Simultaneous EAS Connectivity for Seamless ACR Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Ensuring quality of experience (QoE) during Edge Application Server (EAS) switching is challenging, especially in highly mobile scenarios like connected vehicles or eXtended Reality (XR), due to the complexity and time-consuming nature of user mobility in mobile networks, which complicates the relocation of EASs.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for supporting simultaneous EAS connectivity during Application Context Relocation (ACR) by establishing a connection with a target EAS before releasing the connection with the source EAS, allowing application traffic to be handled by both EASs during the transfer, and utilizing network entities like Edge Enabler Clients and Servers to manage the process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If EAS switching is performed in traditional mobile networks, then service continuity can be maintained, but the process becomes complicated and time-consuming, degrading quality of experience in highly mobile scenarios

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice continuityVSAvoidEAS switching time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent establishes a preliminary connection between the UE and the target EAS before releasing the connection with the source EAS. This preliminary action allows the Application Context Transfer procedure to be triggered seamlessly, reducing the time loss during EAS switching while maintaining service continuity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements simultaneous connectivity to both source EAS and target EAS during the transition period. This continuity of useful action ensures that application traffic can be handled by either EAS, preventing service interruption and maintaining quality of experience during the handover process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

2Loss of time

If EAS switching is performed quickly to reduce latency, then quality of experience improves, but the complexity of managing simultaneous connections and context transfer increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswitching latencyVSAvoidconnection management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces the Edge Enabler Server as an intermediary that manages the Application Context Transfer procedure between source and target EASs. This mediator handles the complexity of simultaneous connections and context transfer, reducing the burden on UE and simplifying connection management while enabling fast switching.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the target EAS receives application context from the source EAS and confirms the transfer status. This feedback loop ensures proper coordination of simultaneous connections, managing complexity through structured communication and state synchronization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If the UE moves outside the service area of the source EAS, then service continuity is maintained through EAS relocation, but the time required for context transfer increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice continuityVSAvoidcontext transfer time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary actions by establishing the connection with the target EAS and triggering the Application Context Transfer procedure before the UE completely moves outside the source EAS service area. This proactive approach reduces the context transfer time while ensuring service continuity during mobility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4470271B1Support for simultaneous edge application server (EAS) connectivity in application context relocation (ACR)
Publication Date: 2026.01.21 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP4470271B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4470271B1 patent drawingFigure 2~5
  • EP4470271B1 patent drawingFigure 3~7

AI summary

The present disclosure is related to support for simultaneous EAP connectivity in ACR. A method by an AC deployed at a UE for supporting simultaneous EAS connectivity in ACR comprises: communicating with a T-EAS via a first connection established between the AC and the T-EAS before a second connection between the AC and an S-EAS is released, to trigger an ACT procedure between the T-EAS and the S-EAS.