Network-Based Handover Tunneling for Mobile IP Latency Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Handover latency in mobile internet protocol (IP) procedures, such as Mobile IP, results in packet loss and performance degradation, especially for real-time traffic like Voice over IP, due to delays in link switching and IP protocol operations, necessitating methods to reduce handover latency and enable seamless packet transmission during network changes.
Innovation Solution
Establishing a tunnel between a previous access router (PAR) and a new access router (NAR) during handover to forward packets and buffered packets from the PAR to the NAR, thereby reducing latency and improving handover efficiency without involving mobile node operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If Mobile IP handover procedure is used, then mobility management is achieved, but handover latency increases causing packet loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes a tunnel between PAR and NAR before the handover is complete. The NAR is pre-configured with the MN's binding information and the tunnel is set up in advance, so that when handover occurs, packets can be immediately forwarded through the pre-established tunnel without waiting for Mobile IP signaling completion, thus reducing handover latency while maintaining packet delivery reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a tunnel as an intermediary mechanism between PAR and NAR. This tunnel acts as a direct packet forwarding path that bypasses the traditional Mobile IP signaling path through HA and correspondent node, enabling fast packet delivery during handover by providing a dedicated intermediate channel for packet transmission
2Loss of time
If Fast Mobile IPv6 is used, then handover latency is reduced, but mobile node participation in signaling is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the mobility management signaling functions from the mobile node and relocates them to the network infrastructure (access routers and home agent). The network entities autonomously perform binding updates, tunnel establishment, and packet forwarding without requiring MN participation in signaling, thus reducing handover latency while simplifying mobile node operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements network-based mobility management where the network entities (PAR, NAR, HA) autonomously manage handover procedures without external assistance from the mobile node. The network self-performs signaling, tunnel establishment, and packet forwarding operations, freeing the mobile node from complex signaling participation while achieving fast handover
3Device complexity
If tunnel establishment is delayed until after handover, then signaling simplicity is maintained, but packet forwarding latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes the tunnel between PAR and NAR in advance, during the handover preparation phase, before actual packet forwarding needs to occur. This pre-establishment allows the tunnel to be ready immediately when handover occurs, enabling instant packet forwarding without delay while keeping the signaling procedure relatively simple through standardized message exchanges
Data Source
AI summary
A method for handover in a network is provided. The method includes receiving a first message from a first access network device associated with a mobile node (MN) associated with a first access router. A second message is sent to a second access router associated with a second access network device to initiate handover. A third message in response to the second message is received to establish a tunnel between the first access router and the second access router for handover. Packets designated to the MN are forwarded from the first access router to the second access router through the tunnel.