Gateway-based voice call via base station

Abstract

Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communication are described. A UE can establish a wireless communication link with a base station according to a radio access technology (RAT), and establish an internet connection with the base station. The UE can identify that a network including the base station lacks support for a voice call type associated with the RAT. The UE can transmit a discovery query for a gateway to a core network, and the UE can establish a connection with the gateway via the internet connection. The UE can initiate a voice call via a call path from the UE to the core network, where the call path can include the wireless communication link with the base station according to the RAT, and can also include the internet connection with the gateway.

Description

[0001] Cross-references

[0002] This patent application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 339,732, entitled “GATEWAY-BASED VOICECALLS VIA A BASE STATION,” filed June 4, 2021, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 036,381, entitled “GATEWAY-BASED VOICECALLS VIA A BASE STATION,” filed June 8, 2020, by CHN et al., which has been assigned to the assignee of this application. Technical Field

[0003] The following generally refers to wireless communication, especially gateway-based voice calls via base stations.

[0004] background

[0005] Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide various types of communication content, such as voice, video, packet data, message sending and receiving, broadcasting, and so on. These systems can support communication with multiple users by sharing available system resources (e.g., time, frequency, and power). Examples of such multiple access systems include fourth-generation (4G) systems (such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, LTE-A Advanced (LTE-A) systems, or LTE-A Pro systems) and fifth-generation (5G) systems, which may be referred to as New Radio (NR) systems. These systems can employ various technologies, such as Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA), or Discrete Fourier Transform Extended Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (DFT-S-OFDM). A wireless multiple access communication system may include one or more base stations or one or more network access nodes, each supporting communication from multiple communication devices simultaneously, which may also be referred to as User Equipment (UE). In some examples, a UE may attempt to initiate a voice call on one or more systems.

[0006] Overview

[0007] The described technology relates to improved methods, systems, devices, and apparatuses for supporting gateway-based voice calls via base stations. Generally, a User Equipment (UE) can establish a wireless communication link with a base station according to a given Radio Access Technology (RAT) (such as a 5G New Radio (NR) RAT). The UE can identify a lack of support for a specific type of voice call by the base station or any other component within the wireless communication network that includes the base station. A specific type of voice call may be associated with the same telecommunications standard or generation as the RAT (e.g., a Voice over Radio (VoNR) call). In some cases, the lack of support for a specific type of voice call may be based on a lack of support for the Quality of Service (QoS) bearer associated with that type of voice call (e.g., a radio bearer with the relevant QoS).

[0008] To make voice calls while still obtaining the benefits of a wireless communication link with a base station (e.g., a 5G wireless communication link) (e.g., mobility, reliability, or throughput benefits), the UE can establish a connection with a gateway, such as an evolved packet data gateway (ePDG) in a fourth-generation (4G) Long Term Evolution (LTE) system, or an interoperability function in a 5G NR system (e.g., as an example, a non-3GPP interoperability function (N3IWF)), where the gateway can support connections to the core network, and the core network can support packet-based calls (e.g., the core network may be or include an Internet Protocol (IP) Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) core network). For example, the UE can connect to the Internet via a base station and thus via a wireless communication link with the base station. The UE can transmit a discovery query for the gateway via the Internet and subsequently establish an Internet-based connection with the gateway. The UE can initiate a voice call via a call path from the UE to the core network, which includes a wireless communication link with the base station, an Internet connection with the gateway, and any number of other connections between any number of possible other nodes.

[0009] A method for performing wireless communication at a UE is described. The method may include: establishing a wireless communication link with a base station of a wireless communication network, the wireless communication link being based on a first RAT; identifying a lack of support for voice calls according to the first RAT, the lack of support being associated with one or more components of the wireless communication network; establishing an Internet connection via the wireless communication link with the base station; transmitting a discovery query for a gateway of the core network of the wireless communication network via the wireless communication link and the Internet connection; establishing a connection with the gateway via the Internet connection, at least in part based on the discovery query and the lack of support for voice calls according to the first RAT; and initiating a voice call via a call path including the wireless communication link with the base station and the connection with the gateway.

[0010] An apparatus for wireless communication at a UE is described. The apparatus may include a processor, a memory coupled to the processor, and instructions stored in the memory. These instructions are executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: establish a wireless communication link with a base station of a wireless communication network, the wireless communication link being compliant with a first RAT; identify a lack of support for voice calls according to the first RAT, the lack of support being associated with one or more components of the wireless communication network; establish an Internet connection via the wireless communication link with the base station; transmit a discovery query for a gateway of the core network of the wireless communication network via the wireless communication link and the Internet connection; establish a connection with the gateway via the Internet connection, at least in part based on the discovery query and the lack of support for voice calls according to the first RAT; and initiate a voice call via a call path including the wireless communication link with the base station and the connection with the gateway.

[0011] Another apparatus for wireless communication at a UE is described. The apparatus may include means for: establishing a wireless communication link with a base station of a wireless communication network, the wireless communication link being based on a first RAT; identifying a lack of support for voice calls according to the first RAT, the lack of support being associated with one or more components of the wireless communication network; establishing an Internet connection via the wireless communication link with the base station; transmitting a discovery query for a gateway of the core network of the wireless communication network via the wireless communication link and the Internet connection; establishing a connection with the gateway via the Internet connection, at least in part based on the discovery query and the lack of support for voice calls according to the first RAT; and initiating a voice call via a call path including the wireless communication link with the base station and the connection with the gateway.

[0012] A non-transient computer-readable medium is described, storing code for wireless communication at a UE. The code may include instructions that can be executed by a processor: establishing a wireless communication link with a base station of a wireless communication network, the wireless communication link being based on a first RAT; identifying a lack of support for voice calls according to the first RAT, the lack of support being associated with one or more components of the wireless communication network; establishing an Internet connection via the wireless communication link with the base station; transmitting a discovery query for a gateway of the core network of the wireless communication network via the wireless communication link and the Internet connection; establishing a connection with the gateway via the Internet connection, at least in part based on the discovery query and the lack of support for voice calls according to the first RAT; and initiating a voice call via a call path including the wireless communication link with the base station and the connection with the gateway.

[0013] Some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means or instructions for: attempting to initiate a previous voice call via a base station according to a first RAT, and completing a previous voice call via a base station according to a second RAT, wherein identifying a lack of support for the voice call according to the first RAT is based at least in part on completing the previous voice call according to the second RAT.

[0014] In some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein, the UE may be pre-configured to disable voice calls according to a first RAT, and the identification of a lack of support for voice calls according to the first RAT may be based at least in part on the UE being pre-configured.

[0015] Some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means or instructions for receiving from a base station an indication of lack of support for a voice call according to a first RAT, wherein the indication of lack of support for a voice call according to the first RAT may be based at least in part on the indication.

[0016] In some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein, the receiving indication may include receiving system information, radio resource control information, or any combination thereof.

[0017] In some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein, the core network gateway may be an ePDG corresponding to the second RAT.

[0018] In some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein, the core network gateway may be an interoperability function corresponding to the first RAT.

[0019] In some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein, initiating a voice call may be via user plane functions associated with a base station.

[0020] In some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein, initiating a voice call may be further via a second gateway, wherein the gateway may be an ePDG and the second gateway may be a PGW.

[0021] In some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein, initiating a voice call may be further via a user plane function associated with a gateway, wherein the gateway may be an interworking function corresponding to a first RAT.

[0022] In some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein, a lack of support for voice calls according to a first RAT may include a lack of support for the QoS bearer corresponding to the voice call according to the first RAT.

[0023] In some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein, the core network may be an IMS.

[0024] Some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means or instructions for registering with IMS via a wireless communication link with a base station and a connection with a gateway, wherein initiating a voice call may be based at least in part on registration with IMS.

[0025] Some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means or instructions for making a voice call based at least in part on signaling transmitted via a call path.

[0026] A method for conducting wireless communication at a base station is described. The method may include: establishing a wireless communication link with a UE, wherein the wireless communication link is based on a first RAT and includes one or more components of a wireless communication network of the base station that lack support for voice calls according to the first RAT; relaying signaling associated with an Internet connection for the UE via the wireless communication link; relaying signaling associated with a connection between the UE and a gateway of the core network of the wireless communication network via the wireless communication link and the Internet connection; and relaying signaling associated with a voice call for the UE via the wireless communication link, the voice call traversing a call path that includes the wireless communication link with the UE and a connection between the UE and a gateway of the core network.

[0027] An apparatus for wireless communication at a base station is described. The apparatus may include a processor, a memory coupled to the processor, and instructions stored in the memory. These instructions are executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: establish a wireless communication link with a UE, wherein the wireless communication link is based on a first RAT and includes one or more components of a wireless communication network of the base station that lack support for voice calls according to the first RAT; relay signaling associated with an Internet connection for the UE via the wireless communication link; relay signaling associated with a connection between the UE and a gateway of the core network of the wireless communication network via the wireless communication link and the Internet connection; and relay signaling associated with a voice call for the UE via the wireless communication link, the voice call being transmitted via a call path that includes a wireless communication link with the UE and a connection between the UE and a gateway of the core network.

[0028] Another apparatus for wireless communication at a base station is described. The apparatus may include means for: establishing a wireless communication link with a UE, wherein the wireless communication link is based on a first RAT and includes one or more components of a wireless communication network of the base station that lack support for voice calls according to the first RAT; relaying signaling associated with an Internet connection for the UE via the wireless communication link; relaying signaling associated with a connection between the UE and a gateway of the core network of the wireless communication network via the wireless communication link and the Internet connection; and relaying signaling associated with a voice call for the UE via the wireless communication link, the voice call being transmitted via a call path that includes the wireless communication link with the UE and a connection between the UE and a gateway of the core network.

[0029] A non-transient computer-readable medium is described, storing code for wireless communication at a base station. The code may include instructions that a processor can perform the following operations: establishing a wireless communication link with a UE, wherein the wireless communication link is based on a first RAT and includes one or more components of a wireless communication network of the base station that lack support for voice calls according to the first RAT; relaying signaling associated with an Internet connection for the UE via the wireless communication link; relaying signaling associated with a connection between the UE and a gateway of the core network of the wireless communication network via the wireless communication link and the Internet connection; and relaying signaling associated with a voice call for the UE via the wireless communication link, the voice call being transmitted via a call path that includes a wireless communication link with the UE and a connection between the UE and a gateway of the core network.

[0030] Some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means or instructions for transmitting to the UE an indication of lack of support for a voice call according to a first RAT.

[0031] In some examples of the methods, apparatus (equipment) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein, transmission instructions may include transmission system information, radio resource control information, or any combination thereof.

[0032] In some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein, signaling associated with the connection between the UE and the gateway may include a discovery query against the gateway.

[0033] In some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein, the core network gateway may be an ePDG corresponding to the second RAT.

[0034] In some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein, the core network gateway may be an interoperability function corresponding to the first RAT.

[0035] In some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein, signaling associated with a relay voice call may be transmitted via user plane functions associated with a base station.

[0036] In some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein, signaling associated with a relay voice call may be further routed via a second gateway, wherein the gateway may be an ePDG and the second gateway may be a PGW.

[0037] In some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein, signaling associated with a relay voice call may be further transmitted via a user plane function associated with a gateway, wherein the gateway may be an interworking function corresponding to a first RAT.

[0038] In some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein, a lack of support for voice calls according to a first RAT may include a lack of support for the QoS bearer corresponding to the voice call according to the first RAT.

[0039] In some examples of the methods, apparatus (equipment) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein, the core network may be an IMS.

[0040] Some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means or instructions for relaying signaling associated with a voice call via a wireless communication link to the IMS. Brief description of the attached diagram

[0042] Figure 1 Examples of systems for supporting gateway-based voice calls via base stations are described according to various aspects of this disclosure.

[0043] Figure 2 Examples of wireless communication systems supporting gateway-based voice calls via base stations, according to various aspects of this disclosure, are explained.

[0044] Figure 3 A block diagram illustrating an example system for supporting gateway-based voice calls via a base station, according to various aspects of this disclosure, is provided.

[0045] Figure 4An example of a process flow for a gateway-based voice call via a base station, supported by various aspects of this disclosure, is explained.

[0046] Figure 5 A block diagram illustrating an example system for supporting gateway-based voice calls via a base station, according to various aspects of this disclosure, is provided.

[0047] Figure 6 An example of a process flow for a gateway-based voice call via a base station, supported by various aspects of this disclosure, is explained.

[0048] Figure 7 and 8 A block diagram of a device supporting gateway-based voice calls via a base station, according to various aspects of this disclosure, is shown.

[0049] Figure 9 A block diagram of a communication manager supporting gateway-based voice calls via a base station, according to various aspects of this disclosure, is shown.

[0050] Figure 10 A diagram of a system including a device supporting gateway-based voice calls via a base station, according to various aspects of this disclosure, is shown.

[0051] Figure 11 and 12 A block diagram of a device supporting gateway-based voice calls via a base station, according to various aspects of this disclosure, is shown.

[0052] Figure 13 A block diagram of a communication manager supporting gateway-based voice calls via a base station, according to various aspects of this disclosure, is shown.

[0053] Figure 14 A diagram of a system including a device supporting gateway-based voice calls via a base station, according to various aspects of this disclosure, is shown.

[0054] Figures 15 to 18 A flowchart illustrating a method for supporting gateway-based voice calls via a base station according to various aspects of this disclosure is shown.

[0055] Detailed description

[0056] User equipment (UE) can connect to a base station, which can be part of a wireless communication system. The UE can communicate with the base station via a wireless communication link, which can be based on one or more aspects of a radio access technology (RAT). The RAT and wireless communication system can be associated with a specific generation of wireless communication technology or standard, such as fifth-generation (5G) new radio (NR).

[0057] In some examples, a wireless communication system including a base station may not support specific types of voice calls, such as Voice over NR (VoNR) voice calls (e.g., one or more other components of the base station or network may not support this specific type of voice call). For example, one or more components of the network may not support the Quality of Service (QoS) bearer associated with this type of voice call (e.g., a radio bearer with the relevant QoS). In some situations, such as an Internet Protocol (IP) Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) core network or a 5G core (5GC) network, QoS bearers for specific types of voice calls (e.g., VoNR) may not be supported. In some cases, a wireless communication network may be a 5G-autonomous network, which can refer to an architecture or deployment where both user plane and control plane signaling are based on 5G standards, and this can result in a lack of support for specific types of voice calls. Conversely, for example, a non-autonomous 5G network may rely on support for at least some functions (such as control plane signaling or other functions) from 4G or other previous-generation network infrastructure.

[0058] In some scenarios, if a UE attempts to make a voice call of a type not supported by a base station, the base station or other network components can initiate a fallback procedure to allow the UE to make a different type of voice call supported by the network. For example, if a UE attempts to make a VoNR call and the network does not support VoNR voice calls, the network (e.g., the base station) can initiate an Evolved Packet System (EPS) fallback or other fallback procedure, after which the UE can make a supported LTE Voice (VoLTE) or other type of voice call. However, this fallback procedure can result in increased latency in establishing and completing voice calls. Additionally or alternatively, fallback procedures (e.g., the transition between 5G connectivity and LTE connectivity between the UE and the base station) can increase the likelihood of dropped calls or other failures.

[0059] However, as described herein, instead of performing such fallback procedures or making calls that rely on previous generation wireless communication links, the UE can maintain a descendant (e.g., 5G) wireless connection with the base station, and if the base station or the network including the base station does not support voice calls based on the descendant (e.g., VoNR calls), a gateway-based call can be made that utilizes the descendant wireless connection along with one or more other connections supported by the gateway.

[0060] For example, a UE can establish a 5G wireless communication link with a base station in a 5G network and can establish an Internet connection via the base station (e.g., establishing an Internet link supported by the base station, or establishing an Internet connection using IP packets passing through the base station). The UE can identify, or has identified, the lack of support for VoNR voice calls via the base station at any time. The UE can transmit a discovery query for a gateway (e.g., an evolved packet data gateway (ePDG) in a 4G LTE system or a gateway in a 5G New Radio (NR) system (an example of which could be a non-3GPP interoperability function (N3IWF)). Upon successful completion of the gateway discovery procedure, the UE can establish a connection with the gateway via the Internet. The gateway can then provide a connection to a core network (such as IMS) that supports packet-based (e.g., IP-based) calls. Therefore, the base station can exchange signaling with the UE via the 5G wireless communication link and can also exchange signaling with the gateway and thus the core network via the Internet. The UE can initiate a voice call via a call path from the UE to the core network, which includes wireless communication with the base station. The communication link, and the Internet connection to the gateway. In some examples, the call path may further include a packet gateway (PGW) for communication between the relay ePDG and the IMS core network. In some examples, the call path may further include another user plane function (UPF) for communication between the relay N3IWF and the IMS core network. Although the foregoing and some other examples herein are described in the context of VoNR and the use of 5G wireless communication links and network support for VoNR voice calls, those skilled in the art will understand that these techniques can be applied to any RAT and in contexts where support for any type of voice call (e.g., voice calls of the same generation as the RAT) is lacking.

[0061] Specific aspects of the subject matter described herein can be implemented to achieve one or more advantages. For example, a device can take advantage of the increased throughput or reliability of 5G systems (e.g., using a 5G wireless communication link compared to using LTE or other types of wireless communication links) and the increased mobility of cellular network and base station connectivity (e.g., using a 5G wireless communication link compared to Wi-Fi connections or other types of Internet connections), while avoiding other disadvantages such as dropped calls, increased latency, or various fallback procedures (e.g., falling back to a 4G system), even when the base station or cell in which the device operates does not support VoNR voice calls. Therefore, the described techniques can provide increased throughput, improved communication quality or reliability, increased mobility, improved user experience, or any combination thereof, and other benefits that can be understood by those skilled in the art.

[0062] The aspects of this disclosure are initially described in the context of wireless communication systems. The aspects of this disclosure are further explained and described with reference to flowcharts and process flows. The aspects of this disclosure are further explained and described by means of, and with reference to, apparatus diagrams, system diagrams, and flowcharts relating to gateway-based voice calls via a base station.

[0063] Figure 1 Examples of a wireless communication system 100 supporting gateway-based voice calls via a base station, according to various aspects of this disclosure, are described. The wireless communication system 100 may include one or more base stations 105, one or more UEs 115, and a core network 130. In some examples, the wireless communication system 100 may be an LTE network, an Advanced LTE (LTE-A) network, an LTE-A Pro network, or an NR network. In some examples, the wireless communication system 100 may support enhanced broadband communication, ultra-reliable (e.g., mission-critical) communication, low latency communication, communication with low-cost and low-complexity devices, or any combination thereof.

[0064] Base stations 105 can be distributed across a geographical area to form a wireless communication system 100, and can be different types of devices or devices with different capabilities. Base stations 105 and UE 115 can communicate wirelessly via one or more communication links 125. Each base station 105 can provide coverage.

[0065] Each UE 115 can be distributed throughout the coverage area 110 of the wireless communication system 100, and each UE 115 can be stationary or mobile, or stationary and mobile at different times. Each UE 115 can be a different type of device or a device with different capabilities. Figure 1 The document describes some example UE 115s. The UE 115 described herein can communicate with various types of devices, such as other UE 115s, base station 105, or network equipment (e.g., core network nodes, relay equipment, integrated access and backhaul (IAB) nodes, or other network equipment). Figure 1 As shown in the image.

[0066] Each base station 105 may communicate with the core network 130, or with each other, or both. For example, base station 105 may interface with the core network 130 via one or more backhaul links 120 (e.g., via S1, N2, N3, or other interfaces). Base stations 105 may communicate with each other directly (e.g., directly between base stations 105), indirectly (e.g., via the core network 130), or directly and indirectly on backhaul links 120 (e.g., via X2, Xn, or other interfaces). In some examples, backhaul link 120 may be or include one or more radio links.

[0067] One or more of the base stations 105 described herein may include, or may be referred to by those skilled in the art as, base transceiver station, radio base station, access point, radio transceiver, B node, evolved B node (eNB), next-generation B node or gigabit B node (any of which may be referred to as gNB), home B node, home evolved B node, or other suitable terms.

[0068] UE 115 may include or be referred to as a mobile device, wireless device, remote device, handheld device, or subscriber device, or any other suitable term, wherein "device" may also be referred to as a unit, station, terminal, or client, etc. UE 115 may also include or be referred to as a personal electronic device, such as a cellular phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), tablet computer, laptop computer, or personal computer. In some examples, UE 115 may include or be referred to as a wireless local loop (WLL) station, Internet of Things (IoT) device, Internet of Everything (IoE) device, or machine-type communication (MTC) device, which may be implemented in various objects such as appliances or vehicles, meters, etc.

[0069] The UE 115 described herein can communicate with various types of devices, such as other UEs 115 that sometimes act as relays, as well as base station 105 and network equipment including macro eNBs or gNBs, small cell eNBs or gNBs, relay base stations, etc. Figure 1 As shown in the image.

[0070] UE 115 and base station 105 can wirelessly communicate with each other via one or more communication links 125 on one or more carriers. The term "carrier" can refer to a set of radio frequency spectrum resources having a defined physical layer structure for supporting communication link 125. For example, a carrier for communication link 125 may include a portion of the radio spectrum band (e.g., a bandwidth portion (BWP)) operating according to one or more physical layer channels for a given radio access technology (e.g., LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, NR). Each physical layer channel may carry acquisition signaling (e.g., synchronization signals, system information), control signaling coordinating carrier operation, user data, or other signaling. Wireless communication system 100 may support communication with UE 115 using carrier aggregation or multi-carrier operation. UE 115 may be configured to have multiple downlink component carriers and one or more uplink component carriers according to a carrier aggregation configuration. Carrier aggregation may be used in conjunction with both frequency division duplex (FDD) and time division duplex (TDD) component carriers.

[0071] In some examples (e.g., in a carrier aggregation configuration), the carrier may also have acquisition signaling or control signaling to coordinate the operation of other carriers. The carrier may be associated with a frequency channel (e.g., an Evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA) Absolute Radio Frequency Channel Number (EARFCN)) and may be located according to a channel grid for discovery by UE 115. The carrier may operate in an autonomous mode in which initial acquisition and connection can be performed by UE 115 via that carrier, or in a non-autonomous mode in which the carrier may connect to carriers anchored using different carriers (e.g., different carriers of the same or different radio access technologies).

[0072] The communication link 125 shown in the wireless communication system 100 may include uplink transmission from UE 115 to base station 105, or downlink transmission from base station 105 to UE 115. The carrier may carry downlink or uplink communication (e.g., in FDD mode), or may be configured to carry both downlink and uplink communication (e.g., in TDD mode).

[0073] A carrier may be associated with a specific bandwidth of the radio frequency spectrum, and in some examples, the carrier bandwidth may be referred to as the carrier or the “system bandwidth” of the wireless communication system 100. For example, the carrier bandwidth may be one of several defined bandwidths (e.g., 1.4, 3, 5, 10, 15, 20, 40, or 80 MHz) of a carrier for a particular radio access technology. Devices of the wireless communication system 100 (e.g., base station 105, UE 115, or both) may have a hardware configuration that supports communication over a specific carrier bandwidth, or may be configurable to support communication over a single carrier bandwidth within a set of carrier bandwidths. In some examples, the wireless communication system 100 may include a base station 105 or UE 115 that supports simultaneous communication via carriers associated with multiple carrier bandwidths. In some examples, each served UE 115 may be configured to operate over a portion (e.g., a subband, BWP) or all of the carrier bandwidth.

[0074] The signal waveform transmitted on the carrier may include multiple subcarriers (e.g., using multi-carrier modulation (MCM) techniques, such as orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) or discrete Fourier transform extended OFDM (DFT-S-OFDM)). In a system employing MCM, a resource element may include a symbol period (e.g., the duration of a modulation symbol) and a subcarrier, where the symbol period and subcarrier spacing are inversely related. The number of bits carried by each resource element may depend on the modulation scheme (e.g., the order of the modulation scheme, the code rate of the modulation scheme, or both). Thus, the more resource elements the UE 115 receives and the higher the order of the modulation scheme, the higher the data rate the UE 115 can achieve. Wireless communication resources can refer to a combination of radio frequency spectrum resources, temporal resources, and spatial resources (e.g., spatial layers or beams), and using multiple spatial layers can further improve the data rate or data integrity of communication with the UE 115.

[0075] One or more parameter designs for a carrier can be supported, where the parameter design may include a subcarrier spacing (Δf) and a cyclic prefix. A carrier can be divided into one or more BWPs with the same or different parameter designs. In some examples, UE 115 can be configured with multiple BWPs. In some examples, a single BWP for a carrier can be active at a given time, and communication for UE 115 can be limited to one or more active BWPs.

[0076] The time interval of base station 105 or UE 115 can be expressed as a multiple of a basic time unit, such as the sampling period T. s =1(Δf max ·Nf) seconds, where Δf max The maximum supported subcarrier spacing can be represented by Nf, while Nf can represent the maximum supported Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) size. The time interval of the communication resources can be organized according to radio frames, each with a specified duration (e.g., 10 milliseconds (ms)). Each radio frame can be identified by a System Frame Number (SFN) (e.g., ranging from 0 to 1023).

[0077] Each frame may include multiple consecutively numbered subframes or time slots, and each subframe or time slot may have the same duration. In some examples, a frame may (e.g., in the time domain) be divided into subframes, and each subframe may be further divided into several time slots. Alternatively, each frame may include a variable number of time slots, and the number of time slots may depend on the subcarrier spacing. Each time slot may include several symbol periods (e.g., depending on the length of the cyclic prefix added before each symbol period). In some wireless communication systems 100, time slots may be further divided into multiple mini-time slots containing one or more symbols. Excluding the cyclic prefix, each symbol period may contain one or more (e.g., Nf) sampling periods. The duration of a symbol period may depend on the subcarrier spacing or the operating frequency band.

[0078] A subframe, time slot, mini-slot, or symbol can be the smallest scheduling unit of the wireless communication system 100 (e.g., in the time domain) and can be referred to as a transmission time interval (TTI). In some examples, the duration of the TTI (e.g., the number of symbol periods in the TTI) can be variable. Additionally or alternatively, the smallest scheduling unit of the wireless communication system 100 can be dynamically selected (e.g., in bursts of shortened TTIs (sTTIs)).

[0079] Physical channels can be multiplexed on a carrier using various techniques. Physical control channels and physical data channels can be multiplexed on a downlink carrier, for example, using one or more of Time Division Multiplexing (TDM), Frequency Division Multiplexing (FDM), or hybrid TDM-FDM techniques. A control region (e.g., a control resource set (CORESET)) for physical control channels can be defined by the number of symbol periods and can extend across the system bandwidth or a subset of the system bandwidth of the carrier. One or more control regions (e.g., CORESET) can be configured for a set of UEs 115. For example, one or more UEs 115 can monitor or search control regions for control information based on one or more search space sets, and each search space set can include one or more control channel candidates in one or more aggregation levels arranged in a cascaded manner. An aggregation level for control channel candidates can refer to the number of control channel resources (e.g., control channel elements (CCEs)) associated with coded information in a control information format having a given payload size. The search space set may include a common search space set configured to send control information to multiple UEs 115 and a UE-specific search space set configured to send control information to a specific UE 115.

[0080] Each base station 105 may provide communication coverage via one or more cells (e.g., macrocells, small cells, hotspots, or other types of cells, or any combination thereof). The term "cell" may refer to a logical communication entity used to communicate with base station 105 (e.g., on a carrier) and may be associated with an identifier used to distinguish adjacent cells (e.g., Physical Cell Identifier (PCID), Virtual Cell Identifier (VCID), or others). In some examples, a cell may also refer to a geographic coverage area 110 or a portion of geographic coverage area 110 (e.g., a sector) on which a logical communication entity operates. The extent of such cells may vary from smaller areas (e.g., structures, subsets of structures) to larger areas depending on various factors (such as the capabilities of base station 105). For example, a cell may be or include buildings, subsets of buildings, or external space between or overlapping geographic coverage areas 110, among other examples.

[0081] Macrocells typically cover a relatively large geographic area (e.g., a radius of several kilometers) and allow unrestricted access for UEs 115 that have service subscriptions with a network provider supporting the macrocell. Small cells may be associated with a lower-power base station 105 (compared to macrocells) and may operate in the same or different (e.g., licensed or unlicensed) frequency bands as macrocells. Small cells may provide unrestricted access to UEs 115 that have service subscriptions with a network provider, or may provide restricted access to UEs 115 associated with the small cell (e.g., UEs 115 in a Closed Subscriber Group (CSG), or UEs 115 associated with a user in a home or office). Base station 105 may support one or more cells and may also support communication on one or more cells using one or more component carriers.

[0082] In some examples, a carrier can support multiple cells and can be configured with different cells based on different protocol types that can provide access for different types of devices (e.g., MTC, Narrowband IoT (NB-IoT), Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB)).

[0083] In some examples, base station 105 may be mobile, and thus provide communication coverage to mobile geographic coverage areas 110. In some examples, different geographic coverage areas 110 associated with different technologies may overlap, but the different geographic coverage areas 110 may be supported by the same base station 105. In other examples, overlapping geographic coverage areas 110 associated with different technologies may be supported by different base stations 105. Wireless communication system 100 may include, for example, a heterogeneous network, in which different types of base stations 105 use the same or different radio access technologies to provide coverage to various geographic coverage areas 110.

[0084] The wireless communication system 100 can support synchronous or asynchronous operation. For synchronous operation, base stations 105 can have similar frame timing, and transmissions from different base stations 105 can be approximately time-aligned. For asynchronous operation, base stations 105 can have different frame timing, and transmissions from different base stations 105 may not be time-aligned in some examples. The techniques described herein can be used for both synchronous and asynchronous operation.

[0085] Some UE 115 devices (such as MTC or IoT devices) can be low-cost or low-complexity devices and can provide automated communication between machines (e.g., via machine-to-machine (M2M) communication). M2M communication or MTC can refer to data communication technologies that allow devices to communicate with each other or with base station 105 without human intervention. In some examples, M2M communication or MTC may include communication from devices that have integrated sensors or meters to measure or capture information and relay such information to a central server or application that uses the information or presents it to people interacting with the application. Some UE 115 devices may be designed to collect information or automate the behavior of machines or other devices. Examples of applications for MTC devices include: smart metering, inventory monitoring, water level monitoring, equipment monitoring, healthcare monitoring, wilderness survival monitoring, weather and geographic event monitoring, queue management and tracking, remote security sensing, physical access control, and transaction-based commercial toll collection.

[0086] Some UEs 115 can be configured to operate in reduced-power modes, such as half-duplex communication (e.g., a mode that supports unidirectional communication via transmission or reception but not simultaneous transmission and reception). In some examples, half-duplex communication can be performed at a reduced peak rate. Other power-saving techniques for UEs 115 include entering a power-saving deep sleep mode when not engaged in active communication, operating on limited bandwidth (e.g., according to narrowband communication), or a combination of these techniques. For example, some UEs 115 can be configured to operate using a narrowband protocol type associated with a defined portion or range (e.g., subcarriers or resource block (RB) set) within the carrier, within the carrier's guard band, or outside the carrier.

[0087] Wireless communication system 100 may be configured to support ultra-reliable communication or low latency communication, or various combinations thereof. For example, wireless communication system 100 may be configured to support ultra-reliable low latency communication (URLLC) or mission-critical communication. UE 115 may be designed to support ultra-reliable, low latency, or mission-critical functions (e.g., mission-critical functions). Ultra-reliable communication may include private or group communication and may be supported by one or more mission-critical services, such as Mission-Critical Talk-to-Talk (MCPTT), Mission-Critical Video (MCVideo), or Mission-Critical Data (MCData)). Support for mission-critical functions may include prioritization of services, and mission-critical services may be used for public safety or general business applications. The terms ultra-reliable, low latency, mission-critical, and ultra-reliable low latency are used interchangeably herein.

[0088] In some examples, UE 115 may also be able to communicate directly with other UE 115 on a device-to-device (D2D) communication link 135 (e.g., using a peer-to-peer (P2P) or D2D protocol). One or more UE 115s utilizing D2D communication may be within the geographic coverage area 110 of base station 105. Other UE 115s in such a group may be outside the geographic coverage area 110 of base station 105 or may be unable to receive transmissions from base station 105 for other reasons. In some examples, groups of UE 115s communicating via D2D communication may utilize a one-to-many (1:M) system, where each UE 115 transmits to every other UE 115 in the group. In some examples, base station 105 facilitates the scheduling of resources for D2D communication. In other cases, D2D communication is performed between the individual UE 115s without involving base station 105.

[0089] In some systems, the D2D communication link 135 may be an example of a communication channel (such as a sidelink communication channel) between vehicles (e.g., UE 115). In some examples, vehicles may communicate using vehicle-to-vehicle (V2X) communication, vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication, or some combination of these communications. Vehicles may signal information related to traffic conditions, signaling, weather, safety, emergencies, or any other information relevant to the V2X system. In some examples, vehicles in a V2X system may communicate via vehicle-to-network (V2N) communication through one or more network nodes (e.g., base station 105) with roadside infrastructure (such as roadside units), or with the network, or with both.

[0090] Core network 130 provides user authentication, access authorization, tracking, IP connectivity, and other access, routing, or mobility functions. Core network 130 can be an evolved packet core (EPC) or 5GC. The EPC or 5GC may include at least one control plane entity (e.g., a mobility management entity (MME), access and mobility management functions (AMF)) managing access and mobility, and at least one user plane entity (e.g., a serving gateway (S-GW), packet data network (PDN) gateway (P-GW), or user plane function (UPF)) routing packets or interconnecting to external networks. The control plane entity manages non-access stratum (NAS) functions, such as mobility, authentication, and bearer management of UE 115 served by base station 105 associated with core network 130. User IP packets can be delivered through the user plane entity, which provides IP address allocation and other functions. The user plane entity can connect to network operator IP service 150. Operator IP service 150 may include access to the Internet, intranet, IMS, or packet-switched streaming services. Gateways (such as ePDG or N3IWF) can connect to IP services 150 (e.g., to the Internet, to IMS).

[0091] Some network devices (such as base station 105) may include sub-components, such as access network entity 140, which may be an example of an access node controller (ANC). Each access network entity 140 may communicate with each UE 115 through one or more other access network transport entities 145, which may be referred to as a radio headend, smart radio headend, or transmit / receive point (TRP). Each access network transport entity 145 may include one or more antenna panels. In some configurations, the various functions of each access network entity 140 or base station 105 may be distributed across various network devices (e.g., radio headends and ANCs) or combined into a single network device (e.g., base station 105).

[0092] Wireless communication system 100 can operate using one or more frequency bands, typically in the range of 300 MHz to 300 GHz. Generally, the 300 MHz to 3 GHz band is referred to as a UHF band or decimeter band because the wavelengths range from approximately 1 decimeter to 1 meter. UHF waves can be blocked or redirected by buildings and environmental features, but these waves can penetrate various structures sufficiently for macrocells to provide service to UE 115 located indoors. Compared to transmissions using smaller frequencies and longer waves in the lower HF or VHF portions of the spectrum below 300 MHz, UHF wave transmission can be associated with smaller antennas and shorter ranges (e.g., less than 100 km).

[0093] The wireless communication system 100 can also operate in the ultra-high frequency (SHF) zoning using a frequency band from 3 GHz to 30 GHz (also known as the centimeter band) or in the extremely high frequency (EHF) zoning using a spectrum (e.g., from 30 GHz to 300 GHz) (also known as the millimeter band). In some examples, the wireless communication system 100 can support millimeter-wave (mmW) communication between the UE 115 and the base station 105, and the EHF antennas of the corresponding devices can be smaller and more closely spaced than UHF antennas. In some examples, this can facilitate the use of antenna arrays within the device. However, the propagation of EHF transmissions may suffer even greater atmospheric attenuation and shorter range than SHF or UHF transmissions. The techniques disclosed herein can be employed across transmissions using one or more different frequency zonings, and the frequency band usage specified across these frequency zonings may vary by country or regulatory authority.

[0094] Wireless communication system 100 may utilize both licensed and unlicensed radio spectrum bands. For example, wireless communication system 100 may employ licensed assisted access (LAA), LTE unlicensed (LTE-U) radio access technology, or NR technology in unlicensed frequency bands (such as the 5 GHz Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) band). When operating in unlicensed radio spectrum bands, devices (such as base station 105 and UE 115) may employ carrier sensing for collision detection and avoidance. In some examples, operation in unlicensed frequency bands may be based on carrier aggregation configuration (e.g., LAA) in coordination with component carriers operating in licensed frequency bands. Operation in unlicensed spectrum may include downlink transmissions, uplink transmissions, P2P transmissions, or D2D transmissions, etc.

[0095] Base station 105 or UE 115 may be equipped with multiple antennas that can be used to employ technologies such as transmit diversity, receive diversity, multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communication, or beamforming. The antennas of base station 105 or UE 115 may be located within one or more antenna arrays or antenna panels that can support MIMO operation or transmit or receive beamforming. For example, one or more base station antennas or antenna arrays may coexist at an antenna assembly (such as an antenna tower). In some examples, the antennas or antenna arrays associated with base station 105 may be located in different geographical locations. Base station 105 may have an antenna array with several rows and columns of antenna ports that base station 105 can use to support beamforming for communication with UE 115. Similarly, UE 115 may have one or more antenna arrays that can support various MIMO or beamforming operations. Additionally or alternatively, the antenna panel may support radio frequency beamforming for signals transmitted via the antenna ports.

[0096] Base station 105 or UE 115 can use MIMO communication to leverage multipath signal propagation and improve spectral efficiency by transmitting or receiving multiple signals via different spatial layers. This technique is known as spatial multiplexing. For example, a transmitting device may transmit multiple signals via different antennas or different combinations of antennas. Similarly, a receiving device may receive multiple signals via different antennas or different combinations of antennas. Each of the multiple signals may be referred to as a separate spatial stream and may carry bits associated with the same data stream (e.g., the same codeword) or different data streams (e.g., different codewords). Different spatial layers may be associated with different antenna ports used for channel measurement and reporting. MIMO techniques include single-user MIMO (SU-MIMO), where multiple spatial layers are transmitted to the same receiving device; and multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO), where multiple spatial layers are transmitted to multiple devices.

[0097] Beamforming (also known as spatial filtering, directional transmission, or directional reception) is a signal processing technique that can be used at a transmitting or receiving device (e.g., base station 105, UE 115) to shape or guide an antenna beam (e.g., a transmit beam, a receive beam) along a spatial path between the transmitting and receiving devices. Beamforming can be achieved by combining signals transmitted via antenna elements of an antenna array, such that some signals propagating relative to a particular orientation of the antenna array experience constructive interference, while others experience destructive interference. Adjustments to the signals transmitted via the antenna elements may include the transmitting or receiving device applying amplitude offset, phase offset, or both to the signals carried via the antenna elements associated with that device. The adjustments associated with each antenna element may be defined by a beamforming weight set associated with a particular orientation (e.g., the antenna array relative to the transmitting or receiving device, or relative to some other orientation).

[0098] Base station 105 or UE 115 may use beamsweeping techniques as part of beamforming operations. For example, base station 105 may use multiple antennas or antenna arrays (e.g., antenna panels) for beamforming operations to facilitate directional communication with UE 115. Some signals (e.g., synchronization signals, reference signals, beam selection signals, or other control signals) may be transmitted multiple times by base station 105 in different directions. For example, base station 105 may transmit signals based on different beamforming weight sets associated with different transmission directions. Transmissions in different beam directions may be used (e.g., by the transmitting device (such as base station 105) or the receiving device (such as UE 115)) to identify the beam direction that base station 105 uses for later transmission or reception.

[0099] Some signals (such as data signals associated with a specific receiving device) may be transmitted by base station 105 in a single beam direction (e.g., the direction associated with the receiving device (such as UE 115)). In some examples, the beam direction associated with transmission along a single beam direction may be determined based on the signals transmitted in one or more beam directions. For example, UE 115 may receive one or more signals transmitted by base station 105 in different directions and may report to base station 105 an indication of the signals received by UE 115 with the highest signal quality or other acceptable signal quality.

[0100] In some examples, transmissions performed by a device (e.g., by base station 105 or UE 115) may be executed using multiple beam directions, and the device may use a combination of digital precoding or radio frequency beamforming to generate combined beams for transmission (e.g., from base station 105 to UE 115). UE 115 may report feedback indicating precoding weights for one or more beam directions, and this feedback may correspond to a configured number of beams across the system bandwidth or one or more subbands. Base station 105 may transmit reference signals that may be precoded or unprecoded (e.g., cell-specific reference signals (CRS), channel state information reference signals (CSI-RS)). UE 115 may provide feedback for beam selection, which may be a precoding matrix indicator (PMI) or codebook-based feedback (e.g., multi-panel type codebook, linear combination type codebook, port selection type codebook). Although these techniques are described with reference to signals transmitted by base station 105 in one or more directions, UE 115 may use similar techniques to transmit signals multiple times in different directions (e.g., to identify the beam direction used by UE 115 for subsequent transmission or reception) or to transmit signals in a single direction (e.g., to transmit data to a receiving device).

[0101] A receiver device (e.g., UE 115) may attempt multiple receive configurations (e.g., directional listening) when receiving various signals (such as synchronization signals, reference signals, beam selection signals, or other control signals) from base station 105. For example, the receiver device may attempt multiple receive directions by: receiving via different antenna subarrays; processing received signals according to different antenna subarrays; receiving according to different sets of receive beamforming weights applied to signals received at multiple antenna elements of the antenna array (e.g., different directional listening weight sets); or processing received signals according to different sets of receive beamforming weights applied to signals received at multiple antenna elements of the antenna array, any of which may be referred to as "listening" according to different receive configurations or receive directions. In some examples, the receiver device may use a single receive configuration to receive along a single beam direction (e.g., when receiving a data signal). The single receive configuration may be aligned on a beam direction determined based on listening according to different receive configuration directions (e.g., a beam direction determined to have the highest signal strength, highest signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), or other acceptable signal quality based on listening according to multiple beam directions).

[0102] The wireless communication system 100 can be a packet-based network operating according to a layered protocol stack. In the user plane, communication at the bearer or Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer can be IP-based. The Radio Link Control (RLC) layer performs packet segmentation and reassembly for communication on logical channels. The Media Access Control (MAC) layer performs priority handling and multiplexing of logical channels into transport channels. The MAC layer can also use error detection, error correction, or both to support MAC layer retransmissions to improve link efficiency. In the control plane, the Radio Resource Control (RRC) protocol layer can provide the establishment, configuration, and maintenance of RRC connections between the UE 115 and the base station 105 or core network 130 that support user plane data radio bearers. At the physical layer, transport channels can be mapped to physical channels.

[0103] UE 115 and base station 105 can support data retransmission to increase the likelihood of successful data reception. Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) feedback is a technique used to increase the likelihood of correctly receiving data on communication link 125. HARQ may include a combination of error detection (e.g., using Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC)), forward error correction (FEC), and retransmission (e.g., Automatic Repeat Request (ARQ)). HARQ can improve MAC layer throughput in poor radio conditions (e.g., low signal-to-noise ratio conditions). In some examples, the device may support simultaneous time-slot HARQ feedback, where the device can provide HARQ feedback in a specific time slot for data received in previous symbols within that time slot. In other cases, the device may provide HARQ feedback in subsequent time slots or according to some other time interval.

[0104] In some examples, UE 115 may connect to a gateway (e.g., an ePDG, which may be included in or otherwise associated with a 4G LTE system or core network; or an interoperability function (e.g., a non-3GPP interoperability function (N3IWF)) that may be included in or otherwise associated with a 5G NR system). For example, UE 115 may establish a wireless communication link with base station 105 via one or more aspects conforming to 5G standards and therefore referred to as 5G wireless communication link 125. In some examples, UE 115 may establish an Internet connection via base station 105 (e.g., using 5G wireless communication link 125). UE 115 may at any time identify or has identified a lack of support for VoNR voice calls via base station 105 (e.g., based on a lack of support for radio bearers with relevant QoS at base station 105 or any other component of wireless communication system 100).

[0105] UE 115 may (e.g., via an Internet connection, and therefore also via 5G wireless communication link 125) transmit discovery queries for a gateway (e.g., an ePDG or interoperability function such as N3IWF). Upon successful completion of a discovery procedure (which may follow or include a discovery query), UE 115 may establish a connection with the gateway via the Internet connection. Base station 105 may use user plane functions to relay communication between the UE and the gateway via 5G wireless communication link 125 and the Internet. UE 115 may initiate and perform voice calls using the IMS core network via a call path that includes the 5G wireless communication link 125, an Internet connection to the gateway, and one or more connections between the gateway and the IMS. In some examples (e.g., 4G LTE systems), the call path may further include a connection between the ePDG and the PGW and a connection between the PGW and the IMS, wherein the PGW may relay communication between the ePDG and the IMS core network. In some examples (e.g., 5G NR systems), the call path may further include another UPF (e.g., at or coupled to the N3IWF) relaying communication between the N3IWF and the IMS core network.

[0106] Figure 2 Examples of a wireless communication system 200 supporting gateway-based voice calls via a base station, according to various aspects of this disclosure, are described. In some examples, the wireless communication system 200 may implement various aspects of the wireless communication system 100. The wireless communication system 200 may include a base station 205-a, a UE 215-a, and an access point (AP) 210, which may be referenced... Figure 1 Examples of the corresponding devices described.

[0107] Base station 205 may communicate with one or more devices. For example, base station 205 may serve one or more UEs 215 located within geographic coverage area 110-a. In some examples, base station 205 may be part of a 5G self-contained network. 5G NR services provided by a network including base station 205 can provide increased throughput, increased mobility, high quality of service, etc. In some examples, base station 205 may communicate with one or more User Plane Functions (UPFs). UPFs may be associated with or located at one or more network nodes (e.g., base station 205 or other base stations). UPFs can provide packet classification, aggregation, forwarding, routing, policy enforcement, and data buffering functionality, among other functions.

[0108] AP 210 can serve one or more devices (e.g., UE215) located within geographic coverage area 110-b. UE215 may be located within both geographic coverage area 110-a and geographic coverage area 110-b, and therefore can utilize the services provided by both base station 205 and AP 210.

[0109] In some examples, UE 215 may attempt to initiate a voice call. If base station 205 supports Voice over NR (VoNR) service, base station 205 may relay the signaling associated with the voice call directly to the core network (e.g., IMS core network) via the first UPF. However, in some examples, base station 205 or another aspect of wireless communication system 200 may not support VoNR voice calls.

[0110] In some cases, if base station 205 or another aspect of wireless communication system 200 does not support VoNR voice calls, UE 215 may rely on a fallback procedure to initiate a voice call. That is, UE 215 may fall back from a 5G network to a 4G LTE network (e.g., by executing an EPS fallback procedure). For example, the described wireless communication link 220 may be based on aspects of a first RAT (e.g., a 5G RAT), and UE 215 may switch to a different link based on a different RAT (e.g., an LTE RAT), at least for the purpose of initiating and making voice calls via that different link. However, when executing the fallback procedure, UE 215 may experience increased latency and system latency due to the transition between RATs. Additionally, as a result of the transition, voice calls may be dropped. Such latency and failed calls may result in a degraded user experience and increased system latency. The alternative (e.g., 4G LTE) communication link may also suffer reduced throughput and quality compared to the 5G communication link 220-a.

[0111] Alternatively, in some situations, if base station 205 or another aspect of wireless communication system 200 does not support VoNR voice calls, UE 215 may attempt to initiate a voice call (e.g., a Wi-Fi voice call) via communication link 220-b with AP 210. However, this voice call may suffer from reduced mobility. That is, the quality or success of the voice call may depend on localized services from AP 210, which may reduce UE 215 mobility, voice call reliability, etc. (e.g., compared to using wireless communication link 220-a, since base station 205 can be one of many base stations included in wireless communication system 200, and wireless communication system 200 can support high mobility for UE 215). Communication link 220-b may also suffer from reduced throughput and quality compared to 5G communication link 220-a.

[0112] In order to take advantage of the increased throughput and mobility freedom provided by 5G RAT, even if the wireless communication system 200 does not support VoNR, the UE 215 can maintain the 5G communication link 220-a, while establishing an Internet connection with the gateway via the base station 205, and the UE 215 can then initiate and make voice calls via the gateway, while continuing to use the 5G communication link 220-a as part of the call path.

[0113] Figure 3 Block diagram 300 illustrates an example of a system for supporting gateway-based voice calls via a base station, according to various aspects of this disclosure. In some examples, the system in block diagram 300 may implement various aspects of wireless communication system 100. The system in block diagram 300 may include UE 315, AP 310, and base station 305, which may be referenced... Figure 1 and Figure 2 Examples of the corresponding devices described.

[0114] If the system supports VoNR voice calls, UE 315 can initiate a VoNR call via base station 305. Base station 305 can relay voice call-related signaling to IMS core network 335 via UPF0.

[0115] However, in some examples, the system (e.g., base station 305 or any other component of the system) may not support VoNR voice calls. Further, as described herein (e.g., refer to...) Figure 2 Relying on AP 310 for voice calls (e.g., Wi-Fi voice calls) or for other reasons may be undesirable (e.g., due to mobility constraints, throughput constraints, etc.).

[0116] In some examples, as described herein, even if base station 305 or another part of the system does not support VoNR voice calls, UE 315 can still initiate voice calls via base station 305 and a gateway (e.g., ePDG 325), which benefits from the high throughput and increased mobility of the 5G wireless communication link with base station 305. In such examples, UE 315 may identify base station 305, the network associated with base station 305, the cell serving UE 315, or the geographical location of UE 315 that does not support VoNR voice calls via any number of technologies (such as references). Figure 4In VoNR voice calls (described in more detail), in such examples, UE 315 may perform gateway discovery procedures (e.g., transmit a gateway discovery query to ePDG 325 via an Internet connection (e.g., via Internet 320)). In some examples, base station 305 may relay the gateway discovery query via UPF 1. ePDG 325 may be in communication with PGW 330, which may be in communication with IMS core network 335. Therefore, UE 315 may initiate a voice call by communicating via a voice path between UE 315 and IMS core network 335. The call path may include base station 305, UPF 1, Internet 320, ePDG 325, and PGW 330. Base station 305 may relay signaling associated with the voice call along the call path.

[0117] Figure 4 Examples of a process flow 400 supporting a gateway-based voice call via a base station according to various aspects of this disclosure are described. In some examples, process flow 400 may implement various aspects of wireless communication system 100. In some examples, process flow 400 may be implemented by UE 415 and base station 405 as part of a 5G network, and potentially by any number of other components, which may be referenced... Figure 1-3 Examples of the corresponding devices described.

[0118] At 435, UE 415 can establish a wireless connection link with the 5G network via base station 405. The wireless communication link can be based on a specific Radio Access Technology (RAT) or a specific generation of communication protocol. For example, the wireless communication link could be a 5G NR link. In some examples, at 435, UE 415 can initiate a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session to the Internet via the wireless communication link.

[0119] At 440, UE 415 can perform an ePDG discovery procedure. For example, UE 415 can transmit a discovery query for the gateway of IMS core network 430 via a wireless communication link and an Internet connection. In some examples, the gateway can be ePDG 420. ePDG 420 can communicate with PGW 425 via communication link 455. PGW 425 can communicate with IMS core network 430 via communication link 460. Therefore, by performing ePDG discovery at 440, UE 415 can establish a call path between UE 415 and IMS core network 430 via 5G network base station 405, ePDG 420, and PGW 425.

[0120] At 445, UE 415 may identify a lack of support for voice calls (e.g., VoNR voice calls) according to a specific RAT or generational protocol. This lack of support may be associated with one or more components of the 5G network. For example, base station 405, one or more UPFs, the entire independent 5G network, the specific geographic location of base station 405, the serving cell associated with UE 415, etc., may not support VoNR voice calls. Lack of support for VoNR voice calls may include a lack of support at base station 405 for the QoS bearer corresponding to the voice call according to the 5G system.

[0121] Figure 4 The order of operations shown in the examples should not be interpreted as limiting. For example, in some examples, UE 415 may first identify the lack of support for VoNR voice calls at 445, and then perform an ePDG discovery procedure at 440 (e.g., based on the identified lack of support for VoNR voice calls). In some examples, UE 415 may establish a radio connection with base station 405 at 435 and perform an ePDG discovery procedure automatically or in response to one or more scenarios at 440. Based on the identification of lack of support at 445, based on the identification of lack of support for 5G phone calls at 445 and the previous performance of an ePDG discovery procedure at 440, UE 415 may establish the call path described at 450 and initiate a voice call at 450.

[0122] In some examples, UE 415 may have determined at some prior time that base station 405 does not support VoNR voice calls, and may store relevant information. For example, UE 415 may determine whether base station 405 supports VoNR voice calls based on past experience. UE 415 may attempt to initiate a voice call through a cell associated with base station 405 in the 5G network, and UE 415 may determine whether to complete the voice call according to a different RAT or a different generation of communication system (e.g., to fall back to the LTE network to perform the voice call). In such cases, UE 415 may store the cell in a list (e.g., a fallback list, which may be a lookup table). Accordingly, when UE 415 determines to attempt to initiate a voice call, UE 415 may determine whether the cell to which UE 415 is connected in the 5G network is on the fallback list to determine whether that cell (e.g., base station 405) supports VoNR voice calls. In some scenarios, UE 415 may associate a timestamp with at most each cell stored in the fallback list when adding a cell, and may remove the cell from the fallback list after a defined amount of time has elapsed since the cell was added relative to the corresponding timestamp. In some examples, UE 415 associates a physical location with each cell stored in the fallback list. For example, UE 415 may determine that it is located in a similar geographic area to base station 405 with which it previously attempted to make a VoNR voice call (e.g., within a threshold distance from the base station location). Based on this location, UE 415 may determine that its current base station 405 with which it has established a communication link at 435 also does not support VoNR voice calls (e.g., because both base stations 405 are located in cities or geographic areas supported by 5G autonomous systems that do not support VoNR voice calls).

[0123] In some examples, UE 415 can be pre-configured to enable or disable VoNR voice calls. For example, a network operator whose network does not support VoNR voice calls can configure UE 415 to disable VoNR voice calls. In such examples, at 445, UE 415 can identify the lack of support for VoNR voice calls based on this pre-configuration.

[0124] In some examples, base station 405 may explicitly indicate a lack of support for VoNR voice calls. For example, base station 405 may transmit to UE 415 an indication of a lack of support for voice calls (e.g., VoNR voice calls) according to a specific (e.g., initial, first) RAT or a specific (e.g., initial, first) generation protocol. Base station 405 may indicate a lack of support for 5G voice calls via system information (e.g., System Information Block (SIB)), higher-level signaling (e.g., Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling), or a combination thereof.

[0125] After identifying the lack of support for VoNR voice calls, at 450, UE 415 can initiate a voice call via a call path between UE 415 and IMS core network 430 (including base station 405, ePDG 420, and PGW 425) as an associated communication link between these components or otherwise supported by these components. That is, UE 415 can initiate a voice call with base station 405 at least partially via the wireless communication link established with base station 405. Base station 405 can exchange signaling associated with the voice call with UE 415 via the wireless communication link established at 435, and base station 405 can also relay the signaling associated with the voice call via the Internet connection established with ePDG 420 at 440. ePDG 420 can relay the signaling associated with the voice call to PGW 425 via communication link 455, and PGW 425 can relay the signaling associated with the voice call to IMS CN 430 via communication link 460. These components can similarly relay signaling associated with voice calls in the direction toward UE 415. In some examples, UE 415 may register with IMS core network 430 via a wireless communication link established with base station 405 at 435, and voice calls may be initiated based on this registration (e.g., after or otherwise based on this registration). After a call is initiated, UE 415 may make the voice call via the established call path. Base station 405 and other components (e.g., ePDG 420, PGW 425, IMS CN 430) may continue to relay signaling associated with the voice call along the established call path.

[0126] Figure 5 Block diagram 500 illustrates an example of a system for supporting gateway-based voice calls via a base station, according to various aspects of this disclosure. In some examples, the system in block diagram 500 may implement various aspects of wireless communication system 100. The system in block diagram 500 may include UE 515, base station 505, and AP 510, which may be referenced... Figure 1-4 Examples of the corresponding devices described.

[0127] If the system supports VoNR voice calls, UE 515 can initiate a VoNR call via base station 505. Base station 505 can relay voice call-related signaling to IMS core network 530 via UPF0.

[0128] However, in some examples, the system (e.g., base station 505 or any other component of the system) may not support VoNR voice calls. Further, as described herein (e.g., refer to...) Figure 2Relying on AP 310 for voice calls (e.g., Wi-Fi voice calls) or for other reasons may be undesirable (e.g., due to mobility constraints, throughput constraints, etc.).

[0129] In some examples, as described herein, even if base station 505 or another part of the system does not support VoNR voice calls, UE 515 can initiate voice calls via base station 505 and a gateway (e.g., an interoperability function, such as N3IWF 525), which benefits from the high throughput and increased mobility of the 5G wireless communication link with base station 305. In such examples, UE 515 may identify base station 505, the network associated with base station 505, the cell serving UE 515, or the geographical location where UE 515 is located, which does not support VoNR voice calls via any number of technologies (such as references). Figure 6 In VoNR voice calls (described in more detail below), in such examples, UE 515 may perform a gateway discovery procedure (e.g., transmit a gateway discovery query to N3IWF 525 via an Internet connection (e.g., via Internet 520)). In some examples, base station 505 may relay the gateway discovery query via UPF 1. N3IWF 525 may be in communication with UPF2, which may be in communication with IMS core network 530. Therefore, UE 515 may initiate a voice call by communicating via a voice path between UE 515 and IMS core network 530. The call path may include base station 505, UPF 1, Internet 520, N3IWF 525, and UPF2. Base station 505 may relay signaling associated with the voice call along the call path.

[0130] Figure 6 Examples of a process flow 600 supporting a gateway-based voice call via a base station according to various aspects of this disclosure are described. In some examples, process flow 600 may implement various aspects of wireless communication system 100. Process flow 600 may be implemented by UE 615 and base station 605 as part of a 5G network, and potentially by any number of other components, which may be referenced... Figure 1-5 Examples of the corresponding devices described.

[0131] At point 635, UE 615 can establish a wireless connection link with the 5G network via base station 605. The wireless communication link can be based on a first RAT or a first-generation communication protocol, etc. For example, the wireless communication link could be a 5G NR link. In some examples, at point 635, UE 615 can initiate a PDU session to the Internet via the wireless communication link.

[0132] At 640, UE 615 can perform a gateway discovery procedure. For example, UE 615 can transmit a gateway discovery query for IMS core network 630 via a wireless communication link and an Internet connection. In some examples, the gateway can be N3IWF 620. N3IWF 620 can communicate with UPF 625 via communication link 655. UPF 625 can communicate with IMS core network 630 via communication link 660. Therefore, by performing gateway discovery at 640, UE 615 can establish a call path between UE 615 and IMS core network 630 via 5G network base station 605, N3IWF 620, and UPF 625.

[0133] At 645, UE 615 may identify a lack of support for voice calls according to the first RAT or first generation protocol. This lack of support may be associated with one or more components of the 5G network. For example, base station 605, one or more UPFs, the entire independent 5G network, the specific geographical location of base station 605, the serving cell associated with UE 615, etc., may not support VoNR voice calls. Lack of support for VoNR voice calls may include a lack of support at base station 605 for the QoS bearer corresponding to the voice call according to the 5G system.

[0134] Figure 6 The order of operations shown in the examples should not be interpreted as limiting. For example, in some examples, UE 615 may first identify the lack of support for VoNR voice calls at 645, and then perform a gateway discovery procedure at 640 (e.g., based on the identified lack of support for VoNR voice calls). In some examples, UE 615 may establish a radio connection with base station 605 at 635 and perform a gateway discovery procedure at 640 automatically or in response to one or more scenarios. Based on the identification of lack of support at 645, based on the identification of lack of support for 5G phone calls at 645 and the previous performance of a gateway discovery procedure at 640, UE 615 may establish the call path described at 650 and initiate a voice call at 650.

[0135] In some examples, UE 615 may have determined at some prior time that base station 605 does not support VoNR voice calls, and may store relevant information. For example, UE 615 may determine whether base station 605 supports VoNR voice calls based on past experience. UE 615 may attempt to initiate a voice call through a cell associated with base station 605 in the 5G network, and UE 615 may determine whether it wants to or is guided to complete the voice call according to a second RAT or second-generation communication system (e.g., to fall back to the LTE network to perform the voice call). In such cases, UE 615 may store the cell in a list (e.g., a fallback list, which may be a lookup table). Accordingly, when UE 615 determines that it wants to attempt to initiate a voice call, UE 615 may determine whether the cell to which UE 615 is connected in the 5G network is on the fallback list to determine whether that cell (e.g., base station 605) supports VoNR voice calls. In some scenarios, UE 615 may associate a timestamp with at most each cell stored in the fallback list when adding a cell, and may remove the cell from the fallback list after a defined amount of time has elapsed since the cell was added relative to the corresponding timestamp. In some examples, UE 615 associates a physical location with each cell stored in the fallback list. For example, UE 615 may determine that it is located in a similar geographic area to base station 605 with which it previously attempted to make a VoNR voice call (e.g., within a threshold distance from the base station location). Based on this location, UE 615 may determine that its current base station 605 with which it has established a communication link at 635 also does not support VoNR voice calls (e.g., because both base stations 605 are located in cities or geographic areas supported by 5G autonomous systems that do not support VoNR voice calls).

[0136] In some examples, UE 615 can be pre-configured to enable or disable VoNR voice calls. For example, an operator that does not support VoNR voice calls can configure UE 615 to disable VoNR voice calls. In such examples, at 645, UE 615 can identify a lack of support for VoNR voice calls based on this pre-configuration.

[0137] In some examples, base station 605 may explicitly indicate a lack of support for VoNR voice calls. For example, base station 605 may transmit an indication to UE 615 that there is a lack of support for voice calls (e.g., VoNR voice calls) according to a first RAT or first generation protocol. Base station 605 may indicate a lack of support for 5G voice calls via system information (e.g., SIB), higher-layer signaling (e.g., RRC signaling), or a combination thereof.

[0138] After identifying the lack of support for VoNR voice calls, at 650, UE 615 can initiate a voice call via a call path between UE 615 and IMS core network 630 (including base station 605, N3IWF 620, and UPF 625) as an associated communication link between these components or otherwise supported by these components. That is, UE 615 can initiate a voice call with base station 605 at least partially through the wireless communication link established with base station 605. Base station 605 can exchange signaling associated with the voice call with UE 615 via the wireless communication link established at 635, and base station 605 can also relay the signaling associated with the voice call through the Internet connection established with N3IWF 620 at 640. The N3IWF 620 can relay signaling associated with a voice call to the UPF 625 via communication link 655, and the UPF 625 can relay signaling associated with a voice call to the IMS core network 630 via communication link 660. These components can similarly relay signaling associated with a voice call in the direction toward the UE 615. In some examples, the UE 615 can register with the IMS core network 630 via a wireless communication link established with the base station 605 at 635, and initiating a voice call can be based on this registration (e.g., after or otherwise). After a call is initiated, the UE 615 can make the voice call via the established call path. The base station 605 and other components (e.g., ePDG 620, UPF 625, IMS core network 630) can continue to relay signaling associated with the voice call along the established call path.

[0139] Figure 7 A block diagram 700 of a device 705 supporting gateway-based voice calls via a base station is shown according to various aspects of this disclosure. Device 705 may be an example of various aspects of a UE 115 as described herein. Device 705 may include a receiver 710, a communication manager 715, and a transmitter 720. Device 705 may also include a processor. Each of these components may be in communication with each other (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0140] Receiver 710 can receive information such as packets, user data, or control information associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, and information related to gateway-based voice calls via a base station). The information can be transmitted to other components of device 705. Receiver 710 can be a reference... Figure 10 Examples of various aspects of the transceiver 1020 described. The receiver 710 may utilize a single antenna or an array of antennas.

[0141] Communication manager 715 can establish a wireless communication link with a base station of a wireless communication network, the wireless communication link being based on a first RAT; identify a lack of support for voice calls according to the first RAT, the lack of support being associated with one or more components of the wireless communication network; establish an Internet connection via the wireless communication link with the base station; transmit a discovery query for a gateway of the core network of the wireless communication network via the wireless communication link and the Internet connection; establish a connection with the gateway via the Internet connection based on the discovery query and the lack of support for voice calls according to the first RAT; and initiate a voice call via a call path including the wireless communication link with the base station and the connection with the gateway. Communication manager 715 may be an example of aspects of communication manager 1010 described herein.

[0142] The communication manager 715 or its sub-components may be implemented in hardware, code executed by a processor (e.g., software or firmware), or any combination thereof. If implemented in code executed by a processor, the functionality of the communication manager 715 or its sub-components may be performed by a general-purpose processor, digital signal processor (DSP), application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof, designed to perform the functions described in this disclosure.

[0143] The communication manager 715 or its subcomponents may be physically located at various locations, including being distributed such that portions of the functionality are implemented by one or more physical components at different physical locations. In some examples, according to various aspects of this disclosure, the communication manager 715 or its subcomponents may be separate and distinct components. In some examples, according to various aspects of this disclosure, the communication manager 715 or its subcomponents may be combined with one or more other hardware components, including but not limited to input / output (I / O) components, transceivers, network servers, another computing device, one or more other components described in this disclosure, or combinations thereof.

[0144] Transmitter 720 can transmit signals generated by other components of device 705. In some examples, transmitter 720 may coexist with receiver 710 in a transceiver module. For example, transmitter 720 may be a reference... Figure 10 Examples of various aspects of the transceiver 1020 are described. The transmitter 720 may utilize a single antenna or an array of antennas.

[0145] In some examples, the communication manager 715 may be implemented as an integrated circuit or chipset for a mobile device modem, and the receiver 710 and transmitter 720 may be implemented as analog components (e.g., amplifiers, filters, antennas) coupled to the mobile device modem to enable wireless transmission and reception over one or more frequency bands.

[0146] The communication manager 715 described herein can be implemented to achieve one or more potential benefits. One implementation allows a device to leverage the benefits of a 5G NR system to execute successful voice calls, even in situations where VoNR voice calls are not supported. Therefore, the device can experience increased throughput, improved communication quality, increased mobility while supporting voice calls, reduced likelihood of dropped calls or communication link failures, and an improved user experience.

[0147] Based on the techniques described herein for efficiently communicating the maximum number of layers for a device, the processor of UE 115 (e.g., controls receiver 710, transmitter 720, or as referred to herein) Figure 10 The transceiver 1020 described can improve system efficiency and reduce unnecessary processing at the device.

[0148] Figure 8 A block diagram 800 of a device 805 supporting gateway-based voice calls via a base station is shown according to various aspects of this disclosure. Device 805 may be an example of various aspects of device 705 or UE 115 as described herein. Device 805 may include a receiver 810, a communication manager 815, and a transmitter 840. Device 805 may also include a processor. Each of these components may be in communication with each other (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0149] Receiver 810 can receive information such as packets, user data, or control information associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, and information related to gateway-based voice calls via a base station). The information can be transmitted to other components of device 805. Receiver 810 can be a reference... Figure 10 Examples of various aspects of the transceiver 1020 described. The receiver 810 may utilize a single antenna or an array of antennas.

[0150] Communication manager 815 may be an example of aspects of communication manager 715 as described herein. Communication manager 815 may include communication link manager 820, voice call manager 825, Internet connection manager 830, and gateway manager 835. Communication manager 815 may be an example of aspects of communication manager 1010 as described herein.

[0151] The communication link manager 820 can establish a wireless communication link with the base station of the wireless communication network, the wireless communication link being based on a first RAT.

[0152] The voice call manager 825 can identify a lack of support for voice calls according to a first RAT, which is associated with one or more components of the wireless communication network.

[0153] The Internet Link Manager 830 can establish an Internet connection via the wireless communication link with the base station.

[0154] Gateway manager 835 can transmit a gateway discovery query for the core network of the wireless communication network via the wireless communication link and the Internet connection; and establish a connection with the gateway via the Internet connection based on the discovery query and the lack of support for voice calls according to the first RAT.

[0155] The voice call manager 825 can initiate voice calls via a call path that includes a wireless communication link with a base station and a connection with a gateway.

[0156] Transmitter 840 can transmit signals generated by other components of device 805. In some examples, transmitter 840 may coexist with receiver 810 in a transceiver module. For example, transmitter 840 may be a reference... Figure 10 Examples of various aspects of the transceiver 1020 are described. The transmitter 840 may utilize a single antenna or an array of antennas.

[0157] Figure 9 A block diagram 900 is shown of a communication manager 905 supporting gateway-based voice calls via a base station, according to various aspects of this disclosure. The communication manager 905 may be an example of aspects of the communication manager 715, communication manager 815, or communication manager 1010 described herein. The communication manager 905 may include a communication link manager 910, a voice call manager 915, an Internet connection manager 920, a gateway manager 925, a UPF manager 930, a core network manager 935, and a call path manager 940. Each of these modules may communicate directly or indirectly with each other (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0158] The communication link manager 910 can establish a wireless communication link with the base station of the wireless communication network, the wireless communication link being based on the first RAT.

[0159] The voice call manager 915 can identify a lack of support for a voice call according to a first RAT, which is associated with one or more components of the wireless communication network. In some examples, the voice call is initiated via a call path that includes a wireless communication link with a base station and a connection to a gateway. In some examples, the voice call manager 915 can attempt to initiate a previous voice call via a base station according to the first RAT.

[0160] In some examples, the voice call manager 915 may complete a previous voice call via a base station according to a second RAT, wherein identifying a lack of support for a voice call according to a first RAT is based on completing the previous voice call according to the second RAT. In some examples, the voice call manager 915 may receive an indication from the base station that there is a lack of support for a voice call according to a first RAT, wherein identifying a lack of support for a voice call according to a first RAT is based on that indication. In some examples, receiving the indication includes receiving system information, radio resource control information, or any combination thereof. In some cases, the UE is pre-configured to disable voice calls according to a first RAT, wherein identifying a lack of support for a voice call according to a first RAT is based on the UE being pre-configured. In some cases, a lack of support for a voice call according to a first RAT includes a lack of support for the QoS bearer corresponding to the voice call according to the first RAT.

[0161] The Internet Link Manager 920 can establish an Internet connection via the wireless communication link with the base station.

[0162] Gateway manager 925 can transmit a discovery query for the gateway of the core network of the wireless communication network via the wireless communication link and the Internet connection. In some examples, gateway manager 925 can establish a connection with the gateway via the Internet connection based on the discovery query and the lack of support for voice calls according to the first RAT. In some cases, the gateway of the core network is an ePDG corresponding to the second RAT. In some examples, initiating a voice call further passes through a second gateway, where the gateway is an ePDG, and where the second gateway is a PGW. In some cases, the gateway of the core network is an interoperability function (e.g., N3IWF) corresponding to the first RAT.

[0163] The UPF Manager 930 can establish an Internet connection via user plane functions associated with a base station. In some examples, the UPF Manager 930 can further initiate voice calls via user plane functions associated with a gateway, where the gateway is an interoperability function corresponding to the first RAT.

[0164] The core network manager 935 can register with the IMS via wireless communication links with base stations and connections with gateways, where initiating voice calls is based on registration with the IMS. In some cases, the core network includes the IMS.

[0165] The call path manager 940 can make voice calls based on signaling transmitted via the call path.

[0166] Figure 10 A diagram of a system 1000 including device 1005 supporting gateway-based voice calls via a base station, according to various aspects of this disclosure, is shown. Device 1005 may be an example of device 705, device 805, or UE 115 as described herein, or a component including such devices. Device 1005 may include components for bidirectional voice and data communication, including components for transmitting and receiving communications, including a communication manager 1010, an I / O controller 1015, a transceiver 1020, an antenna 1025, a memory 1030, and a processor 1040. These components may be in electronic communication via one or more buses (e.g., bus 1045).

[0167] The communication manager 1010 can establish a wireless communication link with a base station of a wireless communication network, the wireless communication link being based on a first RAT; identify a lack of support for voice calls according to the first RAT, the lack of support being associated with one or more components of the wireless communication network; establish an Internet connection via the wireless communication link with the base station; transmit a discovery query for a gateway of the core network of the wireless communication network via the wireless communication link and the Internet connection; establish a connection with the gateway via the Internet connection based on the discovery query and the lack of support for voice calls according to the first RAT; and initiate a voice call via a call path including the wireless communication link with the base station and the connection with the gateway.

[0168] I / O controller 1015 manages the input and output signals of device 1005. I / O controller 1015 can also manage peripheral devices not integrated into device 1005. In some cases, I / O controller 1015 may represent a physical connection or port to an external peripheral device. In some cases, I / O controller 1015 may utilize an operating system, such as... MS- MS- OS / Or another known operating system. In other cases, the I / O controller 1015 may represent or interact with a modem, keyboard, mouse, touchscreen, or similar device. In some cases, the I / O controller 1015 may be implemented as part of a processor. In some cases, a user may interact with the device 1005 via the I / O controller 1015 or via hardware components controlled by the I / O controller 1015.

[0169] Transceiver 1020 can communicate bidirectionally via one or more antennas, wired or wireless links, as described above. For example, transceiver 1020 can represent a wireless transceiver and can communicate bidirectionally with another wireless transceiver. Transceiver 1020 may also include a modem to modulate packets and provide the modulated packets to the antenna for transmission, and to demodulate packets received from the antenna.

[0170] In some cases, the wireless device may include a single antenna 1025. However, in other cases, the device may have more than one antenna 1025, which may be able to transmit or receive multiple wireless transmissions concurrently.

[0171] Memory 1030 may include RAM and ROM. Memory 1030 may store computer-readable, computer-executable code 1035, including instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to perform the various functions described herein. In some cases, memory 1030 may particularly include a basic input / output system (BIOS) that controls basic hardware or software operations, such as interaction with peripheral components or devices.

[0172] Processor 1040 may include intelligent hardware devices (e.g., general-purpose processors, DSPs, CPUs, microcontrollers, ASICs, FPGAs, programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic components, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof). In some cases, processor 1040 may be configured to use a memory controller to operate a memory array. In other cases, the memory controller may be integrated into processor 1040. Processor 1040 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in memory (e.g., memory 1030) to cause device 1005 to perform various functions (e.g., functions or tasks supporting gateway-based voice calls via a base station).

[0173] Code 1035 may include instructions for implementing various aspects of this disclosure, including instructions for supporting wireless communication. Code 1035 may be stored in a non-transient computer-readable medium, such as system memory or other types of memory. In some cases, code 1035 may not be directly executed by processor 1040, but may cause a computer (e.g., when compiled and executed) to perform the functions described herein.

[0174] Figure 11A block diagram 1100 of an apparatus 1105 supporting gateway-based voice calls via a base station is shown according to various aspects of this disclosure. Apparatus 1105 may be an example of various aspects of base station 105 as described herein. Apparatus 1105 may include a receiver 1110, a communication manager 1115, and a transmitter 1120. Apparatus 1105 may also include a processor. Each of these components may be in communication with each other (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0175] Receiver 1110 can receive information such as packets, user data, or control information associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, and information related to gateway-based voice calls via a base station). The information can be transmitted to other components of device 1105. Receiver 1110 can be a reference... Figure 14 Examples of various aspects of the transceiver 1420 described. The receiver 1110 may utilize a single antenna or an array of antennas.

[0176] Communication manager 1115 can establish a wireless communication link with the UE, wherein the wireless communication link is based on a first RAT and includes one or more components of a wireless communication network of the base station that lack support for voice calls according to the first RAT; relay signaling associated with an Internet connection for the UE via the wireless communication link; relay signaling associated with a connection between the UE and a gateway of the core network of the wireless communication network via the wireless communication link and the Internet connection; and relay signaling associated with a voice call for the UE via the wireless communication link, the voice call being transmitted via a call path that includes a wireless communication link with the UE and a connection between the UE and a gateway of the core network. Communication manager 1115 may be an example of aspects of communication manager 1410 described herein. Communication manager 1115 or its sub-components may be implemented in hardware, code executed by a processor (e.g., software or firmware), or any combination thereof. If implemented in code executed by a processor, the functionality of the communication manager 1115 or its sub-components can be performed by a general-purpose processor, DSP, application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), FPGA or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof, designed to perform the functions described in this disclosure.

[0177] The communication manager 1115 or its subcomponents may be physically located at various locations, including being distributed such that portions of the functionality are implemented by one or more physical components at different physical locations. In some examples, according to various aspects of this disclosure, the communication manager 1115 or its subcomponents may be separate and distinct components. In some examples, according to various aspects of this disclosure, the communication manager 1115 or its subcomponents may be combined with one or more other hardware components, including but not limited to input / output (I / O) components, transceivers, network servers, another computing device, one or more other components described in this disclosure, or combinations thereof.

[0178] Transmitter 1120 can transmit signals generated by other components of device 1105. In some examples, transmitter 1120 may coexist with receiver 1110 in a transceiver module. For example, transmitter 1120 may be a reference... Figure 14 Examples of various aspects of the transceiver 1420 described. The transmitter 1120 may utilize a single antenna or an array of antennas.

[0179] Figure 12 A block diagram 1200 of a device 1205 supporting gateway-based voice calls via a base station is shown according to aspects of this disclosure. Device 1205 may be an example of aspects of device 1105 or base station 105 as described herein. Device 1205 may include a receiver 1210, a communication manager 1215, and a transmitter 1240. Device 1205 may also include a processor. Each of these components may be in communication with each other (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0180] Receiver 1210 can receive information such as packets, user data, or control information associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, and information related to gateway-based voice calls via a base station). The information can be transmitted to other components of device 1205. Receiver 1210 can be a reference... Figure 14 Examples of various aspects of the transceiver 1420 described. The receiver 1210 may utilize a single antenna or an array of antennas.

[0181] Communication manager 1215 may be an example of aspects of communication manager 1115 as described herein. Communication manager 1215 may include communication link manager 1220, Internet connection manager 1225, gateway manager 1230, and voice call manager 1235. Communication manager 1215 may be an example of aspects of communication manager 1410 as described herein.

[0182] The communication link manager 1220 can establish a wireless communication link with the UE, wherein the wireless communication link is based on a first RAT and includes one or more components of the base station’s wireless communication network that lack support for voice calls based on the first RAT.

[0183] The Internet Connection Manager 1225 can relay signaling associated with the Internet connection for the UE via the wireless communication link.

[0184] Gateway manager 1230 can relay signaling associated with the connection between the UE and the gateway of the core network of the wireless communication network via the wireless communication link and the Internet connection.

[0185] The voice call manager 1235 can relay signaling associated with a voice call to the UE via the wireless communication link, the voice call being transmitted via a call path that includes the wireless communication link to the UE and the connection between the UE and the gateway of the core network.

[0186] Transmitter 1240 can transmit signals generated by other components of device 1205. In some examples, transmitter 1240 may coexist with receiver 1210 in a transceiver module. For example, transmitter 1240 may be a reference... Figure 14 Examples of various aspects of the transceiver 1420 are described. The transmitter 1240 may utilize a single antenna or an array of antennas.

[0187] Figure 13 A block diagram 1300 is shown of a communication manager 1305 supporting gateway-based voice calls via a base station, according to various aspects of this disclosure. The communication manager 1305 may be an example of aspects of the communication manager 1115, communication manager 1215, or communication manager 1410 described herein. The communication manager 1305 may include a communication link manager 1310, an Internet connection manager 1315, a gateway manager 1320, a voice call manager 1325, a UPF manager 1330, and a core network manager 1335. Each of these modules may communicate directly or indirectly with each other (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0188] The communication link manager 1310 can establish a wireless communication link with the UE, wherein the wireless communication link is based on a first RAT and includes one or more components of the base station’s wireless communication network that lack support for voice calls based on the first RAT.

[0189] The Internet Connection Manager 1315 can relay signaling associated with the Internet connection for the UE via the wireless communication link.

[0190] Gateway manager 1320 may relay signaling associated with the connection between the UE and the gateway of the core network of the wireless communication network via the wireless communication link and the Internet connection. In some examples, the signaling associated with the relay voice call is further relayed via a second gateway, wherein the gateway is an ePDG, and wherein the second gateway is a PGW. In some cases, the signaling associated with the connection between the UE and the gateway includes a discovery query for the gateway. In some cases, the gateway of the core network is an evolved packet data gateway corresponding to a second RAT. In some cases, the gateway of the core network is an interoperability function (e.g., N3IWF) corresponding to a first RAT.

[0191] The voice call manager 1325 can relay signaling associated with a voice call to the UE via the wireless communication link, the voice call traversing a call path that includes the wireless communication link to the UE and a connection between the UE and a gateway in the core network. In some examples, the voice call manager 1325 can transmit an indication to the UE that there is a lack of support for the voice call according to the first RAT. In some examples, transmitting the indication includes transmitting system information, radio resource control information, or any combination thereof. In some cases, a lack of support for the voice call according to the first RAT includes a lack of support for the QoS bearer corresponding to the voice call according to the first RAT.

[0192] The UPF manager 1330 can relay signaling associated with Internet connectivity for the UE via user plane functions associated with a base station. In some examples, the UPF manager 1330 can further relay signaling associated with voice calls via user plane functions associated with a gateway, wherein the gateway is an interoperability function corresponding to the first RAT.

[0193] The core network manager 1335 can relay associated signaling with the UE to the IMS via a wireless communication link before relaying signaling associated with voice calls. In some cases, the core network includes the IMS.

[0194] Figure 14 A diagram of a system 1400 including device 1405 supporting gateway-based voice calls via a base station, according to various aspects of this disclosure, is shown. Device 1405 may be an example of device 1105, device 1205, or base station 105 as described herein, or a component including such devices. Device 1405 may include components for bidirectional voice and data communication, including components for transmitting and receiving communications, including a communication manager 1410, a network communication manager 1415, a transceiver 1420, an antenna 1425, a memory 1430, a processor 1440, and an inter-station communication manager 1445. These components may be in electronic communication via one or more buses (e.g., bus 1450).

[0195] The communication manager 1410 can establish a wireless communication link with the UE, wherein the wireless communication link is based on a first RAT and includes one or more components of the wireless communication network of the base station that lack support for voice calls according to the first RAT; relay signaling associated with an Internet connection for the UE via the wireless communication link; relay signaling associated with a connection between the UE and a gateway of the core network of the wireless communication network via the wireless communication link and the Internet connection; and relay signaling associated with a voice call for the UE via the wireless communication link, the voice call being transmitted via a call path that includes the wireless communication link with the UE and a connection between the UE and a gateway of the core network.

[0196] The network communication manager 1415 can manage communication with the core network (e.g., via one or more wired backhaul links). For example, the network communication manager 1415 can manage the delivery of data communication by client devices (such as one or more UEs 115).

[0197] Transceiver 1420 can communicate bidirectionally via one or more antennas, wired or wireless links, as described above. For example, transceiver 1420 can represent a wireless transceiver and can communicate bidirectionally with another wireless transceiver. Transceiver 1420 may also include a modem to modulate packets and provide the modulated packets to the antenna for transmission, and to demodulate packets received from the antenna.

[0198] In some cases, the wireless device may include a single antenna 1425. However, in other cases, the device may have more than one antenna 1425, which may be able to transmit or receive multiple wireless transmissions concurrently.

[0199] Memory 1430 may include RAM, ROM, or a combination thereof. Memory 1430 may store computer-readable code 1435 including instructions that, when executed by a processor (e.g., processor 1440), cause the device to perform the various functions described herein. In some cases, memory 1430 may particularly include a BIOS that controls basic hardware or software operation, such as interaction with peripheral components or devices.

[0200] Processor 1440 may include intelligent hardware devices (e.g., general-purpose processors, DSPs, CPUs, microcontrollers, ASICs, FPGAs, programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic components, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof). In some cases, processor 1440 may be configured to use a memory controller to operate a memory array. In some cases, the memory controller may be integrated into processor 1440. Processor 1440 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in memory (e.g., memory 1430) to cause device 1405 to perform various functions (e.g., functions or tasks supporting gateway-based voice calls via a base station).

[0201] Inter-site communication manager 1445 manages communication with other base stations 105 and may include a controller or scheduler for cooperating with other base stations 105 to control communication with UE 115. For example, inter-site communication manager 1445 may coordinate the scheduling of transmissions to UE 115 for various interference mitigation techniques, such as beamforming or joint transmission. In some examples, inter-site communication manager 1445 may provide an X2 interface within LTE / LTE-A wireless communication network technology to facilitate communication between base stations 105.

[0202] Code 1435 may include instructions for implementing various aspects of this disclosure, including instructions for supporting wireless communication. Code 1435 may be stored in a non-transient computer-readable medium, such as system memory or other types of memory. In some cases, code 1435 may not be directly executed by processor 1440, but may cause a computer (e.g., when compiled and executed) to perform the functions described herein.

[0203] Figure 15 A flowchart illustrating a method 1500 for supporting gateway-based voice calls via a base station according to various aspects of this disclosure is shown. Operation of method 1500 may be implemented by a UE 115 or its components as described herein. For example, operation of method 1500 may be implemented by, as described in reference... Figures 7 to 10 The described communication manager is used to perform this function. In some examples, the UE can execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements of the UE to perform the following functions. Alternatively or alternatively, the UE can use dedicated hardware to perform aspects of the following functions.

[0204] At point 1505, the UE can establish a wireless communication link with a base station of the wireless communication network, which is based on a first RAT. The operation of point 1505 can be performed according to the method described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of point 1505 can be determined by reference to... Figures 7 to 10The described communication link manager is used to perform this. Additionally or alternatively, the apparatus for performing 1505 may (but not necessarily) include, for example, an antenna 1025, a transceiver 1020, a communication manager 1010, a memory 1030 (including code 1035), a processor 1040, and / or a bus 1045.

[0205] At point 1510, the UE may identify a lack of support for a voice call according to the first RAT, the lack of support being associated with one or more components of the wireless communication network. Operation of point 1510 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of point 1510 may be determined by reference to... Figures 7 to 10 The described voice call manager is used to perform this. Additionally or alternatively, the apparatus for performing 1510 may (but not necessarily) include, for example, an antenna 1025, a transceiver 1020, a communication manager 1010, a memory 1030 (including code 1035), a processor 1040, and / or a bus 1045.

[0206] At point 1515, the UE can establish an Internet connection via this wireless communication link with the base station. The operation of point 1515 can be performed according to the method described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of point 1515 can be determined by referring to... Figures 7 to 10 The Internet connection manager described herein is used to perform this action. Additionally or alternatively, the apparatus for performing 1515 may (but not necessarily) include, for example, an antenna 1025, a transceiver 1020, a communication manager 1010, a memory 1030 (including code 1035), a processor 1040, and / or a bus 1045.

[0207] At point 1520, the UE can transmit a discovery query for the gateway of the core network of the wireless communication network via the wireless communication link and the Internet connection. The operation of point 1520 can be performed according to the method described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of point 1520 can be derived from, as referenced... Figures 7 to 10 The gateway manager described is used to perform this. Additionally or alternatively, the apparatus for performing 1520 may (but not necessarily) include, for example, an antenna 1025, a transceiver 1020, a communication manager 1010, a memory 1030 (including code 1035), a processor 1040, and / or a bus 1045.

[0208] At point 1525, the UE can establish a connection with the gateway via the Internet connection based on the discovery query and the lack of support for voice calls according to the first RAT. The operation of point 1525 can be performed according to the method described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of point 1525 can be derived from, as referenced... Figures 7 to 10The gateway manager described herein shall perform the execution. Additionally or alternatively, the apparatus for performing 1525 may (but not necessarily) include, for example, an antenna 1025, a transceiver 1020, a communications manager 1010, a memory 1030 (including code 1035), a processor 1040, and / or a bus 1045.

[0209] At point 1530, the UE can initiate a voice call via a call path that includes a wireless communication link with the base station and a connection with the gateway. Operation of point 1530 can be performed according to the method described herein. In some examples, aspects of operation of point 1530 can be determined by referring to... Figures 7 to 10 The described voice call manager is used to perform this. Additionally or alternatively, the apparatus for performing 1530 may (but not necessarily) include, for example, an antenna 1025, a transceiver 1020, a communication manager 1010, a memory 1030 (including code 1035), a processor 1040, and / or a bus 1045.

[0210] Figure 16 A flowchart illustrating a method 1600 for supporting gateway-based voice calls via a base station according to various aspects of this disclosure is shown. Operation of method 1600 may be implemented by a UE 115 or its components as described herein. For example, operation of method 1600 may be implemented by, as referred to... Figures 7 to 10 The described communication manager is used to perform this function. In some examples, the UE can execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements of the UE to perform the following functions. Alternatively or alternatively, the UE can use dedicated hardware to perform aspects of the following functions.

[0211] At point 1605, the UE can establish a wireless communication link with a base station of the wireless communication network, which is based on a first RAT. The operation of point 1605 can be performed according to the method described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of point 1605 can be determined by referring to... Figures 7 to 10 The described communication link manager is used to perform this. Additionally or alternatively, the apparatus for performing 1605 may (but not necessarily) include, for example, an antenna 1025, a transceiver 1020, a communication manager 1010, a memory 1030 (including code 1035), a processor 1040, and / or a bus 1045.

[0212] At 1610, the UE may receive from the base station an indication of lack of support for a voice call according to the first RAT. Operation of 1610 may be performed according to the method described herein. In some examples, aspects of operation of 1610 may be determined by reference to... Figures 7 to 10The described voice call manager is used to perform this. Additionally or alternatively, the apparatus for performing 1610 may (but not necessarily) include, for example, an antenna 1025, a transceiver 1020, a communication manager 1010, a memory 1030 (including code 1035), a processor 1040, and / or a bus 1045.

[0213] At 1615, the UE can use this indication to identify a lack of support for a voice call according to the first RAT, the lack of support being associated with one or more components of the wireless communication network. Operation of 1615 can be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of 1615 can be determined by reference to... Figures 7 to 10 The described voice call manager is used to perform this. Additionally or alternatively, the apparatus for performing 1615 may (but not necessarily) include, for example, an antenna 1025, a transceiver 1020, a communication manager 1010, a memory 1030 (including code 1035), a processor 1040, and / or a bus 1045.

[0214] At point 1620, the UE can establish an Internet connection via this wireless communication link with the base station. The operation of point 1620 can be performed according to the method described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of point 1620 can be derived from, as referenced... Figures 7 to 10 The Internet connection manager described herein is used to perform this action. Additionally or alternatively, the apparatus for performing 1620 may (but not necessarily) include, for example, an antenna 1025, a transceiver 1020, a communication manager 1010, a memory 1030 (including code 1035), a processor 1040, and / or a bus 1045.

[0215] At point 1625, the UE can transmit a discovery query for the gateway of the core network of the wireless communication network via the wireless communication link and the Internet connection. The operation of point 1625 can be performed according to the method described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of point 1625 can be derived from, as referenced... Figures 7 to 10 The gateway manager described herein shall execute this. Additionally or alternatively, the apparatus for executing 1625 may (but not necessarily) include, for example, an antenna 1025, a transceiver 1020, a communications manager 1010, a memory 1030 (including code 1035), a processor 1040, and / or a bus 1045.

[0216] At point 1630, the UE can establish a connection with the gateway via the Internet connection based on the discovery query and the lack of support for voice calls according to the first RAT. The operation of point 1630 can be performed according to the method described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of point 1630 can be derived from, as referenced... Figures 7 to 10The gateway manager described herein shall execute this. Additionally or alternatively, the apparatus for executing 1630 may (but not necessarily) include, for example, an antenna 1025, a transceiver 1020, a communications manager 1010, a memory 1030 (including code 1035), a processor 1040, and / or a bus 1045.

[0217] At point 1635, the UE can initiate a voice call via a call path that includes a wireless communication link with a base station and a connection with a gateway. Operation of point 1635 can be performed according to the method described herein. In some examples, aspects of operation of point 1635 can be derived from, as referenced... Figures 7 to 10 The described voice call manager is used to perform this. Additionally or alternatively, the apparatus for performing 1635 may (but not necessarily) include, for example, an antenna 1025, a transceiver 1020, a communication manager 1010, a memory 1030 (including code 1035), a processor 1040, and / or a bus 1045.

[0218] Figure 17 A flowchart illustrating a method 1700 for supporting gateway-based voice calls via a base station according to various aspects of this disclosure is shown. Operation of method 1700 may be implemented by a base station 105 or its components as described herein. For example, operation of method 1700 may be implemented by, as described in reference... Figures 11 to 14 The described communication manager is used to execute this. In some examples, the base station can execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements of the base station to perform the functions described below. Additionally or alternatively, the base station can use dedicated hardware to perform aspects of the functions described below.

[0219] At point 1705, the base station can establish a wireless communication link with the UE, wherein the wireless communication link is based on a first RAT and includes one or more components of the base station's wireless communication network that lack support for voice calls according to the first RAT. Operation of point 1705 can be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of point 1705 can be derived from, as referenced... Figures 11 to 14 The described communication link manager is used to perform this action. Additionally or alternatively, the apparatus for performing 1705 may (but not necessarily) include, for example, an antenna 1425, a transceiver 1420, a communication manager 1410, a memory 1430 (including code 1435), a processor 1440, and / or a bus 1450.

[0220] At 1710, the base station can relay signaling associated with the Internet connection for the UE via this wireless communication link. Operation of 1710 can be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of 1710 can be derived from, as referenced... Figures 11 to 14The Internet connection manager described herein is used to perform this action. Additionally or alternatively, the apparatus for performing 1710 may (but not necessarily) include, for example, an antenna 1425, a transceiver 1420, a communication manager 1410, a memory 1430 (including code 1435), a processor 1440, and / or a bus 1450.

[0221] At point 1715, the base station may associate signaling with the connection between the wireless communication link and the Internet connection relay and the gateway of the core network of the wireless communication network. Operation of point 1715 may be performed according to the method described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of point 1715 may be derived from, as referenced... Figures 11 to 14 The gateway manager described herein shall execute this. Additionally or alternatively, the apparatus for executing 1715 may (but not necessarily) include, for example, an antenna 1425, a transceiver 1420, a communications manager 1410, a memory 1430 (including code 1435), a processor 1440, and / or a bus 1450.

[0222] At 1720, the base station can relay signaling associated with a voice call to the UE via the wireless communication link, the voice call traversing a call path that includes the wireless communication link with the UE and a connection between the UE and a gateway in the core network. Operation of 1720 can be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of 1720 can be derived from, as referenced... Figures 11 to 14 The described voice call manager is used to perform this. Additionally or alternatively, the apparatus for performing 1720 may (but not necessarily) include, for example, an antenna 1425, a transceiver 1420, a communication manager 1410, a memory 1430 (including code 1435), a processor 1440, and / or a bus 1450.

[0223] Figure 18 A flowchart illustrating a method 1800 for supporting gateway-based voice calls via a base station according to various aspects of this disclosure is shown. Operation of method 1800 may be implemented by a base station 105 or its components as described herein. For example, operation of method 1800 may be implemented by, as described in reference... Figures 11 to 14 The described communication manager is used to execute this. In some examples, the base station can execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements of the base station to perform the functions described below. Additionally or alternatively, the base station can use dedicated hardware to perform aspects of the functions described below.

[0224] At point 1805, the base station can establish a wireless communication link with the UE, wherein the wireless communication link is based on a first RAT and includes one or more components of the base station's wireless communication network that lack support for voice calls according to the first RAT. Operation at point 1805 can be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of operation at point 1805 can be derived from, as referenced... Figures 11 to 14 The described communication link manager is used to perform this. Additionally or alternatively, the apparatus for performing 1805 may (but not necessarily) include, for example, an antenna 1425, a transceiver 1420, a communication manager 1410, a memory 1430 (including code 1435), a processor 1440, and / or a bus 1450.

[0225] At point 1810, the base station may transmit an indication to the UE that there is a lack of support for a voice call according to the first RAT. The operation of point 1810 may be performed according to the method described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of point 1810 may be determined by reference to... Figures 11 to 14 The described voice call manager is used to perform this. Additionally or alternatively, the apparatus for performing 1810 may (but not necessarily) include, for example, an antenna 1425, a transceiver 1420, a communication manager 1410, a memory 1430 (including code 1435), a processor 1440, and / or a bus 1450.

[0226] At point 1815, the base station can relay signaling associated with the Internet connection for the UE via this wireless communication link. Operation of point 1815 can be performed according to the method described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of point 1815 can be determined by referring to... Figures 11 to 14 The Internet connection manager described herein is used to perform this action. Additionally or alternatively, the apparatus for performing 1815 may (but not necessarily) include, for example, an antenna 1425, a transceiver 1420, a communication manager 1410, a memory 1430 (including code 1435), a processor 1440, and / or a bus 1450.

[0227] At 1820, the base station may associate signaling with the connection between the wireless communication link and the Internet connection relay and the gateway of the core network of the wireless communication network. Operation of 1820 may be performed according to the method described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of 1820 may be derived from, as referenced... Figures 11 to 14 The gateway manager described herein shall execute this. Additionally or alternatively, the apparatus for executing 1820 may (but not necessarily) include, for example, an antenna 1425, a transceiver 1420, a communications manager 1410, a memory 1430 (including code 1435), a processor 1440, and / or a bus 1450.

[0228] At point 1825, the base station can relay signaling associated with a voice call to the UE via the wireless communication link, the voice call traversing a call path that includes the wireless communication link with the UE and a connection between the UE and a gateway in the core network. Operation of point 1825 can be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of point 1825 can be derived from, as referenced... Figures 11 to 14 The described voice call manager is used to perform this. Additionally or alternatively, the apparatus for performing 1825 may (but not necessarily) include, for example, an antenna 1425, a transceiver 1420, a communication manager 1410, a memory 1430 (including code 1435), a processor 1440, and / or a bus 1450.

[0229] It should be noted that the methods described herein describe possible implementations, and the operations and steps can be rearranged or otherwise modified, and other implementations are also possible. Furthermore, aspects from two or more methods can be combined.

[0230] Aspect 1: A method for performing wireless communication at a UE, comprising: establishing a wireless communication link with a base station of a wireless communication network, the wireless communication link being based on a first RAT; identifying a lack of support for a voice call according to the first RAT, the lack of support being associated with one or more components of the wireless communication network; establishing an Internet connection via the wireless communication link with the base station; transmitting a discovery query for a gateway of the core network of the wireless communication network via the wireless communication link and the Internet connection; establishing a connection with the gateway via the Internet connection based at least in part on the discovery query and the lack of support for a voice call according to the first RAT; and initiating a voice call via a call path including the wireless communication link with the base station and the connection with the gateway.

[0231] Aspect 2: The method of aspect 1 further includes: attempting to initiate a previous voice call via a base station according to a first RAT; and completing the previous voice call via a base station according to a second RAT, wherein the identification of a lack of support for the voice call according to the first RAT is based at least in part on the completion of the previous voice call according to the second RAT.

[0232] Aspect 3: The method of any one of Aspects 1 to 2, wherein the UE is pre-configured to disable voice calls according to the first RAT, wherein the identification of lack of support for voice calls according to the first RAT is based at least in part on the UE being pre-configured.

[0233] Aspect 4: The method of any one of Aspects 1 to 3 further includes: receiving from a base station an indication of lack of support for a voice call according to the first RAT, wherein the indication of lack of support for a voice call according to the first RAT is based at least in part on the indication.

[0234] Aspect 5: The method of aspect 4, wherein receiving the instruction includes receiving system information, radio resource control information, or any combination thereof.

[0235] Aspect 6: The method of any one of Aspects 1 to 5, wherein the gateway of the core network includes an evolved packet data gateway corresponding to the second RAT.

[0236] Aspect 7: The method of any one of Aspects 1 to 6, wherein the gateway of the core network includes an interoperability function corresponding to the first RAT.

[0237] Aspect 8: The method of any one of Aspects 1 to 7, wherein a voice call is initiated via a user plane function associated with a base station.

[0238] Aspect 9: The method of aspect 8, wherein the initiation of the voice call is further via a second gateway, and wherein the gateway includes an ePDG and the second gateway includes a PGW.

[0239] Aspect 10: The method of aspect 8, wherein initiating a voice call is further via a user plane function associated with a gateway, wherein the gateway includes an interoperability function corresponding to the first RAT.

[0240] Aspect 11: The method of any one of Aspects 1 to 10, wherein the lack of support for voice calls according to the first RAT includes the lack of support for the QoS bearer corresponding to the voice call according to the first RAT.

[0241] Aspect 12: The method of any of Aspects 1 to 11, wherein the core network includes IMS.

[0242] Aspect 13: The method of aspect 12 further includes: registering with IMS via a wireless communication link with a base station and a connection with a gateway, wherein initiating a voice call is at least partially based on the registration with IMS.

[0243] Aspect 14: The method of any one of Aspects 1 to 13 further includes: making a voice call based at least in part on transmitting signaling via a call path.

[0244] Aspect 15: A method for conducting wireless communication at a base station, comprising: establishing a wireless communication link with a UE, wherein the wireless communication link is based on a first RAT and includes one or more components of a wireless communication network of the base station that lack support for voice calls according to the first RAT; relaying signaling associated with an Internet connection for the UE via the wireless communication link; relaying signaling associated with a connection between the UE and a gateway of the core network of the wireless communication network via the wireless communication link and the Internet connection; and relaying signaling associated with a voice call for the UE via the wireless communication link, the voice call being transmitted via a call path that includes the wireless communication link with the UE and a connection between the UE and a gateway of the core network.

[0245] Aspect 16: The method of aspect 15 further includes: transmitting to the UE an indication that there is a lack of support for voice calls according to the first RAT.

[0246] Aspect 17: The method of aspect 16, wherein transmitting the instruction includes transmitting system information, radio resource control information, or any combination thereof.

[0247] Aspect 18: The method of any one of Aspects 15 to 17, wherein the signaling associated with the connection between the UE and the gateway includes a discovery query for the gateway.

[0248] Aspect 19: The method of any one of Aspects 15 to 18, wherein the gateway of the core network includes an evolved packet data gateway corresponding to the second RAT.

[0249] Aspect 20: The method of any one of Aspects 15 to 19, wherein the gateway of the core network includes an interoperability function corresponding to the first RAT.

[0250] Aspect 21: The method of any one of Aspects 15 to 20, wherein signaling associated with a relay and voice call is transmitted via a user plane function associated with a base station.

[0251] Aspect 22: The method of aspect 21, wherein the signaling associated with the relay and voice call is further transmitted via a second gateway, and wherein the gateway includes an ePDG and the second gateway includes a PGW.

[0252] Aspect 23: The method of aspect 21, wherein signaling associated with a trunk and a voice call is further transmitted via a user plane function associated with a gateway, wherein the gateway includes an interoperability function corresponding to the first RAT.

[0253] Aspect 24: The method of any one of Aspects 15 to 23, wherein the lack of support for voice calls according to the first RAT includes the lack of support for the QoS bearer corresponding to the voice call according to the first RAT.

[0254] Aspect 25: The method of any one of Aspects 15 to 24, wherein the core network includes IMS.

[0255] Aspect 26: The method of aspect 25 further includes: relaying the signaling associated with the voice call via the wireless communication link to the UE for registration with the IMS.

[0256] Aspect 27: An apparatus for wireless communication at a UE, comprising: a processor; a memory coupled to the processor; and instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to perform the method of any one of Aspects 1 to 14.

[0257] Aspect 28: An apparatus for wireless communication at a UE, comprising at least one means for performing the method of any one of aspects 1 to 14.

[0258] Aspect 29: A non-transient computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication at a UE, the code including instructions executable by a processor to perform methods as described in any of Aspects 1 to 14.

[0259] Aspect 30: An apparatus for wireless communication at a base station, comprising: a processor; a memory coupled to the processor; and instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to perform the method of any one of aspects 15 to 26.

[0260] Aspect 31: An apparatus for wireless communication at a base station, comprising at least one means for performing the method of any one of aspects 15 to 26.

[0261] Aspect 32: A non-transient computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication at a base station, the code including instructions executable by a processor to perform methods as described in any of Aspects 15 to 26.

[0262] While aspects of LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NR systems may be described for illustrative purposes, and the terms LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NR may be used in most of the description, the techniques described herein can also be applied to networks other than LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NR networks. For example, the described techniques can be applied to a variety of other wireless communication systems, such as Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), IEEE 802.20, Flash-OFDM, and other systems and radio technologies not explicitly mentioned herein.

[0263] The information and signals described herein can be represented using any of a wide variety of different techniques and methods. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referred to throughout this description can be represented by voltage, current, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, light fields or light particles, or any combination thereof.

[0264] The various illustrative boxes and components described herein can be implemented or executed using a general-purpose processor, DSP, ASIC, CPU, FPGA or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in alternatives, the processor may be any processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices (e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors working in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration).

[0265] The functions described herein can be implemented in hardware, software executed by a processor, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software executed by a processor, the functions can be stored or transmitted as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. Other examples and implementations fall within the scope of this disclosure and the appended claims. For example, due to the nature of software, the functions described herein can be implemented using software executed by a processor, hardware, firmware, hardwired, or any combination thereof. Features implementing the functions can also be physically located in various locations, including being distributed such that different parts of the function are implemented at different physical locations.

[0266] Computer-readable media includes both non-transient computer storage media and communication media, encompassing any medium that facilitates the transfer of a computer program from one location to another. Non-transient storage media can be any available medium accessible to a general-purpose or special-purpose computer. By way of example and not limitation, non-transient computer-readable media may include random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), flash memory, compact disc (CD) ROM or other optical disc storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other non-transient medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and is accessible to a general-purpose or special-purpose computer, or a general-purpose or special-purpose processor. Similarly, any connection is also legitimately referred to as computer-readable media. For example, if software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, then such coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave are included in the definition of computer-readable media. As used in this article, disk and disc include CDs, laser discs, optical discs, DVDs, floppy disks, and Blu-ray discs, where disks often magnetically reproduce data while discs optically reproduce data using lasers. Combinations of these media are also included within the scope of computer-readable media.

[0267] As used herein (including in the claims), the word "or" in an enumeration of items (e.g., an enumeration of items accompanied by phrases such as "at least one of" or "one or more of") indicates an inclusive enumeration, such that an enumeration of at least one of, for example, A, B, or C means A or B or C or AB or AC or BC or ABC (i.e., A and B and C). Similarly, as used herein, the phrase "based on" should not be interpreted as referring to a closed set of conditions. For example, an example step described as "based on condition A" may be based on both condition A and condition B without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In other words, as used herein, the phrase "based on" should be interpreted in the same manner as the phrase "at least partially based on".

[0268] In the accompanying drawings, similar components or features may have the same reference numerals. Furthermore, components of the same type may be distinguished by a dash following the reference numeral and a second reference numeral used to differentiate between similar components. If only the first reference numeral is used in the description, the description may apply to any of the similar components having the same first reference numeral, regardless of the second reference numeral or other subsequent reference numerals.

[0269] This document, illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings, describes exemplary configurations but does not represent all examples that can be implemented or fall within the scope of the claims. The term "example" as used herein means "serving as an example, instance, or illustration" and does not imply "superior" or "outperforming" other examples. This detailed description includes specific details to provide an understanding of the described techniques. However, these techniques may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form to avoid obscuring the concepts of the described examples.

[0270] The description provided herein is intended to enable those skilled in the art to make or use this disclosure. Various modifications to this disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the universal principles defined herein can be applied to other variations without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Therefore, this disclosure is not limited to the examples and designs described herein, but should be granted the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A method for conducting wireless communication at a user equipment (UE), comprising: Establish a wireless communication link with a network node of a wireless communication network, the wireless communication link being based on a first radio access technology (RAT). The identifier indicates a lack of support for a first type of voice call according to the first RAT, and the lack of support is associated with one or more components of the wireless communication network; An Internet connection is established via the wireless communication link with the network node; Discovery queries for gateways in the core network of the wireless communication network are transmitted via the wireless communication link and the Internet connection. A connection is established with the gateway via the Internet connection, based at least in part on the discovery query and the lack of support for the first type of voice call according to the first RAT. as well as A second type of voice call is initiated via a call path that includes the wireless communication link with the network node and the connection with the gateway, wherein the first type of voice call is different from the second type of voice call.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: An attempt is made to initiate a previous voice call of the first type via the network node based on the first RAT; as well as The first type of previous voice call is completed via the network node according to the second RAT, wherein the identification of the lack of support for the first type of voice call according to the first RAT is based at least in part on the completion of the first type of previous voice call according to the second RAT.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the UE is pre-configured to disable the first type of voice calls according to the first RAT, wherein the identification of lack of support for the first type of voice calls according to the first RAT is based at least in part on the UE being pre-configured.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: Receive from the network node an indication of lack of support for the first type of voice call according to the first RAT, wherein the indication of lack of support for the first type of voice call according to the first RAT is based at least in part on the indication.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein receiving the instruction includes receiving system information, radio resource control information, or any combination thereof.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the gateway of the core network includes an evolved packet data gateway (ePDG) corresponding to the second RAT.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the gateway of the core network includes an interoperability function corresponding to the first RAT.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the second type of voice call is initiated via a user plane function associated with the network node.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein initiating the second type of voice call is further via a second gateway, and wherein the gateway comprises an evolved packet data gateway (ePDG), and the second gateway comprises a packet gateway (PGW).

10. The method of claim 8, wherein initiating the second type of voice call is further via a user plane function associated with the gateway, wherein the gateway includes an interoperability function corresponding to the first RAT.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the lack of support for the first type of voice call according to the first RAT includes the lack of support for the Quality of Service (QoS) bearer corresponding to the first type of voice call according to the first RAT.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the core network includes Internet Protocol (IP) Multimedia Subsystem (IMS).

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising: Registering with the IMS via the wireless communication link with the network node and the connection with the gateway, wherein initiating the second type of voice call is based at least in part on registering with the IMS.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising: The second type of voice call is made at least in part based on signaling transmitted via the call path.

15. A method for wireless communication at a network node, comprising: Establish a wireless communication link with user equipment (UE), wherein the wireless communication link is based on a first radio access technology (RAT), and one or more components of the wireless communication network including the network node lack support for a first type of voice call according to the first RAT; Signaling associated with the Internet connection for the UE via the wireless communication link relay; Signaling associated with the connection between the UE and the gateway of the core network of the wireless communication network via the wireless communication link and the Internet connection relay; as well as Signaling associated with a second type of voice call for the UE via the wireless communication link relay, the second type of voice call via a call path including the wireless communication link with the UE and the connection between the UE and the gateway of the core network, wherein the first type of voice call is different from the second type of voice call.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising: The UE is informed of a lack of support for the first type of voice call according to the first RAT.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein transmitting the indication comprises transmitting system information, radio resource control information, or any combination thereof.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the signaling associated with the connection between the UE and the gateway of the core network includes a discovery query for the gateway of the core network.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the gateway of the core network includes an evolved packet data gateway (ePDG) corresponding to the second RAT.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein the gateway of the core network includes an interoperability function corresponding to the first RAT.

21. The method of claim 15, wherein the signaling relayed in connection with the second type of voice call is transmitted via a user plane function associated with the network node.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the signaling associated with the relayed voice call of the second type is further transmitted via a second gateway, wherein the gateway includes an evolved packet data gateway (ePDG), and the second gateway includes a packet gateway (PGW).

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the signaling associated with the relay of the second type of voice call is further transmitted via a user plane function associated with the gateway of the core network, and wherein the gateway of the core network includes an interoperability function corresponding to the first RAT.

24. The method of claim 15, wherein the lack of support for the first type of voice call according to the first RAT includes the lack of support for the Quality of Service (QoS) bearer corresponding to the first type of voice call according to the first RAT.

25. The method of claim 15, wherein the core network includes the Internet Protocol (IP) Multimedia Subsystem (IMS).

26. The method of claim 25, further comprising: Prior to relaying the signaling associated with the second type of voice call, the signaling associated with the UE's registration with the IMS is relayed via the wireless communication link.

27. An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising: At least one processor in the user equipment (UE); as well as A memory coupled to the at least one processor, the memory and the at least one processor being configured to cause the device to: Establish a wireless communication link with a network node of a wireless communication network, the wireless communication link being based on a first radio access technology (RAT). The identifier indicates a lack of support for a first type of voice call according to the first RAT, and the lack of support is associated with one or more components of the wireless communication network; An Internet connection is established via the wireless communication link with the network node; Discovery queries for gateways in the core network of the wireless communication network are transmitted via the wireless communication link and the Internet connection. A connection is established with the gateway of the core network via the Internet connection, based at least in part on the discovery query and the lack of support for the first type of voice call according to the first RAT. as well as A second type of voice call is initiated via a call path that includes the wireless communication link with the network node and the connection with the gateway of the core network, wherein the first type of voice call is different from the second type of voice call.

28. An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising: At least one processor in the user equipment (UE); as well as A memory coupled to the at least one processor, the memory and the at least one processor being configured to cause the device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 2-14.

29. An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising: At least one processor in a network node; as well as A memory coupled to the at least one processor, the memory and the at least one processor being configured to cause the device to: Establish a wireless communication link with user equipment (UE), wherein the wireless communication link is based on a first radio access technology (RAT), and one or more components of the wireless communication network including the network node lack support for a first type of voice call according to the first RAT; Signaling associated with the Internet connection for the UE via the wireless communication link relay; Signaling associated with the connection between the UE and the gateway of the core network of the wireless communication network via the wireless communication link and the Internet connection relay; as well as Signaling associated with a second type of voice call for the UE via the wireless communication link relay, the second type of voice call via a call path including the wireless communication link with the UE and the connection between the UE and the gateway of the core network, wherein the first type of voice call is different from the second type of voice call.

30. An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising: At least one processor in a network node; as well as A memory coupled to the at least one processor, the memory and the at least one processor being configured to cause the device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 16-26.

31. A user equipment (UE) for wireless communication, comprising: A means for establishing a wireless communication link with a network node of a wireless communication network, the wireless communication link being based on a first radio access technology (RAT). A means for identifying a lack of support for a first type of voice call according to the first RAT, the lack of support being associated with one or more components of the wireless communication network; A means for establishing an Internet connection via the wireless communication link with the network node; A means for transmitting a discovery query for a gateway of the core network of the wireless communication network via the wireless communication link and the Internet connection; A means for establishing a connection with the gateway via the Internet connection based at least in part on the discovery query and the lack of support for the first type of voice call according to the first RAT; as well as A means for initiating a second type of voice call via a call path including the wireless communication link with the network node and the connection with the gateway, wherein the first type of voice call is different from the second type of voice call.

32. A network node for wireless communication, comprising: A means for establishing a wireless communication link with a user equipment (UE), wherein the wireless communication link is based on a first radio access technology (RAT), and one or more components of a wireless communication network including the network node lack support for a first type of voice call according to the first RAT. A means for relaying signaling associated with an Internet connection for the UE via the wireless communication link; A means for signaling associated with a connection between the UE and a gateway of the core network of the wireless communication network via the wireless communication link and the Internet connection relay; as well as A means for relaying signaling associated with a second type of voice call for the UE via the wireless communication link, the second type of voice call being transmitted via a call path including the wireless communication link with the UE and the connection between the UE and the gateway of the core network, wherein the first type of voice call is different from the second type of voice call.

33. A non-transient computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication, said code comprising instructions executable by one or more processors to perform the following operations: Establish a wireless communication link with a network node of a wireless communication network, the wireless communication link being based on a first radio access technology (RAT). The identifier indicates a lack of support for a first type of voice call according to the first RAT, and the lack of support is associated with one or more components of the wireless communication network; An Internet connection is established via the wireless communication link with the network node; Discovery queries for gateways in the core network of the wireless communication network are transmitted via the wireless communication link and the Internet connection. A connection is established with the gateway via the Internet connection, based at least in part on the discovery query and the lack of support for the first type of voice call according to the first RAT. as well as A second type of voice call is initiated via a call path that includes the wireless communication link with the network node and the connection with the gateway, wherein the first type of voice call is different from the second type of voice call.

34. A non-transient computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication, said code comprising instructions executable by one or more processors to perform the following operations: Establish a wireless communication link with user equipment (UE), wherein the wireless communication link is based on a first radio access technology (RAT), and one or more components of a wireless communication network including network nodes lack support for a first type of voice call according to the first RAT; Signaling associated with the Internet connection for the UE via the wireless communication link relay; Signaling associated with the connection between the UE and the gateway of the core network of the wireless communication network via the wireless communication link and the Internet connection relay; as well as Signaling associated with a second type of voice call for the UE via the wireless communication link relay, the second type of voice call via a call path including the wireless communication link with the UE and the connection between the UE and the gateway of the core network, wherein the first type of voice call is different from the second type of voice call.

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