Interworking Function for Narrowband Trunk System Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing narrow-band trunk systems are costly and limited in functionality due to their coupling with specific radio access technologies, restricting the expansion of trunk services and increasing development costs when transitioning to new radio access technologies.

Innovation Solution

Implementing an interworking function (IWF) that performs encapsulation and conversion of control plane signaling and user plane media data between user equipment (UE) and a trunk control function (TCF), allowing seamless integration of existing trunk systems into new radio access technologies like LTE/EPS, thereby expanding system functionality and reducing development costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a narrow-band trunk system is implemented with specific radio access technology, then trunk communication delay requirement is met, but implementation costs increase and system functions are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetrunk communication delay requirementVSAvoidsystem functions

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system is segmented into distinct functional modules: the existing narrow-band trunk system (providing reliable call control and delay management) and the new radio access technology system (providing enhanced data services and functionality). The interworking function entity acts as an interface between these segments, allowing each to operate independently while maintaining overall system reliability and expanding functionality simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

An interworking function entity is introduced as an intermediary between the narrow-band trunk system and the new radio access technology system. This intermediary performs protocol conversion and signaling translation, enabling the trunk system to maintain its reliable delay-critical operations while the external system provides expanded functionality, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a narrow-band trunk system is implemented with specific radio access technology, then trunk service is provided, but development costs increase when transitioning to new radio access technologies

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetrunk service provisionVSAvoiddevelopment costs

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The core trunk service functionality (call control, floor management, group call operations) is extracted from the radio access technology and placed in the narrow-band trunk system. This extraction allows the trunk service logic to remain unchanged and reusable when transitioning to new radio access technologies, significantly reducing development costs while maintaining reliable trunk service provision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The narrow-band trunk system is designed with universal interfaces and protocols that can work with multiple radio access technologies. The interworking function entity provides multi-functionality by supporting different radio access technologies (2G, 3G, 4G, 5G) through a common trunk service platform, eliminating the need for separate development for each technology generation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If existing trunk system reconstructs radio access technology system, then trunk communication is enabled, but costs for implementing trunk services are increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetrunk communication enablementVSAvoidimplementation costs

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the existing narrow-band trunk system with the new radio access technology system through the interworking function entity. Instead of reconstructuring the entire radio access technology system, the trunk system is combined with external radio access networks, reducing implementation costs while maintaining reliable trunk communication through the integrated architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS9392583B2Method, entity, and system for implementing trunk service

Publication Date: 2016.07.12 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD

AI summary

The present invention discloses a method, includes: receiving uplink control plane signaling or uplink control plane signaling and uplink user plane media data sent by a UE; performing, encapsulation and conversion on the uplink control plane signaling or the uplink control plane signaling and the uplink user plane media data, and sending the uplink control plane signaling or the uplink control plane signaling and the uplink user plane media data after the encapsulation and conversion to a TCF; receiving downlink control plane signaling or downlink control plane signaling and downlink user plane media data sent by the TCF; and performing encapsulation and conversion on the downlink control plane signaling or the downlink control plane signaling and the downlink user plane media data, and sending the downlink control plane signaling or the downlink control plane signaling and the downlink user plane media data after the encapsulation and conversion to the UE.