Cross-Network Data Transmission Pause Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

In current standalone non-public network (NPN) architectures, user equipment (UE) experiences high packet loss rates and data backhaul issues during cross-network movements between public and non-public networks due to continuous data transmission by the source or target network.

Innovation Solution

The proposed method involves a UE notifying the core network control plane element of the initial network to pause user plane data transmission when preparing to move between networks, thereby preventing packet loss and reducing data backhaul.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the source network or target network continues to transmit user plane data during cross-network movement, then data transmission continuity is maintained, but packet loss rate increases and data backhaul amount increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission continuityVSAvoidpacket loss rate
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal device sends a movement indication message to the source network before actually moving to the target network. This preliminary notification allows the source network to pause user plane data transmission in advance, preventing packet loss that would occur if data continued to be transmitted after the terminal had already moved. The source network receives this indication and proactively stops data forwarding, ensuring seamless transition without loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the source network or target network continues to transmit user plane data during cross-network movement, then data transmission continuity is maintained, but data backhaul amount increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission continuityVSAvoiddata backhaul amount
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

By receiving a movement indication message from the terminal device before the actual network transition occurs, the source network can pause user plane data transmission in advance. This preliminary action prevents unnecessary data backhaul that would occur if data continued to be transmitted after the terminal had already moved to the target network, thereby reducing overall data backhaul amount while maintaining transmission continuity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the terminal device autonomously determines when to move between networks, then mobility flexibility is improved, but packet loss rate increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemobility flexibilityVSAvoidpacket loss rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal device provides feedback to the source network by sending a movement indication message before transitioning to the target network. This feedback mechanism allows the source network to be aware of the terminal's movement intentions and pause user plane data transmission accordingly. The terminal maintains mobility flexibility by autonomously deciding when to move, while the feedback loop prevents packet loss by coordinating with the network side.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3996394B1Data transmission method, communication apparatus and communication system
Publication Date: 2025.01.22 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3996394B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3996394B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3996394B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

This application provides a data transmission method, applied to a scenario in which a terminal device performs cross-network movement between a public network and a non-public network. When the terminal device needs to perform the cross-network movement, the terminal device sends a message to a network element of a network accessed by the terminal device, to notify that the terminal device is to perform the cross-network movement from a source network to a target network. Therefore, during the movement of the terminal device, a network side pauses transmission of user plane data of the terminal device, and buffers data that is not sent before the terminal device performs the cross-network movement. After accessing the target network, the network side sends the buffered data to the terminal device. On the one hand, this helps reduce a packet loss rate of the terminal device during the cross-network movement. On the other hand, all unsent data can be prevented from being sent to a RAN accessed by the terminal device before the terminal device moves. After the terminal device accesses the target network, the data is backhauled to the terminal device, so that a data backhaul amount can be reduced.