Inter-System Handover Emergency Call Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cellular network handover technologies face challenges in seamlessly transitioning user equipment (UE) devices between different service providers' networks, particularly in maintaining continuous connectivity and preventing call drops or data interruptions during inter-system handovers, especially during emergency calls and in areas with limited coverage.
Innovation Solution
The technology enables smooth inter-system handovers between cellular networks operated by different service providers by using network identifiers like Multi-Operator Core Networks (MOCN) PLMNs to distinguish between subscribed and roaming UE devices, and includes mechanisms to check for active emergency calls before performing handovers, ensuring that emergency calls are not dropped and are routed appropriately.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If inter-system handover is performed between cellular networks of different service providers, then coverage area and network connectivity are improved, but call continuity and connection stability may deteriorate due to potential call drops or data interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary checks to determine whether the UE is engaged in an emergency call before executing handover. This advance detection allows the system to prevent handover for emergency calls, thereby maintaining connection stability while still enabling handover for non-emergency calls to expand coverage area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the handover execution parameter based on the call type parameter. By detecting whether the call is an emergency call and adjusting the handover behavior accordingly (allowing handover for non-emergency calls, blocking for emergency calls), the system resolves the contradiction between expanding coverage and maintaining connection stability.
2Reliability
If handover is blocked for emergency calls to maintain connection stability, then call continuity is improved, but network adaptability and flexibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different handover policies to different call types locally. Emergency calls receive special protection with handover blocked to ensure continuity, while non-emergency calls allow normal handover operations. This localized differentiation maintains call continuity for critical services while preserving network flexibility for general operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts handover behavior based on real-time detection of call type. The handover permission is not fixed but changes according to the current call state, allowing the network to be flexible for non-emergency traffic while providing rigid protection for emergency calls.
3Ease of operation
If handover procedures are simplified to improve operation ease, then handover speed is improved, but measurement precision and detection accuracy deteriorate due to inability to distinguish emergency call status
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of emergency call status as part of the handover procedure. This additional detection step is integrated into the existing handover flow, maintaining relative simplicity while enabling accurate distinction between emergency and non-emergency calls to determine appropriate handover actions.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is described that includes receiving, at a first cellular network, a request to accept a handover of a UE device from a second cellular network to the first cellular network. The method also includes determining, at the first cellular network, that the UE device is participating in an active emergency call. The method further includes, rejecting the request to accept the handover of the UE device in response to determining that the UE device is participating in the active emergency call.