4G-5G PDU Session Handover Prioritization for Lower Transfer Delay

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The transfer of data connections between 4G and 5G communications systems is delayed due to the absence of an N26 interface, leading to failed handovers and increased delays in establishing packet data network connections, as existing methods fail to prioritize data connection channels that support interworking.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that prioritize the transfer of data connection channels, specifically PDU sessions, that are certain or uncertain to support transfer between 4G and 5G systems, ensuring seamless handover by selecting and prioritizing sessions based on network access manner and service continuity modes, thereby reducing transfer delays.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the UE sequentially transfers PDU sessions one by one from 5G to 4G, then the handover process can be completed, but the transfer delay increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandover completionVSAvoidtransfer delay
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the UE identify and mark PDU sessions suitable for handover before the actual transfer process. The UE determines which PDU sessions can be transferred based on network access manner and service continuity mode, preparing the handover list in advance. This preliminary identification enables more efficient sequential transfer and reduces overall delay by avoiding unnecessary re-attempts during the handover process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If the UE transfers PDU sessions that do not support interworking, then the handover process fails, but the UE needs to re-initiate initial attach and retry transfer

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransfer success rateVSAvoidretry delay
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the UE identify and mark PDU sessions suitable for handover before the actual transfer process. The UE determines which PDU sessions can be transferred based on network access manner and service continuity mode, preparing the handover list in advance. This preliminary identification enables more efficient sequential transfer and reduces overall delay by avoiding unnecessary re-attempts during the handover process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies feedback by having the UE receive feedback information from the network about PDU session transfer capability. The UE uses this feedback to determine which PDU sessions should be included in the handover list and which should not. This feedback mechanism prevents the UE from attempting to transfer unsupported sessions, thereby avoiding failed handovers and subsequent re-attachment procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If the UE selects PDU sessions for transfer without prioritization, then all sessions are treated equally, but sessions with higher transfer priority are delayed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesession transfer flexibilityVSAvoidcritical session delay
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by differentiating the treatment of different PDU sessions based on their specific characteristics. The UE determines transfer priority for each session based on its network access manner (e.g., internet, IMS, local area data network) and service continuity mode. Critical sessions requiring high priority are identified and transferred first, while less critical sessions are transferred subsequently. This localized differentiation ensures that time-sensitive sessions receive preferential treatment without compromising overall transfer flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3911015B1Transfer of data connection between 4g and 5g
Publication Date: 2026.04.08 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3911015B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3911015B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3911015B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Embodiments of this application disclose a method for transfer between communications systems and a related device, to preferentially transfer a second data connection channel in a first data connection channel, thereby reducing a delay of transferring a terminal device between different communications systems. The embodiments of this application provide a method for transfer between communications systems. The method includes: establishing at least one first data connection channel in a first communications system; selecting at least one second data connection channel from the at least one first data connection channel, where the second data connection channel is included in the first data connection channel, is a data connection channel that is certain to support transfer from the first communications system to a second communications system, and/or is a data connection channel that is uncertain whether to support transfer from the first communications system to the second communications system; and when the terminal device is transferred from the first communications system to the second communications system, preferentially transferring the second data connection channel to the second communications system.