Network Slice Handover Using DAPS Session Remapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobility control in network slices, such as handovers, often result in service interruptions and failures due to the inability to maintain service/slice requirements, especially when a user equipment moves to a cell that does not support its ongoing slices or is overloaded.
Innovation Solution
A modified dual active protocol stack (DAPS) handover method where the user equipment continues communicating with the source cell during the handover process, deferring data communication with the target cell until the target cell sets up a compatible network slice, thereby minimizing service interruptions and data loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a handover is performed when UE moves to a new cell that does not support its ongoing network slice, then mobility is maintained, but service continuity is disrupted and data loss occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The source network node performs preliminary actions by establishing a second data session on a second network slice at the target network node before releasing the first data session. This preparatory setup ensures that when handover occurs, the UE immediately transitions to the second data session, avoiding service disruption and data loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a intermediary mechanism where the source network node acts as a mediator to coordinate the establishment of the second data session at the target node and manage the transition. This intermediary coordination ensures seamless service continuity during handover by orchestrating the slice remapping process.
2Loss of time
If immediate handover is performed without establishing new slice at target node, then handover speed is maintained, but service interruption occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The source network node performs preliminary actions by establishing the second data session on the second network slice at the target network node before the handover is executed. This advance preparation eliminates service interruption during handover while maintaining fast transition, as the target node is already ready to serve the UE immediately.
3Reliability
If UE switches to target node's available slice immediately, then service continuity is maintained, but abnormal usage of non-supported slices occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The source network node receives feedback from the target network node regarding which network slices are supported. Based on this feedback, the source node intelligently selects an appropriate second network slice that is supported by the target node and establishes the second data session accordingly, preventing abnormal slice usage while maintaining service continuity.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a method, comprising: communicating a first data session on a first network slice with a source network node; receiving an indication indicating whether or not mapping the first data session to a second data session at a target network node requires switching to a second network slice, wherein the user equipment is equipped with a dual active protocol stack enabling the user equipment to communicate with the source network node and with the target network node during the handover process of the apparatus from a source cell provided by the source network node to a target cell provided by the target network node; deciding to continue the first data session on the first network slice with the source network node during the handover process; and deciding, based on the indication, when to start user plane data communication on the second data session with the target network node.