System and Method for Provision of IMS Based Services for Legacy CS UE with Home Node B Access

• US 20100067493A1
• Filed: 09/17/2009
• Published: 03/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Futurewei Technologies Incorporated (Huawei Investment & Holding Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Futurewei Technologies Incorporated (Huawei Investment & Holding Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Mahdi, Kaniz
• Granted Patent: US 8,520,682 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/332
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/00226 wherein the core network technologies comprise IP multimedia system [IMS], e.g. single radio voice call continuity [SRVCC]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

A system and method for providing user equipment (UE) mobility between a packet-switched system and a circuit-switched system is provided. In an embodiment, handover from a circuit-switched connection via a 3G Home Node B (3G HNB) to a circuit-switched connection via a Base Station System (BSS) is provided. In another embodiment, handover from a packet-switched connection via the 3G HNB to a circuit-switched connection via a BSS is provided. In yet another embodiment, handover from a packet-switched connection via a Long Term Evolution (LTE) access point to a circuit-switched connection via a 3G HNB is provided. Once handover is completed, an Interworking Function (IWF) is provided that acts as a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) for translating circuit-switched signaling messages to SIP messages for packet-switched signaling. The bearer path comprises a circuit-switched bearer path to a Media Gateway (MGW), which provides a packet-switched bearer path toward the remote end.

Claims

1. A method for performing wireless communications, the method comprising:

establishing a first communications session between user equipment (UE) and a remote end via a 3G Home Node B (3G HNB), the first communications session having a first bearer path and a first signaling path, the first bearer path extending through a Media Gateway (MGW) and the first signaling path extending through an Interworking Function (IWF); and

handing over the first communications session to a second bearer path and a second signaling path, the second signaling path extending through a Base Station System (BSS) and the IWF and the second bearer path extending through the MGW, the IWF communicating the first signaling path and the second signaling path to a Call Session Control Function (CSCF).

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first bearer path includes a circuit-switched bearer channel.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the first signaling path includes circuit-switched signaling.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the IWF communicates the first signaling path to the CSCF via Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) messages.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the IWF communicates the second signaling path to the CSCF via Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) messages.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the MGW converts the first bearer path from a CS bearer channel to an IP bearer channel.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the MGW converts the second bearer path from a CS bearer channel to an IP bearer channel.

8. A method for performing wireless communications, the method comprising:

establishing a first communications session between user equipment (UE) and a remote end, the first communications session having a first bearer path and a first signaling path, the establishing including using a 3G Home Node B (3G HNB) as an access point; and

handing over the first communications session from the 3G HNB to a Base Station System (BSS), wherein after completing the handover the first signaling path extends through an Interworking Function (IWF) and the first bearer path extends through a Media Gateway (MGW), the IWF communicating the first signaling path to a Call Session Control Function (CSCF).

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the establishing includes establishing a packet-switched communications path between the UE and the 3G HNB.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein after the establishing and before the handing over the first bearer path extends through a 3G packet-switched core network.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein after the establishing and before the handing over the first signaling path extends through a 3G packet-switched core network.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the IWF communicates the first signaling path to the CSCF via Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) messages.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the IWF receives the second signaling path via a Mobile Switching Center (MSC).

14. The method of claim 8, wherein the MGW converts the first bearer path from a CS bearer channel to an IP bearer channel.

15. The method of claim 8, wherein the establishing includes establishing a circuit-switched communications path between the UE and the 3G HNB.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein after the establishing and before the handing over the first bearer path extends through the MGW.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein after the establishing and before the handing over the first signaling path extends through the IWF.

18. A method for performing wireless communications, the method comprising:

establishing a first communications session between user equipment (UE) and a remote end extending through an Enhanced Node B (eNodeB), the first communications session having a first bearer path and a first signaling path, the first bearer path including a packet-switched communications path; and

handing over the first communications session to a second bearer path and a second signaling path, the second bearer path including a circuit-switched communications path, the second signaling path extending through a 3G Home Node B (3G HNB) and an Interworking Function (IWF) and the second bearer path extending through a Media Gateway (MGW), the IWF communicating the second signaling path to a Call Session Control Function (CSCF).

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the IWF communicates the second signaling path to the CSCF via Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) messages.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the MGW converts the first bearer path from a CS bearer channel to an IP bearer channel.

21. An interworking function (IWF) comprising:

a first network connection configured to receive messages from and transmit messages to a network element via a circuit-switched connection;

a second network connection configured to receive messages from and transmit messages to a Call Session Control Function (CSCF) via a packet-switched connection; and

a processor configure to translate messages between the circuit-switched connection and the packet-switched connection.

22. The IWF of claim 21, wherein the processor converts messages received from a Mobile Switching Center (MSC) into Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) messages to be sent to the CSCF.

23. The IWF of claim 21, wherein the processor receives Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) messages from the CSCF.

24. The IWF of claim 21, wherein the network element is a Mobile Switching Center (MSC).

25. The IWF of claim 21, wherein the network element is a 3G Home Node B Gateway (3G HNB GW).