Anchor Network Function Shadow Buffer for Low-Latency Handoff
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Solution Overview
Problem
In high data rate wireless communication networks, session handoffs between access points are often delayed, leading to large data queues that increase latency and network costs, particularly affecting Voice over IP services.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a method that involves an anchor network function module with a shadow buffer, which stores ordered data packets and allows for parallel transmission of a handoff data state to a target transceiver module, enabling seamless handoff by identifying a sequence marker for completion and pre-loading data packets before the actual handoff occurs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If handoff is delayed to ensure complete data transmission, then data transmission completeness is improved, but latency increases and service quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-loading data packets into the shadow buffer before the actual handoff occurs. The source access point identifies data packets that will be needed by the target access point after handoff and loads them in advance, so that when handoff occurs, the target can immediately continue transmission without waiting for data arrival, thus reducing handoff latency while ensuring data completeness
Solution Approach 2:
The shadow buffer acts as an intermediary storage mechanism between the source and target access points. It temporarily holds data packets that are being transferred during handoff, allowing the source to continue transmitting to the current terminal while the target prepares to take over, thus decoupling the timing constraints and reducing overall handoff latency
2Loss of time
If handoff is performed quickly to reduce latency, then service quality is improved, but data transmission completeness may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the source access point monitors the handoff process and tracks which data packets have been successfully transmitted and which are pending. This feedback information is used to determine when to stop pre-loading data into the shadow buffer and when the handoff can be safely completed, ensuring no data loss occurs during the quick handoff transition
Solution Approach 2:
The source access point performs preliminary identification of data packets that need to be transferred to the target, loading them into the shadow buffer in advance. This preliminary action ensures that when the quick handoff occurs, all necessary data is already prepared and available at the target, guaranteeing transmission completeness
3Reliability
If large data queues are maintained during handoff, then data transmission completeness is improved, but backhaul network usage increases and network costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the data transmission process by dividing data packets into two groups: those already transmitted (confirmed delivered) and those pending transmission. The shadow buffer only stores the pending packets locally at the source access point, while already-transmitted packets are not re-queued. This segmentation reduces the total queue size and minimizes unnecessary backhaul network usage during handoff
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and methods enable an efficient, low-latency handoff of a communication session, which may be especially effective in a high data rate network. The apparatus and methods provide for a source transceiver module to complete a transmission in-progress while at the same time informing a target transmission module of an end point of the transmission such that data in a shadow buffer of an anchor network function module can be sent to the target transceiver function prior to implementation of the handoff. As such, the apparatus and methods allow for an extremely quick handoff that minimizes use of a backhaul network.