Inter-gNB Relay Switching for 5G ProSe Service Continuity
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 5G proximity service (ProSe) scenarios, particularly in UE-to-network (U2N) relay, ensuring service continuity for remote UEs when they move out of the coverage area of the source base station is challenging, as existing technologies do not provide a method for inter-gNB switching, leading to potential service disruptions.
Innovation Solution
A switching method that involves a source network device transmitting information to a target network device to determine a target relay terminal device and instruct a remote terminal device to switch its connection through this relay, ensuring seamless handover by determining the target relay terminal device based on measurement reports and predetermined conditions such as signal strength or load.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If inter-gNB switching is not implemented, then the network device complexity remains low, but service continuity is disrupted when remote UE moves out of source base station coverage
Solution Approach 1:
The source base station determines a target relay terminal device and target base station in advance before the remote UE actually needs to switch. Measurement reports are collected and evaluated beforehand to identify suitable target relay terminals, so that when service continuity is needed, the switching can be executed immediately without delay or service disruption.
Solution Approach 2:
A target relay terminal device is introduced as an intermediary to facilitate the connection between the remote UE and the target base station. The target relay terminal acts as a mediator that receives data from the remote UE and forwards it to the target base station, enabling seamless handover while maintaining service continuity without requiring direct connection establishment.
2Reliability
If direct connection switching is used, then the switching process is simple, but packet loss occurs during handover when remote UE moves between base stations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent ensures continuous data transmission during the switching process by establishing the target relay terminal connection before releasing the source relay terminal connection. The remote UE maintains active connections throughout the transition, with data flowing continuously through the target relay terminal, thereby preventing packet loss while managing the complexity of coordinated connection management.
3Measurement precision
If measurement reports are not used, then the switching decision process is simpler, but the selection of target relay terminal device is less accurate
Solution Approach 1:
Measurement reports are collected from the remote UE providing feedback on signal quality, strength, and other parameters of potential target relay terminals. This feedback mechanism enables the source base station to make informed decisions about target relay terminal selection by evaluating actual measurement data, ensuring accurate selection while managing the complexity through systematic data collection and evaluation procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a switching method, which is applicable to a source network device. The method includes: transmitting first information to a target network device, wherein the first information is configured to determine a target relay terminal device; and receiving second information from the target network device and transmitting the second information to a remote terminal device, wherein the second information is configured to instruct the remote terminal device to switch to connect to the target network device via the target relay terminal device.