UE Radio Capability Transfer for Inter-PLMN Handover Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
In inter-PLMN handover scenarios, the target NG-RAN cannot map the UE radio capability ID assigned by the source PLMN, leading to handover failures and un-deterministic behavior in the wireless communication network due to inconsistent UE radio capabilities assignments by the UCMF.
Innovation Solution
The method involves sending UE radio capabilities instead of the RAC ID in a source to target transparent container by the source NG-RAN, allowing the target NG-RAN to handle the handover procedure efficiently, even when the target PLMN does not support the UE RAC ID assigned by the source PLMN.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the source NG-RAN sends the UE RAC ID assigned by the source PLMN in the handover required message, then the handover procedure can be initiated, but the target NG-RAN cannot map the UE RAC ID to the set of radio capabilities leading to handover failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the source NG-RAN acts as a mediator that translates the source PLMN's UE RAC ID into the target PLMN's equivalent RAC ID. The source NG-RAN receives the handover request from the target NG-RAN, maps the source RAC ID to the target RAC ID based on pre-configured mapping relationships, and returns the mapped RAC ID in the handover request acknowledge message. This intermediary translation process ensures that the target NG-RAN receives a RAC ID it can understand and map to the correct radio capability set, thereby resolving the handover failure issue caused by RAC ID incompatibility between different PLMNs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the UCMF assigns different UE radio capability IDs for the same set of radio capabilities, then the UCMF can manage radio capabilities flexibly, but the wireless communication network exhibits un-deterministic behavior impacting AS and NAS procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal mapping mechanism that works across multiple PLMNs and UCMFs. The source NG-RAN maintains pre-configured mapping relationships between RAC IDs from different PLMNs, allowing it to translate between different RAC ID systems. This universal mapping approach ensures that regardless of which RAC ID the UCMF assigns, the handover procedure can successfully translate it to the target PLMN's equivalent RAC ID, maintaining consistent radio capability identification across different network domains and eliminating un-deterministic behavior in AS and NAS procedures.
3Duration of action of moving object
If the UE radio capability ID is re-assigned to different set of UE radio capabilities by the UCMF, then the UCMF can dynamically manage radio capabilities, but the wireless communication network has no awareness of the re-assignment leading to un-deterministic behavior
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the source NG-RAN continuously monitors and maintains updated mapping relationships between RAC IDs from different PLMNs. When the UCMF re-assigns RAC IDs, the mapping relationships are updated accordingly. This feedback loop ensures that the source NG-RAN always has the current mapping information, allowing it to correctly translate RAC IDs even after re-assignment. This eliminates the un-deterministic behavior caused by the network's lack of awareness of RAC ID re-assignments and ensures reliable service provision.
Data Source
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AI summary
This disclosure provides a method for providing user equipment (UE) radio access capabilities in a handover procedure. The method includes identifying, by a source next-generation radio access network (NG-RAN), that a target public land mobile network (PLMN) does not support a UE radio access capabilities identifier (RAC ID) assigned by a source PLMN in an inter-PLMN handover procedure. Further, the method includes providing, by the source NG-RAN, to a target NG-RAN, the UE radio access capabilities instead of the UE RAC ID in response to identifying that the target PLMN does not support the UE RAC ID assigned by the source PLMN.