Seamless Handoff via Mobile Station Cloning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems require mobile stations to terminate and re-establish communication sessions when switching between different radio access networks, which is disruptive and less preferred, especially when operating on roaming networks.
Innovation Solution
The method involves cloning a mobile station by configuring a wireless communication device to operate in the source coverage area using the same identifier, allowing the target base station to establish an air-interface connection and relay the communication session without terminating the existing session, thereby simulating the mobile station's operational characteristics to maintain continuous communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a mobile station switches between different radio access networks, then the mobile station can access preferred networks, but the communication session must be terminated and re-established causing disruption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a clone of the mobile station that maintains the original communication session while the real mobile station switches networks. The clone device replicates the mobile station's identifier and communication characteristics, allowing the session to continue uninterrupted on the source network while the mobile station connects to the preferred target network.
Solution Approach 2:
The clone mobile station acts as an intermediary between the source base station and the original mobile station. It receives and forwards communication signals, maintaining the session continuity while enabling the mobile station to switch networks without disruption.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a mobile station operates on a roaming network, then it can maintain connectivity, but it incurs higher costs and is less preferred
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by cloning the mobile station before the actual network switch occurs. This preparation ensures that when the mobile station transitions to the preferred home network, the communication session is already maintained through the clone, eliminating the need to operate on expensive roaming networks.
3Ease of operation
If a communication session is re-established after network switching, then the mobile station can connect to the preferred network, but time is lost during termination and reconnection
Solution Approach 1:
The clone mobile station maintains the communication session continuously active during the network switching process. While the original mobile station switches networks, the clone keeps the session alive by maintaining the connection with the base station, eliminating any interruption or time loss associated with session termination and re-establishment.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are provided for transitioning an active communication session of a mobile station from being conducted over a communication path that includes a source base station to being conducted over a communication path that includes a target base station, without terminating the communication session. A wireless communication device situated within a source coverage area of a source base station operates as a clone of the mobile station that is situated within a source coverage area of the source base station and also within a target coverage area of the target base station. The transition involves the clone relaying the communication session between the source base station and the mobile station; meanwhile, the target base station (i) establishes an air-interface connection with the mobile station and (ii) detects a handoff-completion trigger, and responsively serves the mobile station over the air-interface connection with respect to the communication session.