Cellular Handover Context Data Transfer Delay Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conveying context data during handover operations in cellular networks can cause delays, potentially leading to connection drops due to increased message size and processing time, affecting the efficiency of service migration between application service platforms.
Innovation Solution
A method to determine the delay associated with transferring context data in handover messages and control the migration of user sessions based on this delay, allowing for alternative data transfer mechanisms or adjusting handover parameters to minimize delays and ensure successful handover completion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If context data is conveyed in Handover Request messages during UE handover, then application service context can be transferred between application service platforms, but the message size increases and transfer time is extended, causing potential connection drops
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the context data transfer from the handover signaling process. Instead of including context data within the Handover Request message, the patent establishes a separate data transfer mechanism where context data is transmitted independently after handover completion, thereby avoiding the delay caused by large message sizes while ensuring reliable connection establishment first
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary handover signaling without context data, establishing the connection first. The context data transfer is then performed as a subsequent action once the handover is confirmed, ensuring that the critical handover process is not delayed by the time-consuming context data transmission
2Reliability
If context data is included in handover messages, then service continuity can be maintained during handover, but the processing time increases and handover efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the handover process into two independent phases: signaling phase (handover request and confirmation) and data transfer phase (context data transmission). This segmentation allows the signaling to complete quickly for efficient handover, while context data is transferred separately to maintain service continuity without impacting handover speed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the access node acts as a mediator that first completes the handover signaling between source and target access nodes, then facilitates the context data transfer between application service platforms independently, decoupling the two processes to improve overall efficiency
3Adaptability or versatility
If context data transfer is performed in handover messages, then application service migration can be achieved, but the message complexity and network load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data transfer into control signaling (handover messages) and user data (context information). By using separate message structures for each type, the patent avoids complicating the handover signaling protocol while still achieving complete service migration through the dedicated context data transfer channel
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a temporal dimension to the data transfer process by separating when handover signaling occurs (immediate) from when context data is transferred (subsequent). This dimensional separation allows the system to achieve service migration without increasing the complexity of the handover message structure itself
Data Source
AI summary
At least one application service is provided to a user equipment (10), utilizing an application service platform (150A) at an access node (110A) of a cellular network and a further application service platform (150A) at a further access node of the cellular network. A parameter is determined which is indicative of a delay associated with transfer of context data from the application service platform (150A) to the further application service platform (150B) in one or more handover messages controlling a handover of the user equipment (10) from the access node (110A) to the further access node (110B). The context data are associated with at least one user session of the at least one application service provided to the user equipment (10). Depending on the determined delay, migration of the user session from the application service platform (150A) to the further application service platform (150B) is controlled.