Segment Routing Mobility Mapping for Low-Latency UE Handover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication networks face challenges in maintaining quality of service (QoS) for delay-sensitive applications due to user equipment (UE) mobility, particularly in 4G/5G networks, where IP address changes and triangular routing cause disruptions and delays, and there is a need for efficient utilization of multiple access technologies.
Innovation Solution
A segment routing (SR) network with software routers and BGP anycast is used to enable anchorless IP mobility, supporting seamless transitions across access technologies by maintaining a locator database that maps global IP addresses to downstream nodes, and utilizing publish-subscribe mechanisms for efficient location updates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional IP mobility management is used in 4G/5G networks, then UE can move across wide area networks, but packet delivery incurs disruption due to IP address change or higher delay due to triangular routing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mobility anchor point that acts as an intermediary between the UE and the packet data network. The anchor point maintains a persistent IP address for the UE while the UE moves between base stations, eliminating the need for IP address changes and triangular routing. Packets are routed through the anchor point which forwards them to the current serving base station, ensuring continuous delivery without disruption or delay.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the mobility management function by separating the IP address assignment (handled by the mobility anchor point) from the packet routing (handled by the serving base station). This segmentation allows the UE to maintain a stable IP address while the routing path is dynamically updated based on the current serving base station, resolving the contradiction between mobility support and packet delivery efficiency.
2Productivity
If smaller cell sizes and higher densities of base stations are deployed in 5G and 6G networks, then network capacity increases, but demand for UE transitions between anchor points increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the mobility anchor point universal by allowing it to serve multiple UEs simultaneously across different cell groups. The anchor point maintains a pool of IP addresses that can be dynamically assigned to any UE in its coverage area, regardless of which specific base station the UE is currently connected to. This multi-functionality reduces the need for dedicated anchor points for each small cell, thereby reducing mobility management complexity while maintaining high network capacity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If UEs have access to multiple provider networks through different access technologies, then network connectivity options increase, but it remains challenging to utilize such different network resources effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a network-side entity that acts as an intermediary to manage UE connections across multiple access technologies (4G, 5G, WiFi). This entity maintains a unified view of the UE's location and connectivity status across different networks, automatically selecting and switching between access technologies based on current conditions. This eliminates the need for complex UE-side management and enables seamless utilization of diverse network resources.
Data Source
AI summary
A segment routing (SR) network has a plurality of interconnected SR gateways, where each of a plurality of local networks is connectable to an SR gateway at an edge router of the local network. An SR network control plane maintains a locator database that maps (i) a global IP (GIP) address for user equipment (UE) to (ii) an IP address of a downstream node associated with the UE along a path from the SR network to the UE. An SR gateway (i) receives a message for the UE and (ii) addresses the message to the IP address of the downstream node. The SR network control plane updates the locator database to map (i) the GIP address for the UE to (ii) a different IP address of a downstream node upon the SR network control plane determining that the association of the UE has changed to the different IP address.