Gateway Apparatus for LTE Circuit-Switched Interconnection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies lack a gateway solution to interconnect voice communication between terminals on mobile high-speed networks using LTE and EPC with those on existing circuit-switched networks, hindering the transition to IP-based mobile networks.
Innovation Solution
A gateway apparatus that converts call control signals and voice data protocols between LTE/EPC and circuit-switched networks, allowing seamless communication by operating like a radio network controller (RNC) and connecting to circuit switching equipment, while also interconnecting with IMS networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a gateway apparatus is introduced to interconnect LTE/EPC and circuit-switched networks, then voice communication interoperability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway apparatus acts as an intermediary device between the LTE/EPC packet-switched network and the circuit-switched network. It performs protocol conversion and signaling translation to enable voice communication interoperability without requiring changes to existing terminals or network elements, thus resolving the contradiction by adding adaptability through a dedicated mediation component.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway apparatus is designed to handle multiple functions including voice call setup, protocol conversion, and interconnection with both IMS and circuit-switched networks. This multi-functionality allows a single device to provide comprehensive voice communication interoperability across different network architectures, improving adaptability while consolidating complexity into one universal component.
2Adaptability or versatility
If protocol conversion is implemented in the gateway apparatus, then compatibility between different networks is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway apparatus is pre-configured with conversion rules and protocols for both LTE/EPC and circuit-switched networks. By having conversion parameters and signaling mappings prepared in advance, the gateway can perform real-time protocol conversion without excessive processing delays, thus balancing network compatibility with acceptable signaling time.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the gateway apparatus connects to both IMS and circuit-switched networks, then communication versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway apparatus is designed with multi-functional capabilities to simultaneously support interconnection with both IMS networks and traditional circuit-switched networks. It can handle different protocols and signaling methods for each network type, providing comprehensive communication versatility across multiple network architectures within a single universal device.
Data Source
AI summary
A gateway apparatus receives a call control signal and/or a packet with voice data stored therein in a predetermined protocol from a packet transfer apparatus on a mobile high-speed network and converts the received protocol into a circuit-switched protocol used when an RNC connects to a circuit switching equipment on a mobile circuit-switched network, for output to the circuit switching equipment The gateway apparatus, on receipt of a call process signal and/or a voice signal, from the circuit switching equipment, converts the received protocol for output to the packet transfer apparatus.