Emergency Call Routing for Pico NodeBs

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Solution Overview

Problem

The configuration of emergency call routing for mobile Pico NodeBs in wireless communication networks is challenging due to the lack of prior knowledge of their geographic location, as many countries have distributed emergency call centers, making manual configuration by network operators or customers necessary.

Innovation Solution

A method that determines the geographic location of a base station, such as a Pico NodeB, using GNSS or cell information, and automatically identifies the local emergency call center, allowing for automatic configuration of emergency call routing without manual intervention, by providing this information to network entities like PCRF and P-CSCF within the core network.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual configuration of emergency call routing is performed for each NodeB, then the emergency call routing can be correctly configured, but the configuration process becomes time-consuming and labor-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveemergency call routing configurationVSAvoidconfiguration time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The NodeB automatically determines its own geographic location using GNSS or cell information, and automatically identifies the appropriate emergency call center based on its location. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual configuration by network operators, thereby reducing configuration time while maintaining reliable emergency call routing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary determination of the NodeB's geographic location and preliminary identification of the appropriate emergency call center before actual emergency calls are made. This advance preparation ensures that when an emergency call is needed, the routing is already configured, eliminating configuration delays.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of manufacture

If manual configuration is used for fixed NodeBs with known locations, then the configuration can be done in advance, but mobile Pico NodeBs with unknown locations cannot be configured beforehand

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration processVSAvoidlocation flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from static, location-fixed configuration to dynamic, location-adaptive configuration. The NodeB dynamically determines its geographic location using GNSS or cell information and dynamically identifies the appropriate emergency call center based on its current location, enabling both ease of configuration and location flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The NodeB independently determines its own location and autonomously identifies the correct emergency call center without requiring manual intervention. This self-service capability enables the system to adapt to any location, whether fixed or mobile, while maintaining an easy configuration process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If the base station determines its location using GNSS, then precise location information is obtained, but the system becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocation determination accuracyVSAvoidlocation determination system
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces a core network module as an intermediary that performs the location determination and emergency call center identification. The base station simply provides its identifier, and the core network module handles the complex tasks of determining geographic location using GNSS or cell information and identifying the appropriate emergency call center, thereby maintaining measurement precision while reducing device complexity at the base station level.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables Pico NodeBs to initiate emergency call routing independently without manual effort, ensuring correct routing to emergency call centers, even when the base station's location is not known in advance, reducing manual configuration efforts and ensuring reliable emergency call services.

Implementation Method 1

obtaining the location of the base station, advantageously the Pico Node B, using a global navigation satellite system (GNSS)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGlobal navigation satellite system (GNSS):

Implementation Method 2

obtaining the location of the base station, advantageously the Pico Node B, using information from cells of the wireless communication system. Using a GNSS is particularly advantageous since this allows a precise determination of the base station's location. However, in case no GNSS coverage is given, it may be relied upon information from cells of the wireless communication system, e.g. by means of triangulation.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTriangulation:

Data Source

PatentEP4325900A1Emergency call routing
Publication Date: 2024.02.21 VODAFONE GMBH
  • EP4325900A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4325900A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4325900A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present solution provides a method performed in a wireless communication system, the method comprising: determining (S11) a geographic location of a base station (11); identifying (S12), based on the determined geographic location, a local emergency call center (50) that serves an emergency call area comprising the determined geographic location; providing (S13) an information on the identified local emergency call center (50) to at least one network entity.