IMS IP Multimedia

Subsystem

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 IMS is…

 IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) is an architecture for offering

multimedia services on the packet domain.
 IMS is access agnostic, hence it is not just for UMTS or GPRS,
but also supports WLAN, fixed line, LTE etc.
 IMS is not a service, but a service enabler
 IMS gives Service control by introducing service signalling

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 IMS architecture

SIP Application
SIP Application Servers
Servers
HSS
IMS MRF
I-CSCF

P-CSCF MGCF
CDMA 2000 S-CSCF

MGW

MSC(Server)
RNC SGSN Corporate
GGSN

BSC
CN
UMTS/GPRS MGW

WLAN

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 Architecture Elements

Database Elements
• HSS (Home Subscriber Server) CSE(SCP) SIP Application
Servers
OSA Application
Server

• SLF (Subscription Locator

Function) IM-SSF OSA-SCS

IMS Control Elements (Call

HSS
Session Control Function)
• S-CSCF
• P-CSCF
• I-CSCF P-CSCF S-CSCF I-CSCF

Control Plane Interworking

MRF
Elements
• MGCF - Media Gateway Control
MGCF
BGFC

Function
• BGCF - Breakout Gateway Control SGW
Function MGW

• SGW - Signaling Gateway

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 Proxy-CSCF (P-CSCF)
Home IMS
Network
CSE(SCP) SIP Application OSA Application
• Entry point to IMS from any access Servers Server

network
HSS IM-SSF OSA-SCS
• Local outbound stateful proxy for all SIP
requests/responses, ensuring all signalling
is sent via the home network P-CSCF
I-CSCF
S-CSCF
S-CSCF
• Performs compression/decompression for
efficient use of the radio interface MRF

• Performs integrity protection mechanisms MGCF SGW

MGW
using IPsec GGSN

• Includes a Policy Decision Function (PDF) Home Access

Network
that authorizes bearer resources
Visited IMS
• The P-CSCF and the GGSN are located in Network P-CSCF
PSTN
the same network, that is, either both in the PLMN
Internet GGSN Visited Access
visited PLMN or both in the home PLMN. IP networks Network

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 PDF
• Performs policy control and media Home IMS
Network
authorisation based on the policy of the CSE(SCP) SIP Application
Servers
OSA Application
Server
access network (I.e. GPRS) and based
on the session parameters carried in HSS IM-SSF OSA-SCS

the SIP signalling

P-CSCF
I-CSCF
S-CSCF
S-CSCF

MRF

MGCF SGW
MGW

GGSN

Home Access
Network

P-CSCF

PDF

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 Interrogating-CSCF (I-CSCF)
• First point of contact in the home network Home IMS
Network
from a visited NW CSE(SCP) SIP Application OSA Application
Servers Server

• Acts as a SIP proxy located at the edge of a

network. HSS IM-SSF OSA-SCS

• Queries the HSS to help in selecting a S-

CSCF for a user. P-CSCF
I-CSCF
S-CSCF
S-CSCF

MRF

MGCF SGW
MGW

GGSN

Home Access
Network

Visited IMS
Network P-CSCF
PSTN
PLMN
Internet GGSN Visited Access
IP networks Network

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 Serving-CSCF (S-CSCF)
Home IMS
Network
• Stateful SIP server providing session CSE(SCP) SIP Application OSA Application

control. Servers Server

• Acts as a SIP registrar HSS IM-SSF OSA-SCS

• Always located in the home network.

• Central point for control of operator P-CSCF

provided services. S-CSCF

I-CSCF

• Performs authentication. MRF

MGCF SGW
MGW

GGSN

Home Access
Network

Visited IMS
Network P-CSCF
PSTN
PLMN
Internet GGSN Visited Access
IP networks Network

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 HSS and SLF
Home IMS
Network

Home Subscriber Server (HSS) CSE(SCP) SIP Application

Servers
OSA Application
Server

• An evolution of the HLR

• HLR (subscriber and authentication data for HSS IM-SSF OSA-SCS

CS and PS domains) + the new IMS

functionality
P-CSCF
• Location Register S-CSCF
I-CSCF

• IMS subscriber records MRF

• IMS service profile processing

• IMS authentication data MGW
MGCF SGW

GGSN

Home Access
Network

Visited IMS
Network P-CSCF
PSTN
PLMN
Internet GGSN Visited Access
Subscription Locator Function (SLF) IP networks Network

• A look-up function that can be used in networks

where several HSS exist.

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 Breakout Gateway Control
Function (BGCF)
• Selects the appropriate PSTN/CS domain
break out point for the session. Home Network External Network

• Selects the network in which the

BGCF
interworking with the PSTN/CS Domain is to S-CSCF BGCF

occur. If the interworking is in another

network, then the BGCF will forward the SIP MGCF
MGCF

signalling to the BGCF of that network. If

the interworking is in another network and GGSN

network hiding is required by the operator, MGW

MGW

the BGCF will forward the SIP signalling via

an I-CSCF toward the BGCF of the other
network. External
Home
GSM/UMTS Network
CS Network

• Selects the MGCF in the network in which

the interworking with PSTN/CS domain is to
occur and forwards the SIP signalling to that
MGCF.

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 Multimedia Resource
Function (MRF) Home IMS
Network
CSE(SCP) SIP Application OSA Application
Servers Server

The media resource function provides the additional

media resources complementary or fundamental for HSS IM-SSF OSA-SCS

services. The functions to be applied will be:

• Conference management such as, a floor control
mechanism to allow some members of a conference to P-CSCF

control the conference. S-CSCF

I-CSCF

• To provide additional media streams to the session, MRF

such as media fade-in for rich calls.

• Play announcements and tones MGCF SGW
MGW

GGSN

The MRF is split in to two functional parts : Home Access

Network
• Multimedia Resource Function Controller (MRFC)
• Multimedia Resource Function Processor (MRFP) MRF
MRFC

Mp

MRFP

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 SIP Application Server
Home IMS
Network
CSE(SCP) SIP Application OSA Application
• Accept requests and responses. It will be able Servers Server

to control, finish or initiate a new SIP

transaction HSS IM-SSF OSA-SCS

• Route the session towards another user or

network P-CSCF
S-CSCF
• Interact with other service platforms for the I-CSCF

support of services MRF

• Communicate with the HSS in order to obtain

information about subscriptions and services MGW
MGCF SGW

GGSN

Home Access
Network

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 Session establishment model
Steps:
Home B Home A
AS
AS HSS
HSS AS
AS 1) Route
signalling to
8 7
11 10 5 4 A’s home
9 6 3 network
S-CSCF
S-CSCF I-CSCF
I-CSCF S-CSCF
S-CSCF I-CSCF
I-CSCF
16 17 18 2) Route
12 15 19 2
signalling to
P-CSCF
P-CSCF
Visited B Visited A
P-CSCF
P-CSCF
B’s home
13 14 20 1
network
GGSN
GGSN GGSN
GGSN
SGSN
SGSN SGSN
SGSN 3) Route
RadioAccess
AccessNetwork
Network RadioAccess
AccessNetwork
Network
Radio Radio
signalling to
User plane (RTP) B terminal
 Session Establishment
Home A Home B HSS
P-CSCF
I-CSCF
S-CSCF
Subscriber
SIP-AS HSS SIP-AS The S-CSCF
Subscriber
I-CSCF
P-CSCF A in
routes Home
isinitiates
the first
the
HSS returns fetches the
B
A performs
message
point
a SIP
from
addressthe service
invitation
of contact
tothe
of
HSS the the in the
S-CSCF
5 6 invocation
originating
IMS
including
for the
address
serving for
ofthe
S-CSCF
subscriber.
subscriber
the SIP URI
S-CSCFB
subscriber
It
offorwards
subscriber
that is serving A.
B. B.
the The
ItINVITE
S-
3. INVITE 4. INVITE 7. INVITE forwards
CSCF
request finds
subscriber totheBthe
the INVITE
entryto
I-CSCF
I-CSCF S-CSCF I-CSCF S-CSCF the P-CSCF
point in Home and B UE
14. OK 13. OK 12. OK
2. INVITE 15. OK 11. OK 8. INVITE

Visited A Visited B
P-CSCF P-CSCF

1. INVITE 16. OK 10. OK 9. INVITE

GGSN GGSN
SGSN SGSN
Radio Access Network Radio Access Network

A Calls B
A B

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 IMS-CS interworking
MG
MGCF
S-CSCF.
S-CSCF/DNS
Subscriber
BGCF
Home A IMS Gateway The MG
MGCF
Subscriber
BGCF
home performs
S-CSCF performs
BGCF
selects
Aqueries
detects:the
initiates
DNS BGCF bearer
the signalling
a SIP
No
selects
SIP
DNS
MGCFinterworking
invitation
URL
another
forinthe
assigned
thetel
between
interworking
including
to
URL.
breakout
BGCF,
theDNS RTP/IP
E.164
perhaps between
network
the
returns and
number.
E.164
in a
5 the
SIP bearer
and
call the
number
The
negative
another of used
network
ismatch.
routed into
subscriber the
a
4 7. INVITE
6. INVITE PSTN
BICC/ISUP
B.
home network
BGCF. in PSTN
15. OK
3. INVITE 14. OK 8. INVITE 11. IAM
I-CSCF S-CSCF BGCF MGCF
16. OK 13. OK 12. ANM
2. INVITE 17. OK 9. ADD 10. RESP

Visited A
P-CSCF MG

1. INVITE 18. OK
GGSN
SGSN
Radio Access Network

A Calls B (CS Subscriber)

A

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 Interfaces
of IMS Home IMS
Network
CSE(SCP) SIP Application
Servers

ISC
OSA Application
Server

Sh
IM-SSF OSA-SCS
Sh
ISC ISC SIP
HSS Cx
Diameter
Cx Mi BGCF
IP
TDM
Mw
Mw
SS7
P-CSCF Mr S-CSCF
I-CSCF
Mg

Gi MRF Mw

MGCF T-SGW
MGW
Gi
ISUP/BICC

GGSN

Home Access
Network
Visited IMS
Network P-CSCF
PSTN
PLMN

Internet GGSN Visited Access

IP networks Network

Rev A Limited Internal 16 ETH/RKC Sarolta Dibuz +36-1-4377625