LTE Control Plane SMS Transport via EMM Signaling
Solution Overview
Problem
Current LTE technology lacks efficient methods for supporting Short Message Service (SMS) and Supplementary Services (SS), with high development costs and complex network interactions, and low transport efficiency, particularly in the context of 3GPP LTE specifications.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of methods and apparatus for communicating SMS and SS messages via the evolved packet system (EPS) mobility management (EMM) over the LTE control plane, utilizing Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection signaling and defined primitives for SMS and SS entities, enabling simpler backbone routing and improved data transport efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If SMS and SS services are supported via IMS or CS fallback methodology in LTE, then service compatibility is improved, but network interaction complexity and development cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts SMS and SS message transport functionality from the complex IMS and CS fallback methodologies, creating a dedicated control plane signaling mechanism. This separates the message transport function from the voice call infrastructure, reducing network interaction complexity while maintaining service compatibility through standardized signaling procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces EMM (EPS Mobility Management) as an intermediary layer between the WTRU and core network for SMS/SS transport. This mediator provides a standardized interface that simplifies network interactions by handling message routing and delivery through defined EMM procedures, reducing the complexity of direct interactions with IMS or CS domains
2Adaptability or versatility
If SMS and SS are supported via IMS or CS fallback in LTE, then service coverage is improved, but data transport efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal control plane signaling mechanism that handles both SMS and SS messages through the same EMM framework. This multi-functional approach allows the LTE control plane to efficiently transport different types of messages using standardized procedures, improving overall data transport efficiency while maintaining broad service coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the transport parameter from circuit-switched or IMS-based signaling to packet-switched EMM signaling over the LTE control plane. This parameter change enables more efficient resource utilization and faster message delivery by leveraging the inherent efficiency of packet-switched networks while maintaining service coverage through protocol compatibility
3Reliability
If traditional SMS support methods are used in LTE, then implementation completeness is improved, but implementation complexity and development cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the SMS/SS support implementation into distinct components: EMM message definitions, specific message types for SMS/SS, and standardized transport procedures. This segmentation allows for modular implementation where each component can be developed and tested independently, reducing overall implementation complexity while ensuring completeness through systematic coverage of all required functions
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus for enabling short message service (SMS) and supplementary services (SS) in a long term evolution (LTE) network via evolved packet system (EPS) mobility management (EMM) over the LTE control plane are described. In one embodiment, the radio resource control (RRC) connection signaling radio bearer (SRB) is used for SMS and SS transport over the LTE control plane between a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) and a mobility management entity (MME). EMM interfaces and primitives are defined for actions towards SMS and SS entities for enabling SMS and SS services in LTE via the LTE control plane media. Message formats for SMS and SS message transport are also disclosed for sending SMS and SS messages within EMM uplink (UL) non-access stratum (NAS) transport and downlink (DL) NAS transport messages.