5G Handover Data Pre-Forwarding Between CU and DU
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing handover procedure in mobile communication systems experiences increased handover interruption time due to the distance between the central unit and distributed unit of a target base station, leading to delays in data transfer during the handover process.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves the central unit of the target base station forwarding data to be transferred to the user equipment before receiving a random access preamble from the user equipment, and the distributed unit processing this data to reduce the handover interruption time by minimizing the distance-dependent delay.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If data is transferred from central unit to distributed unit after random access preamble reception, then handover procedure follows traditional sequence, but handover interruption time increases due to distance-dependent delay
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the central unit forward data to the distributed unit before the random access preamble is received. This pre-positioning of data in the data forwarding buffer eliminates waiting time during handover, as the data is already available at the distributed unit when the UE completes random access, thereby reducing handover interruption time.
2Speed
If data is pre-forwarded to distributed unit, then data transfer speed improves during handover, but data buffer management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a data forwarding buffer as an intermediary storage mechanism between the central unit and distributed unit. This buffer manages the pre-forwarded data, allowing the system to achieve faster data transfer speeds during handover while the buffer itself handles the complexity of data management, timing coordination, and delivery control.
3Reliability
If traditional handover sequence is used, then system operation is simpler, but data continuity is interrupted during handover process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-forwarding data to the distributed unit before the handover is completed. This ensures data continuity during handover as the data is already positioned at the target location, eliminating interruptions and ensuring seamless delivery to the UE once handover completes.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a 5th generation (5G) or pre-5G communication system supporting higher transmission rates than 4th generation (4G) communication systems such as long-term evolution (LTE). Provided is a method performed by a distributed unit (DU) of a target base station in a wireless communication system, comprising: receiving data, to be forwarded to a user equipment, from a central unit (CU) of another base station, wherein the data includes data that the user equipment could not receive from a source base station due to a handover; receiving a random access preamble from the user equipment; transmitting a response to the random access preamble to the user equipment; receiving a handover complete message from the user equipment; and in response to receiving the handover complete message, transmitting, to the user equipment, the data received from the CU of the target base station before receiving the random access preamble.