Target Access Network Device Packet Buffering During Handover
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Solution Overview
Problem
During the handover of a terminal between access network devices, the differing transmission times of packets through multiple channels can result in packet disorder at the terminal, as the end identification packets may not be received in a timely manner by the target access network device, leading to incomplete data transmission on one channel before packets are sent through another channel.
Innovation Solution
The target access network device buffers packets received from the source access network device and sends them to the terminal only after receiving end identification packets from both the core network device and the local routing device, or initiates a timer to ensure timely delivery of buffered packets if end identification packets are not received within a preset period.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If packets are transmitted through multiple channels during handover, then data transmission continuity is improved, but packet order is disrupted due to different transmission times
Solution Approach 1:
The target access network device performs preliminary buffering of packets received from the source access network device before the handover is complete. By storing these packets in advance and releasing them only after confirming the handover status through end identification packets, the system ensures packets are transmitted in correct order while maintaining continuity across the transition period.
Solution Approach 2:
The target access network device acts as an intermediary between the source access network device and the terminal. It receives packets from the source, buffers them temporarily, and releases them in the correct sequence after verifying handover completion, thereby mediating the packet flow to prevent disorder while maintaining transmission continuity.
2Manufacturing precision
If packets are buffered until end identification packets are received, then packet order is maintained, but transmission delay increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses end identification packets as feedback signals to determine when buffering should be released. The target access network device monitors for these feedback packets from both the core network device and local routing device, and only releases buffered packets when the feedback confirms handover completion, thereby balancing order maintenance with timely delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The system buffers packets partially - only those received from the source access network device during the handover transition period. Once end identification packets confirm handover completion, the buffering action is stopped and packets are released, avoiding excessive buffering delays while still maintaining packet order for the critical transition period.
3Reliability
If end identification packets are waited for from both core network device and local routing device, then complete data transmission is ensured, but handover completion time is extended
Solution Approach 1:
The target access network device performs preliminary buffering of packets during the handover process, preparing them for release once handover completion is confirmed. This preliminary action ensures that when packets are released, they are ready for immediate transmission in the correct order, maintaining reliability without extending the actual handover completion time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses end identification packets as feedback mechanisms to confirm that data transmission from both the core network device and local routing device has been completed. By monitoring these feedback signals, the system ensures complete data transmission while using the feedback to trigger timely release of buffered packets, balancing reliability with handover speed.
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention provide a communication method and an apparatus. The communication method includes: receiving, by a target access network device, at least one first packet of a terminal when the terminal is handed over from a source access network device to the target access network device; buffering, by the target access network device, the at least one first packet; and sending the at least one buffered first packet to the terminal when the target access network device receives a second packet and a third packet from the source access network device, or the target access network device receives one of the second packet and the third packet and does not receive the other one of the second packet and the third packet within a preset period, or the target access network device does not receive the second packet or the third packet within the preset period, where the second packet and the third packet are end identification packets. In the embodiments of the present invention, disorder of packets received by a terminal can be avoided.