RAN Node MBS Handling for 5G Handover Continuity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 5G technology lacks a mechanism for handling multicast broadcast services (MBS) during handover scenarios or multi-radio dual connectivity (MR-DC) operations in radio access networks (RAN), where seamless data transfer and quality of service (QoS) offloading between master and secondary nodes are not effectively managed.
Innovation Solution
The method involves a RAN node, such as a master or secondary node, receiving information about ongoing MBS associated with a user equipment (UE) and exchanging configuration information to ensure that MBS data can be provided by another RAN node, enabling efficient handover and QoS flow management through conditional primary secondary cell (PSCell) addition and change procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a UE hands over from a source RAN node to a target RAN node, then the UE can maintain continuous service, but the MBS data transfer and QoS management become complex and unreliable without a proper handling mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The source RAN node performs preliminary actions by determining whether the target RAN node supports MBS services before completing the handover. Configuration information including MBS service identifiers and QoS parameters is prepared and transferred in advance during the handover preparation phase, ensuring seamless MBS service continuity without service interruption
Solution Approach 2:
The source RAN node acts as an intermediary by collecting MBS configuration information from the target RAN node and forwarding it to the UE. This intermediary role simplifies the handover management complexity by centralizing the MBS service continuity handling at the source node, which coordinates the information exchange between target node and UE
2Reliability
If MBS configuration information is transferred during handover, then MBS service continuity is maintained, but the signaling overhead and handover latency increase
Solution Approach 1:
MBS configuration information is determined and prepared in advance during the handover preparation phase before the actual handover execution. The source RAN node identifies applicable MBS services and prepares configuration data including service identifiers and QoS parameters, so that when handover is executed, the UE can quickly apply the pre-prepared configuration without time-consuming service discovery and setup
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential MBS configuration information (service identifiers, QoS parameters, and necessary configuration data) needed for service continuity, transferring only this extracted subset during handover rather than complete service data. This selective extraction reduces signaling overhead and handover latency while maintaining MBS service continuity
3Adaptability or versatility
If the RAN node supports multiple radio types in MR-DC, then resource utilization and service flexibility improve, but the complexity of managing MBS services across multiple nodes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The source RAN node performs universal MBS management functions across different radio types (NR and E-UTRA) in MR-DC scenarios. It determines MBS service continuity requirements and generates configuration information applicable to multiple radio access technologies, enabling flexible MBS service management across heterogeneous networks without requiring separate management mechanisms for each radio type
Solution Approach 2:
The source RAN node acts as an intermediary that simplifies MBS management complexity in MR-DC by centralizing the determination of service continuity and configuration generation. It mediates between the target RAN node and the UE, handling the complex coordination of MBS services across multiple nodes and radio types through a single point of control
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present application relate to methods and apparatuses for handling a service belonging to a multicast broadcast service (MBS) at a radio access network (RAN) node under a 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) 5G system or the like. According to an embodiment of the present application, a method can include: receiving information relating to one or more on-going MBS associated with a UE at one or more RAN nodes; and receiving configuration information from another RAN node, so that at least some or all of data relating to at least one of the one or more on-going MB S associated with the UE can be provided by the abovementioned another RAN node.