HO-Proxy CS to PS Domain Handover Synchronization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current handover technologies face challenges in seamlessly switching a User Equipment (UE) from a Circuit Switch (CS) domain service in a non-Packet Switch (PS) network to a PS network, particularly in the context of IP Multimedia Core Network Subsystem (IMS), leading to inefficiencies in service continuity and synchronization during handovers.

Innovation Solution

A method and system utilizing a Handover Proxy (HO-Proxy) to facilitate the handover of CS domain services to a PS domain by receiving handover requests from the service network, requesting the target network control entity to switch the CS domain service to the PS domain, and establishing bearers via the IMS, ensuring accurate and timely handovers, even when both CS and PS domain services are involved.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a UE uses CS domain for voice service and PS domain for non-voice service simultaneously, then service coverage is improved, but handover synchronization becomes complex and difficult to manage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice coverageVSAvoidhandover synchronization
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a handover management entity that acts as an intermediary to coordinate and synchronize handovers between CS and PS domains. This entity receives handover requests from both domains, manages the synchronization process, and ensures seamless service continuity, thereby reducing the complexity of direct inter-domain synchronization while maintaining expanded service coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If handover from CS domain to PS domain is implemented, then service continuity is improved, but bearer resource preservation becomes challenging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice continuityVSAvoidbearer resource preservation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary actions by establishing PS domain bearers before the actual handover occurs. The handover management entity prepares the target PS domain network in advance, allocates necessary bearer resources, and configures transmission paths beforehand. This ensures that when handover executes, bearer resources are already in place and service continuity is maintained without loss of information or service interruption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If RSRVCC handover is performed for voice service from CS to PS domain, then voice service continuity is improved, but coordination with PS domain non-voice services becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoice service continuityVSAvoidcoordination complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the handover management of voice services (RSRVCC) and non-voice services into a single unified handover management entity. This entity simultaneously handles both CS domain voice handover and PS domain data service handover, coordinating them through integrated processes. By combining these previously separate management functions, the system improves voice service continuity while reducing overall coordination complexity through centralized management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2624631B1Method and system for handing over services from circuit switch domain service to packet switch domain
Publication Date: 2017.05.03 ZTE CORP
  • EP2624631B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2624631B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The disclosure discloses a method for switching a circuit switch domain service to a packet switch domain, configuring an HO-Proxy for handover to a PS domain of a target network, the method includes that: a service network base station system sends a CS domain service handover request for a UE to the HO-Proxy when the service network base station system determines to switch a CS domain service of the UE to the PS domain of the target network; and the HO-Proxy requests a target network control entity to switch the CS domain service of the UE to the PS domain of the target network, or switches the CS domain service of the UE to the PS domain of the target network. The disclosure further discloses a system for implementing the method. In the disclosure, when used for switching a CS domain service to a PS network, the HO-Proxy can preserve accurately the PS bearer resource for a corresponding (CS or PS domain) service of the UE, thereby implementing accurate and timely handover.