Inter-system Handover Control via Interface Availability Check
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobile telecommunication systems lack a mechanism to prevent failed handover attempts between different radio access technologies, leading to interruptions in network support and degraded user experience due to the absence of a control plane interface between core networks.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that selectively initiate a handover from a source system to a target system only if a control plane interface is available, preventing handover attempts when the interface is not available to avoid failed handovers and ensure seamless network support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If inter-RAT handover is enabled without checking control plane interface availability, then handover flexibility and adaptability are improved, but handover failure rate increases and network reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The source RAN performs preliminary checking of control plane interface availability between core networks before initiating handover. This advance verification prevents attempting handovers to target systems without proper signaling support, thereby avoiding failed handovers while maintaining handover flexibility to valid targets.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the source RAN receives information about control plane interface availability from core network elements. This feedback enables the source RAN to make informed decisions about which handovers to initiate, balancing flexibility with reliability by only selecting handover targets with confirmed interface support.
2Speed
If handover attempts are made without verifying control plane interface availability, then handover speed and user mobility are improved, but network support stability deteriorates and radio link failures increase
Solution Approach 1:
The source RAN performs preliminary verification of control plane interface availability before triggering handover procedures. This advance check ensures that only handovers to systems with confirmed signaling support are initiated, preventing radio link failures and maintaining network support stability while preserving fast handover capability to valid targets.
3Device complexity
If no mechanism is implemented to check interface availability, then device complexity and system simplicity are improved, but handover failure rate increases and user experience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The source RAN acts as an intermediary that checks control plane interface availability between core networks before initiating handover. This intermediary function is implemented through existing signaling protocols and network elements, adding minimal complexity to the system while dramatically improving handover success rates by filtering out incompatible handover targets.
Data Source
AI summary
A technique for selectively initiating a handover from a source system (510) comprising a first core network, CN, (512) and a first radio access network, RAN, (516) to a target system (530) comprising a second CN (532) and a second RAN (536) is described. As to a method aspect of the technique, it is determined if a control plane interface (520) for the handover is available between the first CN (512) and the second CN (532). Depending on the availability of the control plane interface (520), the handover is selectively initiated.