Hitler upset for LTE does not have CS domain_LTE technology supports packet based services only

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkaeU-8b2jE  (Hitler upset for LTE does not have CS domain)

LTE technology supports packet based services only, however 3GPP does specifies fallback for circuit switched services as well. To achieve this LTE architecture and network nodes require additional functionality, this blog is an attempt to provide overview for same.

In LTE architecture, the circuit switched (CS) fallback in EPS enables the provisioning of voice and traditional CS-domain services (e.g. CS UDI video/ SMS/ LCS/ USSD). To provide these services LTE reuses CS infrastructure when the UE is served by E UTRAN.

A CS fallback enabled terminal, connected to E UTRAN may use GERAN or UTRAN to connect to the CS domain. This function is only available in case E UTRAN coverage is overlapped by either GERAN coverage or UTRAN coverage.

CS Fallback and IMS based services can co-exist in the same operator’s network. Although its not very straight forward to support CS fallback, all participating elements i.e UE, MME, MSC & E-UTRAN needs to support additional functionalities.

The support CS fallback in EPS a new interface SGs is added in LTE architecture. SGs interface is the reference point between the MME and MSC server. SGs interface is used for the mobility management and paging procedures between EPS and CS domain, and is based on the Gs interface procedures.

The SGs reference point is also used for the delivery of both mobile originating and mobile terminating SMS.

The CS fallback enabled network elements need to  support the following additional functions:

UE

·         supports access to E-UTRAN/EPC as well as access to the CS domain over GERAN and/or UTRAN.

·         Combined procedures for EPS/IMSI attach, update and detach.

·         CS fallback and SMS procedures for using CS domain services.

MME

·         Deriving a VLR number and LAI from the GUTI received from the UE or from a default LAI.

·         Maintaining of SGs association towards MSC/VLR for EPS/IMSI attached UE.

·         Initiating IMSI detach at EPS detach.

·         Initiating paging procedure towards eNodeB when MSC pages the UE for CS services.

·         Support of SMS procedures

·         Rejecting CS Fallback call request (e.g. due to O&M reasons)

·         Use of the LAI and a hash value from the IMSI to determine the VLR number when multiple MSC/VLRs serve the same LAI.

MSC

·         Maintaining SGs association towards MME for EPS/IMSI attached UE.

·         Support of SMS procedures as provided in 3GPP specification

E-UTRAN

·         Forwarding paging request and SMS to the UE.

·         Directing the UE to the target CS capable cell.

At MME - MSC Server interface a new protcol SGsAP is being added to support CS fallback. SGsAP protocol is based on the BSSAP+. Stream Control Transmission Protocol (SCTP) is used to transport SGsAP signaling messages.

A CS Fallback and IMS capable UE would follow the procedures for domain selection for UE originating session/calls according to 3GPP  specification 23.221.

If a UE is configured to use SMS over IP services and it is registered to IMS then it would send SMS over IMS, even if it is EPS/IMSI attached.

The home operator has option to activate/deactivate the UE configuration to use SMS over IP by means of device management in order to allow alignment with HPLMN support of SMS over IP.

When UE is performing CS fallback procedure for Mobile Originating Call for the purpose of emergency call, it needs to indicate to the MME that this CS fallback request is for emergency purpose. MME also indicates to the E-UTRAN via the appropriate S1-AP message that this CS fallback procedure is for emergency purpose.

Although there had been talks about another approach for CS Fallback by VoLGA which does not require any enhancement in existing CS elements like MSC but for VoLGA another set of additional nodes are needed.

Huawei has successfully completed a circuit switched (CS) fallback voice call with a third-party handset provider. Conducted at Huawei's LTE and Evolved Packet Core (EPC) Interoperability Testing Lab in Shanghai, the call demonstrates that operators using LTE/EPC to provide pure data services will still be able to leverage its existing CS network to provide voice services. 

According to the standard solution defined by 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), CS Fallback is considered the preferred solution for the early stages of LTE/EPC network deployment. From the user perspective, it minimizes call establishment delay and supports smooth handoffs. For operators, the solution enables them to make full use of their existing networks to protect investments.

(C) lteworld.org