Emergency Call Redirection in Femtocell Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless telecommunications, especially in femtocell environments, emergency calls may be unreliable due to limited resources and connectivity issues, leading to potential service failures and liability concerns for operators, with existing solutions not adequately addressing the need for guaranteed reliability and user experience consistency across different network access points.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of techniques that allow mobile devices to reselect to macro coverage when attempting emergency calls from femtocells, providing an Emergency Calls Supported Indicator (ECSI) to inform users of service limitations, and enabling the UE to autonomously switch to macro cells in case of femtocell congestion or service unavailability, ensuring reliable emergency call connectivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If H(e)NB is used to provide emergency services, then network resource utilization is improved, but service reliability deteriorates due to limited resources and connectivity issues

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork resource utilizationVSAvoidemergency service reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments emergency service support into two distinct paths: one for normal H(e)NB operation with limited resources, and another for emergency calls that may be redirected to macro cells. This segmentation allows the system to utilize H(e)NB resources for regular services while ensuring dedicated, reliable pathways for emergency communications, resolving the contradiction between resource utilization and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism in the form of a redirection system that mediates between H(e)NB and macro cell. When emergency services are needed, the system can redirect the UE from H(e)NB to macro cell, ensuring reliable emergency service while maintaining efficient H(e)NB resource utilization for non-emergency traffic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If H(e)NB supports emergency calls for CSG and non-CSG members, then service accessibility is improved, but connection stability deteriorates due to intentional or unintentional connection loss

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice accessibilityVSAvoidconnection stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-establishing macro cell neighbors and redirection information in the H(e)NB before emergency calls are needed. This allows the system to quickly and reliably redirect UEs to stable macro cell connections when emergency services are required, maintaining both high accessibility and connection stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent provides beforehand cushioning by preparing alternative macro cell pathways in advance. When connection loss occurs or is anticipated in H(e)NB, the pre-configured redirection mechanisms ensure continuous emergency service access through stable macro cell connections, cushioning against connection instability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Adaptability or versatility

If UE camps on H(e)NB for emergency call, then service availability is improved, but service quality deteriorates due to femtocell congestion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice availabilityVSAvoidservice quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by implementing dynamic redirection capabilities that allow the system to adaptively switch between H(e)NB and macro cell based on real-time conditions. When femtocell congestion is detected or anticipated, the system dynamically redirects emergency calls to macro cells, maintaining both service availability and quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2343927B1Devices for supporting emergency services in home cells and method thereof
Publication Date: 2017.03.29 BLACKBERRY LTD
  • EP2343927B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2343927B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP2343927B1 patent drawingFigure 6~8

AI summary

A user equipment (UE) including one or more processors configured to receive an emergency calls supported indicator (ECSI).