Network Device Direct AMU Communication for Inter-System Handover

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Solution Overview

Problem

In next-generation mobile networks, the lack of direct communication between source and target application management units during inter-system handovers leads to inefficient communication, as they rely on third parties for information exchange, which hampers the seamless transfer of user equipment between different application systems.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that enable direct communication between application management units by obtaining and exchanging system identifiers, allowing the source and target application management units to establish a connection without intermediaries, thereby improving communication efficiency during inter-system handovers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a third party is used to forward messages between source and target application management units, then communication can be established, but communication efficiency deteriorates and system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication capabilityVSAvoidcommunication efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the third party (client) from the communication path between source and target application management units. By enabling direct communication through N2 interface and introducing a network device that directly forwards system identifiers, the intermediary is removed, allowing AMUs to exchange information efficiently without involving the client in the handover signaling process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a new network device as an intermediary that specifically handles system identifier forwarding between AMUs. This dedicated mediator operates on the network side rather than requiring client involvement, enabling direct AMU communication while maintaining system architecture integrity and security requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a third party is used to forward messages between source and target application management units, then communication can be established, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the communication coordination function from the client device and relocates it to the network side. The client no longer needs to obtain and forward application information between AMUs, reducing client device complexity while the network device assumes the forwarding responsibility through standardized interface procedures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the communication function into distinct components: the network device handles system identifier forwarding between AMUs through N2 interface, while the client focuses only on user interaction. This functional segmentation reduces overall system complexity by assigning specific responsibilities to appropriate entities

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If direct communication between application management units is established, then communication efficiency improves, but system adaptability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication efficiencyVSAvoidcommunication flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal communication mechanism between AMUs that can handle multiple types of information exchange (system identifiers, application information, location information) through a standardized N2 interface procedure. This multi-functional approach maintains system adaptability while enabling efficient direct communication for various handover scenarios

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Speed

If system identifiers are exchanged directly between application management units, then handover speed improves, but information security risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandover speedVSAvoidinformation security risk
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a network device as a trusted intermediary that facilitates secure system identifier exchange between AMUs. The network device receives, processes, and forwards identifiers through controlled N2 interface procedures, ensuring that direct AMU communication occurs only through authenticated and authorized channels, thereby maintaining information security while enabling fast handover

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3531747B1Communication method and device
Publication Date: 2021.02.24 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3531747B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP3531747B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP3531747B1 patent drawingFigure 2c

AI summary

Embodiments of the present invention provide a communication method and a device, which are used for inter-system handover of UE, so that a connection can be established between a source application management unit and a target application management unit, and the source application management unit and the target application management unit can communicate with each other, thereby effectively improving communication efficiency. The method in the embodiments of the present invention includes: obtaining, by a network device, a source system identifier of a source application system and/or a target system identifier of a target application system; and sending, by the network device, the source system identifier to a target application management unit, or sending the target system identifier to a source application management unit, so that a connection is established between the source application management unit and the target application management unit, and the source application management unit and the target application management unit communicate with each other.