5G Multicast Handover Forwarding for Packet Continuity

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Solution Overview

Problem

In 5G mobile communication systems, the challenge of performing a seamless cell handover for terminal devices receiving multicast data due to high mobility without causing packet loss is unresolved.

Innovation Solution

A method for handing over a terminal device from a source access network device to a target access network device during multicast data reception, involving the transfer of identification information and establishing a forwarding tunnel to ensure continuous data delivery, with the target access network device determining packet forwarding based on sequence numbers to avoid loss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the terminal device performs cell handover due to high mobility, then the terminal device can maintain connection with the network, but packet loss occurs during the handover process

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandover speedVSAvoiddata transmission reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The source access network device pre-processes multicast data and sends it to the target access network device before the terminal device completes handover. This preliminary action ensures that the target device already has the data ready to transmit, eliminating gaps during handover and preventing packet loss while maintaining fast handover speed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The source access network device acts as an intermediary by receiving multicast data from the core network, pre-processing it, and forwarding it to the target access network device. This intermediary role ensures seamless data transfer during handover, maintaining both handover speed and data reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the source access network device sends multicast data to the target access network device in advance, then packet loss is avoided during handover, but network resource consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission reliabilityVSAvoidnetwork energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The source access network device performs partial pre-processing of multicast data, sending only the necessary portions to the target device in advance. This partial action ensures sufficient data is available for seamless handover while avoiding unnecessary duplication and reducing overall network energy consumption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the amount of data pre-sent based on handover timing parameters and data characteristics. By changing these parameters, the system optimizes the balance between ensuring data availability for reliable handover and minimizing redundant data transmission that would increase energy consumption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4099760B1Handover method and communication apparatus
Publication Date: 2025.08.06 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4099760B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4099760B1 patent drawingFigure 4
  • EP4099760B1 patent drawingFigure 5(a)~5(b)

AI summary

This application provides a handover method and a communication apparatus. The method includes: A target access network device obtains a first message and information used for transmitting multicast data, where the first message is used for requesting to establish a resource for handing over a terminal device to the target access network device. The target access network device sends a second message, where the second message indicates the established resource on the target access network device; receives a first packet from a user plane network element, where the first packet corresponds to the information used for transmitting the multicast data; and sends the first packet to the terminal device. In this way, the terminal device is handed over from a source access network device to the target access network device when the terminal device receives the multicast data.