Network Handover Method for Seamless 4G to 5G Transition
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing network handover process between 4G and 5G systems is overly complicated, lacking an effective solution for seamless handovers, especially when users need to switch between different access networks for service compatibility, such as IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) voice services.
Innovation Solution
A method and system where a first network element instructs a source base station to initiate a handover during traffic establishment for user equipment (UE), and a second network element initiates bearer or Quality of Service (QoS) flow establishment after the UE has been handed over from one access network to another, simplifying the handover process with minimal changes to the UE and network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the existing network handover process between 4G and 5G systems is used, then service compatibility is maintained, but the handover procedure becomes overly complicated and lacks seamless handover capability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the handover process into distinct phases: traffic establishment phase and handover execution phase. The first network element handles traffic establishment and determines target access network, while the second network element handles bearer/QoS flow establishment after handover. This segmentation allows each component to focus on specific tasks, reducing overall procedural complexity while maintaining service compatibility across 4G and 5G systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the first network element determine the target access network and prepare handover instructions during the traffic establishment phase, before the actual handover occurs. This advance preparation enables the second network element to execute bearer establishment more efficiently after handover, reducing the complexity of the execution phase while ensuring seamless service continuity.
2Reliability
If a traditional handover process is used, then network stability is maintained, but handover efficiency and seamlessness are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The first network element performs preliminary determination of the target access network and prepares handover instructions during traffic establishment, before the actual handover occurs. This advance preparation maintains network stability by ensuring proper target selection while improving handover efficiency by reducing the complexity of the execution phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a two-network-element architecture where the first network element acts as an intermediary that determines target access network and initiates handover, while the second network element executes bearer establishment. This intermediary structure maintains network stability through coordinated control while improving handover efficiency by distributing tasks across specialized components.
3Device complexity
If the handover procedure is simplified with minimal changes to UE and network, then handover complexity is reduced, but service continuity during transition must be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments handover responsibilities between two network elements: the first network element handles traffic establishment and handover initiation with minimal UE interaction, while the second network element handles bearer/QoS flow establishment after handover. This segmentation simplifies the overall procedure by reducing UE changes while ensuring service continuity through coordinated network-side actions.
Solution Approach 2:
The two-network-element architecture acts as an intermediary system that manages the complex bearer establishment and QoS flow setup processes transparently, shielding the UE from complexity while ensuring service continuity. The first network element mediates the handover initiation and the second network element mediates the post-handover resource establishment, maintaining reliability without requiring complex UE modifications.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed in embodiments of the present disclosure are a network handover method, apparatus and system. The method includes: a first network element instructing a source base station connected to a user equipment (UE) to initiate a handover during establishment of traffic for the UE; and a second network element initiating bearer establishment or Quality of Service (QoS) flow establishment after the UE has been handed over from a first access network to a second access network. With the embodiments of the present disclosure, a technical problem of an over-complicated handover between networks in the related art is solved.