5G to EPS Fallback for Voice Service Continuity
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 5G wireless communication systems, voice-centric user equipment (UEs) face challenges such as inadequate voice service support, spotty coverage, and lack of regulatory services, leading to suboptimal performance, especially when frequency bands are not suitable for voice communications.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a fallback mechanism that allows UEs to switch from a 5G system to a legacy Evolved Packet System (EPS) for voice calls and emergency sessions, using either Single Registration or Dual Registration modes, ensuring continuous voice service and data connectivity while maintaining higher data rates in 5G for non-voice operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If UEs operate in 5G system for high data rates, then data transmission speed is improved, but voice service quality deteriorates due to inadequate voice support and spotty coverage
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between 5G and legacy EPS based on service requirements. UE maintains registration in both systems and can transition between them seamlessly - using 5G for high-speed data and falling back to EPS for reliable voice services, thus optimizing both speed and reliability across different operational contexts
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the communication services into different systems: high-speed data transmission is handled by 5G while voice services are handled by legacy EPS. This segmentation allows each system to operate in its optimal performance zone without compromising the other
2Productivity
If UEs use 5G system for all communications, then data connectivity is improved, but regulatory service availability deteriorates due to lack of support
Solution Approach 1:
The legacy EPS acts as an intermediary system for regulatory services. When emergency or regulatory services are required, the UE can fall back to EPS which has established support for these services, while maintaining 5G connectivity for data-intensive applications
3Reliability
If UEs implement fallback mechanism to legacy system, then voice service reliability is improved, but system complexity increases due to dual registration requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The UE is designed with multi-functionality to operate in both 5G and legacy EPS simultaneously. By implementing universal compatibility with both systems through dual registration, the device can seamlessly switch between them based on service requirements without requiring separate hardware or complex configuration management
Data Source
AI summary
User equipment (UEs) can fallback to a legacy system, such as an evolved packet system (EPS), from a fifth generation system (5GS). For example, a UE camps on the 5GS network by default. When an indicator of a voice call is detected, the UE performs a fallback to EPS for a duration of the voice call. After the voice call, the UE can return to the 5GS. In another example, the UE detects an emergency session request (e.g., internet protocol multimedia subsystem (IMS) emergency session request). The UE performs a fallback to EPS for a duration of the emergency session. After the emergency session is complete, the UE can return to the 5GS. The solution can operate with UEs that operate in either Single Registration (SR) mode embodiments or Dual Registration (DR) mode embodiments. Depending on the embodiment, the UE can perform a handover or redirection to the legacy system (such as E-UTRAN).