QoE Measurement Continuity During Wireless Handover

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication networks face challenges in seamlessly transferring Quality of Experience (QoE) measurement sessions during terminal relocation or handover between network nodes, as the target node may not have the necessary trace session information, leading to potential termination of QoE measurements.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves transferring trace session information from the source network node to the target network node without modification, with feedback mechanisms to determine whether the QoE measurement should be continued, allowing the Measurement Initiating node to manage the trace session accordingly, ensuring smooth continuation of QoE measurements across node transfers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If QoE measurement is initiated in source network node, then measurement data can be collected, but trace session information is lost during relocation to target node

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveQoE measurement continuityVSAvoidtrace session information
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The source network node includes trace session information in the relocation request message before the actual relocation occurs. This preliminary action ensures that the target node receives and stores the necessary measurement continuation data in advance, preventing information loss during the handover process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The relocation request message acts as an intermediary carrier that transports trace session information from the source network node to the target node. This message structure serves as a mediator that preserves and transfers critical measurement data across the network node boundary during relocation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Duration of action of stationary object

If trace session information is transferred during relocation, then QoE measurement can continue, but network signaling complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveQoE measurement durationVSAvoidnetwork signaling
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The trace session information is merged into the existing relocation request message structure rather than being transmitted through a separate dedicated signaling procedure. This combining approach leverages the already-established relocation signaling path, avoiding the need for additional complex signaling mechanisms while ensuring measurement continuity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If target node receives trace session information, then measurement can be continued, but feedback mechanisms are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement continuationVSAvoidfeedback mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The target node sends a feedback indication in the relocation response message to inform the source node whether it can continue the QoE measurement. This feedback mechanism ensures that the source node is aware of the target node's capability to maintain measurements, enabling proper trace session management while keeping the feedback process integrated within existing relocation signaling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3583801B1Method and network nodes to manage qoe measurement collection during relocation or handover
Publication Date: 2021.03.10 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP3583801B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3583801B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3583801B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Quality of Experience (QoE) Measurement collection is continued from a source network node (200) servicing a terminal (210) to a target network node (200) following a relocation or handover of the terminal (210). When the source network node (200) is preparing for the relocation, e.g., SRNS Relocation, Intra-RAT handover (e.g., X2 handover), or Inter-RAT handover, for a terminal (210) which has QoE Measurement configured, the trace session information, which has been received by the source network node from a Measurement Initiating node (200), is sent (12) from the source network node (200) to the target network node (200). The target network node (200) provides (14, 26) information about the handling of the ongoing Qo E measurement to the source network node (200), e.g., whether the QoE measurement is to be continued or terminated. The source network node (200) updates to the Measurement Initiating node (200) that the trace session is transferred to the target network node (200). The Measurement Initiating node (200) may then continue the trace session management towards the target network node (200). The trace session information transferred (12, 22) to the target network node (200) may be the same as that in the source network node (200), or it may be modified by the Measurement Initiating node (200).