Anchored Inter-Network Mobility for Low-Latency Cell Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless communications systems face challenges in managing inter-network entity mobility, particularly in high-frequency environments, leading to high handover frequencies, packet losses, and latency issues due to the lack of established procedures for radio resource control (RRC) anchor point relocation during cell switches between different network entities.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of anchored inter-network entity mobility techniques, where the source network entity remains the RRC anchor point, allowing the user equipment to maintain its RRC connection and data session with the target network entity through a cross-network entity tunnel, reducing latency and interruption times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional handover procedures are used for cell switches between different network entities, then mobility management is performed, but handover failures, packet losses, and latency issues occur due to RRC anchor point relocation
Solution Approach 1:
The source network entity prepares and sends a first configuration to the UE before the cell switch occurs. This configuration includes instructions to maintain the RRC connection with the source network entity and use it for communications with the target network entity via the target cell. By performing this configuration in advance, the handover process avoids the traditional time-consuming RRC re-establishment procedure, thereby reducing handover latency and improving success rate.
Solution Approach 2:
The source network entity acts as an intermediary or anchor point during the handover process. Instead of directly transferring the RRC connection to the target network entity, the source network entity maintains the RRC connection and relays communications between the UE and the target network entity. This intermediary approach ensures service continuity and reduces handover failures by avoiding direct RRC anchor point relocation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If RRC anchor point relocation is performed during inter-network entity mobility, then mobility between network entities is enabled, but service continuity is disrupted due to lack of established procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The source network entity sends a first configuration to the UE in advance, indicating to use the existing RRC connection for communications with the target network entity. This preliminary configuration ensures that the UE is prepared to maintain service continuity during the mobility process, eliminating the need for RRC re-establishment and preventing service disruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The source network entity serves as a stable RRC anchor point that mediates the mobility process. By maintaining the RRC connection and using it for communications with the target network entity, the source network entity provides stability and ensures service continuity while enabling adaptability for inter-network entity mobility.
3Productivity
If traditional mobility procedures are used, then cell switches are performed, but packet losses occur due to RRC connection re-establishment
Solution Approach 1:
The source network entity provides a first configuration to the UE before the cell switch, indicating to maintain the RRC connection for communications with the target network entity. This preliminary action prevents the need for RRC re-establishment, thereby avoiding packet losses and improving mobility operation speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The RRC connection with the source network entity is maintained continuously during the cell switch and used for communications with the target network entity. This continuity of the RRC connection ensures that data transmissions are not interrupted, preventing packet losses and maintaining high mobility operation speed.
Data Source
AI summary
Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques for anchored inter-network entity mobility. An example method for wireless communications by a first network entity includes establishing radio resource control (RRC) connection for communications between a user equipment (UE) and the first network entity; sending, to the UE via a first cell, a first configuration for a first mobility operation for a cell switch to a second cell served by a second network entity, wherein the first configuration indicates to use the RRC connection for communications between the UE and the second network entity via the second cell; obtaining, from the second network entity, a second indication of completion of the first mobility operation, where the UE is in communication with the second network entity via the second cell based on the first configuration; and communicating with the UE via the second network entity based on the RRC connection.