NR to LTE Handover via QoS Mapping and Context Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inter-system mobility between LTE and NR systems poses challenges for seamless service continuity, particularly in handling UE context and QoS parameters during handovers.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of processes within the NR network and communication devices to manage UE mobility by transmitting NR connection IDs and QoS parameters to LTE networks, enabling efficient EPS bearer context configuration and handovers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If inter-system mobility between LTE and NR systems is implemented, then service continuity is improved, but complexity of context handling and QoS parameter mapping increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring QoS parameter mappings and bearer context relationships before handover occurs. The NR network pre-establishes the mapping between NR QoS parameters and EPS bearer QoS parameters, so that when handover happens, the mapping is already prepared and can be applied immediately without complex real-time processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the NR network as an intermediary that translates and maps QoS parameters between NR and LTE systems. The NR network contains a QoS parameter mapping function that acts as a mediator, converting NR-specific QoS parameters into equivalent EPS bearer QoS parameters, thereby simplifying the handover process and reducing complexity at the LTE side.
2Reliability
If QoS parameter mapping is performed during handover, then service quality is maintained, but handover time and processing delay increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces handover delay by performing QoS parameter mapping in advance. The mapping relationships between NR QoS parameters and EPS bearer QoS parameters are pre-established and stored in the NR network before handover occurs. During actual handover, the pre-computed mappings are directly applied, eliminating the need for complex real-time parameter translation and reducing processing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by pre-preparing QoS parameter mappings and bearer context information during the NR connection establishment phase. This advance preparation creates a buffer that absorbs the processing requirements during handover, ensuring that service quality is maintained without incurring additional delays during the critical handover window.
3Reliability
If NR connection context is transferred to LTE network, then mobility management is improved, but information security risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and transfers only the essential mobility management information from NR to LTE networks, rather than transferring the complete NR connection context. Specifically, only EPS bearer context information and QoS parameter mappings are transferred, while sensitive NR-specific security parameters and internal context data remain in the NR network. This selective extraction reduces information security risks while maintaining mobility management functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by maintaining different levels of information security for different parts of the context data. Sensitive NR network parameters and security-related information remain localized in the NR network with higher protection, while only non-sensitive mobility management parameters are transferred to the LTE network. This differentiated approach ensures mobility management works effectively while minimizing security exposure.
Data Source
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AI summary
A new radio (NR) network for handling mobility for a communication device from the NR radio network to a LTE network comprises a storage device for storing instructions and a processing circuit coupled to the storage device. The processing circuit is configured to execute the instructions stored in the storage device. The instructions comprise connecting to the communication device; communicating a NR connection identity (ID) identifying a NR connection with the communication device; communicating data of the NR connection with the communication device; receiving a context request message for the communication device from the LTE network; and transmitting a context response message comprising an evolved packet system (EPS) bearer context of the communication device to the LTE network, wherein the EPS bearer context comprises an EPS bearer identity and a first plurality of quality-of-service (QoS) parameters.