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Anchor
An anchor application server (AS) provides IMS services to an LTE subscriber who
roams onto a CS network by allocating an IMS routing number (IMRN) to anchor
the LTE subscriber to the IMS network.

Anchor AS

CS network IMS network

LTE subscriber

Benefits

Improves customer satisfaction

IMS subscribers who roam onto CS networks can still access

IMS services.

Reduces cost
Contributes to smooth network evolution from CS to IMS
networks. During network evolution, devices used on live
networks do not require any changes.

Acquires potential IMS subscribers

Enables CS subscribers to use IMS services.

Application Scenario

1 A VoLTE subscriber roaming onto a CS network

initiates a call and triggers an IMS service.
MO anchoring flow

VoLTE subscriber

CS network IMS network

2 A CS subscriber attempts to use an IMS service.

CS subscriber

CS network IMS network

3 A CS subscriber calls a VoLTE subscriber

using an irregular number
MT anchoring flow

CS subscriber VoLTE subscriber

CS network IMS network

Anchor Solution
The Anchoring solution includes IMRN segment-based anchoring and IMRN
prefix-based anchoring, depending on the different ways that the IMRN can
be obtained.
IMRN prefix-based anchoring: The Anchor AS adds a prefix at This solution is only used in the
the beginning of the original called number to obtain an IMRN. MT anchoring flow.

CS IMS

Convergent
HLR/HSS Anchor AS

RN
IM
t he
1 Obtains
a ins Removes the prefix to
t
Anchor Ob restore the called number
service 2
data. 4

Routes the call to

3 the MGCF based
on the IMRN 5

VMSC/GMSC
MGCF I/S-CSCF

IMRN segment-based anchoring solution: The Anchor This solution can be used in
AS obtains an IMRN from the planned IMRN segment and the MO and MT anchoring flow.
stores the call information with the IMRN as an index.

CS IMS

Convergent Anchor AS Convergent

HLR/HSS HLR/HSS
RN
IM
6
Re alle

he 5
c

t
st d n

ins
or u

1 Obtains Obtains
es m

ta
Anchor Ob the Anchor
th ber
e

subscriptio 2 AS address
n data
Routes the call to
3 the MGCF based
on the IMRN 4

VMSC/GMSC MGCF I/S-CSCF

Compared to the IMRN segment-based anchoring solution, the IMRN prefix-based

anchoring solution enables the Anchor AS not to consume live network resources
or maintain dynamical call data. In addition, this solution improves call routing
efficiency. Therefore, the IMRN prefix-based anchoring solution is recommended
to apply to the MT anchoring flow.

Key Operations in Anchoring Flows

An ATS, as an anchor AS on the IMS

network, allocates IMRNs to implement
Anchor services.

LTE subscribers need to subscribe to

anchoring data on the HSS before
using the Anchor service. In the
Anchor subscription data, the SCP
address is set to the Anchor AS.
CS IN services of
anchored subscribers
need to be triggered on
In the MT anchoring flow, if
the CS the IMS network.
domain is selected to connec
t a call,
the Anchor AS is required to
suppress repeated MT anch
oring.

Charging

Charging on the originating side: In the MO

anchoring flow, the AS generates ACRs for the Anchor
service and sends them to the CCF, and the SCP
generates CDRs for IN services.

Charging on the terminating side: The AS generates

ACRs for a called party, regardless of whether the AS
selects the CS or IMS domain to connect a call to the
called party.

Domain Selection

LTE terminals may attach to LTE networks or CS networks based on signaling

strength. Therefore, an AS needs to use the terminating access domain selection
(T-ADS) function to select a domain to connect calls to LTE terminals.

Application scenario: In a call placed to an IMS subscriber, an MMTel AS

triggers the subscriber's IMS services, and then a service centralization and
continuity (SCC) AS determines whether the IMS subscriber is on an IMS or a
CS network.

Selects a domain to connect

the call to the called party.

SCC AS

LTE 2G/3G

Technical Principles
6 Determines the domain for UE_B
based on the information responded The processing flow
MO MT by the convergent HSS/HLR after domain selection
is the same as the
IMS processing flow of
basic calls.
3
Se _B ati
UE form

ATS
nd ’s on
in

s a T-A

2 Triggers
re DS

UE_B's
qu

services based
es
tf

on the iFC 5 Sends requests to the

or

1 4 MME and SGSN for

Receives an domain selection
INVITE information
message

Convergent
I/S-CSCF HLR/HSS

EPC PS

MME SGSN

LTE 2G/3G

Key Operations in Domain Selection

Queries the convergent Selects a domain based

HSS/HLR for T-ADS 1 SCC AS 3 on the T-ADS data
data. response, sent by the
convergent HSS/HLR.

Sh

Queries the MME and Convergent

2
SGSN for T-ADS data. HLR/HSS

MME SGSN

An ATS functions as an SCC AS to implement domain selection.

Next issue

DRA Networking
Brief introduction
An SPS as a DRA converges and distributes Diameter signaling
messages, and works as a gateway between networks.

Core Network Documentation Dept.

Prepared by: Li Xiaonan (content), Tang Suwen (figure)
Copyright © Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. 2015. All rights reserved.