End Marker Conversion for Downlink Data Sorting in 5G Handover
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Solution Overview
Problem
In NextGen mobile communications systems, the core network cannot accurately send a DRB-based end marker to a target access node (AN) when the data radio bearer (DRB) is unknown, leading to downlink data disorder during UE handover.
Innovation Solution
The method involves a source access node (AN) receiving a first end marker from the core-network user-plane device, generating and sending N second end markers based on the first end marker through a forwarding path to the target AN, which then generates M third end markers to sort downlink data on the target DRB, ensuring accurate data sorting despite unknown DRBs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the core network uses NG3 path for data transmission, then data routing is simplified, but the core network cannot generate DRB-based end markers when DRB is unknown
Solution Approach 1:
The source AN acts as an intermediary between the core network and target AN. It receives the NG3-based end marker from the core network, converts it into DRB-based end markers using locally stored mapping information, and forwards them to the target AN. This intermediary conversion resolves the information loss problem while maintaining routing simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The source AN performs preliminary conversion of end markers before data transmission during handover. By converting the NG3-based end marker to DRB-based end markers in advance using pre-stored mapping relationships, the system ensures that the target AN receives accurate DRB-specific markers without needing the core network to know DRB details.
2Quantity of substance
If the core network cannot send DRB-based end markers, then signaling overhead is reduced, but downlink data disorder occurs during handover
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the end marker functionality into two parts: the core network generates a generic NG3-based end marker, while the source AN segments this into multiple DRB-specific end markers. This segmentation allows each DRB to have its own accurate end marker for proper data sorting, maintaining reliability without excessive signaling from the core network.
Solution Approach 2:
The source AN serves as a mediator that receives the simplified NG3-based end marker from the core network and transforms it into DRB-specific end markers. This intermediary conversion ensures downlink data order is maintained during handover while keeping core network signaling overhead low.
3Measurement precision
If the source AN generates and forwards end markers to target AN, then data sorting accuracy is improved, but processing complexity at AN increases
Solution Approach 1:
The source AN performs preliminary processing by converting end markers before forwarding them to the target AN. Using pre-stored mapping information between NG3 paths and DRBs, the source AN can efficiently generate DRB-specific end markers without complex real-time processing, thus improving data sorting accuracy while limiting the increase in processing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The source AN creates copies of the end marker information, adapting it from NG3-based to DRB-based format. This copying approach with local mapping allows accurate data sorting at the target AN while keeping the processing logic relatively simple and reusable.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for sending an end marker, a device, and a system, where the method includes receiving, by a source access node (AN) through a source path between the source AN and a core-network user-plane device, a first end marker sent by the core-network user-plane device. The method further includes generating, by the source AN, N second end marker(s) based on the first end marker, where N is a number of source data radio bearers (DRBs) corresponding to the source path, and sending, by the source AN, the N second end marker(s) to a target AN through a forwarding path corresponding to the source path.