UE Emergency Service Location Support in 5G Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Regulatory requirements in countries like Japan necessitate that location or positioning queries can be performed several seconds after an emergency call has been finalized, but existing 5G systems lack support for Location services and positioning, making it impossible to fulfill these requirements.

Innovation Solution

A method where a UE connects to a second cell of a different RAT (e.g., from 5GC/NR to EPS) for handling emergency services and stays connected for a specified time interval after the emergency service initiation or finalization, allowing for continued support of emergency services and location queries.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If UE connects to 5GC/NR for emergency service, then 5G network coverage is utilized, but location services and positioning are not supported

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork coverage utilizationVSAvoidlocation service support

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the emergency service handling into two parts: the emergency call itself can be handled by 5GC/NR, while location services are handled by EPS. This is achieved by maintaining the emergency PDN connection in EPS even after the emergency call is established, allowing location queries to be processed in the legacy network that supports positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses the EPS network as an intermediary for location services while 5GC handles the emergency call. The UE maintains connections to both networks simultaneously, with EPS serving as the mediator that provides location support without interfering with the 5G emergency service.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If UE stays connected in second RAT for time interval, then location queries can be performed after emergency call, but connection management complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepost-emergency location query supportVSAvoidconnection management

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent establishes the emergency PDN connection in EPS before the emergency call is finalized, and configures the UE to maintain this connection for a specified time interval. This preliminary setup ensures that location services are already available when needed, without requiring complex real-time connection management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic connection management where the UE automatically transitions between 5GC and EPS based on service requirements. The connection to EPS is maintained dynamically for the duration needed for location queries, then released when no longer needed, reducing long-term complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If UE performs fallback to EPS for emergency service, then location services are supported, but 5G network utilization is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocation service capabilityVSAvoid5G network utilization

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the service requirements by allowing the emergency call to be handled by 5GC/NR while only the location service component uses EPS. This selective segmentation maintains 5G network utilization for the primary emergency function while using EPS only when needed for positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the UE multi-functional by enabling it to operate in both 5GC and EPS simultaneously for different purposes. The UE can handle emergency calls in 5G while maintaining location service capability in EPS, making the system universally compatible with both network types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12336049B2Network node, user equipment, and methods performed in a communication network

Publication Date: 2025.06.17 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

AI summary

Embodiments herein relate to e.g. a method performed by a user equipment, UE, for handling a service in a wireless communication network. The UE perform, upon handling an emergency service, a connection to a second cell of a second RAT for handling the emergency service, and performs the emergency service in the second cell of the second RAT. The UE then stays connected in the second cell of the second RAT for a time interval relating to initiation of the emergency service or finalization of the emergency service.