Voice Switching Capability Verification in IMS Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the process of switching a voice call from a 4G network to a 2G or 3G network, resources are often reserved for an extended period even if the terminal lacks the necessary voice switching capability, leading to resource waste due to the current method of initiating voice switching only after resource preparation, which can take up to 15 seconds.
Innovation Solution
A method where a voice switching request is sent to an IMS to query the terminal's voice switching capability before preparing resources, allowing for voice switching processing only if the capability is confirmed, thereby reducing resource waste by ensuring capability verification before resource allocation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the target MSC waits for resource preparation completion before initiating voice switching, then resource allocation is ensured, but resource waste occurs when terminal capability does not match
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by querying the terminal's voice switching capability through the IMS system before the target MSC initiates resource preparation. This capability verification is performed in advance (step S102) to determine whether subsequent resource allocation should proceed, thereby avoiding wasted resource preparation when the terminal lacks the necessary capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing capability matching verification before resource preparation. The target MSC queries whether the terminal's voice capability information matches the current call state information (step S104), and only initiates resource preparation if the matching succeeds, thus preventing unnecessary resource allocation.
2Loss of energy
If voice switching capability is verified before resource preparation, then resource waste is reduced, but switching process time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs capability verification through the IMS system in parallel with other switching preparations where possible, and the verification process leverages existing IMS query mechanisms rather than creating new verification pathways, thus minimizing additional time overhead while achieving resource waste reduction.
3Productivity
If the target MSC sends resource allocation request to target base station, then voice switching can proceed, but resource reservation time becomes unacceptably long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by verifying terminal capability before initiating resource allocation, ensuring that resource reservation only occurs when switching is likely to succeed. This prevents prolonged resource reservation in cases of capability mismatch, thereby reducing unnecessary resource reservation time while maintaining productive switching operations.
4Measurement precision
If capability verification is performed through IMS before switching, then switching accuracy improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the IMS system as an intermediary to perform capability verification. The target MSC sends a query request to the IMS system (step S102), which retrieves and evaluates the terminal's voice switching capability information. This intermediary approach centralizes the verification logic in the existing IMS infrastructure rather than adding complex verification mechanisms to the MSC or base station.
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention disclose a voice switching method and apparatus, and belong to the field of communications technologies. The method includes: receiving a voice switching request that is sent by a source mobility management entity MME and that carries a first communications network currently used by a to-be-switched terminal, a terminal identifier of the terminal, and a target base station identifier; if the first communications network is a preset communications network, sending, to an Internet Protocol multimedia subsystem IMS, a query request that is used to query whether the terminal currently has a voice switching capability from the first communications network to a locally used second communications network, where the query request carries the terminal identifier; and performing voice switching processing according to the target base station identifier and the terminal identifier if a notification message that is sent by the IMS and that indicates that the terminal has the voice switching capability is received; or sending a switching failure notification message to the source MME if a notification message that is sent by the IMS and that indicates that the terminal does not have the voice switching capability is received. A resource waste can be reduced by using the present invention.