AMF State Machine N2 Path Switch for 5G IoT Handover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cellular networks are not designed to support the Internet of Things (IoT) efficiently, and they were primarily developed for mobile broadband data communications, lacking the necessary infrastructure for IoT requirements.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of an access and mobility function (AMF) that manages state machines to handle N2 path switch requests and acknowledgments between access networks and a session management function (SMF), enabling efficient handover procedures and resource management in 5G communication systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing cellular networks are used for mobile broadband data communications, then mobile broadband connectivity is provided, but they cannot efficiently support Internet of Things (IoT) requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The network is segmented into different functional entities including Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), Session Management Function (SMF), and User Plane Function (UPF). This segmentation allows the control plane and user plane to be separated, enabling optimized handling of IoT traffic with reduced signaling overhead and improved efficiency for machine-type communications while maintaining mobile broadband capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The 5G core network architecture provides universal support for multiple service types including mobile broadband, IoT, and enterprise communications through a unified framework. The network can dynamically adapt to different service requirements using common infrastructure components like AMF, SMF, and UPF, eliminating the need for separate network infrastructures for different application types.
2Reliability
If handover procedures are implemented in 5G networks, then mobility management is achieved, but signaling overhead and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The handover decision-making function is extracted from the radio access network and centralized in the AMF. The target access node determines whether to initiate handover based on measurement reports, and the AMF manages the handover execution. This extraction simplifies the radio access network architecture and reduces signaling complexity by centralizing mobility management functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The AMF acts as an intermediary between the access nodes during handover procedures. It receives handover requests from target access nodes, coordinates with the source access node, and manages the handover execution. This intermediary role streamlines the handover signaling process and reduces the complexity of direct peer-to-peer communication between access nodes.
3Reliability
If seamless handovers are ensured in 5G networks, then mobility continuity is improved, but resource management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Resource allocation for handover is performed in advance by the AMF. When a handover is initiated, the target access node requests resources from the AMF before the actual handover occurs. The AMF pre-allocates necessary resources and configures the user plane function, ensuring seamless handover execution without resource contention or delays during the transition.
Solution Approach 2:
The handover procedure incorporates feedback mechanisms where the target access node provides measurement reports and handover status to the AMF. The AMF uses this feedback to adjust resource allocation and manage the handover process dynamically, ensuring continuity while optimizing resource utilization based on actual network conditions.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a pre-5th-Generation (5G) or 5G communication system to be provided for supporting higher data rates Beyond 4th-Generation (4G) communication system such as Long Term Evolution (LTE). A method of an access and mobility function (AMF) for state management in a wireless communication system is provided. The method comprises determining a state of at least one state machine, receiving, from a target access network (AN), an N2 path switch request message based on the state of the at least one state machine, transmitting, to a session management function (SMF), an N11 message, and transmitting, to the target AN, an N2 path switch request acknowledgement (Ack) message when receiving an N11 Ack message, from the SMF, corresponding to the N11 message, wherein the target AN transmits a release resource message to a source AN when the target AN receives the N2 path switch request Ack message.