eNodeB Handover Packet Count Verification via End Marker
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current LTE systems lack a mechanism to verify if all data packets forwarded from a source cell radio to a target cell radio are successfully received during handover, leading to challenges in assessing packet loss and determining traffic models, which are essential for ensuring seamless communication.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced that involves maintaining a packet count at the source eNodeB during handover and using a GTPU End Marker Indication message with a Private Extension field to communicate this count to the target eNodeB, enabling the verification of packet delivery and sharing of traffic profiles and RLC tuning parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If data packets are forwarded from source cell radio to target cell radio during handover, then user experience is enhanced, but there is no mechanism to verify whether all packets have reached the target
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the source eNodeB sends an End Marker Indication message to the target eNodeB containing the count of forwarded packets. The target eNodeB compares this count with the number of packets actually received, enabling verification of complete packet delivery and detection of any packet loss during handover.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary verification mechanism using the End Marker Indication message as a mediator between source and target eNodeBs. This message carries packet count information that enables indirect verification of packet delivery status without requiring direct acknowledgment from the UE for each packet.
2Productivity
If bearer information is shared during handover, then traffic model transfer is improved, but network complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into the existing handover procedure by incorporating bearer information sharing and packet count verification into the standard handover signaling messages. This approach enables traffic model transfer without requiring separate dedicated signaling mechanisms, thus improving efficiency while minimizing additional complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The End Marker Indication message serves multiple functions: it marks the end of data forwarding, carries packet count information for verification, and transports bearer information including traffic profiles and RLC tuning parameters. This multi-functionality improves productivity while avoiding the need for separate specialized messages that would increase complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An example method is provided in one example embodiment and may include maintaining a count of packets forwarded to a target evolved Node B (eNodeB) from a source eNodeB during a handover of a user equipment (UE) from the source eNodeB to the target eNodeB; and communicating an end marker indication message from the source eNodeB to the target eNodeB including the count of packets forwarded to the target eNodeB upon handover of the UE to the target eNodeB. A count of packets can be maintained for each bearer of the UE. A separate end marker indication message can be communicated to the target eNodeB for each bearer of the UE. The count of packets can be included in a Private Extension Information Element (IE) of the end marker indication message. In some embodiments, Radio Link Control (RLC) tuning parameters can be included in the Private Extension IE.