Inter-Technology Interworking Entity Handover Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current handover technologies between 3GPP and non-3GPP mobile access networks face inefficiencies, particularly in discovering Forward Attachment Function (FAF) entities and managing connections, leading to unnecessary signaling and resource allocation when handovers are not feasible.
Innovation Solution
A method where mobile terminals receive availability information about both 3GPP and non-3GPP networks, enabling them to decide on connecting or disconnecting from inter-technology interworking entities like FAF for optimized handover preparation, minimizing unnecessary resource allocation and signaling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mobile terminals continuously discover and connect to FAF entities for handover preparation, then handover readiness is improved, but signaling overhead and resource allocation increase unnecessarily when handovers are not feasible
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary checks by access network nodes (eNBs/WiMAX base stations) to determine handover feasibility before the mobile terminal initiates FAF connection. This preliminary assessment prevents unnecessary FAF discovery and connection attempts, reducing signaling overhead while ensuring handover readiness when actually needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where access network nodes provide information about handover feasibility to mobile terminals. This feedback allows terminals to make informed decisions about whether to initiate FAF connection, avoiding unnecessary signaling while maintaining handover capability when conditions are favorable.
2Speed
If mobile terminals establish connections to inter-technology interworking entities for handover preparation, then handover speed is improved, but resource allocation increases unnecessarily when handovers are not feasible
Solution Approach 1:
Access network nodes perform preliminary handover feasibility assessments and resource checks before mobile terminals establish connections to interworking entities. This ensures that resources are only allocated when handovers are actually feasible, while still enabling fast handover execution when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables mobile terminals to autonomously determine whether to initiate handover preparation based on information from access network nodes. Terminals self-regulate their connection decisions, establishing FAF connections only when handover is feasible, thereby optimizing resource allocation while maintaining handover speed capability.
3Productivity
If the system modifies existing 3GPP RAN frameworks to enable optimized handover, then handover efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces a universal interworking entity (FAF) that handles multiple handover scenarios between different access technologies (3GPP and non-3GPP) through a single standardized interface. This multi-functional approach improves handover efficiency across different technology combinations without requiring separate specialized mechanisms for each case, thereby limiting the increase in overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A technique is proposed for optimizing efficiency in a situation for a possible handover of a mobile terminal (106) from a first mobile access network (102) according to a first mobile access technology to a second mobile access network (104) according to a second mobile access technology different from the first mobile access technology. A method embodiment of the technique performed by the mobile terminal (106) comprises the steps of receiving information regarding an availability of at least one of the first mobile access network and the second mobile access network (104), taking a decision regarding a connection to an inter-technology interworking entity (100) adapted to interwork between the first access technology and the second access technology, and establishing a connection to the interworking entity (100) for a preparation of the handover.