Complex solution for VoLTE monitoring and cross-protocol data analysis

Among the various challenges of network and service monitoring, complexity is one of the hardest to overcome. The practical situation for cellular mobile networks and their services are especially troublesome, since there are three generations of mobile networks working together, and services are provided across these technologies. A very good example for such operations and maintenance nightmare is the Voice over LTE (VoLTE) service, currently under deployment worldwide. In theory it merely requires the interworking of the EPC (Evolved Packet Core) of LTE and the IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem) for call control. In reality the 2G and 3G mobile cores get involved as well, when 4G coverage is not satisfactory, and SRVCC (Single Radio Voice Call Continuity) procedures kick in. Complete monitoring, including cross- protocol data analysis of VoLTE control is a key issue that currently in the operators' interest. In this paper we introduce the problem, and provide the general solution as well as special insights for cross-protocol analysis of the VoLTE service. Such analysis results can provide a basis for the next generation of mobile core monitoring, based on supervised learning.