Evolved Packet-Switched Core Network Architecture for Voice Services
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile service providers face challenges in transitioning to LTE technologies due to the need to maintain legacy 2G/3G circuit-switched core networks for supporting unmodified 2G/3G mobile devices, leading to increased operating and capital expenses.
Innovation Solution
An evolved packet-switched core network architecture that allows unmodified 2G and 3G mobile devices to use conventional circuit-switched protocols at the air interface while switching voice calls via a packet-switched core network, utilizing a translation module for user-plane and control-plane translation, eliminating the need for a legacy circuit-switched core network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a legacy circuit-switched core network is maintained to support voice calls on 2G/3G networks, then compatibility with unmodified 2G/3G mobile devices is ensured, but capital and operating expenses increase
Solution Approach 1:
An IP gateway is introduced as an intermediary component that bridges the packet-switched core network and legacy 2G/3G circuit-switched networks. The IP gateway performs protocol conversion and signaling translation, enabling packet-switched networks to support circuit-switched voice services without requiring unmodified 2G/3G devices to directly interface with legacy infrastructure. This mediator allows gradual migration while maintaining compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the core network by transitioning from circuit-switched to packet-switched protocols while maintaining service compatibility through the IP gateway. The gateway dynamically adjusts protocol parameters, signaling methods, and data formatting to accommodate both legacy and modern network requirements, enabling parameter-based adaptation rather than hardware-based compatibility.
2Device complexity
If a packet-switched core network is implemented to reduce expenses, then capital and operating expenses decrease, but support for unmodified 2G/3G devices becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The IP gateway serves as a mediator that enables packet-switched networks to support legacy 2G/3G devices without requiring device modifications. The gateway handles protocol translation, signaling conversion, and service adaptation, allowing unmodified devices to communicate over packet-switched infrastructure while maintaining their original circuit-switched operational characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The IP gateway provides multi-functional capabilities by simultaneously supporting packet-switched and circuit-switched protocols, enabling a single network infrastructure to serve both modern and legacy devices. This universal component performs multiple functions including protocol conversion, signaling translation, service routing, and quality of service management across different network types.
3Productivity
If SIP-based control is required for voice over packet-switched networks, then voice services can be transmitted over IP, but unmodified 2G/3G devices without SIP applications cannot utilize the service
Solution Approach 1:
The IP gateway acts as a mediator that translates between SIP-based packet-switched signaling and circuit-switched signaling protocols. It receives SIP messages from the packet-switched network, converts them to appropriate circuit-switched signaling formats, and forwards them to legacy 2G/3G devices. This translation layer enables devices without native SIP support to participate in IP-based voice services through the gateway's protocol conversion capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
Communications systems and methods with an evolved packet-switched core network architecture to enable voice services on second- and third-generation wireless access networks. The systems and methods permit unmodified 2G and 3G mobile devices to conduct voice calls using conventional circuit-switched user-plane and control-plane protocols at the air interface while the voice calls are switched at the back-end using a packet-switched core network. The system may include a translation module at a controller component that is configured to provide both user-plane and control-plane translation functions between an unmodified 2G/3G mobile device that utilizes circuit-switched protocols for a voice call and the packet-switched core network that utilizes packet-switched protocols to switch the voice call.