Anchor Node End Markers for 5G Handover Packet Ordering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 5G wireless communication networks face inefficiencies during handover procedures due to the lack of clear indication of the last packet from multiple anchor network nodes, leading to potential packet loss and reordered delivery.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method where every anchor network node involved in a session sends an end marker, allowing the receiving node to determine when all packets have been received and ensuring lossless, in-order delivery by comparing the number of received end markers to the number of nodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple anchor network nodes route data packets during handover, then packet delivery coverage is improved, but packet ordering and loss control deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the handover process by introducing distinct end marker packets for each anchor network node. Each anchor node sends its own end marker to indicate when it has finished transmitting packets, allowing the target base station to track and manage packets from multiple sources independently. This segmentation enables precise control over packet ordering and loss prevention while maintaining multi-node routing coverage.
2Device complexity
If end markers are sent from only one anchor network node, then signaling overhead is reduced, but packet loss detection becomes unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making each anchor network node send its own end marker packet specific to its data transmission. Instead of a single centralized end marker, each anchor node (e.g., UPF-A, UPF-B) generates and sends its own end marker when it finishes transmitting packets. This localized approach ensures that packet loss detection is reliable for each individual anchor node's contribution while keeping the overall system manageable.
3Reliability
If extensive buffering is implemented to ensure in-order delivery, then packet delivery reliability is improved, but network latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having anchor network nodes send end marker packets in advance or concurrently with data packets. The target base station receives end markers that indicate the completion status of packet transmission from each anchor node, allowing it to proactively manage buffering and forwarding decisions. This preliminary indication mechanism reduces the need for extensive post-arrival buffering and minimizes latency while ensuring in-order delivery.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a method performed by a network node (130, 140, 160) of a wireless communication network (100) comprising a first (130) and a second (140) core network node and a first (150) and a second (160) base station (150). A session of a wireless device (170) comprises data packets routed via a plurality of anchor network nodes (115, 120) from a data network (110).In connection with the wireless device (170) handing over from the first base station (150) and the first core network node (130) to the second base station (160) and the second core network node (140), the method comprises receiving information of the number of the plurality of anchor network nodes (115, 120) via which data packets of the session are routed, receiving data packets from the plurality of anchor network nodes (115, 120), receiving an end marker of each of the plurality of anchor network nodes (115, 120), each end marker indicating a last data packet of one of the plurality of anchor network nodes routed via the first core network node (130), and when the number of received end markers equals the number of the plurality of anchor network nodes, triggering to send to the wireless device (170) any data packets related to the session not routed via the first base station stored in a buffer of the second base station.