WO2019104526A1

WO2019104526A1 - Network nodes, paging network node and methods performed therein for handling communication

Info

Publication number: WO2019104526A1
Application number: PCT/CN2017/113536
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jinyin Zhu; Afshin Abtin; Ralf Keller
Original assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ)
Priority date: 2017-11-29
Filing date: 2017-11-29
Publication date: 2019-06-06

Abstract

Embodiments herein relate to a method performed by a first network node, e.g. a HSS, for handling communication of data of a wireless device in a wireless communications network. The first network node initiates a paging process of the wireless device (10) upon receiving a location request of the wireless device, or during a Terminating Access Domain Selection process, wherein initiating the paging process comprise transmitting, to a paging network node, e.g. MME, arequest indicating an early paging procedure.

Description

NETWORK NODES, PAGING NETWORK NODE AND METHODS PERFORMED THEREIN FOR HANDLING COMMUNICATION

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments herein relate to a first and a second network node and a paging network node and methods performed therein. Furthermore, a computer program and a computer readable storage medium are also provided herein. In particular, embodiments herein relate to enable communication in a wireless communication network.

BACKGROUND

In a typical wireless communication network, wireless devices, also known as wireless communication devices, mobile stations, stations (STA) and/or user equipments (UE) , communicate via a Radio Access Network (RAN) to one or more core networks (CN) . The RAN covers a geographical area and provide radio coverage over service areas or cells, which may also be referred to as a beam or a beam group, with each service area or beam being served or controlled by a radio network node such as a radio access node e.g., a Wi-Fi access point or a radio base station (RBS) , which in some networks may also be denoted, for example, a “NodeB” or “eNodeB” . The radio network node communicates over an air interface operating on radio frequencies with the wireless device within range of the radio network node.

A Universal Mobile Telecommunications network (UMTS) is a third generation (3G) telecommunications network, which evolved from the second generation (2G) Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) . The UMTS terrestrial radio access network (UTRAN) is essentially a RAN using wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) and/or High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) for user equipments. In a forum known as the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) , telecommunications suppliers propose and agree upon standards for third generation networks, and investigate enhanced data rate and radio capacity. In some RANs, e.g. as in UMTS, several radio network nodes may be connected, e.g., by landlines or microwave, to a controller node, such as a radio network controller (RNC) or a base station controller (BSC) , which supervises and coordinates various activities of the plural radio network nodes connected thereto. This type of connection is sometimes referred to as a backhaul connection. The RNCs and BSCs are typically connected to one or more core networks.

Specifications for the Evolved Packet System (EPS) , also called a Fourth Generation (4G) network, are developed within the 3^rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) and other 3GPP releases, for example to specify a Fifth Generation (5G) network also referred to as New Radio (NR) are also developed by the 3GPP. The EPS comprises the Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) , also known as the Long Term Evolution (LTE) radio access network, and the Evolved Packet Core (EPC) , also known as System Architecture Evolution (SAE) core network. E-UTRAN/LTE is a variant of a 3GPP radio access network wherein the radio network nodes are directly connected to the EPC core network rather than to RNCs. In general, in E-UTRAN/LTE the functions of an RNC are distributed between the radio network nodes, e.g. eNodeBs in LTE, and the core network. As such, the RAN of an EPS has an essentially “flat” architecture comprising radio network nodes connected directly to one or more core networks, i.e. they are not connected to RNCs. To compensate for that, the E-UTRAN specification defines a direct interface between the radio network nodes, this interface being denoted the X2 interface.

The Fig. 1 shows the initial portion of the terminating side of call setup for a Voice over LTE (VoLTE) wireless device.

Action 1. Remote Network (NW) transmits a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) Invite comprising B-party, SIP Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) /Telephone (Tel) Uniform Resource Locator (URL) , Session Description Protocol (SDP) with offered media configuration, preconditions not met etc.

Action 2. An Interrogating-Call State Control Function (I-CSCF) node transmits a Cx Location Info Request for B-user to a Home subscriber server (HSS) .

Action 3. The HSS transmits a Cx Location info answer with a serving (S) -CSCF address.

Action 4. The I-CSCF node transmits a SIP invite to the S-CSCF node.

Action 5. The S-CSCF node transmits a SIP invite to an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) multimedia telephony service (MMtel) Application server (AS) .

Action 6. The MMtel AS transmits a SIP invite back to the S-CSCF node.

Action 7. The S-CSCF node transmits a SIP invite to a Service Centralization and Continuity Application Server (SCC-AS) .

Action 8. A T-ADS process is perform and initiated by the SCC-AS.

Action 9. The SCC-AS transmit a SIP invite to the S-CSCF node.

Action 10. The S-CSCF node transmits a SIP invite to a proxy-call state control function (P-CSCF) node.

Action 11. The P-CSCF node transmits a H. 248 ADD request to an IMS Access Gateway (IMS-AGW) .

Action 12. The IMS-AGW a H. 248 ADD response to the P-CSCF node.

Action 13. The P-CSCF node transmits a SIP invite to a Packet data network Gateway (P-GW) or a serving gateway (S-GW) , which trigger a conditional NW triggers Connection re-activation.

Action 14. The P-GW or S-GW transmits a SIP invite to the UE.

Action 15. The UE transmits a SIP 183 session progress with SDP with negotiated media configuration and preconditions not met.

Action 16. The P-CSCF node communicates a Rx Authorize/Authenticate-Request (AAR) and Rx Authorize/Authenticate-Answer (AAA) with a Policy and Charging rule function (PCRF) node.

Action 17. The PCRF node transmits a Gx Re-Authorization Request (RAR) .

Action 18. The P-GW or S-GW responds with a Gx Re-Authorization Answer (RAA) .

Action 19. The P-GW or the S-GW has performed an EPS resource reservation.

Action 20. The P-CSCF node transmits a H. 248 modify message to the IMS-AGW, which responds with a H. 248 modify reply.

Action 21. The P-CSCF node transmits a SIP 183 to the S-CSCF node.

Action 22. The S-CSCF node performs a SIP 183 session progress with the SCC-AS.

Action 23. The S-CSCF node performs a SIP 183 session progress with the MMtel AS.

Action 24. The S-CSCF node transmits a SIP 183 session progress to the remote NW.

Then the call setup continues. Operators may focus on optimizing the network performance in terms of certain Key Performance Indicators (KPI) . This is due to external companies benchmarking the performance of operators Network (NW) and publishing the results, and operators are tuning their wireless communication networks to “win” the race in terms of KPIs. One such KPI is the Call Setup time. The call setup time is a time it takes to setup a call to a wireless device in the wireless communication network.

The results from internal and external tests show that the state of the wireless device when it receives the call is of high importance regarding call setup time, i.e. whether the wireless device is in state idle or connected. Since the call setup time is a KPI, activities are chasing 10’s of milliseconds to improve the call setup time.

Per 3GPP TS 23.401, section 5.3.4.3, v. 15.0.0, the paging is described in Fig. 2 (corresponding to action 13 in Fig. 1) .

1. When the Serving Gateway (S-GW) receives a downlink data packet/control signalling for a UE known as not user plane connected (i.e. the S-GW context data indicates no downlink user plane TEID) , it buffers the downlink data packet and identifies which MME or SGSN is serving that UE.

2a. The Serving GW sends a Downlink Data Notification message (ARP, EPS Bearer ID, Paging Policy Indication) to the MME and SGSN nodes for which it has control plane connectivity for the given UE.

2b. The MME and/or the SGSN may transmit a downlink data notification acknowledgement (ACK) to the S-GW.

3a. If the UE is registered in the MME and considered reachable for paging, the MME sends a Paging message (NAS ID for paging, TAI (s) , UE identity based DRX index, Paging DRX length, list of CSG IDs for paging, Paging Priority indication) to each eNodeB belonging to the tracking area (s) in which the UE is registered. The action is described in detail in TS 36.300 v. 14.0.0 and TS 36.413 v. 14.0.0.

3b. The SGSN may page the UE via an RNC or BSC. If the UE is registered in the SGSN, the SGSN sends paging messages to RNC/BSS, which is described in detail in TS 23.060 v. 14.0.0.

4a. If eNodeBs receive paging messages from the MME, the UE is paged by the eNodeBs. The action is described in detail in TS 36.300 v. 14.0.0 and TS 36.304 v. 14.0.0.

4b. If RNC/BSS nodes receive paging messages from the SGSN the UE is paged by the RNSC/BSS, which is described in detail in TS 23.060 v. 14.0.0.

Actions 3-4 may be omitted if the MME already has a signalling connection over S1-MME towards the UE but the S1-U tunnel has not yet been established.

5.When UE is in the ECM-IDLE state, upon reception of paging indication in E-UTRAN access, the UE initiates the UE triggered Service Request procedure.

6a. If Idle mode Signalling Reduction (ISR) is activated and paging response is received in E-UTRAN access the Serving GW sends a "Stop Paging" message to the SGSN.

6b. If ISR is activated and paging response is received in UTRAN or GERAN access the Serving GW sends a "Stop Paging" message to the MME.

The Serving GW transmits downlink data towards the UE via the RAT which performed the Service Request procedure.

If the terminating wireless device is in state idle, the data packets caused by the call setup request in action 13 in Fig. 1 (terminating SIP INVITE) trigger the paging of the wireless device (see also Fig. 3) and the procedures are executed in a sequential order. The IMS AS such as a P-CSCF node transmits a SIP request to the PDN gateway (PGW) . 2. The Serving Gateway (S-GW) receives downlink data, it buffers the downlink data packet and identifies which MME is serving that UE. 3. The Serving GW sends a Downlink Data Notification message to the MME for which it has control plane connectivity for the given UE. The MME may transmit a downlink data notification acknowledgement (ACK) to the S-GW. 4. If the UE is registered in the MME and considered reachable for paging, the MME sends a Paging message to each eNodeB belonging to the tracking area (s) in which the UE is registered. 4. If eNodeBs receive paging messages from the MME, the UE is paged by the eNodeBs. 5. When UE is in the ECM-IDLE state, upon reception of paging indication in E-UTRAN access, the UE initiates the UE triggered Service Request procedure.

This implies that times of the call setup denoted as call setup times to a wireless device, i.e. UE, will be in an order of seconds longer than if the wireless device would be in the connected state. Some traffic patterns imply that most of the calls will be toward a wireless device in idle state and thus this will give poor or reduced results of the call setup time.

SUMMARY

An object herein is to provide a mechanism that improves performance of a wireless communications network in an efficient manner.

According to an aspect the object is achieved by providing a method performed by a first network node, e.g. an Home Subscriber Server (HSS) , for handling communication of data of a wireless device in a wireless communications network. The first network node initiates a paging process of the wireless device upon receiving a location request of the wireless device, or during a Terminating Access Domain Selection (T-ADS) process. The first network node initiates the paging process by transmitting, to a paging network node such as an Mobility Management Entity (MME) , a request indicating an early paging procedure.

According to another aspect the object is achieved by providing a method performed by a second network node for handling communication of data of a wireless device in a wireless communications network. The second network node triggers an initiation of an early paging procedure in a T-ADS process by transmitting an indication request to a first network node, wherein the indication request indicates the early paging procedure.

According to yet another aspect the object is achieved by providing a method performed by a paging network node for handling communication of data of a wireless device in a wireless communications network. The paging network node receives, from a first network node, a request indicating an early paging procedure for the wireless device. The paging network node determines that the wireless device is in an idle or non-active state. When the wireless device is determined to be in the idle or non-active state, the paging network node pages the wireless device.

It is furthermore provided herein a computer program comprising instructions, which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out any of the methods above, as performed by the first, second network nodes or the paging network node. It is additionally provided herein a computer-readable storage medium, having stored thereon a computer program comprising instructions which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the method according to any of the methods above, as performed by the first, second network nodes or the paging network node.

According to still another aspect the object is achieved by providing a first network node for handling communication of data of a wireless device in a wireless communications network. The first network node is configured to initiate a paging process of the wireless device upon receiving a location request of the wireless device, or during a T-ADS process. The first network node is configured to initiate the paging process by being configured to transmit, to a paging network node, a request indicating an early paging procedure.

According to yet still another aspect the object is achieved by providing a second network node for handling communication of data of a wireless device in a wireless communications network. The second network node is configured to trigger an initiation of an early paging procedure in a T-ADS process by being configured to transmit an indication request to a first network node, wherein the indication request indicates the early paging procedure.

According to another aspect the object is achieved by providing a paging network node for handling communication of data of a wireless device in a wireless communications network. The paging network node is configured to receive, from a first network node, a request indicating an early paging procedure for the wireless device. The paging network node is further configured to determine that the wireless device is in an idle or non-active state; and then to page the wireless device.

Embodiments herein enable that the paging of the wireless device will start in parallel during call setup procedure, i.e. when receiving the location request or during the T-ADS process, and that is earlier than in normal cases resulting in quicker call setup. This will give very high improvement especially in certain scenarios for special traffic patterns as it will apply to a high percentage of call setup cases resulting in an improved performance of the wireless communications network in terms of call setup time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments will now be described in more detail in relation to the enclosed drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows signalling scheme of terminating a call in a wireless communications network;

Fig. 2 shows signalling scheme of paging a UE in a wireless communications network;

Fig. 3 shows signalling scheme of paging a UE in a wireless communications network;

Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram depicting a wireless communications network according to embodiments herein;

Fig. 5Ashows a combined signaling scheme and flowchart according to embodiments herein;

Fig. 5B shows a signaling scheme according to embodiments herein;

Fig. 6 shows a method performed by a first network node such as an HSS according to embodiments herein;

Fig. 7 shows a method performed by a second network node such as an IMS AS according to embodiments herein;

Fig. 8 shows a method performed by a paging network node such as an MME according to embodiments herein;

Fig. 9 is a block diagram depicting a first network node according to embodiments herein;

Fig. 10 is a block diagram depicting a second network node according to embodiments herein; and

Fig. 11 is a block diagram depicting a paging network node according to embodiments herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments herein relate to wireless communications networks in general. Fig. 4 is a schematic overview depicting a wireless communications network 1. The wireless communication network 1 comprises one or more RANs and one or more CNs. The wireless communication network 1 may use one or a number of different technologies, such as New Radio (NR) , Wi-Fi, Long Term Evolution (LTE) , LTE-Advanced, 5G, Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) , Global System for Mobile communications/enhanced Data rate for GSM Evolution (GSM/EDGE) , Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax) , or Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB) , just to mention a few possible implementations. Embodiments herein relate to IP Multimedia Subsystem or IP Multimedia Core Network Subsystem (IMS) , which is an architectural framework for delivering IP multimedia services in LTE, however, embodiments are also applicable in other types of wireless communication networks such as e.g. NR and WCDMA.

In the wireless communication network 1, a wireless device 10, such as mobile station, a non-access point (non-AP) STA, a STA, a user equipment and/or a wireless terminals, may communicate via one or more Access Networks (AN) , e.g. a RAN, to one or more core networks (CN) . It should be understood by the skilled in the art that “wireless device” is a non-limiting term which means any terminal, wireless communications terminal, user equipment, Machine Type Communication (MTC) device, Device to Device (D2D) terminal, or node e.g. smart phone, laptop, mobile phone, sensor, relay, mobile tablets or even a small base station communicating within a service area.

The wireless communication network 1 comprises a radio network node 12. The radio network node may provide radio coverage over a geographical area referred to as service area 11 or cell, which may be provided by one or more beams or a beam group where the group of beams is covering the service area of a first radio access technology (RAT) , such as LTE, NR, Wi-Fi or similar. A radio network node may also serve multiple cells, and may be a transmission and reception point e.g. a radio-access network node such as a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) access point or Access Point Station (AP STA) , an access controller, a base station e.g. a radio base station such as a NodeB, an evolved Node B (eNB, eNode B) , a base transceiver station, a radio remote unit, an Access Point Base Station, a base station router, a transmission arrangement of a radio base station, a stand-alone access point or any other network unit capable of communicating with a wireless device within the service area served by the radio network node depending e.g. on the radio access technology and terminology used. The radio network node 12 communicates with the wireless device 10 within the wireless communication network 1.

The wireless communication network 1 further comprises a paging network node 13 such as an MME or similar triggering a paging procedure of e.g. a wireless device 10. The MME knows the latest tracking areas the wireless device has been registered in and may locate relevant radio network nodes for triggering paging of the wireless device 10. The paging network node 13 may determine whether the wireless device is in an inactive state or a non-connected mode and hence that paging is needed to locate the wireless device.

Furthermore, the wireless communication network 1 further comprises a first network node 14 such as an HSS or similar being a database that supports IMS network entities that actually handle calls. The HSS comprises subscription-related information for callers and called parties, and may perform authentication and authorization of the wireless device, and may further provide information about the subscriber's location and IP information.

During a terminating VoLTE call, a second network node 15 such as an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) Application Server (AS) , e.g. Service Centralization and Continuity Application Server (SCC AS) , may find out if the wireless device 10 is still on LTE access or if it has changed access to 2G/3G and a Circuit Switched phone call needs to be setup via a Mobile Switching Centre (MSC) . This is due to that IMS has only the wireless device’s IMS Registration state to rely on while a wireless device leaving LTE coverage to 2G/3G will not remove its IMS Registration. For this, the second network node 15 may perform a procedure called Terminating Access Domain Selection (T-ADS) . This T-ADS procedure implies that the second network node 15 contacts the first network node 14 and the first network node 14 contacts the paging network node 13 and/or e.g. a Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) to get e.g. timestamps of the latest mobility management procedures, and may compare received time stamps of the latest mobility management procedures and may decide a current access technology of the wireless device, e.g. LTE or 2G/3G.

According to embodiments herein an early paging process is initiated to reduce a time to setup a call, i.e. call setup. Hence, the paging of the wireless device 10 is herein initiated at a more early stage of the call setup. The first network node 14, such as an HSS, initiates a paging process of the wireless device 10 either upon receiving a location request of the wireless device 10, e.g. from the second network node 15 such as an Interrogating Call State Control Function (I-CSCF) node, or during a Terminating Access Domain Selection (T-ADS) process with the second network node 15 such as an IMS AS. The paging process comprises that the first network node 14 transmits, to the paging network node 13, a request indicating an early paging procedure.

The paging network node 13 receives the request indicating the early paging procedure and determines that the wireless device 10 is in an idle or non-active state and hence that paging is needed. Then, when the wireless device 10 is determined to be in the idle or non-active state, the paging network node 13 pages the wireless device 10.

Embodiments herein start the paging of the wireless device 10 for e.g. terminating calls, earlier and in parallel with additional call setup procedures, such as T-ADS procedures, to improve the call setup times for wireless devices in idle state.

The mentioned procedures may also apply for Voice communications in 5G and also T-ADS procedures is kept in the 5G core network (5GC) as well and hence embodiments herein are is applicable to a 5G NW even if the procedures are explained herein a 4G context.

Fig. 5A is a combined flowchart and signaling scheme according to some embodiments herein.

Action. 501. The second network node 15 triggers an initiation of the early paging procedure in the T-ADS process by transmitting an indication request to the first network node 14 such as the HSS. The indication request indicates the early paging procedure.

Action 502. The first network node 14 thus initiates the paging process of the wireless device 10 upon receiving the indication request such as the location request of the wireless device 10. The first network node 14 initiates the paging process by transmitting, to the paging network node 13, the request indicating the early paging procedure.

Action 503. The paging network node 13 such as the MME determines that paging of the wireless device 10 is needed. The paging network node 13 determines that the wireless device 10 is in idle or non-active state.

Action 504. The paging network node 13, when determined that paging of the wireless device 10 is needed, pages the wireless device via the radio network node 12.

Action 505. The wireless device 10 receives the paging and responds to the paging network node 13. Thus, the wireless device 10 moves into connected state already before a terminating SIP INVITE reaches the wireless device 10.

Fig. 5B is a schematic signaling scheme disclosing one or more embodiments herein. During e.g. a terminating VoLTE call, the second network node 15 such as an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) Application Server (AS) , e.g. Service Centralization and Continuity Application Server (SCC AS) , may need to find out if the wireless device is still on LTE access or if it has changed access to 2G/3G and thereby the Circuit Switched phone call needs to be setup via Mobile Switching Centre (MSC) . This is due to that IMS has only the wireless device’s IMS Registration state to rely on (3GPP TS 24.229) while a wireless device leaving LTE coverage to 2G/3G will not remove its IMS Registration. For this, the second network node 15 performs a procedure called T-ADS as defined in 3GPP TS 23.292 and 23.401 v. 13.0.0. This T-ADS procedure implies that the second network node 15 contacts the first network node 14 such as the HSS and the first network node 14 may contact the paging network node 13 such as the MME and/or a Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) to get timestamps of the latest mobility management procedures. The first network node 14 may compare the received time stamps of the latest mobility management procedures and decides the current access of the wireless device, e.g. LTE or 2G/3G. Note that in some cases the first network node 14 can determine the access of the wireless device without contacting SGSN and MME but embodiments herein cause the first network node 14 to initiate paging even in these cases.

It is herein proposed that

· when this T-ADS procedure is executed, as part of this procedure or as an additional action with specific indication from as the second network node 15 via the first network node 14 to the paging network node 13 and

· if the wireless device 10 in the paging network node 13 is in state idle (and IMS PDN exists) ,

· then paging procedure in the paging network node 13 is started already to save some time during the call setup.

This would imply that paging can start at action 8 in Fig. 5B marked with a diagonal striped frame.

Such specific indication can be carried over Sh interface (3GPP TS 29.328) from as the second network node 15 to the first network node 14 and/or from the first network node 14 over S6a (3GPP TS 29.272) to the paging network node 13. The new indication or request indication may be carried over Sh interface and S6a interface for requesting an early paging initiation.

For some cases, if the current location of the wireless device 10 is known, the first network node 14 may not go all the way to the paging network node for retrieving the location. In such cases the first network node 14 may immediately respond back to as the second network node 15 for the T-ADS query, but according to embodiments herein the firs network node 14 still triggers the paging network node 13 to perform the early paging procedure.

The function may be a configurable option

· whether the paging network node 13 should perform this paging always (for operators with very good LTE coverage already, i.e. signal strength or quality over a set threshold, or

· whether it needs to be explicitly indicated to the paging network node 13 in an additional action after, before or in parallel to the T-ADS procedures being performed, or

· whether the paging network node 13 performs this paging or not even if indicated, e.g. do paging merely for own subscribers but not for inbound roaming wireless devices.

The paging network node 13 considers the state of the wireless device 10, i.e. that the wireless device is in idle or non-active state, and may further considered existence of IMS PDN for such early paging function, i.e., may only perform paging if the wireless device 10 is in registered state and PDN connection to the IMS is active in the paging network node 13 for the wireless device 10.

As another option, which would result save even further time in the call setup, the “early paging” may be started in action 2 in call flow in Fig. 5B marked as a checkered frame. Thus, as the second network node 15 queries the first network node 14 in such scenario to locate a serving (S) -CSCF for the wireless device 10, the first network node 14 may contact the paging network node 13, over S6a, and trigger an early paging if the conditions mentioned earlier are fulfilled.

The method actions performed by the first network node 14, exemplified herein as a HSS, for handling communication of data of the wireless device in the wireless communications network 1 according to some embodiments will now be described with reference to a flowchart depicted in Fig. 6. The actions do not have to be taken in the order stated below, but may be taken in any suitable order. Actions performed in some embodiments are marked with dashed boxes.

Action 601. The first network node 14 may receive an indication request from the second network node 15. The indication request may comprise the location request from the second network node 15 being an Interrogating Call State Control Function (I-CSCF) node. Alternatively or additionally, the indication request may comprise a Terminating Access Domain Selection request associated with the Terminating Access Domain Selection process from the second network node 15 being an Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem application server such as an SCC AS.

Action 602. The first network node 14 initiates the paging process of the wireless device 10 upon receiving the location request of the wireless device 10 or during the T-ADS process. The first network node 14 initiates the paging process by transmitting, to the paging network node 13, the request indicating an early paging procedure. The request comprises one bit, e.g. a flag bit, or an information element indicating early paging procedure. Hence, the request may comprise one or more bits indicating that the request is for early paging. The request may be an s6a interface message. The request may be comprised in an Insert Subscriber Data Request. The initiation of the paging process may be triggered by receiving the indication request from the second network node 15, see action 601. The initiation may also be triggered based on an HSS local configuration, i.e. a configuration preconfigured at the first network node 14.

The method actions performed by the second network node, exemplified herein as a IMS AS or an I-CSCF node, for handling communication of data of the wireless device 10 in the wireless communications network 1 according to some embodiments will now be described with reference to a flowchart depicted in Fig. 7.

Action 701. The second network node 15 triggers the initiation of the early paging procedure in the T-ADS process by transmitting the indication request to the first network node 14 such as the HSS. The indication request indicates the early paging procedure, e.g. comprises one or more bit indicating the early paging procedure. The indication request may comprise a T-ADS request associated with the T-ADS process, e.g. a User data request with an T-ADS indication as well as an early indication indicating the early paging procedure.

The method actions performed by the paging network node 13, exemplified herein as a MME, for handling communication of data of the wireless device 10 in the wireless communications network 1 according to some embodiments will now be described with reference to a flowchart depicted in Fig. 8. The actions do not have to be taken in the order stated below, but may be taken in any suitable order. Actions performed in some embodiments are marked with dashed boxes.

Action 801. The paging network node 13 receives, from the first network node 14, the request indicating the early paging procedure for the wireless device 10. The request may be a part of the T-ADS process or a standalone request, e.g. a standalone request additionally triggered and transmitted by the first network node such as the HSS. The request may be an s6a message from the first network node 14.

Action 802. The paging network node 13 determines that the wireless device is in an idle or non-active state and hence that paging is needed, to move the wireless device into connected state.

Action 803. When determined that the wireless device 10 is in the idle or non-active state and hence that paging is needed, the paging network node 13 pages the wireless device 10. The paging network node 13 may know a tracking area (TA) list of the wireless device 10 and transmit a paging message to all radio network nodes in that TA list. The paging network node 13 may in some embodiments only perform the paging if the wireless device 10 is in registered state and has a packet data network (PDN) connection to an IMS access point name (APN) and thereby the wireless device 10 may, is enabled to, communicate with an IMS node

Fig. 9 is a schematic block diagram depicting, in two embodiments, the first network node 14 for handling communication of data of the wireless device 10 in the wireless communications network 1.

The first network node 14 may comprise processing circuitry 901, e.g. one or more processors or similar, being configured to perform the method herein.

The first network node 14 may comprise an initiating unit 902, e.g. a software module, a transmitter or transceiver. The first network node 14, the processing circuitry 901, and/or the initiating unit 902 is configured to initiate the paging process of the wireless device 10 upon receiving the location request of the wireless device 10, or during the T-ADS process. The first network node 14, the processing circuitry 901, and/or the initiating unit 902 is configured to initiate the paging process by being configured to transmit, to the paging network node 13, the request indicating an early paging procedure. The request may comprise one bit or an information element indicating early paging procedure. The request may be an s6a interface message. The request may e.g. be comprised in an Insert Subscriber Data Request.

The first network node 14 may comprise a receiving unit 903, e.g. a software module, areceiver or transceiver. The first network node 14, the processing circuitry 901, and/or the receiving unit 903 may be configured to receive the indication request from the second network node 15 to trigger the paging process. The indication request may comprise the location request from the I-CSCF node, or the T-ADS request associated with the T-ADS process from an IMS AS.

The first network node 14 further comprises a memory 904 comprising one or more memory units. The memory 904 comprises instructions executable by the processing circuitry 901 to perform the methods herein when being executed in the first network node 14. The memory 904 is arranged to be used to store e.g. information, data such as request indications, requests, MME IDs, wireless device information, etc.

The methods according to the embodiments described herein for the first network node 14 are respectively implemented by means of e.g. a computer program 905 or a computer program product, comprising instructions, i.e., software code portions, which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the actions described herein, as performed by the first network node 14. The computer program 905 may be stored on a computer-readable storage medium 906, e.g. a disc, a universal serial bus (USB) stick, or similar. The computer-readable storage medium 906, having stored thereon the computer program, may comprise the instructions which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the actions described herein, as performed by the first network node 14. In some embodiments, the computer-readable storage medium may be a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. Thus, the first network node 14 may comprise the processing circuitry and the memory, said memory comprising instructions executable by said processing circuitry whereby said first network node is operative to perform the methods herein.

Fig. 10 is a schematic block diagram depicting, in two embodiments, the second network node 15, e.g. a IMS AS or a I-CSCF node, for handling communication of data of the wireless device 10 in the wireless communications network 1.

The second network node 15 may comprise processing circuitry 1001, e.g. one or more processors or similar, being configured to perform the method herein.

The second network node 15 may comprise a transmitting unit 1002, e.g. a software module, a transmitter or transceiver. The second network node 15, the processing circuitry 1001, and/or the transmitting unit 1002 is configured to trigger the initiation of the early paging procedure in the T-ADS process by being configured to transmit an indication request to the first network node 13, wherein the indication request indicates the early paging procedure. The indication request may comprise a Terminating Access Domain Selection request associated with the Terminating Access Domain Selection process. The T-ADS process comprises possible several requests to a number of network nodes.

The second network node 15 further comprises a memory 1003 comprising one or more memory units. The memory 1003 comprises instructions executable by the processing circuitry 1001 to perform the methods herein when being executed in the second network node 15. The memory 1003 is arranged to be used to store e.g. information, data such as, request indications, subscriptions, wireless device information, etc.

The methods according to the embodiments described herein for the second network node 15 may be respectively implemented by means of e.g. a computer program 1004 or a computer program product, comprising instructions, i.e., software code portions, which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the actions described herein, as performed by the second network node 15. The computer program 1004 may be stored on a computer-readable storage medium 1005, e.g. a disc, a USB stick, or similar. The computer-readable storage medium 1005, having stored thereon the computer program, may comprise the instructions which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the actions described herein, as performed by the second network node 15. In some embodiments, the computer-readable storage medium may be a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. Thus, the second network node 15 may comprise the processing circuitry and the memory, said memory comprising instructions executable by said processing circuitry whereby said second network node is operative to perform the methods herein.

Fig. 11 is a schematic block diagram depicting, in two embodiments, the paging network node 13 for handling communication of data of the wireless device 10 in the wireless communications network 10.

The paging network node 13 may comprise processing circuitry 1101, e.g. one or more processors or similar, being configured to perform the method herein.

The paging network node 13 may comprise a receiving unit 1102, e.g. a software module, a receiver or transceiver. The paging network node 13, the processing circuitry 1101, and/or the receiving unit 1102 is configured to receive, from the first network node 14, the request indicating the early paging procedure for the wireless device 10. The request may be a part of the T-ADS process or a standalone request. The request may be an s6a message.

The paging network node 13 may comprise a determining unit 1103. The paging network node 13, the processing circuitry 1101, and/or the determining unit 1103 is configured to determine that the wireless device 10 is in an idle or non-active state.

The paging network node 13 may comprise a paging unit 1104, e.g. a software module, a transmitter or transceiver. The paging network node 13, the processing circuitry 1101, and/or the paging unit 1104 is configured to, when the wireless device 10 is determined to be in the idle or non-active state, page the wireless device 10. The paging network node 13, the processing circuitry 1101, and/or the paging unit 1104 may be configured to only perform the paging if the wireless device 10 is in registered state and has a packet data network, PDN, connection to an IMS access point name.

The paging network node 13 further comprises a memory 1105 comprising one or more memory units. The memory 1105 comprises instructions executable by the processing circuitry 1101 to perform the methods herein when being executed in the paging network node 13. The memory 1105 is arranged to be used to store e.g. information, data such as, indications, wireless device information, paging information etc.

The methods according to the embodiments described herein for the paging network node 13 may be respectively implemented by means of e.g. a computer program 1106 or a computer program product, comprising instructions, i.e., software code portions, which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the actions described herein, as performed by the paging network node 13. The computer program 1106 may be stored on a computer-readable storage medium 1107, e.g. a disc, a USB stick, or similar. The computer-readable storage medium 11076, having stored thereon the computer program, may comprise the instructions which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the actions described herein, as performed by the paging network node 13. In some embodiments, the computer-readable storage medium may be a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. Thus, the paging network node 13 may comprise the processing circuitry and the memory, said memory comprising instructions executable by said processing circuitry whereby said paging network node is operative to perform the methods herein.

As will be readily understood by those familiar with communications design, means or units may be implemented using digital logic and/or one or more microcontrollers, microprocessors, or other digital hardware. In some embodiments, several or all of the various functions may be implemented together, such as in a single application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) , or in two or more separate devices with appropriate hardware and/or software interfaces between them. Several of the functions may be implemented on a processor shared with other functional components of a wireless terminal or network node, for example.

Alternatively, several of the functional units of the processing means discussed may be provided through the use of dedicated hardware, while others are provided with hardware for executing software, in association with the appropriate software or firmware. Thus, the term “processor” as used herein does not exclusively refer to hardware capable of executing software and may implicitly include, without limitation, digital signal processor (DSP) hardware, and/or program or application data, and non-volatile memory. Other hardware, conventional and/or custom, may also be included. Designers of communications receivers will appreciate the cost, performance, and maintenance trade-offs inherent in these design choices.

It will be appreciated that the foregoing description and the accompanying drawings represent non-limiting examples of the methods and apparatus taught herein. As such, the inventive apparatus and techniques taught herein are not limited by the foregoing description and accompanying drawings. Instead, the embodiments herein are limited only by the following claims and their legal equivalents.

Claims

A method performed by a first network node (14) for handling communication of data of a wireless device (10) in a wireless communications network (1) , the method comprising:

- initiating (602) apaging process of the wireless device upon receiving a location request of the wireless device, or during a Terminating Access Domain Selection process, wherein initiating (602) the paging process comprise transmitting, to a paging network node (13) , a request indicating an early paging procedure.
The method according to claim 1, wherein the request comprises one bit or an information element indicating early paging procedure.
The method according to any of the claims 1-2, wherein the request is an s6a interface message.
The method according to claim 3, wherein the request is comprised in an Insert Subscriber Data Request.
The method according to any of the claims 1-4, wherein initiating (602) the paging process is triggered by receiving (601) an indication request from a second network node (15) .
The method according to claim 5, wherein the indication request comprises the location request from an Interrogating Call State Control Function node, or a Terminating Access Domain Selection request associated with the Terminating Access Domain Selection process from an Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem application server.
A method performed by a second network node (15) for handling communication of data of a wireless device in a wireless communications network, the method comprising:

- triggering (701) an initiation of an early paging procedure in a Terminating Access Domain Selection process by transmitting an indication request to a first network node (14) , wherein the indication request indicates the early paging procedure
The method according to claim 7, wherein the indication request comprises a Terminating Access Domain Selection request associated with the Terminating Access Domain Selection process.
A method performed by a paging network node (13) for handling communication of data of a wireless device in a wireless communications network, the method comprising:

- receiving (801) , from a first network node (14) , a request indicating an early paging procedure for the wireless device;

- determining (802) that the wireless device is in an idle or non-active state; and then,

- paging (803) the wireless device.
The method according to claim 9, wherein the request is part of a Terminating Access Domain Selection process or a standalone request.
The method according to claim 9, wherein the request is an s6a message.
The method according to any of the claims 9-11, wherein the paging network node (13) only performs the paging if the wireless device (10) is in registered state and has a packet data network, PDN, connection to an Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem, IMS, access point name.
A computer program comprising instructions, which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out any of the methods according to any of the claims 1-12, as performed by the first, second network nodes or the paging network node.
A computer-readable storage medium, having stored thereon a computer program comprising instructions which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the method according to any of the claims 1-12, as performed by the first, second network nodes or the paging network node.
A first network node (14) for handling communication of data of a wireless device (10) in a wireless communications network (1) , being configured to:

initiate a paging process of the wireless device (10) upon receiving a location request of the wireless device (10) , or during a Terminating Access Domain Selection process, and being configured to initiate the paging process by being configured to transmit, to a paging network node (13) , a request indicating an early paging procedure.
The first network node (14) according to claim 15, wherein the request comprises one bit or an information element indicating early paging procedure.
The first network node (14) according to any of the claims 15-16, wherein the request is an s6a interface message.
The first network node (14) according to claim 17, wherein the request is comprised in an Insert Subscriber Data Request.
The first network node (14) according to any of the claims 15-18, being configured to receive an indication request from a second network node (15) to trigger the paging process.
The first network node (14) according to claim 19, wherein the indication request comprises the location request from an Interrogating Call State Control Function node, or a Terminating Access Domain Selection request associated with the Terminating Access Domain Selection process from an Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem application server.
A second network node (15) for handling communication of data of a wireless device in a wireless communications network (1) , being configured to:

trigger an initiation of an early paging procedure in a Terminating Access Domain Selection process by being configured to transmit an indication request to a first network node (13) , wherein the indication request indicates the early paging procedure.
The second network node (15) according to claim 21, wherein the indication request comprises a Terminating Access Domain Selection request associated with the Terminating Access Domain Selection process.
A paging network node (13) for handling communication of data of a wireless device (10) in a wireless communications network (1) , the paging network node being configured to:

receive, from a first network node (14) , a request indicating an early paging procedure for the wireless device;

determine that the wireless device is in an idle or non-active state; and then to,

page the wireless device (10) .
The paging network node (13) according to claim 23, wherein the request is part of a Terminating Access Domain Selection process or a standalone request.
The paging network node (13) according to claim 23, wherein the request is an s6a message.
The paging network node (13) according to any of the claims 23-25, wherein the paging network node is configured to only perform the paging if the wireless device is in registered state and has a packet data network, PDN, connection to an Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem, IMS, access point name.