Inter-domain coordination for mt and mo calls

Abstract

A mobility management entity (MME) for setting up a call includes a first network interface which receives a tracking area update (TAU) request from a user equipment (UE). The MME includes a processing unit which translates the TAU request into a location area update (LAU) request. The MME includes a second network interface in communication with the processing unit which sends the LAU request to a mobile switching center (MSC) selected as a tracking MSC thereby establishing the MME as a network node through which the UE is paged. The second network interface receiving a LAU response from the tracking MSC that includes at least information identifying one or more suitable location area identifiers (LAI(s)) to which handover is allowed and Network Resource Identifier (NRI) information where the information indicates that the tracking MSC controls the suitable LAI(s), and the processing unit translating the LAU response into a TAU response which is sent through the first network interface to the UE. A user equipment (UE) includes a processing unit which transmits a tracking area update (TAU) request. The UE includes a network interface in communication with the processing unit which sends the TAU request to a mobility management entity (MME), and receives a TAU response having suitable location area identifiers (LAIs) and TMSI/network resource identifier (NRI). The UE includes a memory in communication with the network interface which stores the suitable LAIs and TMSI/NRI. A method for a mobility management entity (MME) for setting up a call. A method for a user equipment (UE).

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.