IAB Network Switching with Buffered Downstream Migration Commands

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Solution Overview

Problem

In an IAB network migration from a source CU network to a target CU network, the migration command cannot be delivered to downstream IAB network nodes due to the disconnection of upstream nodes from the source CU network, leading to incomplete network migration.

Innovation Solution

The method involves a first IAB network node receiving network migration commands, determining completion of command reception, and then buffering and delivering the second network migration command to downstream nodes without relying on the source CU network, using signaling containers like F1-AP or RRC, ensuring all nodes migrate successfully.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If upstream IAB network node completes migration and disconnects from source CU network, then migration of upstream node is achieved, but migration command cannot be delivered to downstream IAB network nodes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemigration completionVSAvoidmigration command delivery
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The upstream IAB network node receives and buffers migration commands from the source CU network before completing its own migration. By preparing and storing the migration commands in advance, the node ensures that downstream nodes can receive these commands through alternative paths after the upstream node disconnects from the source CU network, preventing command loss and enabling complete network migration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If upstream IAB network node disconnects from source CU network to complete migration, then upstream node migration is successful, but downstream nodes cannot receive migration commands

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemigration speedVSAvoidcommand delivery reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The upstream IAB network node acts as an intermediary by receiving migration commands from the source CU network and buffering them locally. This intermediary function allows the node to forward commands to downstream nodes through alternative communication paths after disconnecting from the source CU network, ensuring reliable command delivery without compromising migration speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If source CU network sends migration commands to all IAB network nodes, then complete network migration is intended, but command delivery fails at downstream nodes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemigration completenessVSAvoidcommand delivery mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The migration command delivery process is segmented into two phases: (1) The source CU network sends commands to upstream IAB nodes, which buffer the commands locally; (2) After upstream nodes migrate and disconnect, they forward the buffered commands to downstream nodes through alternative paths. This segmentation eliminates the need for complex multi-hop command routing through the source CU network, achieving complete migration with simplified delivery mechanics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4161148B1Self-backhaul network switching method and apparatus, and network device
Publication Date: 2026.04.15 VIVO MOBILE COMM CO LTD
  • EP4161148B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4161148B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4161148B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed in the present application are a self-backhaul network switching method and apparatus, and a network device, the method comprising: a first IAB network node receives a network switching command, the network switching command comprising a first network switching command used for instructing the first IAB network node to be switched from a source CU network to a target CU network and a second network switching command used for instructing another network node to be switched from the source CU network to the target CU network, the other network node being a network node downstream of the first IAB network node in the IAB network to be switched; and, after the first IAB node is switched to the target CU network on the basis of the first network switching command, sending the second network switching command to a sub IAB network node of the first IAB network node or a UE served by the first IAB network mode.