VoLGA Network Controller Selection via MME Mapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

The transition to Long Term Evolution (LTE) networks has led to the discontinuation of circuit-switched services, necessitating a method to reuse existing technology and provide circuit-switched services over LTE networks while avoiding a major shift in voice call control paradigms.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of Voice over LTE via Generic Access (VoLGA) supports two modes of operation (VoLGA A-mode and VoLGA Iu-mode) by tunneling Non-Access Stratum protocols between User Equipment (UE) and the Core Network over evolved packet system bearers, enabling the reuse of existing resources and infrastructure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If circuit switched services are discontinued in LTE networks, then network modernization and spectral efficiency are improved, but legacy voice service functionality is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespectral efficiencyVSAvoidlegacy voice service functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (tunneling protocol and gateway entity) that connects the packet-switched LTE network to the circuit-switched core network, allowing voice services to traverse through the modern network infrastructure while maintaining compatibility with legacy services

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The network infrastructure is designed to support multiple functions simultaneously - both packet-switched data services and circuit-switched voice services - by implementing a universal access mechanism that can handle both service types through the same network path

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a major switch in voice call control paradigm is implemented, then modern voice services are enabled, but system complexity and deployment difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemodern voice service capabilityVSAvoidcall control paradigm complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The call control functionality is segmented into separate domains - the LTE access network handles only access control and data transmission, while the core network retains call control functions - allowing each segment to be optimized independently without requiring end-to-end paradigm changes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The network is pre-configured with tunneling capabilities and gateway entities that are established before voice service activation, allowing legacy call control protocols to function without modification while the network infrastructure is already prepared to handle the traffic

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS8064907B2Method and apparatus for network controller selection in a voice over long term evolution via generic access system

Publication Date: 2011.11.22 RIBBON COMMUNICATIONS OPERATING CO INC

AI summary

Some embodiments provide a method of associating Mobile Management Entities (MMEs) of an evolved packet system (EPS) and Voice over long term evolution (LTE) via Generic Access (VoLGA) network controllers (VANCs). The method includes at a serving VANC, receiving a registration message from a user equipment (UE). The registration message includes an assigned Globally Unique Temporary Identity (GUTI) of the UE and the serving VANC is provisioned with MME-to-VANC mapping information. The method extracts an identification of a MME from the GUTI and determines an associated VANC based on the provisioned MME-to-VANC mapping information. The method then sends a message from the serving VANC to the associated VANC, the message indicating that the serving VANC is now serving the UE.