ANR Handover Signaling for LTE-NR Core Network Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile communications networks face challenges in efficiently supporting a wide range of devices with diverse data traffic profiles and core network connections, particularly when LTE systems coexist with new radio access technology (NR) networks, necessitating improved methods for determining target cells that support connection to NR core networks during handovers.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an enhanced automatic neighbor relation (ANR) mechanism that allows infrastructure equipment to determine whether neighboring cells are connected to a single core network or both the EPC and 5GC networks by transmitting and receiving specific indications, enabling efficient handover decisions based on core network connectivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If LTE systems coexist with new radio access technology (NR) networks, then network coverage and device compatibility are improved, but determining target cells that support NR core network connections becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The source infrastructure equipment performs preliminary actions by determining the core network connection type of the target cell before executing the handover. The system obtains indication information about whether the target cell is connected to the NR core network or EPC, and uses this information in advance to select the appropriate handover type (S1 or X2), thereby simplifying the overall handover decision process.
2Productivity
If infrastructure equipment determines target cell core network connections during handover, then handover efficiency is improved, but signaling overhead and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs the determination of target cell core network connection type as a preliminary action during the handover preparation phase. By obtaining the indication information in advance and determining the handover type before execution, the actual handover process is accelerated, reducing the time loss during the critical handover execution phase.
3Measurement precision
If automatic neighbour relation reports include core network connection indications, then target cell identification accuracy is improved, but message size and processing load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts only the essential indication information about core network connection type from the target cell and includes it in the automatic neighbour relation report. This selective extraction approach provides the necessary accuracy for handover decision-making while minimizing the increase in message size and processing load by including only the most critical information.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods are provided for communicating in a mobile network, the mobile network comprising a plurality of infrastructure equipment, each providing wireless connectivity within at least one cell, and a device configured to communicate wirelessly with at least a first of the infrastructure equipment in control of a first cell. In some embodiments, the method comprises determining, at the device, whether a second cell under control of a second of the infrastructure equipment is connected to a first core network operating in accordance with a first protocol or both of the first core network and a second core network operating in accordance with a second protocol, and transmitting, by the device, an automatic neighbour relation report to the first infrastructure equipment, a report comprising an indication of whether the second cell is connected to the first core network or both of the first core network and the second core network.