13 IMS related functions

27.0603GPPMobile Station (MS) supporting Packet Switched servicesPacket domainRelease 17TS

13.1 General

IP Multimedia Core Network Subsystem (IMS) related functions affects the way the MS sets up some Session Management information elements when activating or modifying PDP context(s).

IMS is based on IETF protocols with SIP as described in RFC 3261 [54] as the framework. Example signalling flows can be found in 3GPP TS 24.228 [50], while differences between standard SIP and IMS are specified in 3GPP TS 24.229 [51].

GPRS aspects within the MS when connected to IMS are specified in 3GPP TS 24.229 [51], while the corresponding functionality within the GGSN, PCF and P-CSCF is specified in 3GPP TS 29.061 [17] and 3GPP TS 29.207 [52]. Encoding of the session management information elements relevant for IMS are specified in 3GPP TS 24.008 [12].

Mapping of SDP to QoS attributes and authorisation of QoS attributes is specified in 3GPP TS 29.208 [53].

13.2 DNS Server Discovery

In the IMS the MS can request a DNS Server IPv6 address(es) via normal IETF DHCPv6 [55] request/response signalling or by using the Protocol Configuration Option information element when requesting PDP context activation. The corresponding procedure is specified in 3GPP TS 29.061 [17]

13.3 P-CSCF Server Discovery

In the IMS the MS can request a P-CSCF IPv6 address(es) for SIP signalling via normal IETF DHCPv6 request/response signalling in combination with normal IETF DNS request/response signalling or by using the Protocol Configuration Option information element when requesting PDP context activation. The P-CSCF discovery procedure is specified in 3GPP TS 24.229 [51].

13.4 PDP Context used for IMS Signalling

Before the MS can request IMS services, a PDP context is activated to carry the IMS signalling. This PDP context can be for IMS signalling only or a general-purpose PDP context (i.e. may also carry the media). The MS can request that a PDP context is for IMS signalling only by setting the IM CN subsystem signalling flag in the Protocol Configuration Option information element when activating a PDP context. Whether or not a PDP context is activated to be used for general purpose or for IMS signalling only, the MS can request that a PDP context will be prioritised by setting the QoS attribute Signalling Indication. The encoding of the IM CN subsystem signalling flag and the Signalling Indication information elements are specified in 3GPP TS 24.008 [12]. The corresponding procedures are specified in 3GPP TS 24.229 [51] and 3GPP TS 29.061 [17].

13.5 Binding Information

The MS supports the binding mechanism for service-based local policy control. When an authorization token is included in an IMS SIP message, the MS will include binding information in the Traffic Flow Template information element when activating or modifying a PDP context intended to carry certain IMS IP flow(s). The binding information consists of the authorization token and the flow identifier(s) of the IMS IP flow(s) the MS puts on the same PDP context, e.g. due to the same QoS requirements for those IMS IP flows. The authorization token and the flow identifier are specified in 3GPP TS 29.207 [52].

If the MS multiplexes media flows from different IMS sessions in the same PDP Context, the MS shall include the binding information of all multiplexed sessions, i.e. the media authorization tokens of all multiplexed IMS sessions and the flow identifiers of all multiplexed IP flows, in the PDP Context Activation/Modification request.

If the MS includes binding information, it shall populate the TFT filters with wildcard values.

13.6 Mapping of SDP to QoS Attributes

The type of application and the users choice of perceived quality are often fully enough information to set the requested QoS attributes when activating or modifying the PDP context(s) carrying the applications IMS IP flow(s). However, if the application receives SDP parameters, the MS can take guidance and map some of the SDP parameters, e.g. b=AS:<bandwidth-value>, to the corresponding requested QoS attributes, e.g. Maximum and Guaranteed Bitrate for uplink and downlink. The rules for mapping SDP parameters to QoS attributes are specified in 3GPP TS 29.208 [53].

13.7 Authorization of QoS Attributes

When the PDP context is activated or modified, for an IMS session where service-based local policy is applied, the MS can check that the values of some requested QoS attributes, e.g. Guaranteed or Maximum Bitrate uplink and downlink, do not exceed the values of the corresponding Maximum Authorized QoS attributes, e.g. Maximum Authorized Bandwidth uplink and downlink. The values of the Maximum Authorized QoS attributes are derived from the SDP parameters of the IMS media components identified. The rules for deriving the Maximum Authorized QoS attributes per flow identifier and per PDP context are specified in 3GPP TS 29.208 [53].

13.8 Support for forking

A MS originating a SIP session is able to handle several forked responses. Forking can occur in a downstream SIP proxy outside the 3GPP network. In case of service-based local policy, the same authorization token is received for all the forked responses for that session.

Detailed call control procedures for forking are specified in 3GPP TS 24.229 [51]. Specific procedures for setting the Maximum Authorized QoS attributes in relation to several forked responses are specified in 3GPP TS 29.207 [52] and 3GPP TS 29.208 [53].

13.9 Multiplexing of IMS media components to PDP contexts

The IMS network may use the SDP attribute "a=group:SRF" to order the MS to multiplex certain IMS media components within the same session on the same PDP context. If this attribute is not present then multiplexing the media components on PDP contexts is entirely MS specific. The rules for multiplexing IMS media components to PDP contexts are specified in 3GPP TS 24.229 [51].

13.10 Policy control rejection of PDP context

The GGSN rejects a PDP context activation or modification if service-based local policy cannot be exercised, e.g. erroneous binding information, or will not be exercised, e.g. binding information available although the current APN is not subject for policy control. The GGSN puts the actual Policy Control rejection code in the Protocol Configuration Option information element in the rejection message. An MS receiving a rejection message shall check the Protocol Configuration Option information element and take proper action.

The rejection cases as well as the Policy Control rejection codes are specified in 3GPP TS 29.207 [52]. Rules for the MS when receiving policy control rejections of a PDP context activation or modification are specified in 3GPP TS 24.229 [51].

Annex A (informative):
Summary of AT commands for the Packet Domain

This informative annex lists the AT commands for the Packet Domain that are fully described in 3GPP TS 27.007.

Table A.1: Summary of AT commands for the packet domain

Command

Description

+CGACT

PDP context activate or deactivate

+CGANS

Manual response to a network request for PDP context activation

+CGATT

PS attach or detach

+CGAUTO

Automatic response to a network request for PDP context activation

+CGCLASS

PS mobile station class

+CGCLOSP

<VOID>

+CGCLPAD

<VOID>

+CGDATA

Enter data state

+CGDCONT

Define PDP context

+CGEREP

Control unsolicited PS event reporting

+CGPADDR

Show PDP address

+CGREG

Packet Domain network registration status

+CGQMIN

Quality of service profile (minimum acceptable)

+CGQREQ

Quality of service profile (requested)

+CGSMS

Select service for MO SMS messages

Table A.2: Summary of Packet Domain Extensions to existing A/Gb mode AT commands

Command

Description

+CEER

Extended error report (refer to 27.007)

+CMEE

Report mobile equipment error (refer to 27.007)

+CR

Service reporting control (refer to 27.007)

+CRC

Cellular result codes (refer to 27.007)

Table A.3: Summary of AT commands for Packet Domain modem compatibility mode

Command

Description

A

Answer – manual acceptance of a network request for PDP context activation

D

Dial – request Packet Domain service

H

On-hook – manual rejection of a network request for PDP context activation

S0

Automatic answering control – automatic acceptance of a network request for PDP context activation

Annex B (informative):
Octet Stream Protocol (OSP) PDP type

Void

Annex C (informative):
Change history

Change history

Date

TSG #

TSG Doc.

CR

Rev

Subject/Comment

Old

New

06-2004

TSG#24

NP-040247

089

2

Multiple IMS sessions using the same PDP context

5.6.0

6.0.0

06-2007

TSG#36

Upgraded to v7.0.0

6.0.0

7.0.0

12-2008

TSG#42

Upgraded to v8.0.0 due to simple upgrade without no technical change

7.0.0

8.0.0

12-2009

TSG#46

Automatic upgrade from previous Release

8.0.0

9.0.0

12-2010

TSG#50

CP-100779

91

1

Correcting non-specific external references

9.0.0

9.1.0

03-2011

TSG#51

Automatic upgrade from previous Release version 9.0.0

9.0.0

10.0.0

03-2011

TSG#51

Correction of heading and numbering made by MCC

10.0.0

10.0.1

09-2012

TSG#57

Automatic upgrade from previous Release version 10.0.1

10.0.1

11.0.0

10-2014

Automatic upgrade from previous Release

11.0.0

12.0.0

12-2015

Automatic upgrade from previous Release

12.0.0

13.0.0

Change history

Date

TSG #

TSG Doc.

CR

Rev

Cat

Subject/Comment

New

2017-03

CT#75

Automatic upgrade from previous Release

14.0.0

2018-06

CT#80

Automatic upgrade from previous Release

15.0.0

2020-06

CT#88e

Update to Rel-16 version (MCC)

16.0.0

2022-03

SA#95e

Update to Rel-17 version (MCC)

17.0.0