SRVCC Single Radio Voice Call Continuity

SRVCC - Single Radio Voice call Continuity is a level of functionality that is required within VoLTE
systems to enable the packet domain calls on LTE to be handed over to legacy circuit switched voice
systems like GSM, UMTS and CDMA 1x in a seamless manner.
As LTE systems deploy VoLTE coverage will be limited and it is anticipated that it will be many years
before complete LTE coverage will be available.
As a result it is necessary for operators to have a system whereby this complicated handover can be
accommodated in a seamless fashion. This scheme needs to be in place as soon as they start to
deploy VoLTE.

What is SRVCC?
SRVCC, Single radio Voice Call Continuity, is a scheme that enables Inter Radio Access Technology,
Inter RAT handover as well as a handover from packet data to circuit switched data voice calls.
By using SRVCC operators are able to make the handovers while maintaining existing quality of
service, QoS and also ensuring that call continuity meets the critical requirements for emergency calls.
Some ideas for handover require that the handset has two active radios to facilitate handover. This is
not ideal because it requires additional circuitry to enable the two radios to be active simultaneously
and it also adds considerably to battery drain.
The SRVCC requires only a single active radio in the handset and requires some upgrades to the
supporting network infrastructure.

SRVCC network architecture

The concept for SRVCC was originally included in the 3GPP specification Release 8. Since then it has
evolved to take account of the various issues and changing requirements. As a result GSMA
recommends that 3GPP Rel 10 or later is implemented as this ensures a considerably lower level of
voice interruption and dropped calls.
The network upgrades required to the cellular network are needed in both the LTE network and that
of the legacy network or networks. SRVCC requires that software upgrades are required to the MSS
- Mobile SoftSwitch subsystem in the legacy MSC - Mobile Switching Centre, the IMS subsystem and
the LTE/EPC subsystem. No upgrades are required for the radio access network of the legacy system,
meaning that the majority of the legacy system remains unaffected.
The upgrades required for the MSC are normally relatively easy to manage. The MSC is normally
centrally located and not dispersed around the network, and this makes upgrades easier to manage.
If they are not easily accessible then a new dedicated MSC can be used that has been upgraded to
handles the SRVCC requirements.

How SRVCC works

The SRVCC implementation controls the transfer of calls in both directions.

LTE to legacy network handover

Handover from LTE to the legacy network is required when the user moves out of the LTE coverage
area. Using SRVCC, the handover is undertaken in two stages.

Radio Access Technology transfer: The handover for the radio access network and this is
a well-established protocol that is in use for transfers from 3G to 2G for example.
Session transfer: The session transfer is the new element that is required for SRVCC. It is
required to move the access control and voice media anchoring from the Evolved Packet Core,
EPC of the packet switched LTE network to the legacy circuit switched network.
During the handover process the CSCF within the IMS architecture maintains the control of the whole
operation.

Voice handover using SRVCC on LTE

The SRVCC handover process takes place in a number of steps:

1. The handover process is initiated by a request for session transfer from the IMS CSCF.
2. The IMS CSCF responds simultaneously with two commands, one to the LTE network, and
the other to the legacy network.
3. the LTE network receives a radio Access Network handover execution command through the
MME and LTE RAN. This instructs the user device to prepare to move to a circuit switched
network for the voice call.
4. The destination legacy circuit switched network receives a session transfer response
preparing it to accept the call from the LTE network.
5. After all the commands have been executed and acknowledged the call is switched to the
legacy network with the IMS CSCF still in control of the call.

Legacy network to LTE

When returning a call to the LTE network much of the same functionality is again used.
To ensure the VoLTE device is able to return to the LTE RAN from the legacy RAN, there are two
options the legacy RAN can implement to provide a swift and effective return:

Allow LTE information to be broadcast on the legacy RAN so the LTE device is able to perform
the cell reselection more easily.
Simultaneously release the connection to the user device and redirect it to the LTE RAN.

SRVCC interruption performance

One of the key issues with VoLTE and SRVCC is the interruption time when handing over from an
LTE RAN to a legacy RAN.
The key methodology behind reducing he time is to simultaneous perform the redirections of RAN and
session. In this way the user experience is maintained and the actual interruption time is not unduly
noticeable.
It has been found that the session redirection is the faster of the two handovers, and therefore it is
necessary for the overall handover methodology to accommodate the fact that there are difference
between the two.