Inter-network Session Context Preparation for Seamless Network Handover
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 5G communication systems, direct interworking between 5G networks and 2G/3G networks is not supported, leading to service interruptions when a terminal moves from a 4G network to a 2G/3G network or vice versa, as the 5G network requires the 4G network as a medium for interworking.
Innovation Solution
An inter-network interworking method where the second access management network element sends a session management request to the first session management network element to request and prepare the session context of a terminal in the 3G network, ensuring seamless movement between networks by selecting appropriate session management network elements that support interworking among the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the 5G network uses the 4G network as a medium for interworking with 2G/3G networks, then interworking between 5G and 2G/3G networks is enabled, but service interruptions occur when terminals move between networks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the second access management network element send a session management request to the first session management network element before the terminal actually moves to the third network. This advance preparation of session context ensures that when the terminal does move, the necessary session information is already in place, preventing service interruptions and maintaining reliability while enabling interworking capability
2Reliability
If direct interworking between 5G and 2G/3G networks is implemented, then service continuity is improved, but network architecture complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the 4G network as an intermediary between 5G and 2G/3G networks. The session management network elements act as mediators that facilitate context transfer and coordination. This intermediary approach enables service continuity across networks without requiring complex direct integration between 5G and 2G/3G networks, thus managing architectural complexity while maintaining reliability
3Reliability
If session context is prepared in advance in the target network, then service interruption is prevented, but network signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent prepares session context in advance by having the second access management network element send a session management request to the first session management network element before terminal movement. This preliminary action ensures service continuity by having session information ready in the target network. The signaling overhead is managed by only transferring essential session context information rather than complete network states, balancing reliability improvement with acceptable signaling overhead
Data Source
AI summary
An inter-network interworking method, an apparatus, and a system are provided, and relate to the field of communication technologies, to ensure that a service is not interrupted when a terminal moves from a second network to a third network. The method includes: When the terminal supports a NAS capability of the third network and/or a network name corresponding to the terminal supports interworking between the second network and the third network, a second access management network element sends a session management request including a session identifier to a first session management network element that supports interworking of the terminal among a first network, the second network, and the third network. The second access management network element receives, from the first session management network element, a session management response including a session context of the terminal in the third network. According to the method, the session context of the terminal in the third network can be prepared in advance when the terminal accesses the second network, so that it is ensured that the service is not interrupted when the terminal subsequently moves from the second network to the third network.