Handover Control for Packet Switched Connection Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless network communication, particularly in 3GPP systems, the frequent release and re-establishment of packet switched connections during handover procedures lead to unnecessary control signaling, wasting resources and reducing network efficiency due to the expiration of timer T3340, even when ongoing packet switched calls are present.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus and method that examine parameters associated with user equipment during handover requests to determine if a packet switched connection should be released, inhibiting its release if conditions indicate an ongoing call, by setting appropriate flags and ignoring timer expirations when active connections are present, thereby preventing unnecessary connection releases.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If handover procedures are performed with routing area code changes, then network mobility is enabled, but unnecessary control signaling increases due to frequent release and re-establishment of packet switched connections

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork mobilityVSAvoidcontrol signaling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of connection release timing by introducing a timer mechanism that delays the release decision. Instead of immediately releasing packet switched connections upon handover with routing area code change, the system waits for a predetermined time period to determine whether the connection is truly needed or if the handover was unnecessary, thereby reducing premature connection releases and associated signaling overhead.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary examination of handover conditions before executing the connection release. By checking whether the handover is necessary and whether packet switched connections are active before actually releasing them, the system prevents unnecessary control signaling while still enabling mobility when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If packet switched connections are released during handover, then routing area updates are simplified, but ongoing packet switched calls are interrupted causing service degradation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverouting area update simplicityVSAvoidongoing call continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism by examining whether packet switched connections are active before releasing them during handover. The system receives information about ongoing calls and uses this feedback to决定是否 release the connection, thereby maintaining call continuity while still allowing routing area updates to proceed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the connection release decision dynamic rather than static. Instead of always releasing connections during handover, the system adaptively determines whether to release based on current connection status and handover necessity, allowing the system to flexibly maintain or release connections as appropriate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Extent of automation

If timer T3340 is used to manage connection release, then connection management is automated, but unnecessary releases occur when timer expires during active calls

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection management automationVSAvoidactive call maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary checks before the timer triggers connection release. By examining whether the handover was necessary and whether packet switched connections are active before allowing timer-based release, the system prevents unnecessary releases that would interrupt ongoing calls while maintaining automated timer-based management for appropriate cases.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3100510B1Systems and techniques for handover control
Publication Date: 2020.11.25 NOKIA SOLUTIONS & NETWORKS OY
  • EP3100510B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3100510B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3100510B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Systems and techniques for packet switched connection management. Upon a handover/cell change request with change of routing area code, an examination is made of parameters associated with a user equipment affected by the request for indications that the user equipment is engaged in a packet switched connection. Conditions associated with the handover/cell change request to determine if the packet switched connection should be released. If conditions associated with the handover/cell change request do not indicate that the packet switched connection should be released, release of the packet switched connection is inhibited.