Proxy Node Data Forwarding for Wireless Handover Latency
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication networks, especially during handovers, data forwarding over wireless backhaul links results in unnecessary transmission delays and resource wastage, as data is transmitted back to the core network and then routed to the target base station, occupying valuable resources and increasing latency.
Innovation Solution
A proxy node is introduced to receive data from the core network and forward it directly to the target network node, bypassing unnecessary transmission over the wireless backhaul link, thereby reducing load and delay during handovers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If data is forwarded over the wireless backhaul link to the core network and then routed to the target base station, then routing functions are maintained, but transmission delay increases and network resources are wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the data forwarding function from the core network routing path and places it directly at the source base station. During handover, the source base station directly forwards data to the target base station over the X2 interface, bypassing the core network. This extraction eliminates unnecessary transmission delays and core network resource consumption while maintaining proper routing through direct peer-to-peer forwarding between base stations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the source base station acts as a mediator for data forwarding during handover. Instead of data flowing through the core network, the source base station directly forwards user plane data to the target base station using X2 interface tunneling. This intermediary approach reduces latency and conserves core network resources while ensuring proper data delivery during the handover transition.
2Reliability
If data is transmitted back to the core network during handover, then QoS differentiation is maintained, but valuable network resources are occupied
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data forwarding path into two distinct components: control plane signaling that maintains QoS differentiation through the core network, and user plane data that is forwarded directly between base stations. This segmentation allows QoS to be maintained through signaling while user data bypasses the core network, reducing resource consumption. The X2 interface carries both control information for QoS management and user data forwarding in separate channels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by establishing X2 interface connectivity and data forwarding paths before handover is triggered. The source and target base stations pre-configure forwarding tunnels and QoS parameters in advance. When handover occurs, data forwarding immediately utilizes these pre-established paths, avoiding the need to route through the core network during the actual handover execution, thus conserving resources while maintaining QoS.
Data Source
AI summary
Small base station, micro, femto or pico BTS (PBS) are connected via Un interface to a donor eNB DeNB. In case of a handover from that PBS packets that had not been acknowledged by a UE need to be forwarded to the target base station. Forwarding them via Un and DeNB to the target eNB causes latency and wast radio resources on Un. Thus, the DeNB uses information about the handover to buffer packets and, after being informed by PBS, forward those packets that had not been acknowledged by the UE. This procedure, therefore, saves resources on Un interface and reduces latency. No forwarding of those packets from PBS to DeNB is required. There is provided a method for forwarding data to a wireless terminal. The method is performed by a proxy node. The method comprises receiving data on a link between a core network and a backhaul hub node. The data is addressed to a wireless terminal served by, or handed over from, a serving network node. The method comprises receiving a first indication to forward the data to a target network node of the wireless terminal. The method comprises forwarding the data towards the target network node in response thereto. There is also provided a computer program for such a method and a proxy node configured to perform such a method.