Showing papers on "IP Multimedia Subsystem published in 2010"

Voice service in evolved packet system

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to manage voice service in evolved packet systems are disclosed. An example in a UE with a first indicator related to voice services in an Evolved Packet System (EPS) includes receiving a first Non Access Stratum (NAS) protocol response message with a second indicator and responsive to at least one of the first indicator or the second indicator, cause the UE to select to another radio access technology (RAT).

Drive and share: efficient provisioning of social networks in vehicular scenarios

Abstract: Social Networks are one of the latest revolutions in networking, allowing users with common interests to stay connected and exchange information. They have enjoyed great success not only for traditional Internet users, but also for mobile users. Recent efforts are also being done to make social networks available within vehicles. However, to exploit social networks at their full potential in a vehicular context a number of technical challenges and design issues need to be faced. In this article, we analyze those challenges and present an innovative solution for providing Social services on the vehicle based on IP Multimedia Subsystem and Machine to Machine capabilities. To demonstrate the viability of the proposed scheme we present a social network service called Drive and Share which offers relevant information to vehicles using our proposed architecture.

Location-Based Services Handbook: Applications, Technologies, and Security

Abstract: Location-Based Services Handbook: Applications, Technologies, and Security is a comprehensive reference containing all aspects of essential technical information on location-based services (LBS) technology. With broad coverage ranging from basic concepts to research-grade material, it presents a much-needed overview of technologies for positioning and localizing, including range- and proximity-based localization methods, and environment-based location estimation methods. Featuring valuable contributions from field experts around the world, this book addresses existing and future directions of LBS technology, exploring how it can be used to optimize resource allocation and improve cooperation in wireless networks. It is a self-contained, comprehensive resource that presents: A detailed description of the wireless location positioning technology used in LBS Coverage of the privacy and protection procedure for cellular networksand its shortcomings An assessment of threats presented when location information is divulged to unauthorized parties Important IP Multimedia Subsystem and IMS-based presence service proposals The demand for navigation services is predicted to rise by a combined annual growth rate of more than 104% between 2008 and 2012, and many of these applications require efficient and highly scalable system architecture and system services to support dissemination of location-dependent resources and information to a large and growing number of mobile users. This book offers tools to aid in determining the optimal distance measurement system for a given situation by assessing factors including complexity, accuracy, and environment. It provides an extensive survey of existing literature and proposes a novel, widely applicable, and highly scalable architecture solution. Organized into three major sectionsapplications, technologies, and securitythis material fully covers various location-based applications and the impact they will have on the future.

Methods, subscriber server, and user equipment for facilitating service provision

Abstract: A User Equipment (UE), a Home Subscriber Server (HSS), and methods are provided for facilitating access to a second service (e.g. IPTV, IP Television) when the user registers with a network for a first service (e.g. IMS, IP Multimedia Subsystem service, or 2G mobile service). For example, the user employs his mobile terminal to register for IMS service, then requests a security token for the provision of the second service. The network validates the user subscription and provides the security token associated with the 2 nd service, e.g. with IPTV. The user can input the security token for obtaining access to the 2 nd service, e.g. from another terminal. For example, the user can input the token, e.g. in the form of a PIN code, on an ITF (IP Television Terminal Function) to be provided personalised IPTV service, or for performing IPTV parental control on his IPTV subscription involving multiple users.

SIP-Based IMS Signaling Analysis for WiMax-3G Interworking Architectures

Abstract: The third-generation partnership project (3GPP) and 3GPP2 have standardized the IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) to provide ubiquitous and access network-independent IP-based services for next-generation networks via merging cellular networks and the Internet. The application layer Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), standardized by 3GPP and 3GPP2 for IMS, is responsible for IMS session establishment, management, and transformation. The IEEE 802.16 worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMax) promises to provide high data rate broadband wireless access services. In this paper, we propose two novel interworking architectures to integrate WiMax and third-generation (3G) networks. Moreover, we analyze the SIP-based IMS registration and session setup signaling delay for 3G and WiMax networks with specific reference to their interworking architectures. Finally, we explore the effects of different WiMax-3G interworking architectures on the IMS registration and session setup signaling delay.

Quality-aware bandwidth allocation for scalable on-demand streaming in wireless networks

Abstract: In this paper, we propose a scalable transport scheme for delivering on-demand video streams over broadband wireless networks in next-generation network/IP multimedia subsystem (NGN/IMS) architecture. The proposed transport scheme makes use of fine-granular-scalability (FGS) encoded videos to accommodate high bandwidth variation of wireless networks. We formulate the bandwidth allocation to FGS-encoded streams as a resource allocation problem and develop a quality-aware bandwidth allocation scheme, called QABA. With QABA, the proposed transport scheme can dynamically adjust the bit rate allocated to different streams to maximize the overall perceptual quality when available network bandwidth varies with time. QABA is theoretically proven to be able to find the optimal bandwidth allocation for all on-demand streams. To validate the effectiveness of QABA, extensive trace-based simulations are performed.

Card application toolkit support for IP multimedia subsystem

Abstract: To consolidate session initiation protocol (SIP) messages a user equipment (UE) is made aware of all Internet Protocol (IP) multimedia subsystem (IMS) applications installed in its memory and on a universal integrated circuit card (UICC) and supported communication services. By obtaining this information before the initial IMS Registration, the UE can save resources by registering all local applications and communication services in single IMS registration.

Packet Switched To Circuit Switched Access Handovers In An IMS Architecture.

Abstract: A method of enabling the management of handovers of voice calls from a Packet Switched, PS, access to a Circuit Switched, CS, access where the voice calls are established using an IP Multimedia Subsystem, IMS, network. The method comprises performing a first IMS registration of a user via said PS access including setting for the user in a Home Subscriber Server, HSS, of the user's home network, an identifier of a first access transfer control fu nction, which access transfer control function is responsible for anchoring user media sessions in an access transfer gateway of a serving network, and notifying a mobility function within said service network of the set identifier. A second or further IMS registration of the same user is then performed via said PS access, it being determined that said first IMS registration exists. As a consequence, the setting of an identifier of a second or further access transfer control function in the HSS for the user is prevented, whilst either the setting of the identifier of the first access transfer control function is maintained, or is replaced with an identifier of a service centralisation and continuity application server. The mobility function is notified of any change to the set identifier. In the event of a requirement to handover an ongoing voice call associated with said second or further IMS registration from said PS to said CS access, the identifier currently set in the HSS and identified to the mobility function is used to manage the handover.

IMS-Compliant management of vertical handoffs for mobile multimedia session continuity

Abstract: The recent advances in wireless client devices and the crucial role of multimedia communications in our society have motivated relevant standardization efforts, such as the IP multimedia subsystem, to support session control, mobility, and interoperability in all-IP next-generation networks. IMS has already driven the design of commercial mobile multimedia, but exhibits limited support for service continuity during handoffs. In particular, it omits advanced techniques to reduce/eliminate handoff delays, especially during vertical handoffs (i.e., change of the wireless technology employed by a client to access the wired Internet, e.g., from UMTS to WiFi). We propose an original solution for session continuity based on the primary design guideline of cleanly and effectively separating the signaling plane (for session reconfiguration via SIP) from the media delivery plane (data transmission and related handoff management operations). Our optimized handoff management techniques exploit terminal-based decentralized predictions to minimize service-level handoff delays. Different from other recent related work, our proposal fully complies with the standard IMS infrastructure and works at the application level. The reported experimental results point out that our solution, available as an open source tool for the IMS community, reduces playout interruption times relevantly by introducing a limited and scalable signaling overhead.

Challenges to Next Generation Services in IP Multimedia Subsystem

Abstract: The trend of Next Generation Networks’ (NGN) evolution is towards providing multiple and multimedia services to users through ubiquitous networks. The aim of IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) is to integrate mobile communication networks and computer networks. The IMS plays an important role in NGN services, which can be achieved by heterogeneous networks and different access technologies. IMS can be used to manage all service related issues such as Quality of Service (QoS), Charging, Access Control, User and Services Management. Nowadays, internet technology is changing with each passing day. New technologies yield new impact to IMS. In this paper, we perform a survey of IMS and discuss the different impacts of new technologies on IMS such as P2P, SCIM, Web Service and its security issues. Keywords—IP Multimedia Subsystems, Peer-to-Peer, Web Services, SCIM

Fixed mobile convergence: challenges and solutions

Abstract: Fixed mobile convergence is an emerging technology, which aims at integration and creation of a unified communication infrastructure from fixed and wireless mobile networks. In this converged communication infrastructure, users move across networks and access services seamlessly using different devices. Voice and video over IP is one of the emerging technologies in the realization of FMC. In this article we first discuss the features and technological requirements of FMC networks. We then present an architecture for implementing FMC and describe how to realize the voice call continuity of VoIP sessions using the current IP infrastructure. We further identify the requirements for VVoIP in ensuring video call continuity as well as the challenges associated with the migration from voice to multimedia services.

The design and implementation of architectural components for the integration of the IP multimedia subsystem and wireless actuator networks

Abstract: The IP multimedia subsystem is becoming the de facto standard for IP-based multimedia services, while wireless sensor networks are gaining in popularity due to their ability to capture a rich set of contextual information. Integrating the sensing capabilities of WSNs in the IMS can open the door to a wide range of context-aware applications in areas such as wireless healthcare and pervasive gaming. We have previously proposed a presence-based architecture for WSN/IMS integration. This architecture relies on two key components: a WSN/IMS gateway acting as an interworking unit between WSNs and the IMS; and an extended presence server serving as a context information management node in the core network. In this article we focus on the design and implementation of these two components. Furthermore, two applications (a pervasive game and a personalized call control application) are used to concretely show how new applications can be developed using our architecture. Performance has also been evaluated. Several important findings were made in the course of this work; one is that the IMS integration with a large and evolving variety of WSNs may be a never-ending endeavor - the gateway requiring constant upgrading due to the lack of standard APIs for the interaction with sensors produced by different vendors. Another finding is that while the introduction of context as an application building block in the IMS ensures the availability of additional contextual information in the network and enables fast and easy development of context-aware applications, the lack of mature IMS application development toolkits remains a roadblock.

Methods and apparatuses for supporting handover of a ps voice call to a cs voice call by using srvcc function

Abstract: A method for a Mobile Control Node, MCN, supporting handover of a packet switched, PS, voice call of a given user entity anchored in a IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) to a circuit switched, CS, voice call, by using a Single Radio Voice Call Continuity, SRVCC, function, whereby, - after handover from PS to CS (102) voice call pertaining to a user entity, UE, which UE is in a suspended mode (305, 206/209/303), and upon receiving a SRVCC CS to PS resume request message (107) from a mobile switching centre, MSC, - issuing an explicit / implicit resume message (109, 306) to a packet gateway (PGW) node or a serving gateway (SGW) node, causing the UE to resume PS services (110). Further a method for a Mobile Switching Centre (MSC) supporting handover of a packet switched, PS, voice call of a given user entity (UE) via an SP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) to a circuit switched, CS, voice call, by using a Single Radio Voice Call Continuity, SRVCC, function, wherein - after handover from PS to CS (103), and after detecting hang up or dropped call (106) issuing (209) a SRVCC CS to PS resume request message (107) to a MCN, thereby effecting the user entity to resume PS services of the voice call for a given user entity (UE).

An extensible and ubiquitous RFID management framework over next-generation network

Abstract: Radio frequency identification (RFID) is an enabling technology for a variety of applications in next-generation network (NGN). Although several RFID management frameworks are proposed in the literature, they have limitations in terms of service extension. In this paper, we propose an extensible RFID management framework called SIP-based RFID management system (SRMS), which can support various RFID applications. SRMS employs session initiation protocol (SIP), which is an Internet standard protocol adopted in NGN for session management and mobility support. SRMS enhances the existing SIP architecture by introducing a surrogate user agent (SUA) and an SRMS name server (SNS). The SUA performs SIP signaling on behalf of RFID tags with limited capabilities, whereas the SNS provides name resolution services. To illustrate the extensibility of SRMS, we demonstrate two representative application scenarios. Compared with the existing RFID management frameworks, SRMS has advantages of service extensibility and reusability. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. A preliminary version of this paper was presented at the IEEE International Conference on Pervasive Services (ICPS) 2007, Istanbul, Turkey, July 2007. In this paper, we propose an extensible RFID management framework called SIP-based RFID management system (SRMS), which can support various RFID applications. To illustrate the extensibility of SRMS, we demonstrate two representative application scenarios: location management services and mobile RFID services. Compared with the existing RFID management frameworks, SRMS has advantages of service extensibility and reusability. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Methods and apparatus for controlling wireless network resources for data sessions based on IP address usage

Abstract: One illustrative method of for use in controlling network resources in a wireless network involves assigning, from a pool of IP addresses, a temporary IP address for a mobile station in the wireless network; calculating a ratio or percentage of the number of IP addresses and the total number of IP addresses in the pool; setting a timer value for the mobile station to an initial value that depends on the ratio or percentage of IP addresses such that, as the ratio or percentage increases, the initial value decreases; causing the temporary IP address and the timer value to be sent to the mobile station, which is adapted to register the temporary IP address with a home agent for IP mobility service; and communicating a termination request which terminates the IP mobility service if no request for re-registration is received from the mobile station upon expiration of the timer value.

IP multimedia subsystem based family gateway and configuring method thereof

Abstract: A family network gate based on IP multimedia subsystem comprises a main processing board, a computer bus signal Ethernet adaptor connected with the main processing board, an internal interface connected with the adaptor, an external communication module connected with the main processing board, a distribution service communication module connected with the external communication module, a memory module connected with the distribution service communication module, and a SIM card read/write module connected with the distribution service communication module. A distribution method of family network gate based on IP multimedia subsystem comprises that 1, initializing domain name analysis request for family network gate, 2, processing bidirectional HTTP summary identification, 3, family network gate receives and stores the IP address and/or geography position of IMS local inlet point and the service parameter with successful distribution. The invention can realize local IMS network access and relative service parameter distribution.

A peer-to-peer IPTV service architecture for the IP multimedia subsystem

Abstract: During these last years the Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) service and the different peer-to-peer (P2P) technologies have generated an increasing interest for the developers and the research community that find in them the solution to deal with the scalability problem of media streaming and reducing costs at the same time. However, despite of the benefits obtained in Internet-based applications and the growing deployment of commercial IPTV systems, there has been a little effort in combining them both. With the advent of the next-generation-network platforms such as the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), which advocates for an open and inter-operable service infrastructure, P2P emerges as a possible solution in situations where the traditional streaming mechanisms are not possible or not economically feasible. In this paper, we propose an IPTV service architecture for the IMS that combines a centralized control layer and a distributed, P2P-like, media layer that relies on the IMS devices or peers located in the customers' premises to act as streaming forwarding nodes. We extend the existing IMS IPTV standardization work that has already been done in 3GPP and ETSI TISPAN in order to require a minimum number of architectural changes. The objective is to obtain a system with a similar performance to the one in currently deployed systems and with the flexibility of P2P. One of the main challenges is to achieve comparable response times to user actions such as changing and tuning into channels, as well as providing a fast recovery mechanism when streaming nodes leave. To accomplish this we introduce the idea of foster peers as peers having inactive multimedia sessions and reserved resources. These peers are on stand-by until their functionality is required and at that moment, they are able to accept downstream peers at short notice for events requiring urgent treatment like channel changing and recovery. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. This paper proposes an IPTV service architecture for the IMS combining centralized control and peer-to-peer-like streaming, where the UEs from the customers' premises act as forwarding nodes. In order to achieve response times comparable to currently deployed systems, we introduce the idea of foster peers that have inactive multimedia sessions. These peers are on stand-by until their functionality is required, at which moment they can accept downstream peers for events requiring urgent treatment like channel change and recovery. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

OpenEPC: A Technical Infrastructure for Early Prototyping of NGMN Testbeds

Abstract: The challenging and ever increasing requirements of future applications demand new concepts for better control and management of network resources. The Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) introduced in their latest specifications the Evolved Packet Core (EPC) architecture for transparently unifying the parameters of different technologies, like the UMTS, WLAN, non-3GPP access technologies and a future Evolved Radio Access Network, called Long Term Evolution (LTE), with the use of multiple application platforms such as IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) and the Internet. This paper describes a testbed implementation of the Evolved Packet Core named OpenEPC which provides a reference implementation of 3GPP’s EPC developed by the Fraunhofer Institute FOKUS. OpenEPC is a set of software components offering advanced IP mobility schemes, policy-based QoS control, and integration with different application platforms in converging network environments. This initiative, in addition to fostering research and development, enables academic and industry researchers to rapidly realize state-of-the-art NGMN infrastructures and application testbeds.

IMS network deployment cost optimization based on flow-based traffic model

Abstract: The IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) is envisioned as the next-generation IP-based multimedia system that integrates data, speech, and video network services over both wireless and wireline networks. In this paper, we focus on optimizing the cost of SIP server deployment in an IMS network. To reflect the traffic loads on the servers, a flow-based model is used to characterize the SIP traffic. Formulated as a linear programming problem, the cost optimization involves mapping a logical IMS core network topology into a physical network topology. Three potential mapping strategies are proposed. Each strategy's specific constraints are incorporated into the mathematical formulation of the problem. A numerical example of each strategy is presented, and the discussion on the formulations is provided.

QoS Control for NGN: A Survey of Techniques

Abstract: This article presents an overview of standards and a survey of recent work on quality of service (QoS) control of next generation networks (NGNs). We outline primarily standardized QoS control architectures with respect to the service and transport strata of NGN. In the service stratum, QoS parameter negotiation using core IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) procedures is described. In the transport stratum, the resource control and admission schemes of IMS (3GPP), resource admission control function (ITU-T), and resource access control system (ETSI/TISPAN) are explained and compared with each other in terms of QoS coverage and number of required signaling messages. In addition, we give a survey of papers on QoS control architectures, which further strengthen existing standards by adaptively managing QoS modification according to user's QoS changes and consistent QoS support for mobile users. Finally, we conclude this article with a discussion of further work of the QoS control for NGN.

Method, system, and apparatus for switching streaming service

Abstract: A method, a system, and an apparatus for switching a streaming service are disclosed herein. The method for switching a streaming service is applied in IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) architecture and includes: receiving a switching request that carries an identifier of requested media; and using a before-switching media channel to send switched media content to User Equipment (UE). The streaming service switching method disclosed herein uses the fast switching capability of the real-time streams in the IMS architecture to switch the streaming service, and uses the before-switching media channel to transmit the switched media content in the IMS architecture, thus improving the switching speed, the user experience, and the network capability of controlling the switching.

Mobile communication system

Abstract: A mobile communication system comprises a radio access system (LTE) employing a first communication scheme supporting packet-switched communication; a radio access system (2G/3G) employing a second communication scheme supporting both circuit-switched communication and the packet-switched communication; and an IMS (IP Multimedia subsystem). The mobile communication system is configured to switch between a first communication state and a second communication state realizing single radio voice call continuity (SRVCC). First communication state is that a first mobile station (UE#1) visits the radio access system employing the first communication scheme, and performs voice communication with a second mobile station (UE#2) and packet communication by using packet-switched system, wherein second communication state is that the first mobile station (UE#1) visits the radio access system employing the second communication scheme, and performs voice communication with the second mobile station (UE#2) by using circuit-switched system, and performs packet communication with the second station (UE#2) by using the packet-switched system. The mobile communication system switches from the first communication state to the second communication state in a visited network of the first mobile station (UE#1).

Method and apparatus for transmitting messages between heterogeneous networks

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmitting messages between heterogeneous networks are disclosed. The method includes: receiving an IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) message from an IMS network; converting the format of the IMS message into the format of a non-IMS message and converting the sender terminal ID of the IMS message into the sender terminal ID of the non-IMS message; and sending the non-IMS message that includes the content and sender terminal ID of the non-IMS message to a receiver terminal of the non-IMS message through the home network of the non-IMS message. The disclosure can implement message interworking between an IMS user terminal and a non-IMS user terminal.

IMS service development API and testbed

Abstract: The IP multimedia subsystem defined by the Third Generation Partnership Project is the architecture merging the Internet and telecom worlds. The IMS was designed to make it easy for third-party developers to make their applications available to all IMS users, and by doing so provide more than only the basic telecom services like voice, messaging, presence and contact management. However, good knowledge of the IMS network architecture and the underlying Internet protocols is still needed to develop IMS applications. In addition, telecom expertise is needed to deploy the application and provision users. To ease the development and deployment process, it is essential to provide application developers with APIs and similar tools available for Web 2.0 application development today. In this article we explore the architectural and protocol aspects that enable third-party IMS application development and deployment. We also study how the applications will coexist with other applications already deployed in the IMS. Moreover, we describe Java libraries exploiting the functionality of the IMS both in the terminal client and within the core network. We also show how these Java libraries can be used for developing and deploying new applications in an IMS testbed, which provides IMS functionality over commercial 3G networks.

Ip multimedia subsystem user identity handling method and apparatus

Abstract: A method of enabling users of a third party Internet service, who are not necessarily subscribers of an IP Multimedia Subsystem, IMS, network, to access services provided by the IMS network. The method comprises registering a user with said third party Internet service via the Internet using an Internet service identity of the user, and sending to the user, from said third party Internet service and via the Internet, IMS network access information. The access information is then used to register the user with the IMS network, wherein, following IMS registration, the user is able to access IMS network services.