CSFB Call:
MO:
CSFB MO (Mobile Originated) Call Flow
Scenario: UE initiates a voice call while camped on LTE.
• Nodes involved:
o UE (User Equipment)
o eNodeB (LTE base station)
o MME (Mobility Management Entity)
o SGs interface (MME ↔ MSC)
o MSC (Mobile Switching Center)
o MGW (Media Gateway)
o PSTN/Other UE
• Interfaces & Protocols:
• LTE air interface (Uu)
• S1-MME (MME ↔ eNodeB, signaling)
• SGs (MME ↔ MSC, CSFB signaling)
• A/Iu-CS (MSC ↔ RNC/BSC, circuit switched)
• ISUP/SIP (towards PSTN/IMS)
Flow (simplified):
1. UE sends Extended Service Request (CSFB) to MME.
2. MME triggers SGs Service Request to MSC.
3. MSC prepares resources, instructs MME to redirect UE.
4. MME sends CSFB redirection command to eNodeB.
5. UE moves to 2G/3G RAT (handover or redirection).
6. Call setup continues via MSC (ISUP/SIP signaling).
7. Voice path established via MGW.
UE Initiates Call
• User dials a number.
• UE triggers Extended Service Request (ESR) with:
o Service Type = “Mobile Originated CSFB”
o Sent via NAS to MME.
MME Handles CSFB Request
• MME checks:
o UE is allowed CSFB.
o SGs interface is available.
• MME sends SGsAP SERVICE REQUEST (MO CSFB) to the MSC/VLR.
MSC/VLR Allocates CS Resources
• MSC processes the incoming request.
• MSC sends SGsAP PAGING REQUEST back to MME (for redirection coordination).
• MSC prepares for UE to move to CS domain.
LTE → 2G/3G Redirection
MME sends a NAS CSFB command to UE and then instructs the eNodeB.
eNodeB sends:
• RRC Connection Release
o with Redirect Info to GSM or WCDMA frequency.
UE leaves LTE and camps on the target RAT.
UE Performs CS Call Setup (2G/3G)
Once on 2G/3G:
• UE sends CM Service Request → MSC
• MSC sends SETUP
• UE → sends CALL CONFIRMED / ALERTING
• MSC → UE gets ASSIGNMENT for TCH (GSM) or traffic channel (UMTS)
• Speech path established
✔ MO CSFB call established
MT:
CSFB MT (Mobile Terminated) Call Flow
Scenario: Incoming voice call to UE camped on LTE.
• Nodes involved:
o Calling party (PSTN/IMS)
o MSC
o SGs interface (MSC ↔ MME)
o MME
o eNodeB
o UE
• Interfaces & Protocols:
• ISUP/SIP (incoming call to MSC)
• SGs (MSC ↔ MME)
• S1-MME (MME ↔ eNodeB)
• LTE air interface (Uu)
• A/Iu-CS (MSC ↔ RNC/BSC)
Flow (simplified):
1. Incoming call arrives at MSC.
2. MSC sends Paging Request via SGs to MME.
3. MME forwards CSFB paging to eNodeB.
4. eNodeB pages UE over LTE.
5. UE responds with Extended Service Request (CSFB).
6. MME instructs UE to move to CS RAT (2G/3G).
7. UE re-attaches to MSC domain.
8. Call setup continues via MSC.
9. Voice path established.
Incoming Call to MSC
• PSTN or another subscriber dials the UE’s MSISDN.
• MSC receives IAM from PSTN.
• MSC checks VLR → sees UE attached via LTE/EPC.
MSC → MME via SGs: Paging the UE
MSC sends:
• SGsAP PAGING REQUEST
o Includes IMSI/TMSI
o Service indicator = "Voice CS"
MME receives it and triggers paging in LTE.
LTE Paging
• MME sends S1AP PAGING to all eNodeBs in the UE’s TA list.
• eNodeB transmits LTE Paging on PCH.
UE wakes up and sees paging for CS call.
UE Responds with ESR
UE sends:
• Extended Service Request (MT CSFB)
To MME, indicating CS call paging.
MME → MSC: Service Accept
MME forwards:
• SGsAP SERVICE REQUEST (MT CSFB)
MSC starts preparing CS call setup.
MME Commands LTE → CS Redirection
MME sends NAS to UE:
• CSFB command
eNodeB sends:
• RRC Release with Redirect Info (to GSM or UMTS frequency)
UE switches to 2G/3G.
CS Call Setup
On 2G/3G:
• UE sends Paging Response or CM Service Request.
• MSC sends SETUP message.
• UE sends ALERTING / CONNECT.
✔ MT CSFB call established.