user equipment 110 is in, so it always sends a page message to the MME 120 regardless of state. The MME 120 is responsible for making sure this is message is delivered. And in case the user equipment 110 is in Idle mode it will first page the user equipment 110 with a normal LTE page and then deliver the 1xRTT Circuit Switched page as a tunnelled message to the user equipment 110
(58) Should the User Equipment 110 be in Idle Mode and about to initiate a Circuit Switched Service, the User Equipment 110 only has to perform a transition from Idle Mode to LTE Active Mode.
(59) Step 725 once the User Equipment 110 is in LTE Active Mode, either the User Equipment 110 can send a request for Circuit Switched Services to the Network Node 410 and inform the network that the User Equipment 110 is about to perform a transition from the Packet Switched domain to the Circuit Switched domain, enabling Circuit Switched Services, or in
(60) Step 730 the Network Node 410 can receive a request message from a Third Node 120, i.e. a MME, that the User Equipment 110 is having incoming Circuit Switched Services and is about to perform a transition from the Packet Switched domain to the Circuit Switched domain, enabling the Circuit Switched Services.
(61) Step 740 once the Network Node 410 is aware that the User Equipment 110 is about to perform a Circuit Switched fallback, enabling Circuit Switched services, the Network Node 410 will send a message to the User Equipment 110 informing the User Equipment 110 to leave the Packet Switched domain (i.e. leave LTE) and also informing the User Equipment 110 of the specific Circuit Switched parameters needed for this transition.
(62) In some embodiments the message comprise the 3G1× parameters as specified in C.S0024-A; and in particular the parameters; 1xRTT frequency band, 1xRTT carrier frequency, PN offset (which in principle means the physical cell identity of the target cell), CDMA system time, Long Code State (needed by the User Equipment 110 to decode downlink channels in (1x RTT)). Some of these parameters (e.g. CDMA system time) can, as an alternative, be provided on the LTE broadcast channel.
(63) In some embodiments the message can be an extension of an existing RRC connection Release with re-direction message, or a handover message.
(64) Step 745 the User Equipment 110 receives the Circuit Switched specific information, including the parameters as above in order to help the User Equipment 110 to access the target system/cell with minimum delay. In the listing below is illustrated 3G1×Parameters from C.S0024-A
(65) TABLE-US-00001 ENCRYPT_MODE MAX_ADD_SERV_ IMST_T_SUPPORTED MessageID Included INSTANCE Included TransactionID ENCRYPT_MODE HOME_REGIncluded IMSI_T_SUPPORTED 3G1XParameters ENC_SUPPORTED HOME_REG RECONNECT_MSG_IND Signature Included Included SIDIncluded ENC_SUPPORTED FOR_SID_REGIncluded RECONNECT_MSG_IND SID SIG_ENCRYPT_SUP FOR_SID_REG RER_MODE_SUPPORTED Included Included NIDIncluded SIG_ENCRYPT_SUP FOR_NID_REGIncluded RER_MODE_SUPPORTED MSG_INTEGRITY_SUP Included NID MSG_INTEGRITY_SUP FOR_NID_REG TKZ_MODE_SUPPORTED Included REG_ZONEIncluded SIG_INTEGRITY_SUP_ POWER_UP_REGIncluded TKZ_MODE_SUPPORTED INCLIncluded REG_ZONE SIG_INTEGRITY_SUP POWER_UP_REG TKZ_IDIncluded INCL TOTAL_ZONESIncluded SIG_INTEGRITY_ POWER_DOWN_ TKZ_ID SUPIncluded REGIncluded TOTAL_ZONES SIG_INTEGRITY_SUP PARAMETER_REG PILOT_REPORTIncluded Included ZONE_TIMERIncluded AUTHIncluded PARAMETER_REG PILOT_REPORT ZONE_TIMER AUTH REG_PRDIncluded SDB_SUPPORTEDIncluded PACKET_ZONE_ MAX_NUM_ALT_ REG_PRD SDB_SUPPORTED IDIncluded SOIncluded PACKET_ZONE_ MAX_NUM_ALT_SO REG_DISTIncluded AUTO_FCSO_ALLOWED ID Included PZIDHystPara USE_SYNC_IDIncluded REG_DIST AUTO_FCSO_ALLOWED metersIncluded PZ_HYST_ENABLED USE_SYNC_ID PREF_MSID_TYPE SDB_IN_RCNM_IND Included Included PZ_HYST_INFO_ MS_INIT_POS_LOC_ PREF_MSID_TYPE SDB_IN_RCNM_IND INCL SUP_INDIncluded PZ_HYST_LIST_ MS_INIT_POS_LOC_ EXT_PREF_MSID_ FPC_FCH_Included LEN SUP_IND TYPEIncluded PZ_HYST_ACT_ MOB_QOSIncluded EXT_PREF_MSID FPC_FCH_INIT_SETPT_ TIMER TYPE RC3 PZ_HYST_TIMER_ MOB_QOS MEID_REQDIncluded FPC_FCH_INIT_SETPT_ MUL RC4 PZ_HYST_TIMER_ BAND_CLASS_INFO_ MEID_REQD FPC_FCH_INIT_SETPT_ EXP REQIncluded RC5 P_REVIncluded BAND_CLASS_INFO_ MCCIncluded T_ADD_Included REQ P_REV ALT_BAND_CLASS MCC T_ADD Included NEG_SLOT ALT_BAND_CLASS IMSI_11_12Included PILOT_INC_Included CYCLE_INDEX_ SUPIncluded NEG_SLOT_ MAX_ADD_SERV_ IMSI_11_12 PILOT_INC CYCLE_INDEX_ INSTANCEIncluded SUP
(66) Step 755 preparing for using Circuit Switched services, In the case with parameters provided on the LTE broadcast channel it is assumed that the User Equipment 110 at the time of Circuit Switched fallback already has acquired these parameters so that they can be used by the User Equipment 110 when accessing the 1xRTT system to reduce the delay.
(67) The 1xRTT frequency band, 1xRTT carrier frequency tells the User Equipment 110 which frequency the User Equipment 110 should access. The PN offset tells the User Equipment 110 which cell on that frequency and together with the CDMA system time the User Equipment 110 would obtain downlink synchronization with the target cell. The 3G1×Parameters are needed for the User Equipment 110 to be able to start signaling towards the 1xRTT network.
(68) Step 765 once the User Equipment 110 has received and prepared the parameter setting it continues with switching from Packet Switched to Circuit Switched domain (i.e. leaving LTE).
(69) Step 770 the eNB then starts transmitting a Circuit Switched service
(70) Step 775 the User Equipment 110 is then ready to receiving a Circuit Switched service.