Signaling Reduction at IAB Node Handover
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing signaling processes for handover of IAB nodes in telecommunication networks result in significant signaling overhead due to the separation of UE-associated Handover-preparation and non-UE-associated NG-RAN node Configuration Update procedures, which complicates the F1 interface setup during handover.
Innovation Solution
A method that merges the UE-associated Handover-preparation and non-UE-associated NG-RAN node Configuration Update procedures, and transfers IAB-DU configuration information during handover preparation to reduce signaling overhead, by pre-establishing communication interfaces and using optimized message exchanges between IAB nodes and donors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate UE-associated Handover-preparation and non-UE-associated NG-RAN node Configuration Update procedures are used for IAB node handover, then comprehensive configuration management is achieved, but signaling overhead increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the UE-associated Handover-preparation procedure and the non-UE-associated NG-RAN node Configuration Update procedure into a single integrated handover process. The source gNB includes both handover command information and IAB-DU configuration information in the same Handover Request message to the target gNB, and receives both resource configuration and configuration update acknowledgment in the Handover Request Acknowledge message. This merging eliminates the need for separate signaling exchanges, thereby reducing signaling overhead while maintaining comprehensive configuration management.
2Manufacturing precision
If separate handover procedures are implemented, then detailed configuration updates are ensured, but handover process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two separate handover procedures into one integrated process where the source gNB sends both handover commands and configuration update information simultaneously in the Handover Request message. The target gNB processes both in parallel and responds with a single Handover Request Acknowledge message containing both resource configuration and configuration update acknowledgment. This reduces the number of signaling steps and interface messages while maintaining detailed configuration update accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs the configuration update preparation in advance by including the IAB-DU configuration information in the initial Handover Request message before the actual handover execution. This preliminary action allows the target gNB to prepare both resource allocation and configuration updates simultaneously, reducing the need for subsequent separate signaling exchanges and simplifying the overall handover process.
Data Source
AI summary
Example embodiments of the present disclosure relate to devices, methods, apparatuses and computer readable storage media of signaling reduction at handover of an IAB node. The method including sending, from a first device to a second device, a request message for a handover from the first device to the second device for a third device, the request message including a first cell configuration of the third device associated with the first device; receiving, from the second device, a response message acknowledging to the request, the response message including a resource configuration for a connection between the third device and the second device and a second cell configuration of the third device associated with the second device and sending the resource configuration to the third device. In this way, the signal overhead for the handover of an IAB node may be reduced significantly.