Transport Layer Proxy Path Switching for Reduced Latency

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Solution Overview

Problem

In communication systems, when a terminal device moves from the coverage area of an original base station to a new base station, the air interface handover triggers, leading to increased packet transmission latency due to the long transmission path, which affects user experience.

Innovation Solution

A path switching method is implemented, where a source transport layer proxy network element determines the need for path switching and switches the data transmission path from a first path to a second path after receiving a complete service response packet, ensuring that the terminal device establishes separate transport layer connections with the source and target transport layer proxy network elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If path switching is performed immediately after air interface handover, then packet transmission latency is reduced, but service layer status interaction is incomplete causing repeated service requests

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepacket transmission latencyVSAvoidservice request completeness

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The target transport layer proxy network element establishes a transport layer connection to the terminal device before the actual path switching occurs. This preliminary connection establishment allows the path switching to be performed immediately after air interface handover without causing service request repetition, as the target element is already ready to receive and process service requests.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The source transport layer proxy network element receives a complete service response packet from the first application server and uses this feedback to determine when to switch the data transmission path. This feedback mechanism ensures that path switching is triggered only after the service layer status interaction is complete, preventing repeated service requests while maintaining low latency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If path switching is delayed until service layer status interaction is complete, then service request repetition is avoided, but packet transmission latency increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice request completenessVSAvoidpacket transmission latency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The target transport layer proxy network element establishes its transport layer connection to the terminal device in advance before path switching is needed. This preliminary action enables the system to switch paths immediately after air interface handover completes, significantly reducing packet transmission latency while still ensuring service layer status interaction is properly completed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the path switching timing based on the completion of service response packets. The source transport layer proxy network element monitors the service layer status interaction and triggers path switching at the optimal moment when the complete service response packet is received, balancing both latency reduction and request completeness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If a single transport layer connection is used for both source and target proxy network elements, then connection management is simplified, but path switching cannot be performed without repeating service requests

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection management complexityVSAvoidservice latency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The transport layer connection is segmented into two separate connections: one between the terminal device and the source transport layer proxy network element, and another between the terminal device and the target transport layer proxy network element. This segmentation allows independent management of each connection and enables smooth path switching without repeating service requests, as each connection can be actively managed during the transition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The source transport layer proxy network element acts as an intermediary that coordinates the path switching process. It receives the complete service response packet, determines when path switching is appropriate, and facilitates the transition from the first to the second transport layer connection, ensuring service continuity without repetition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12245132B2Path switching method, communication apparatus, and communication system

Publication Date: 2025.03.04 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD

AI summary

This application provides example path switching methods, example communication apparatuses, and example communication systems. One example method includes obtaining, by a session management network element, a context of a first transport layer connection, where the first transport layer connection is between a source transport layer proxy network element and a terminal device. In response to determining that a protocol data unit (PDU) session anchor for the terminal device needs to be changed, the session management network element can send the context of the first transport layer connection to a target transport layer proxy network element, where the context is used to establish a third transport layer connection between the target transport layer proxy network element and the terminal device.