Non-Homogeneous Network Handover With Delayed Path Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communication networks face challenges in maintaining service continuity during handovers in non-homogeneous network scenarios where certain network slices are not supported across all areas, leading to service interruptions and inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

A mechanism is introduced to delay the path switch for user plane connections during handovers, allowing for service continuity by establishing a communication tunnel and decoupling control and user plane paths, ensuring seamless transitions between areas with and without specific communication capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If a handover procedure is conducted to switch communication connection from first area to second area, then mobility and handover capability is improved, but service continuity deteriorates when second area does not support specific communication capability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandover speedVSAvoidservice continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The source network control element delays the path switch for user plane connections before the handover is fully completed. This preliminary action of delaying the user plane path switch while completing control plane handover first allows the UE to establish connection in the target area while maintaining user plane connectivity through the source area, ensuring service continuity during the transition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The handover procedure is segmented into two independent phases: control plane handover and user plane path switch. The control plane handover is completed first, allowing the UE to register with the target network control element. The user plane path switch is delayed and completed separately, enabling the UE to maintain user data connectivity through the source area while controlled by the target area, thus resolving the contradiction between handover speed and service continuity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If path switch is performed immediately during handover, then handover efficiency is improved, but service interruption increases in non-homogeneous network scenarios

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandover efficiencyVSAvoidservice interruption time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The control plane handover is performed as a preliminary action before the user plane path switch. The source network control element sends handover request to the target network control element, completes control plane registration, and only then delays the user plane path switch. This sequencing maintains handover efficiency while preventing service interruption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The user plane connection is maintained continuously through the source network control element during the handover transition. By delaying the user plane path switch, the useful action of data transmission continues uninterrupted through the source area while the control plane transitions to the target area, eliminating service interruption time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Productivity

If user plane connection is switched to target area immediately, then resource allocation efficiency is improved, but service continuity deteriorates when target area lacks specific communication capability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource allocation efficiencyVSAvoidservice continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control plane handover and resource allocation in the target area is performed as a preliminary action before switching the user plane connection. The target network control element prepares resources and establishes control plane connection, but the user plane path switch is delayed until the UE confirms successful handover and the source area can still provide user plane connectivity, ensuring service continuity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The source network control element acts as an intermediary for the user plane connection during the handover transition. It receives handover requests from the target area, maintains the user plane connection, and forwards user data to the UE even after the control plane has switched to the target area. This intermediary role ensures service continuity while allowing efficient resource allocation in the target area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12587926B2Handover control mechanism in non-homogeneous network architecture

Publication Date: 2026.03.24 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY

AI summary

An apparatus for use by a communication network control element or function configured to control a communication connection with a communication element or function in a first area and using a specific communication capability, the apparatus being configured to determine that a handover procedure is conducted for the communication element to switch the communication connection from the first area to a second area controlled by a target communication network control element or function to cause sending of a handover related request to the target communication network control element or function for starting a handover procedure, the handover related request including a request for service continuity including an indication that service continuity is required for at least one specific communication session, wherein the request for service continuity indicates that a path switch to the communication network is to be delayed.