Signaling Data Separation for CS-IMS Interworking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies lack effective interworking solutions for signaling between different data transmission networks, particularly for multimedia services like video telephony, which require conversion of signaling methods between Circuit Switched (CS) and IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) domains, leading to inefficiencies and transcoding challenges.
Innovation Solution
A method for interworking signaling between two data transmission networks involves separating and forwarding signaling data from a network interface unit to a control unit, where it is converted from in-band to out-of-band signaling, allowing for seamless communication and minimizing transcoding by using standardized protocols like H.248 and SIP/SDP for codec negotiation and bearer establishment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If in-band signaling is used in the network interface unit, then payload data and signaling data can be transmitted together over the same bearer connection, but signaling data cannot be properly converted to out-of-band format required by the control unit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the signaling data from payload data by separating in-band signaling (received with payload data in the network interface unit) from out-of-band signaling (required by the control unit). This segmentation allows independent processing and conversion of signaling data without affecting payload data transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism in the network interface unit that receives in-band signaling data, converts it to out-of-band format, and forwards it to the control unit. This intermediary handles the signaling conversion separately from the main payload data path, resolving the incompatibility between in-band and out-of-band signaling methods.
2Adaptability or versatility
If transcoding is performed to convert between different signaling methods, then interworking between CS and IMS domains is achieved, but bandwidth efficiency decreases and video telephony quality is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts signaling data from the payload data stream and processes it separately through dedicated conversion logic. By taking out signaling data for separate handling, the system avoids unnecessary transcoding of payload data, thereby preserving bandwidth efficiency and maintaining video telephony quality while still achieving interworking between different signaling domains.
3Reliability
If standardized protocols like H.248 and SIP/SDP are used for codec negotiation, then seamless communication between different networks is enabled, but the complexity of protocol conversion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs codec negotiation using standardized protocols like H.248 and SIP/SDP in advance, before actual media transmission begins. This preliminary action establishes the communication parameters upfront, ensuring reliability and seamless interoperability between CS and IMS domains, while the negotiation overhead is confined to the setup phase rather than affecting ongoing transmission.
Data Source
AI summary
The embodiments relate to, among other things, a network interface unit (IM-MGW) in which signaling data is separated from useful data by the values of received data. The signaling data is tunneled to a control unit (MGCF). Two different data transmission networks (CS, IMS) can thus be simply combined, in particular, for video telephony.