5G Handover Context Retention for EN-DC Resource Continuity
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In 5G network handovers, particularly in EN-DC scenarios, there is no method for the target 5G base station to recognize that it is the same as the source 5G base station before handover, leading to the release of UE radio resources, which prevents the continuation of these resources after handover.
Innovation Solution
A network handover method and apparatus that involves sending specific reference information about the UE context to the core network, ensuring that the target 5G base station recognizes the continuity of resources by maintaining the UE context at the source side, thereby preventing resource release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the target 5G base station performs normal handover procedures without context recognition, then the handover process is simple and fast, but the radio resources of the UE are released and service continuity is broken
Solution Approach 1:
The source 5G base station performs preliminary actions by including reference information of the UE context in the handover required message sent to the core network. This allows the target base station to recognize the context continuity before completing the handover, ensuring resources are preserved without complicating the actual handover execution.
Solution Approach 2:
The core network acts as an intermediary that receives the handover required message with reference information from the source base station and forwards the handover control message with context maintenance indication to the target base station. This mediator enables context recognition without requiring direct complex interaction between source and target base stations.
2Productivity
If the target 5G base station releases UE radio resources after handover, then network resource management is simplified, but the UE cannot continue using original resources and service interruption occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The core network provides feedback to the target base station by including an indication in the handover control message that the UE context should be maintained at the source side. This feedback mechanism allows the target base station to recognize that resources should be preserved, balancing resource management with service continuity.
3Reliability
If reference information of UE context is transmitted through the core network during handover, then the target base station can recognize resource continuity, but additional signaling messages are required
Solution Approach 1:
The reference information of the UE context is merged into the existing handover required message that is already being sent from the source base station to the core network. Similarly, the context maintenance indication is merged into the handover control message. This combining approach avoids additional separate signaling messages while achieving context recognition.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a network handover method and apparatus, a device, and a storage medium. The method is applied to a first communication node and includes: a handover required message is sent to a core network, where the handover required message carries reference information of UE context at a source side; and a handover control message sent by the core network is received, where the handover control message carries information for maintaining the UE context at the source side, and the information for maintaining the UE context at the source side is used for instructing a network node at the source side not to release resources used by a UE, and the information for maintaining the UE context at the source side is determined by the reference information of the UE context at the source side.