Geofence-Based Edge Host Switching for Low Latency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing edge computing systems face challenges in ensuring low latency during mobile edge host switching, particularly in highly mobile scenarios like connected vehicles, due to the delayed triggering of application mobility procedures based on cell change events.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of geofencing technology to detect user equipment (UE) movements across predefined geographic boundaries, allowing for early prediction and initiation of application mobility procedures, thereby ensuring low latency during edge host switches.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If application mobility is triggered based on cell change events, then application mobility procedures are initiated, but latency increases and low latency cannot be guaranteed during MEC host switch
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by setting up geofences around cell boundaries and detecting when UE approaches these boundaries before actual cell change occurs. This early detection triggers application mobility procedures in advance, allowing the system to prepare and execute host switching before the UE actually moves to a new cell, thereby reducing latency and maintaining quality of experience.
2Reliability
If MEC host switching is performed in highly mobile scenarios, then UE connectivity is maintained, but the complexity of ensuring low latency during switch increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces geofences as intermediary elements that simplify the mobility management process. Instead of directly monitoring complex cell change events and UE movement patterns, the geofences act as predefined geographic boundaries that automatically trigger mobility procedures when crossed. This intermediary mechanism reduces the complexity of real-time decision-making during host switching while maintaining reliable UE connectivity.
3Productivity
If cell change event-based triggering is used, then application mobility is activated, but the timing is too late to ensure low latency
Solution Approach 1:
The system sets up geofences that extend beyond actual cell boundaries to create an early warning zone. When UE enters or crosses these geofenced areas, the system detects the approach to cell boundaries before the actual cell change event occurs. This preliminary detection allows application mobility procedures to be initiated in advance, improving timing and ensuring low latency requirements are met.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is related to method and network elements for external assisted application mobility for edge computing. A method at a first network element for assisting a user equipment (UE) in mobile edge host switching comprises: setting up one or more geofences, one for each of one or more mobile edge hosts, based on topology information of a network comprising the one or more mobile edge hosts; detecting whether the UE moves across the boundary of a first geofence of the geofences; and transmitting, to a second network element, a message comprising a first indicator indicating a first host switching event for the UE in response to detecting that the UE moves across the boundary of the first geofence.