Edge Application Continuity for Synchronized Multi-UE Handover
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing 3GPP SA6 edge enabler layer lacks support for end-to-end edge application service continuity (E2E-EASC) in scenarios where multiple Application Clients (ACs) on different UEs interact with one another, leading to potential service interruptions and synchronization issues due to transitions between different Edge Application Servers (EASs).
Innovation Solution
Proposed functionality ensures that ACs on different UEs transition together to a new EAS in unison when a trigger condition occurs, maintaining interaction continuity through a common EAS, involving UE-based and network-based functions to manage and synchronize AC associations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ACs on different UEs interact through a common EAS, then service continuity is improved, but device complexity increases due to coordination requirements between multiple UEs and EASs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a coordination mechanism where the serving EAS acts as an intermediary to manage AC associations across multiple UEs. When a trigger condition occurs, the serving EAS coordinates the transition by notifying all associated ACs simultaneously, ensuring they migrate together to a new EAS. This intermediary role simplifies the complexity by centralizing coordination logic in the EAS rather than requiring direct peer-to-peer coordination between multiple UEs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by establishing AC associations and registering them with the serving EAS before actual service interactions occur. The EAS maintains a registry of associated ACs and their serving UEs, so when a transition is needed, the coordination is already prepared. This preliminary setup reduces the complexity of real-time coordination during service disruptions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If ACs transition to a new EAS when trigger conditions occur, then service adaptability is improved, but service interruption increases during the transition process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent ensures continuity of useful action by implementing a coordinated transition mechanism where all ACs associated with a serving EAS transition together to a new EAS in response to trigger conditions. The serving EAS notifies all associated ACs simultaneously, and they migrate together, ensuring that their inter-UE interactions remain continuous without interruption. This coordinated approach prevents partial transitions that would cause service breaks.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the transition actions of multiple ACs into a single coordinated event. Instead of allowing individual ACs to transition independently (which would cause interruptions), the patent combines their transitions by having the serving EAS notify all ACs simultaneously and having them migrate together to the same new EAS. This merging of transition actions eliminates service interruptions during adaptability changes.
3Stability of the object's composition
If multiple ACs are transitioned together in unison to a new EAS, then synchronization between ACs is improved, but device complexity increases due to synchronization requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The serving EAS acts as an intermediary that centralizes the synchronization logic for transitioning ACs. Instead of requiring complex peer-to-peer synchronization protocols between multiple ACs and their respective UEs, the serving EAS receives the trigger condition, generates a single notification, and distributes it to all associated ACs simultaneously. This intermediary approach simplifies synchronization complexity by consolidating the coordination function in one entity.
Solution Approach 2:
The ACs are designed to autonomously respond to notifications from their serving EAS without requiring complex inter-AC communication protocols. When the serving EAS sends a transition notification, each AC independently executes the transition to the new EAS based on the notification, without needing to coordinate directly with other ACs. This self-service approach reduces synchronization complexity by eliminating the need for AC-to-AC negotiation mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
Support of end-to-end edge application service continuity is described herein. In one aspect, a service resident on a first wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) can receive, from a first application resident on the first WTRU, information for an association between the first application and a second application resident on a second WTRU. The service can send the association information to a service in the network such that the first and second applications are assigned to a first application server providing the type of service required for first and second application interactions. The service can detect the first WTRU's location is no longer in the service area of the first application server, and can send a request to the service in the network such that the first application and second applications are assigned to a second application server providing the type of service required for interactions between the first and second applications.