Access Network Device Switching via Data Tunnel Setup

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Solution Overview

Problem

In cross-core network switching scenarios, existing methods face challenges in ensuring timely data transmission during rapid terminal device movements, leading to potential data transmission failures due to the complexity and latency in the existing switching process.

Innovation Solution

A switching method that establishes a data tunnel by a target access network device, which includes sending a tunnel setup request message with identification and configuration parameters, allowing for reliable data transmission between the terminal device and the user plane core network device during the switching process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If existing switching process is used in cross-core network scenario, then switching can be performed between different core networks, but data transmission reliability deteriorates due to process complexity and latency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecross-core network switching capabilityVSAvoiddata transmission reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent establishes a data tunnel in advance from the source access network device to the target access network device before the terminal device actually switches. This preliminary setup ensures that when switching occurs, the data transmission path is already prepared, eliminating transmission failures during the switching process and maintaining high reliability while supporting cross-core network scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a data tunnel as an intermediary transmission path between the source and target access network devices. This tunnel acts as a mediator that forwards data packets during the switching process, ensuring continuous and reliable data transmission even when the terminal device is transitioning between different core networks, thus resolving the reliability issue without limiting cross-core network capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If existing switching process is used, then switching operation can be completed, but transmission latency increases due to process complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswitching operation completionVSAvoidtransmission latency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The data tunnel is established in advance before the terminal device performs switching. By preparing the transmission path beforehand, the patent eliminates the time required to set up data routing during the actual switching moment, thereby reducing transmission latency while maintaining complete switching operation functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent ensures continuous data transmission through the pre-established tunnel during the switching process. The tunnel remains active and ready to forward data without interruption or delay, maintaining continuous useful action throughout the switching operation and minimizing time loss compared to establishing connections after switching.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentEP3780727B1Switching method and access network device
Publication Date: 2022.07.20 GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP LTD
  • EP3780727B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3780727B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3780727B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Embodiments of the present application disclose a switching method and an access network device. The switching method comprises: on a terminal device switching from a first control plane core network device to a second control plane core network device, the first access network device sending a tunnel setup request message to a second access network device; the first access network device receiving information of a data tunnel established by the second access network device according to the tunnel setup request message; and the first access network device sending information of the data tunnel to the terminal device, wherein the information of the data tunnel is used for data transmission between the terminal device and the user plane core network device. The method and the access network device in the embodiments of the present application can improve reliability of data transmission.