SNPN to PLMN Handover via SMF Data Duplication
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies face challenges in supporting seamless service continuity during handover between stand-alone non-public networks (SNPN) and public land mobile networks (PLMN), leading to potential disruptions in service and user experience.
Innovation Solution
A method is implemented where a session management function (SMF) of a first network duplicates downlink (DL) data and sends it to both the next generation radio access network (NG-RAN) and a non-3GPP interworking function (N3IWF), and requests the N3IWF to buffer the data. This allows for continuous data delivery when the user moves between networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If data is transmitted only through the primary network path during handover, then network resource usage is minimized, but service continuity is disrupted and user experience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by duplicating downlink data to both the NG-RAN and N3IWF before handover occurs, and by pre-buffering data at the N3IWF. This advance preparation ensures that when handover happens, data is already available at both network paths, eliminating service interruption without requiring excessive resource allocation during the actual handover process.
Solution Approach 2:
The N3IWF acts as an intermediary element that receives duplicated data, buffers it, and releases it appropriately during handover. This mediator function allows seamless data flow between the 3GPP and non-3GPP networks, ensuring service continuity while managing network resources efficiently by controlling when data is forwarded to the UE.
2Reliability
If data duplication and buffering procedures are implemented for handover, then service continuity is maintained, but the complexity of the handover protocol increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functionality by enabling the N3IWF to perform multiple roles: receiving data, buffering data, managing handover coordination, and releasing data at appropriate times. This universal function reduces the need for separate dedicated mechanisms for each handover aspect, thereby managing complexity while ensuring service continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The handover procedure incorporates feedback mechanisms where the SMF receives handover confirmations from the AMF and coordinates data release accordingly. This feedback loop ensures that data duplication and buffering are properly managed and terminated after handover, preventing unnecessary resource consumption and protocol complexity.
3Reliability
If data is buffered at the N3IWF during handover, then data delivery continuity is ensured, but the buffering time and data storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Data is buffered at the N3IWF in advance of the actual handover execution, during the handover preparation phase. This preliminary buffering ensures that data is ready for immediate delivery once handover completes, minimizing the actual buffering time during which data must be held, while maintaining continuous data delivery.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for support of service continuity for handover between stand-alone non-public network (SNPN) and public land mobile network (PLMN) is provided. A session management function (SMF) of a first network transmits, to a user plane function (UPF) of the first network, a duplication request for the UPF of the first network to duplicate downlink (DL) data and send the duplicated DL data to both a next generation radio access network (NG-RAN) of the first network and a non-3GPP interworking function (N3IWF) of the first network. The SMF of the first network further transmits, to the N3IWF of the first network, a data buffering request for the N3IWF of the first network to buffer the duplicated DL data.