Mobility Anchor Relocation via Standby Bearer Setup
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication systems, the 'tromboning effect' occurs when mobile terminals are anchored to distant mobility anchors, leading to inefficient data flow and resource wastage, especially when they move closer to alternative anchors that could provide a more local path for user-data communication, and existing solutions that detach and reattach terminals to relocate anchors result in session discontinuity and significant signaling overhead.
Innovation Solution
A method for relocating mobility anchors by setting up a standby bearer between a mobile terminal and a new mobility anchor while the old bearer is still active, allowing seamless activation of the new path without disrupting ongoing communications, thus minimizing outage time and signaling overhead.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the mobile terminal is anchored to a distant mobility anchor, then the terminal can be reached via the IP address of the gateway even when moving, but considerable transport resources are wasted due to the tromboning effect
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by setting up a standby bearer in advance before the mobile terminal actually needs to use it. When the terminal moves closer to a new mobility anchor, the standby bearer is already prepared and can be activated immediately, avoiding the need for detaching and reattaching the terminal. This preliminary setup of alternative bearers prevents resource wastage while maintaining reliable anchoring.
2Loss of energy
If the terminal is detached and reattached to relocate the anchor, then the anchor can be relocated to a more local position, but session continuity is broken and signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains continuity of useful action by keeping the mobile terminal attached to the network throughout the anchor relocation process. Multiple bearers (active and standby) are maintained simultaneously, allowing seamless switching when the terminal moves closer to a new anchor. This continuous attachment eliminates session discontinuity and reduces signaling overhead compared to detach-reattach procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The standby bearer is configured in advance before needed, so when the mobile terminal moves closer to a new mobility anchor, the switch can occur immediately without interruption. This preliminary configuration of alternative paths avoids the time loss and signaling overhead associated with detaching and reattaching the terminal.
3Loss of time
If a standby bearer is set up before activation, then seamless switching is possible without disrupting ongoing communications, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses an intermediary mechanism where the network controller manages multiple bearers (active and standby) on behalf of the mobile terminal. The controller handles the complexity of bearer setup, maintenance, and switching, while the terminal simply benefits from seamless connectivity. This intermediary approach reduces the perceived complexity for the terminal user while enabling sophisticated bearer management.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method, a mobility node 211 and a new mobility anchor 214b configured to operatively relocate the mobility anchor 214a for a mobile terminal 215a in a wireless communication system 200. The relocation is achieved by a request for redirecting an old bearer B-old configured to communicate user-data between the mobile terminal 215a and an old mobility anchor 214a, and by setting up a new standby bearer B-new configured to operatively communicate user-data between the Mobile Terminal 215a and the new mobility anchor 214b. The standby bearer B-old is ready to be activated once the old bearer B-old is deleted.