IP Tunnel for Vertical Handover Data Forwarding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vertical handover technologies between heterogeneous networks lack a detailed signaling mechanism for data forwarding, leading to potential data loss during the transition.
Innovation Solution
Establishing an Internet Protocol (IP) tunnel between a Data Forwarding Function in the serving network and a Forward Attachment Function in the target network to facilitate seamless data forwarding during vertical handover.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If pre-registration procedure is performed to authenticate mobile node prior to vertical handover, then handover execution speed is improved, but data forwarding reliability deteriorates due to lack of detailed signaling mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes an IP tunnel between the Data Forwarding Function and Forward Attachment Function during the pre-registration phase, before the actual vertical handover occurs. This preliminary setup of the data forwarding path ensures that when handover is executed, the tunnel is already in place to prevent data loss, resolving the contradiction between fast handover execution and reliable data forwarding.
2Adaptability or versatility
If vertical handover is performed between heterogeneous networks without IP tunnel, then network adaptability is improved, but data loss increases due to inadequate signaling mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an IP tunnel as an intermediary communication channel between the Data Forwarding Function in the serving network and the Forward Attachment Function in the target network. This tunnel acts as a mediator that preserves data during the transition between heterogeneous networks, preventing data loss while maintaining the adaptability to switch between different network types.
3Reliability
If detailed signaling mechanism is implemented for data forwarding, then data forwarding reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the data forwarding signaling mechanism from the general handover procedure by establishing a separate, dedicated IP tunnel between specific network functions (Data Forwarding Function and Forward Attachment Function). This separation allows for reliable data forwarding through a focused signaling path without complicating the overall handover signaling architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
A data forwarding method and system is provided for avoiding data loss during a vertical handover by forwarding data through an IP tunnel established between a newly introduced network entity called a Data Forwarding Function of the serving network and a Forward Attachment Function of a target network. A data forwarding method of a data forwarding unit located in a serving network for a vertical handover according to the present invention includes receiving an address of a forwarding attachment unit located in a target network and a data forwarding preparation request that are transmitted by a user equipment; establishing an Internet Protocol (IP) tunnel to the forwarding attachment unit according to the data forwarding preparation request; and forwarding, when a vertical handover is initiated, handover packets to the forwarding attachment unit through the IP tunnel.