FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 OF 1970)
AND
THE PATENT RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See section 10 and rule 13)
“SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPTIMIZING A HANDOVER PROCEDURE AT A USER EQUIPMENT (UE)”
We, JIO PLATFORMS LIMITED, an Indian National, of Office-101, Saffron, Nr. Centre Point, Panchwati 5 Rasta, Ambawadi, Ahmedabad-380006, Gujarat, India.
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.
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SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPTIMIZING A HANDOVER PROCEDURE AT A USER EQUIPMENT (UE)
TECHNICAL FIELD:
The present invention generally relates to the wireless communication networks and more 5 particularly to optimization of a handover process at a user equipment (UE), for example, via handling uplink (UL) Signaling and Intra-network handover (HO) collision through the UE.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE:
The following description of the related art is intended to provide background information 10 pertaining to the field of the disclosure. This section may include certain aspects of the art that may be related to various features of the present disclosure. However, it should be appreciated that this section is used only to enhance the understanding of the reader with respect to the present disclosure, and not as admissions of prior art.
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Wireless communication technology has witnessed remarkable advancements in mobile communication via devices such as mobile phones. Over the years, a shift has been observed from early analog cellular networks to the advent of digital communication systems like 2G, 3G, 4G, and now the revolutionary 5G technology. These advancements have brought about significant improvements in terms of data speeds, network capacity, and overall user 20 experience. With each generation, mobile devices have become more powerful and versatile, offering a wide range of features and functionalities. From basic voice calling and text messaging, mobile phones have evolved into powerful smartphones capable of high-quality video streaming, online gaming, augmented reality, virtual reality, and much more. The integration of various technologies, such as GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and NFC, has transformed 25 mobile devices into multifunctional tools that go beyond communication.
Furthermore, the advancements in wireless communication technology have paved the way for seamless connectivity and global accessibility. Mobile devices can now connect to high-speed internet networks wirelessly, enabling instant access to information, social media 30 platforms, cloud services, and online entertainment. These developments have not only transformed the way users of the smart devices communicate but have also revolutionized
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industries such as e-commerce, mobile banking, healthcare, and education. The introduction of 5G technology is set to unlock even more possibilities. With its ultra-fast speeds, low latency, and massive device connectivity, 5G promises to enhance mobile experiences further. It will enable the widespread adoption of emerging technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT), autonomous vehicles, smart cities, and immersive virtual reality applications. 5
Further, handover, also known as handoff, is a crucial aspect of wireless communication technology that allows mobile devices to maintain connectivity while moving between different base stations or cells. However, many problems during the handover can arise due to various factors. One common issue is the interruption of service during the handover 10 process, leading to dropped calls or data disruptions. This problem can occur when the handover decision is delayed or when there is a mismatch in signal strength or quality between the source and target cells. Another challenge is the seamless handover between different wireless technologies or radio access networks, such as transitioning from 4G to 5G or from Wi-Fi to cellular networks. Interference from neighboring cells or congestion in the 15 network can further complicate handover, impacting call quality and overall user experience. Overcoming these handover challenges requires sophisticated techniques, improved network planning, and seamless coordination between different network elements to ensure uninterrupted connectivity and a seamless transition for mobile devices. Further, minimizing the handover problems in wireless communication is of utmost importance to ensure a 20 seamless and uninterrupted user experience. Handover issues, such as dropped calls, data disruptions, or delays, can lead to frustration, inconvenience, and a decline in user satisfaction. For businesses, poor handover performance can result in dissatisfied customers, loss of revenue, and a negative impact on their reputation. Additionally, in critical applications like emergency services or real-time communication, reliable and efficient handovers can be 25 a matter of life and death. By minimizing handover problems, network operators can enhance the overall quality of service, improve call continuity, and provide seamless connectivity for users as they move between different coverage areas or wireless technologies. This can contribute to improved productivity, efficient use of network resources, and a positive user perception of the wireless communication service. 30
Additionally, in 5th generation services (5GS) a UE (i.e., a 5G UE) is configured with Intra-NG-
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RAN measurement events once it is camped to the 5GS through a next generation nodeB/g-nodeB (gNB) in a standalone architecture. Through these measurements, the 5G UE can handover (HO) to the best neighboring new radio (NR) cells once a serving NR cell and the neighboring NR cell meets the configured thresholds. 3GPP specification 38.331 specified following events defined for 5G NR to perform Intra-RAT HO: 5
- Event A1 (Serving becomes better than threshold)
- Event A2 (Serving becomes worse than threshold)
- Event A3 (Neighbour becomes offset better than the special cell (SpCell))
- Event A4 (Neighbour becomes better than threshold)
- Event A5 (SpCell becomes worse than threshold1 and neighbor becomes better than 10 threshold2)
- Event A6 (Neighbour becomes offset better than the secondary cell (SCell)).
Once, configured thresholds are met at the 5G UE, the 5G UE sends a Measurement report to gNB. Based on the measurement report the gNB decides to hand over the 5G UE to the 15 reported neighboring cell. The 5G UE also does some signaling in the uplink (UL) which the gNB forwards towards the 5th generation core (5GC). In response to these signaling messages, the 5GC and the gNB performs certain actions. However, situations occur where a UL signaling message and Intra-system/radio access technology(RAT) HO procedure collide at the gNB. Some of these collisions are stated as below: 20
a. Mobility Registration Update: The UE does an inter-system HO from the EPS to the 5GS. The UE is configured with A3 event and A5 event for the intra system HO. After successful handover of the UE from 4G to 5G, The gNB sends “HO NOTIFY” Message to Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF). The AMF sends “Forward Relocation Complete Notification” to Mobility Management Entity (MME) which now 25 releases the UE context since the same has been successfully transferred to the AMF. The UE sends Mobility Registration Request to gNB as part of UL non-access stratum (NAS) transport. The UE also sends A3 measurement report related to the A3 event for the Intra-system HO. Since the intra system Handover has been initiated, the gNB buffers the Mobility Registration Update Request and does not forward the same to 30 the AMF due to which Mobility registration update fails.
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b. VoNR Call setup: The UE is registered to the 5GS and the intra-system HO events including A3 event and A5 event for the Intra-system HO are configured at the UE. The UE initiates a Mobile originated VoNR Voice call. The Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) INVITE is forwarded from the Mobile Originating (MO) UE to the 5GC and International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMS) core and the 5GC starts procedure to activate 5QI 1 5 bearer for the UE but immediately the UE also initiates the intra-system HO procedure by sending measurement report for either of the A3 event or the A5 event for the Intra-system HO. The gNB receives the measurement report (MR) and initiates HO procedure to a target cell of. Source gNB related to a source cell receives PDUSessionResourcemodify request to add 5QI 1 bearer from the AMF. The source 10 gNB responds with PDUSessionResourcemodify response and adds ‘Xn-HO triggered’ and does not forward PDU sessionResource modification to the UE. Call setup fails due to collision of PDUSession modify request and handover triggered due to the configured measurement report (MR).
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Similar Collision is observed when an INVITE is received at mobile termination (MT) UE and an Xn HO is triggered. c. VoNR Call release: The UE is registered to the 5GS and the Intra-system HO events like A3 event and A5 event for the Intra-system HO are configured at the UE. The UE has 20 already an established VoNR call. The UE terminates the call and sends SIP-BYE request. SIP-BYE message is forwarded towards the 5GC and the IMS core and the 5GC starts procedure to release 5QI 1 bearer for the UE but immediately the UE also initiates an intra-system HO procedure by sending measurement report (MR) for either of the A3 event or the A5 event for the Intra-system HO. The gNB receives the 25 MR and initiates HO procedure to a target cell. Source gNB related to a source cell receives PDUSessionResourcemodify request to release 5QI 1 bearer. The source gNB responds with PDUSessionResourcemodify response and adds ‘Xn-HO triggered’ and does not forward PDU sessionResource modification to the UE. Call release fails due to collision of PDUSession modify request and a handover triggered due to the 30 configured measurement reports related to the A3 or A5 events for the Intra-system HO.
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Similar Collision is observed when a BYE is sent/received by MT UE and an Xn HO is triggered.
d. EPS Fall-Back Call setup: The UE is registered to the 5GS and the Intra-system HO events like A3 event and A5 event for the Intra-system HO are configured at the UE. If 5 the UE or the gNB does not support Voice over NR and hence the gNB will perform EPS Fall back to Long-Term Evolution (LTE) when a voice call is initiated. The UE initiates a MO Voice Call. SIP INVITE request is forwarded towards the 5GC and the IMS core and the 5GC starts procedure to activate 5QI 1 bearer for the UE but immediately UE also initiates an intra-system HO procedure by sending measurement 10 report (MR) for either of the A3 event or the A5 event for the Intra-system HO. The gNB receives the MR and initiates the HO procedure to a target cell. Source gNB related to a source cell receives PDUSessionResourcemodify request to add 5QI 1 bearer. The source gNB instead of performing EPS-FB for the UE, it responds with PDUSessionResourcemody response and adds ‘Xn-HO triggered’. Since Fall Back to EPS 15 doesn’t happen, Call establishment fails.
Similar Collision is observed when an INVITE is received by MT UE and an Xn HO is triggered.
20 e. Similar collisions are seen whenever a ULNAStransport RRC message containing any piggy backed NAS message like Registration request, Service request or any signaling message like INVITE, BYE etc. against which the 5GC is expected to respond with a message which has to be forwarded back to the UE through the gNB. Since the gNB is busy with the HO, the core response is not forwarded to the UE. 25
In summary, the collisions of UL signaling messages and intra-system/RAT HO procedures can disrupt various procedures such as Mobility Registration Updates, VoNR call setups and releases, EPS Fall-Back call setups, and ULNAStransport RRC message processing, causing call failures or communication issues between the UE and the network. 30
Over the years many solutions have been developed to handle the handover problems.
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However, the prior known solutions failed to handle uplink (UL) Signaling and Intra-network handover (HO) collisions effectively and efficiently.
Therefore, there is a need in the art to provide a solution for optimizing a handover procedure at a user equipment (UE) for example via UL Signaling and Intra-NG-RAN HO Collision 5 handling.
The foregoing examples of the related art and limitations related therewith are intended to be illustrative and not exclusive. Other limitations of the related art will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon a reading of the specification and a study of the figures. 10
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment disclosed herein satisfies are listed herein below.
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An object of the present disclosure is to address the issue of collisions between UL signaling messages and Xn handover procedures in wireless communication systems, specifically by providing a solution at the user equipment (UE) end.
Another object of the present disclosure is to enhance the efficiency of handover procedures 20 by introducing a solution that allows the UE to avoid collisions between UL signaling messages and Xn handover procedures.
Another object of the present disclosure is to implement a mechanism within the UE's higher layers that initiates NAS signaling or SIP signaling messages. 25
Another object of the present disclosure is to initiate, by the higher layers of the UE, an event called stop intra-system measurements within the UE. Thus, directing the RRC (Radio Resource Control) layer to cease sending any intra-system measurement reports to a target network for a configurable period of time or till a response to an UL signaling message is 30 received at the UE.
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Another object of the present disclosure is to temporarily suspend the intra-system measurements to ensure that no conflicting signaling occurs between the UL signaling message and the ongoing Xn HO procedure. Thus, help prevent any potential disruption or failure of handover caused by the collision.
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Yet another object of the present disclosure is that upon receiving a desired response from the network for the UL signaling message, the higher layers trigger an event called "Resume intra-system measurements" within the UE and instruct the RRC layer to resume sending intra-system measurement reports as usual.
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Overall, the objective of this invention is to improve the reliability, effectiveness, and key performance indicators (KPIs) of handover procedures by minimising collisions between UL signaling messages and Xn HO procedures. By implementing this solution at the UE end, the present disclosure aims to enhance seamless connectivity and an uninterrupted user experience in wireless communication systems. 15
SUMMARY
This section is intended to introduce certain aspects of the disclosed method and system in a simplified form and is not intended to identify the key advantages or features of the present disclosure. 20
An aspect of the present disclosure relates to a system for optimizing a handover procedure at a user equipment (UE). The system comprises a storage unit and the UE, wherein the UE is configured to transmit, from the UE to a target network, an uplink (UL) signaling message based on a registration of the UE at the target network. The UE is further configured to trigger, 25 at the UE, a stop intra-system measurement event for a configurable period of time based on the transmission of the UL signaling message. The UE is further configured to detect, at the UE, one of a successful receipt of a response to the UL signaling message and an unsuccessful receipt of the response to the UL signaling message, in a configurable period of time. The UE is further configured to trigger, at the UE, a start intra-system measurement event based on 30 one of the successful receipt of the response and an expiry of the configurable period of time. The UE is further configured to generate, at the UE, an intra-system measurement report
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based on the start intra-system measurement event. The UE is further configured to transmit, from the UE to the target network, the intra-system measurement report. Thereafter, the UE is further configured to optimize, at the UE, the handover procedure based on the transmission of the intra-system measurement report to the target network.
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Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method for optimizing a handover procedure at a user equipment (UE). The method comprises transmitting, from the UE to a target network, an uplink (UL) signaling message based on a registration of the UE at the target network. Further, the method comprises triggering, at the UE, a stop intra-system measurement event for a configurable period of time based on the transmission of the UL 10 signaling message. The method further comprises detecting, at the UE, one of a successful receipt of a response to the UL signaling message and an unsuccessful receipt of the response to the UL signaling message, in a configurable period of time. The method further encompasses triggering, at the UE, a start intra-system measurement event based on one of the successful receipt of the response and an expiry of the configurable period of time. 15 Further, the method comprises generating, at the UE, an intra-system measurement report based on the start intra-system measurement event. Further, the method comprises transmitting, from the UE to the target network, the intra-system measurement report. Thereafter, the method encompasses optimizing, at the UE, the handover procedure based on the transmission of the intra-system measurement report to the target network. 20
Yet another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a user equipment (UE) for optimizing a handover procedure at the UE, the UE is configured to: transmit, from the UE to a target network, an uplink (UL) signaling message based on a registration of the UE at the target network; trigger, at the UE, a stop intra-system measurement event for a configurable period 25 of time based on the transmission of the UL signaling message; detect, at the UE, one of a successful receipt of a response to the UL signaling message and an unsuccessful receipt of the response to the UL signaling message, in a configurable period of time; trigger, at the UE, a start intra-system measurement event based on one of the successful receipt of the response and an expiry of the configurable period of time; generate, at the UE, an intra-30 system measurement report based on the start intra-system measurement event; transmit, from the UE to the target network, the intra-system measurement report; and optimize, at
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the UE, the handover procedure based on the transmission of the intra-system measurement report to the target network.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein, and constitute a part of this 5 disclosure, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the disclosed methods and systems in which like reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the different drawings. Components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present disclosure. Some drawings may indicate the components using block diagrams and may not represent the internal circuitry of each 10 component. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that disclosure of such drawings includes disclosure of electrical components, electronic components or circuitry commonly used to implement such components.
Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary block diagram depicting an exemplary network architecture 15 diagram [100], in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention.
Figure 2 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a system [200], for optimizing a handover procedure at a user equipment (UE) [102], in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention. 20
Figure 3 illustrates an exemplary flow diagram of method [300], for optimizing a handover procedure at a user equipment (UE) [102], in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention.
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Figure 4 depicts the method [400] of an exemplary scenario for optimizing a handover procedure at the user equipment (UE) [102] during transmission of a UE registration request with a mobility registration update (MRU) to a target network [106], in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention.
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Figure 5 depicts the method [500] of an exemplary scenario for optimizing a handover procedure at the user equipment (UE) [102] during a call setup procedure at the UE [102], in
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accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention.
Figure 6 depicts the method [600] of an exemplary scenario for optimizing a handover procedure at the user equipment (UE) [102] during a call release procedure at the UE [102], in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention. 5
The foregoing shall be more apparent from the following more detailed description of the disclosure.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 10
In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, various specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent, however, that embodiments of the present disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. Several features described hereafter can each be used independently of one another or with any combination of other features. An individual 15 feature may not address all of the problems discussed above or might address only some of the problems discussed above. Some of the problems discussed above might not be fully addressed by any of the features described herein.
The ensuing description provides exemplary embodiments only, and is not intended to limit 20 the scope, applicability, or configuration of the disclosure. Rather, the ensuing description of the exemplary embodiments will provide those skilled in the art with an enabling description for implementing an exemplary embodiment. It should be understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as set forth. 25
Also, it is noted that individual embodiments may be described as a process which is depicted as a flowchart, a flow diagram, a sequence diagram, a data flow diagram, a structure diagram, or a block diagram. Although a flowchart may describe the operations as a sequential process, many of the operations can be performed in parallel or concurrently. In addition, the order of 30 the operations may be re-arranged. A process is terminated when its operations are completed but could have additional steps not included in a figure. A process may correspond
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to a method, a function, a procedure, a subroutine, a subprogram, etc. When a process corresponds to a function, its termination can correspond to a return of the function to the calling function or the main function.
Furthermore, embodiments may be implemented by hardware, software, firmware, 5 middleware, microcode, hardware description languages, or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, firmware, middleware or microcode, the program code or code segments to perform the necessary tasks (e.g., a computer-program product) may be stored in a machine-readable medium. A processor(s) may perform the necessary tasks.
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The word “exemplary” and/or “demonstrative” is used herein to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. For the avoidance of doubt, the subject matter disclosed herein is not limited by such examples. In addition, any aspect or design described herein as “exemplary” and/or “demonstrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs, nor is it meant to preclude equivalent exemplary structures and 15 techniques known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms “includes,” “has,” “contains,” and other similar words are used in either the detailed description or the claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive—in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as an open transition word—without precluding any additional or other elements. 20
Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places 25 throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only 30 and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly
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indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations 5 of one or more of the associated listed items.
The terms “target”, "first", "second", "primary", "secondary" and the like are used to distinguish one element, set, data, object, step, process, function, activity or thing from another, and are not used to designate relative position, or arrangement in time or relative 10 importance, unless otherwise stated explicitly. The terms via “connected”, "coupled", "coupled to", "coupled with" and the like as used herein each mean a relationship between or among two or more devices, apparatus, files, circuits, elements, functions, operations, processes, programs, media, components, networks, systems, subsystems, and/or means, constituting any one or more of (a) a connection, whether direct or through one or more 15 other devices, apparatus, files, circuits, elements, functions, operations, processes, programs, media, components, networks, systems, subsystems, or means, (b) a communications relationship, whether direct or through one or more other devices, apparatus, files, circuits, elements, functions, operations, processes, programs, media, components, networks, systems, subsystems, or means, and/or (c) a functional relationship in which the operation of 20 any one or more devices, apparatus, files, circuits, elements, functions, operations, processes, programs, media, components, networks, systems, subsystems, or means depends, in whole or in part, on the operation of any one or more others thereof.
The terms "transmit", “transmission”, “transmitting”, "communicate," "communicating'' and 25 the like as used herein include both conveying data from a source to a destination, and delivering data to a communications medium, system, channel, network, device, wire, cable, fiber, circuit and/or link to be conveyed to a destination and the term "communication" as used herein means data so conveyed or delivered. The term "communications" as used herein includes one or more of a communications medium, system, channel, network, device, wire, 30 cable, fiber, circuit and link.
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Moreover, terms like “user equipment” (UE), “electronic device”, “mobile station”, “user device”, “mobile subscriber station,” “access terminal,” “terminal,” “smartphone,” “smart computing device,” “smart device”, “device”, “handset,” and similar terminology refers to any electrical, electronic, electro-mechanical equipment or a combination of one or more of the above devices. Smart computing devices may include, voice and non-voice capable devices 5 such as including but not limited to, a mobile phone, smart phone, virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR) devices, pager, laptop, a general-purpose computer, desktop, personal digital assistant, tablet computer, mainframe computer, smart set top box (STB), smart speaker, smart fitness band, smart watches, or any other computing device as may be obvious to a person skilled in the art and required to implement the features of the present 10 invention. In general, a smart computing device is a digital, user configured, computer networked device that can operate autonomously. A smart computing device is one of the appropriate systems for storing data and other private/sensitive information. The said device may operate at all the seven levels of ISO reference model, but the primary function is related to the application layer along with the network, session and presentation layer with any 15 additional features of a touch screen, apps ecosystem, physical and biometric security, etc. Further, a ‘smartphone’ is one type of “smart computing device” that refers to the mobility wireless cellular connectivity device that allows end-users to use services on 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G and/or the like mobile broadband Internet connections with an advanced mobile operating system which combines features of a personal computer operating system with other 20 features useful for mobile or handheld use. These smartphones can access the Internet, have a touchscreen user interface, can run third-party apps including the capability of hosting online applications, music players and are camera phones possessing high-speed mobile broadband 4G LTE internet with video calling, hotspot functionality, motion sensors, mobile payment mechanisms and enhanced security features with alarm and alert in emergencies. 25 Mobility devices may include smartphones, wearable devices, smart-watches, smart bands, wearable augmented devices, etc. For the sake of specificity, we will refer to the mobility device to both feature phone and smartphones in this disclosure but will not limit the scope of the disclosure and may extend to any mobility device in implementing the technical solutions. The above smart devices including the smartphone as well as the feature phone 30 including IoT and the like devices enable the communication on the devices. Furthermore, the foregoing terms are utilized interchangeably in the subject specification and related drawings.
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As used herein, a “processor” or “processing unit” includes one or more processors, wherein processor refers to any logic circuitry for processing instructions. A processor may be a general-purpose processor, a special-purpose processor, a conventional processor, a digital signal processor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in association with a DSP core, a controller, a microcontroller, a low-end microcontroller, Application 5 Specific Integrated Circuits, Field Programmable Gate Array circuits, any other type of integrated circuits, etc. Furthermore, the term "processor" as used herein includes, but is not limited to one or more computers, hardwired circuits, signal modifying devices and systems, devices and machines for controlling systems, central processing units, programmable devices and systems, systems on a chip, systems comprised of discrete elements and/or 10 circuits, state machines, virtual machines, data processors, processing facilities and combinations of any of the foregoing. The processor may perform signal coding data processing, input/output processing, and/or any other functionality that enables the working of the system according to the present disclosure. More specifically, the processor or processing unit is a hardware processor. The term "processor" as used herein means 15 processing devices, apparatus, programs, circuits, components, systems and subsystems, whether implemented in hardware, tangibly-embodied software or both, and whether or not programmable.
As used herein, “memory unit”, “storage unit” and/or “memory” refers to a machine or 20 computer-readable medium including any mechanism for storing information in a form readable by a computer or similar machine. For example, a computer-readable medium includes read-only memory (“ROM”), random access memory (“RAM”), magnetic disk storage media, optical storage media, flash memory devices or other types of machine-accessible storage media. The memory unit as used herein is configured to retain data, whether on a 25 temporary or permanent basis, and to provide such retained data to various units to perform their respective functions.
As used herein the “Transceiver Unit” may include but not limited to a transmitter to transmit data to one or more destinations and a receiver to receive data from one or more sources. 30 Further, the Transceiver Unit may include any other similar unit required to implement the
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features of the present invention. The transceiver unit may convert data or information to signals and vice versa for the purpose of transmitting and receiving respectively.
As disclosed in the background section the existing technologies have many limitations and in order to overcome at least some of the limitations of the prior known solutions, the present 5 disclosure provides a novel solution for optimizing a handover procedure at the UE. More particularly, the present invention provides a solution to overcome the drawbacks of prior known solutions in the field of wireless communication systems. The present disclosure addresses the problem of collisions between UL signaling messages and Xn HO procedures, by providing a solution at the User Equipment (UE) end, where such problem can lead to 10 disruptions and failures in handover processes. Unlike prior known solutions, the present invention introduces a novel approach where the UE holds intra-system HO measurements until the desired response from the network is received for the UL signaling message. By leveraging the UE's awareness of UL signaling messages and the expectation of a network response, the present disclosure ensures that handover procedures are not compromised by 15 conflicting signaling events.
Further, the present solution in its implementation at the UE, allows for proactive management of intra-system measurements during critical signaling events. The higher layers of the UE initiate NAS signaling or SIP signaling messages, triggering dedicated events to stop 20 and resume intra-system measurements. This targeted control prevents collisions between UL signaling messages and Xn HO procedures, resulting in improved handover performance and a more seamless user experience. Furthermore, in comparison to prior known solutions, which may not effectively address the issue of said collisions, the present solution provides a comprehensive and reliable method to mitigate such conflicts. By synchronizing intra-system 25 measurements with UL signaling events and ensuring timely responses from the network till a per-defined period of time, the present disclosure minimizes disruptions, call drops, and delays that can occur during handover processes. Overall, the present disclosure offers a significant advancement in the field of wireless communication systems by overcoming the drawbacks of prior known solutions and providing an efficient and effective solution to 30 minimize collisions between UL signaling messages and Xn HO procedures.
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Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily carry out the present disclosure.
Referring to Figure 1, the Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary block diagram depicting an 5 exemplary network architecture diagram [100], in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 1, the exemplary network architecture diagram [100] comprises at least one user equipment (UE) [102] connected to at least one target network [106] via a network server [104], wherein in an implementation the UE [102] is configured in a system [200] to implement the feature of the present disclosure. Also, in an 10 implementation, the system [200] along with the UE [102] may also comprise a storage unit [204], such that the storage unit [204] may be configured within the UE [102] or the storage unit [204] may be connected to the UE [102] via a wired or a wireless connection. The UE [102] and the storage unit [204] may be configured in the system [200] in a manner as obvious to a person skilled in the art to implement the features of the present disclosure. 15
Also, in Figure 1 only the single user equipment (or may be referred to as user device) and the single target network are shown, however, there may be multiple such user equipment and/or target network or there may be any such numbers of said user equipment and/or target network as obvious to a person skilled in the art or as required to implement the 20 features of the present disclosure. Further, in the implementation where the UE [102] is present in the system [200], based on the implementation of the features of the present disclosure, a handover procedure is optimized at the user equipment (UE) [102], by triggering an event to stop sending intra-system measurement report to the target network [106] for events such as A3/A5 intra-system measurement events which indicates the RRC layer of the 25 UE [102] to not measure neighboring cell parameters and stop intra-system measurement event within the UE [102] for said A3/A5 events until a desired response to UL signaling messages is received from the target network [106] at the UE [102] or till a configurable period of time expires in a handover scenario at the UE [102].
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Referring to Figure 2, an exemplary block diagram of a system [200], for optimizing a handover procedure at a user equipment (UE) [102] is shown. The system [200] may comprise the user
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equipment (UE) [102] and a storage unit [204], wherein in an implementation the user equipment may comprises at least one transceiver unit, at least one processing unit, and at least one storage unit to implement the solution of the present disclosure. Also, in an implementation the storage unit [204] may be a part of the UE [102], whereas in another implementation the storage unit [204] may be in a connection with the UE [102]. Also, all of 5 the components/ units of the UE [102] are assumed to be connected to each other unless otherwise indicated below. Also, the UE [102] may comprise any such number of said units, as required to implement the features of the present disclosure.
The system [200] via the UE [102] is configured for optimizing a handover procedure at the 10 user equipment (UE) [102], with the help of the interconnection between the components/units of the system [200].
Particularly, to optimize the handover procedure initially the UE [102] of the system [200] is configured to transmit, from the UE [102] to a target network [106], an uplink (UL) signaling 15 message based on a registration of the UE [102] at the target network [106]. In an implementation of the present disclosure, the UL signaling message comprises one of a NAS (Non-Access Stratum) signaling message and a SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) signaling message. In an exemplary implementation of the present disclosure, the UE [102] (User Equipment) device, may encompasses a broad range of devices capable of communicating 20 with a communication network, such as 5G, 4G, 3G, and other similar networks. It should be understood that the specific examples provided, including one or more mobile devices, one or more tablets, one or more smart wearable devices, etc., are merely illustrative and not intended to be exhaustive.
25
In an exemplary implementation of the present disclosure, a 5G UE [102] (i.e., the UE [102]) is configured with a 5GS (i.e., the target network [106]) through a gNB and the 5G UE [102] is further configured with Intra-NG-RAN measurement events once it is successfully configured with the 5GS through the gNB of the 5GS. Further, through the Intra-NG-RAN measurement events, the UE [102] may handover to the best neighboring NR (New Radio) cells once the 30 serving NR cell and the neighboring NR cell meets the configured thresholds. In an implementation, the events to perform Intra-RAT HO may be predefined events i.e., Event
19
A1-A6 as disclosed by the 3GPP specification 38.331, the event A1-A6 as disclosed by the 3GPP specification 38.331 is as follows:
- Event A1 (Serving becomes better than threshold)
- Event A2 (Serving becomes worse than threshold)
- Event A3 (Neighbour becomes offset better than the special cell (SpCell)) 5
- Event A4 (Neighbour becomes better than threshold)
- Event A5 (SpCell becomes worse than threshold1 and neighbor becomes better than threshold2)
- Event A6 (Neighbour becomes offset better than the secondary cell (SCell)).
10
Therefore, in the existing systems once the configured thresholds for the Intra-NG-RAN measurement events are met at the UE [102], the UE [102] sends an intra-system measurement report. Based on the intra-system measurement report the gNB of the 5GS i.e., the gNB of the target network [106] decides to hand over the UE [102] to the reported neighboring cell. Further, the 5G UE [102] i.e., the UE [102] may send a signaling message in 15 the UL (i.e., an UL signaling message) which the gNB forwards towards the 5GC of the 5GS. In response to the UL signaling message from the UE [102], the 5GC and the gNB may perform certain actions. However, situations occur where a UL signaling message and Intra-system/radio access technology(RAT) HO procedure collide at the gNB, therefore, to handle such collision the solution as disclosed in the present disclosure is implemented. 20
Further, the scope of the embodiments as disclosed by the present disclosure extends to any device, i.e., the UE [102] that can fulfill the requirements of the UE [102] functionality and communication with a communication network, as would be obvious to a person skilled in the art. The examples provided should not be considered as limiting the applicability of the 25 embodiments to the mentioned device types or excluding other device types that are capable of similar communication functions. Further, it should be noted that the various types of UE [102] devices exist and may be developed in the future, incorporating different form factors, capabilities, and technologies. Therefore, the embodiments described in the present disclosure should be interpreted in a manner consistent with the broadest reasonable 30 interpretation of the UE [102] device, as understood by a person skilled in the art, considering
20
the advancements and variations in communication devices that are within the common knowledge of the field.
Further, the embodiments disclosed by the present disclosure refer to the target network [106], which encompasses various communication networks, including but not limited to 5G, 5 4G, 3G, and other similar networks. The examples mentioned are intended to illustrate the concept and should not be interpreted as an exhaustive list of all possible target networks [106]. Furthermore, it should be noted that the embodiments of the present disclosure are applicable to any communication network that fulfills the requirements and functionalities described herein or that would be obvious to a person skilled in the art. The selection of a 10 specific target network [106] may depend on various factors, such as technological advancements, market demands, regulatory requirements, and other considerations that evolve over time.
Further, it should be noted that the descriptions provided in the present disclosure regarding 15 the target network [106] are for illustrative purposes only. The specific characteristics, components, protocols, or technologies associated with the target network [106] may vary and are not limited to the examples mentioned. The embodiments presented should not be construed as an exhaustive or exclusive representation of all possible target networks [106] or their functionalities. 20
Furthermore, it should also be noted that the embodiments presented in the present disclosure describe a solution where the UL signaling message comprises one of the NAS signaling message and the SIP signaling message. It should be noted that other types of UL signaling messages may exist or be applicable in different contexts or implementations. The 25 examples provided are not intended to exclude or limit the scope of alternative UL signaling message types or protocols.
Further, after transmitting, from the UE [102] to the target network [106], the uplink (UL) signaling message, the UE [102] of the system [200] is configured to trigger, at the UE [102], 30 a stop intra-system measurement event for a configurable period of time based on the transmission of the UL signaling message, wherein the stop intra-system measurement event
21
is triggered to stop an intra-system measurement at the UE [102]. In an exemplary implementation of the present disclosure, the configurable period of time may be based on one or more network parameters, for example the configurable period of time may be a timer defined considering various network parameters that may be obvious to a person skilled in the art to implement the features of the present disclosure. In an implementation the timer 5 may be defined based on a manual input provided at a network operator end. Further, in an implementation of the present disclosure, the stop intra-system measurement event is triggered during one of a mobility registration update (MRU) event, a Voice over New radio (VoNR) call setup event, a VoNR call release event, an EPS fall-back call setup event and a network bearer busy event. In an implementation the network bearer busy event may occur 10 when collisions are seen whenever a ULNAStransport RRC message containing any piggy backed NAS message like Registration request, Service request or any signaling message like INVITE, BYE etc. against which the 5GC is expected to respond with a message which has to be forwarded back to the UE [102] through the GnB. In such implementation since the GnB is busy with HO, the core response is not forwarded to the UE [102]. 15
Continuing from above, in an exemplary implementation, once the UE [102] sends the UL signaling message which the gNB forwards towards the 5GC of the 5GS, thereafter a response from the 5GC is expected at the UE [102]. Thus, the UE [102] to avoid a collision between the UL signaling message and Xn HO procedure may hold the intra-system measurement by 20 triggering stop intra-system measurement event at the UE [102] until a desired response from the target network [106] such as 5GS is not received for the UL signaling message.
In an exemplary scenario, the UE [102] may send the UL signaling message via at least one of the processing unit, the transceiver unit or any such unit that may be obvious to the person 25 skilled in the art. In another implementation the UE [102] may send the UL signaling message via a software in connection with the UE [102], thereafter the gNB forwards the UL signaling message towards the 5GC of the 5GS.
Further, in another implementation, the solution as disclosed by the present disclosure may 30 be implemented at the UE [102], where the higher layers of the UE [102] may initiate the NAS (Non-Access Stratum) signaling message or the SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) signaling
22
message. Once the NAS (Non-Access Stratum) signaling message and/or the SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) signaling message is initiated by the higher layers, an event stop intra-system measurement event within the UE [102] is triggered that directs the RRC layer of the UE [102] to stop sending intra-system measurement report to the target network [106] such as 5GS. 5
Below are listed some exemplary scenarios wherein the UE [102] may hold the intra-system measurements by triggering stop intra-system measurement event until a desired response from the target network [106] such as 5GS is not received for the UL signaling message:
o During a UE registration request with a cause mobility registration update, the UE [102] 10 may stop the intra-system measurements after sending the UE registration request from the UE [102] to the target network [106] in the UL signaling message until a registration accept for the mobility registration update is received at the UE [102] in response to the UE registration request sent from the UE [102] to the target network [106]. 15
o During a VoNR call setup, the UE [102] may stop the intra-system measurements after a SIP-INVITE request is sent and delivered to the target network [106] from the UE [102] in the UL signaling message and until a PDU modification request to add 5QI bearer is received at the UE [102] in response to the SIP-INVITE request sent to the target network [106] from the UE [102] . 20
o During a VoNR call termination, the UE [102] may stop the intra-system measurements after a SIP-BYE request is sent or received and delivered to the target network [106] from the UE [102] in the UL signaling message and until a PDU modification request to delete 5QI bearer is received at the UE [102] in response to the SIP-BYE request sent to the target network [106] from the UE [102]. 25
o During EPSFB call establishment, the UE [102] may stop the intra-system measurements after a SIP-INVITE request is sent and delivered to the target network [106] from the UE [102] in the UL signaling message until the target network sends a Fall-back command in the form of Handover or release with redirection (RWR) command in response to the SIP-INVITE request sent to the target network [106] from 30 the UE [102].
23
Further, the UE [102] of the system [200] is configured to detect, at the UE [102], one of a successful receipt of a response to the UL signaling message and an unsuccessful receipt of the response to the UL signaling message, in the configurable period of time, wherein the configurable period of time may be at least one of a dynamically configured period of time and a system configured period of time. Further, in an exemplary implementation of the 5 present solution, the configurable period of time may be further optimized based on detecting at least one of the successful receipt of the response to the UL signaling message and the unsuccessful receipt of the response to the UL signaling message..
In an implementation of the preset disclosure, the response to the UL signaling message comprises: 10
o a registration accept for MRU in an event the stop intra-system measurement event is triggered during the mobility registration update (MRU) event,
o a 5QI=1 (VoNR) RWR (EPSFB) in an event the stop intra-system measurement event is triggered during the VoNR call setup event,
o a PDU modification to release 5QI=1 (VoNR) in an event the stop intra-system 15 measurement event is triggered during the VoNR call release event,
o a fall back command in a form of one of handover command and release with redirection (RWR) command in an event the stop intra-system measurement event is triggered during the EPS fall-back call setup event, and
o a target response from a network bearer of the target network [106] in an event in 20 an event the stop intra-system measurement event is triggered during the network bearer busy event, wherein the target response is a desired response that is to be received at the UE [102] and may be obvious to the person skilled in the art.
Further, the UE [102] of the system [200] is configured to trigger, at the UE [102], a start intra-25 system measurement event based on one of the successful receipt of the response and an expiry of the configurable period of time. The start intra-system measurement event comprises initiating the intra-system measurement at the UE [102] to generate an intra-system measurement report. Continuing from above, in an exemplary implementation, once the desired response (i.e., the response to the UL signaling message) from the target network 30 [106] is received at the UE [102], the higher layers of the UE [102] may trigger an event called the start intra-system measurement event within the UE [102] and direct the RRC layer of the
24
UE [102] to resume sending intra-system measurement report. Also, in an event the desired response (i.e., the response to the UL signaling message) from the target network [106] is not received at the UE [102] but the expiry of the configurable period of time is detected at the UE [102], the higher layers of the UE [102] may trigger the event called the start intra-system measurement event within the UE [102] and direct the RRC layer of the UE [102] to resume 5 sending intra-system measurement report.
Further, the UE [102] of the system [200] is configured to generate, at the UE [102], the intra-system measurement report based on the start intra-system measurement event. Next, the UE [102] of the system [200] is configured to transmit, from the UE [102] to the target network 10 [106], the intra-system measurement report. Thereafter, the UE [102] of the system [200] is configured to optimize, at the UE [102], the handover procedure based on the transmission of the intra-system measurement report to the target network [106]. Particularly, the UE [102] based on the implementation of the features of the present disclosure avoid failures mainly happening due to collisions and improves network KPIs and customer experience. 15
Referring to Figure 3, an exemplary flow diagram of method [300], for optimizing a handover procedure at a user equipment (UE) [102], in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention is shown. In an implementation the method [300] is performed by the system [200]. Further, in an implementation, the system [200] may comprise the user 20 equipment (UE) [102]to implement the features of the present invention. Also, as shown in Figure 3, the method [300] starts at step [302].
At step [304], the method [300] comprises transmitting, from the UE [102] to a target network [106], an uplink (UL) signaling message based on a registration of the UE [102] at the target 25 network [106], wherein the UL signaling message comprises one of a NAS (Non-Access Stratum) signaling message and a SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) signaling message. In an exemplary implementation of the present disclosure, the UE [102] (User Equipment) device, may encompasses a broad range of devices capable of communicating with a communication network, such as 5G, 4G, 3G, and other similar networks. It should be understood that the 30 specific examples provided, including one or more mobile devices, one or more tablets, one
25
or more smart wearable devices, etc., are merely illustrative and not intended to be exhaustive.
In an exemplary implementation of the present disclosure, a 5G UE [102] (i.e., the UE [102]) is configured with a 5GS (i.e., the target network [106]) through a gNB and the 5G UE [102] is 5 further configured with Intra-NG-RAN measurement events once it is successfully configured with the 5GS through the gNB of the 5GS. Further, through the Intra-NG-RAN measurement events, the UE [102] may handover to the best neighboring NR (New Radio) cells once the serving NR cell and the neighboring NR cell meets the configured thresholds. In an implementation, the events to perform Intra-RAT HO may be predefined events i.e., Event 10 A1-A6 as disclosed by the 3GPP specification 38.331, the event A1-A6 as disclosed by the 3GPP specification 38.331 is as follows:
- Event A1 (Serving becomes better than threshold)
- Event A2 (Serving becomes worse than threshold)
- Event A3 (Neighbour becomes offset better than the special cell (SpCell)) 15
- Event A4 (Neighbour becomes better than threshold)
- Event A5 (SpCell becomes worse than threshold1 and neighbor becomes better than threshold2)
- Event A6 (Neighbour becomes offset better than the secondary cell (SCell)).
20
Therefore, in the existing systems once the configured thresholds for the Intra-NG-RAN measurement events are met at the UE [102], the UE [102] sends an intra-system measurement report. Based on the intra-system measurement report the gNB of the 5GS i.e., the gNB of the target network [106] decides to hand over the UE [102] to the reported neighboring cell. Further, the 5G UE [102] i.e., the UE [102] may send a signaling message in 25 the UL (i.e., an UL signaling message) which the gNB forwards towards the 5GC of the 5GS. In response to the UL signaling message from the UE [102], the 5GC and the gNB may perform certain actions. However, situations occur where a UL signaling message and Intra-system/radio access technology(RAT) HO procedure collide at the gNB, therefore, to handle such collision the solution as disclosed in the present disclosure is implemented. 30
26
Further, the scope of the embodiments as disclosed by the present disclosure extends to any device, i.e., the UE [102] that can fulfill the requirements of the UE [102] functionality and communication with a communication network, as would be obvious to a person skilled in the art. The examples provided should not be considered as limiting the applicability of the embodiments to the mentioned device types or excluding other device types that are capable 5 of similar communication functions. Further, it should be noted that the various types of UE [102] devices exist and may be developed in the future, incorporating different form factors, capabilities, and technologies. Therefore, the embodiments described in the present disclosure should be interpreted in a manner consistent with the broadest reasonable interpretation of the UE [102] device, as understood by a person skilled in the art, considering 10 the advancements and variations in communication devices that are within the common knowledge of the field.
Further, the embodiments disclosed by the present disclosure refer to the target network [106], which encompasses various communication networks, including but not limited to 5G, 15 4G, 3G, and other similar networks. The examples mentioned are intended to illustrate the concept and should not be interpreted as an exhaustive list of all possible target network [106]s. Furthermore, it should be noted that the embodiments of the present disclosure are applicable to any communication network that fulfills the requirements and functionalities described herein or that would be obvious to a person skilled in the art. The selection of a 20 specific target network [106] may depend on various factors, such as technological advancements, market demands, regulatory requirements, and other considerations that evolve over time.
Further, it should be noted that the descriptions provided in the present disclosure regarding 25 the target network [106] are for illustrative purposes only. The specific characteristics, components, protocols, or technologies associated with the target network [106] may vary and are not limited to the examples mentioned. The embodiments presented should not be construed as an exhaustive or exclusive representation of all possible target networks [106]or their functionalities. 30
27
Furthermore, it should also be noted that the embodiments presented in the present disclosure describe a method [300] where the UL signaling message comprises one of the NAS signaling message and the SIP signaling message. It should be noted that other types of UL signaling messages may exist or be applicable in different contexts or implementations. The examples provided are not intended to exclude or limit the scope of alternative UL signaling 5 message types or protocols.
Next, after transmitting, from the UE [102] to the target network [106], the uplink (UL) signaling message, at step [306], the method [300] comprises triggering, at the UE [102], a stop intra-system measurement event for a configurable period of time based on the 10 transmission of the UL signaling message, wherein the stop intra-system measurement event is triggered to stop an intra-system measurement at the UE [102]. In an exemplary implementation of the present disclosure, the configurable period of time may be based on one or more network parameters, for example the configurable period of time may be a timer defined considering various network parameters that may be obvious to a person skilled in 15 the art to implement the features of the present disclosure. In an implementation the timer may be defined based on a manual input provided at a network operator end. Further, in an implementation of the present disclosure, the stop intra-system measurement event is triggered during one of a mobility registration update (MRU) event, a Voice over New radio (VoNR) call setup event, a VoNR call release event, an EPS fall-back call setup event and a 20 network bearer busy event. In an implementation the network bearer busy event may occur when collisions are seen whenever a ULNAStransport RRC message containing any piggy backed NAS message like Registration request, Service request or any signaling message like INVITE, BYE etc. against which the 5GC is expected to respond with a message which has to be forwarded back to the UE [102] through the GnB. In such implementation since the GnB is 25 busy with HO, the core response is not forwarded to the UE [102].
Continuing from above, in an exemplary implementation, once the UE [102] sends the UL signaling message which the gNB forwards towards the 5GC of the 5GS, thereafter a response from the 5GC is expected at the UE [102]. Thus, the UE [102] to avoid a collision between the 30 UL signaling message and Xn HO procedure may hold the intra-system measurement by
28
triggering stop intra-system measurement event at the UE [102] until a desired response from the target network [106] such as 5GS is not received for the UL signaling message.
In an exemplary scenario, the UE [102] may send the UL signaling message via at least one of the processing unit, the transceiver unit or any such unit that may be obvious to the person 5 skilled in the art. In another implementation the UE [102] may send the UL signaling message via a software in connection with the UE [102], thereafter the gNB forwards the UL signaling message towards the 5GC of the 5GS.
Further, in another implementation, the solution as disclosed by the present disclosure may 10 be implemented at the UE [102], where the higher layers of the UE [102] may initiate the NAS (Non-Access Stratum) signaling message or the SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) signaling message. Once the NAS (Non-Access Stratum) signaling message and/or the SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) signaling message is initiated by the higher layers, an event stop intra-system measurement event within the UE [102] is triggered that directs the RRC layer of the 15 UE [102] to stop sending intra-system measurement report to the target network [106] such as 5GS.
Below are listed some exemplary scenarios wherein the UE [102] may hold the intra-system measurements by triggering stop intra-system measurement event until a desired response 20 from the target network [106] such as 5GS is not received for the UL signaling message:
o During a UE registration request with a cause mobility registration update, the UE [102] may stop the intra-system measurements after sending the UE registration request from the UE [102] to the target network [106] in the UL signaling message until a registration accept for the mobility registration update is received at the UE [102] in 25 response to the UE registration request sent from the UE [102] to the target network [106].
o During a VoNR call setup, the UE [102] may stop the intra-system measurements after a SIP-INVITE request is sent and delivered to the target network [106] from the UE [102] in the UL signaling message and until a PDU modification request to add 5QI 30 bearer is received at the UE [102] in response to the SIP-INVITE request sent to the target network [106] from the UE [102] .
29
o During a VoNR call termination, the UE [102] may stop the intra-system measurements after a SIP-BYE request is sent or received and delivered to the target network [106] from the UE [102] in the UL signaling message and until a PDU modification request to delete 5QI bearer is received at the UE [102] in response to the SIP-BYE request sent to the target network [106] from the UE [102]. 5
o During EPSFB call establishment, the UE [102] may stop the intra-system measurements after a SIP-INVITE request is sent and delivered to the target network [106] from the UE [102] in the UL signaling message until the target network sends a Fall-back command in the form of Handover or release with redirection (RWR) command in response to the SIP-INVITE request sent to the target network [106] from 10 the UE [102].
Next, at step [308], the method [300] comprises detecting, at the UE [102], one of a successful receipt of a response to the UL signaling message and an unsuccessful receipt of the response to the UL signaling message, in the configurable period of time, wherein the configurable 15 period of time may be at least one of a dynamically configured period of time and a system configured period of time. Further, in an exemplary implementation of the present solution, the configurable period of time may be further optimized based on detecting at least one of the successful receipt of the response to the UL signaling message and the unsuccessful receipt of the response to the UL signaling message. 20
In an implementation of the preset disclosure, the response to the UL signaling message comprises:
o a registration accept for MRU in an event the stop intra-system measurement event is triggered during the mobility registration update (MRU) event, 25
o a 5QI=1 (VoNR) RWR (EPSFB) in an event the stop intra-system measurement event is triggered during the VoNR call setup event,
o a PDU modification to release 5QI=1 (VoNR) in an event the stop intra-system measurement event is triggered during the VoNR call release event,
o a fall back command in a form of one of handover command and release with 30 redirection (RWR) command in an event the stop intra-system measurement event is triggered during the EPS fall-back call setup event, and
30
o a target response from a network bearer of the target network [106] in an event in an event the stop intra-system measurement event is triggered during the network bearer busy event, wherein the target response is a desired response that is to be received at the UE [102] and may be obvious to the person skilled in the art.
5
Next, at step [310], the method [300] comprises triggering, at the UE [102], a start intra-system measurement event based on one of the successful receipt of the response and an expiry of the configurable period of time. The start intra-system measurement event comprises initiating the intra-system measurement at the UE [102] to generate an intra-system measurement report. Continuing from above, in an exemplary implementation, once 10 the desired response (i.e., the response to the UL signaling message) from the target network [106] is received at the UE [102], the higher layers of the UE [102] may trigger an event called the start intra-system measurement event within the UE [102] and direct the RRC layer of the UE [102] to resume sending intra-system measurement report. Also, in an event the desired response (i.e., the response to the UL signaling message) from the target network [106] is not 15 received at the UE [102] but the expiry of the configurable period of time is detected at the UE [102], the higher layers of the UE [102] may trigger the event called the start intra-system measurement event within the UE [102] and direct the RRC layer of the UE [102] to resume sending intra-system measurement report.
20
Next, at step [312], the method [300] comprises generating, at the UE [102], an intra-system measurement report based on the start intra-system measurement event.
Next, at step [314] the method [300] comprises transmitting, from the UE [102] to the target network [106], the intra-system measurement report, and next, at step [316] the method 25 [300] comprises optimizing, at the UE [102], the handover procedure based on the transmission of the intra-system measurement report to the target network [106]. Particularly, the method [300] via the UE [102] based on the implementation of the features of the present disclosure avoid failures mainly happening due to collisions and improves network KPIs and customer experience. 30
Thereafter, the method [300] terminates at step [318].
31
Referring to figure 4, the figure 4 depicts the method [400] of an exemplary scenario for optimizing a handover procedure at the user equipment (UE) [102] during transmission of a UE registration request with a mobility registration update (MRU) to a target network [106], in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention . The method [400] start at step [402]. Next, the method [400] moves to step [404], at step [404], the UE [102] registers 5 to a target network [106] (i.e., a 5G network). Next, the method at step [406], the NAS layer of the UE [102] sends the UE registration request with the mobility registration update to 5G core/IMS/RAN. Further, at step [408], the method triggers a stop A3/A5 measurement event to stop sending intra-system measurement report to the target network [106] for A3 and/or A5 intra-system measurement events which will indicate the RRC layer of the UE [102] to not 10 measure neighboring cells and stop intra-system measurement event within the UE [102] for A3/A5 event until the NAS layer of the UE [102] receives the a registration accept for MRU from the target network [106] in response to the mobility registration update (MRU) event.
Next, at step [410], the method comprises detecting one of a successful receipt of a 15 registration accept for the mobility registration update (MRU) and an unsuccessful receipt of a registration accept for the mobility registration update (MRU), in a configurable period of time.
Next, at step [412], the method comprises detecting an expiry of the configurable period of time (i.e., the timer expiry) based on the unsuccessful receipt of a registration accept for the 20 mobility registration update (MRU).
Next, at step [414], the method comprises triggering a start A3/A5 measurement event to start sending the intra-system measurement report to the target network [106] for A3 and/or A5 intra-system measurement events which will indicate the RRC layer of the UE [102] to start 25 measuring neighboring cells and start intra-system measurement event within the UE [102] for A3/A5 event based on the detecting the expiry of the configurable period of time (i.e., the timer expiry) or the successful receipt of the registration accept for the mobility registration update (MRU).
30
32
Next, at step [416], the method comprises indicating by the UE [102] to the RRC Layer of the UE [102] to start transmitting the intra-system measurement report to the target network [106].
Particularly, once registration accept is received by the NAS layer of the UE [102] in response 5 to the mobility registration update (MRU) event, the NAS Layer of the UE [102] overwrites the existing event i.e., the mobility registration update (MRU) event with a new event to start transmitting the intra-system measurement report to the target network [106] and indicate the RRC Layer of the UE [102] to start measuring neighboring cells and start transmitting intra-system measurement report. The mobility registration update (MRU) event may also be 10 associated with a timer i.e., the configurable period of time which will stop on receiving the registration accept for MRU at the UE [102] from the target network [106] in response to the mobility registration update (MRU) event and expire if the registration accept for MRU from the target network [106] in response to the mobility registration update (MRU) event is not received at the UE [102] in the configurable period of time. Upon expiry of the timer i.e., the 15 configurable period of time, the NAS layer of the UE [102] would indicate the RRC Layer of the UE [102] to start transmitting the intra-system measurement report to the target network [106].
Thereafter, the method terminates at step [418]. 20
Now, referring to figure 5, the figure 5 depicts the method [500] of an exemplary scenario for optimizing a handover procedure at the user equipment (UE) [102] during a call setup procedure at the UE [102], in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention. The method [500] start at step [502]. Next, the method [500] moves to step [504], 25 at step [504], the UE [102] registers to a target network [106] (i.e., a 5G network). Next, the method at step [506], the IP Multimedia Core Network Subsystem (IMS) layer of the UE [102] upon sends a SIP-INVITE from the UE [102] to the target network [106]. The IMS layer sends MO Invite to 5G core/IMS/RAN and the 5G core/IMS/RAN sends MT Invite to the UE [102]. Further, at step [508], the method triggers a stop A3/A5 measurement event to stop sending 30 intra-system measurement report to the target network [106] for A3/A5 intra-system measurement events which will indicate the RRC layer of the UE [102] to not measure
33
neighboring cells and stop intra-system measurement event within the UE [102] for A3/A5 event until the NAS Layer of the UE [102] receives a PDU modification request to add 5QI 1 bearer in case of VoNR call or the RRC Layer of the UE [102] receives EPS Fall Back command in the form of Release with redirection or Hand over request from the target network [106] in case of non-VoNR call. 5
Next, at step [510], the method comprises detecting one of a successful receipt of a 5QI=1 for VoNR call or RWR for EPSFB call and an unsuccessful receipt of the 5QI=1 for VoNR call or RWR for EPSFB call, in a configurable period of time.
10
Next, at step [512], the method comprises detecting an expiry of the configurable period of time (i.e., the SIP cancel/invalid) based on the unsuccessful receipt of the 5QI=1 for VoNR call or RWR for EPSFB call.
Next, at step [514], the method comprises triggering a start A3/A5 measurement event to 15 start sending the intra-system measurement report to the target network [106] for A3 and/or A5 intra-system measurement events which will indicate the RRC layer of the UE [102] to start measuring neighboring cells and start intra-system measurement event within the UE [102] for A3/A5 event based on the detecting the expiry of the configurable period of time (i.e., the SIP cancel/invalid) or the successful receipt of the 5QI=1 for VoNR call or RWR for EPSFB call. 20
Next, at step [516], the method comprises indicating by the UE [102] to the RRC Layer of the UE [102] to start transmitting the intra-system measurement report to the target network [106].
25
Particulary, once the above stated response is received, the NAS Layer of the UE [102] in case of VoNR call at the UE [102] overwrites the existing event i.e., the SIP-INVITE with a new event to start transmitting the intra-system measurement report to the target network [106] and indicate the RRC Layer of the UE [102] to start measuring neighboring cells and start 30 transmitting intra-system measurement report. The SIP-INVITE event will also be associated with a configurable timer i.e., the configurable period of time that is associated with the SIP-
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INVITE which expires if the Call setup fails due the IMS signaling delay from the target network [106] or a failure detected with respect to the QOS(5QI 1 establishment) or delay upon expiry of the timer i.e., the configurable period of time. Then the IMS layer of the UE [102] would send a CANCEL/INVALID to the network and will also indicate the RRC layer of the UE [102] to start transmitting the intra-system measurement report to the target network [106]. 5
Thereafter, the method terminates at step [518].
Now, referring to figure 6, the figure 6 depicts the method [600] of an exemplary scenario for optimizing a handover procedure at the user equipment (UE) [102] during a call release 10 procedure at the UE [102], in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention. The method [600] start at step [602]. Next, the method [600] moves to step [604], at step [604], the UE [102] registers to a target network [106] (i.e., a 5G network). Next, the method at step [606], the IP Multimedia Core Network Subsystem (IMS) layer of the UE [102] upon sends a BYE from the UE [102] to the target network [106]. The IMS layer sends MO BYE 15 to 5G core/IMS/RAN and the 5G core/IMS/RAN sends MT BYE to the UE [102]. Further, at step [608], the UE [102] triggers an event to stop sending intra-system measurement report to the target network [106] for A3/A5 intra-system measurement events which will indicate the RRC layer of the UE [102] to not measure neighboring cells and stop intra-system measurement event within the UE [102] for A3/A5 event until the NAS Layer of the receives from the target 20 network [106] at the UE [102] a PDU modification request to delete 5QI 1 bearer in case of VoNR call.
Next, at step [610], the method comprises detecting one of a successful receipt of the PDU modification to release 5QI 1 bearer in case of VoNR call and an unsuccessful receipt of the 25 PDU modification to release 5QI 1 bearer in case of VoNR call, in a configurable period of time.
Next, at step [612], the method comprises detecting an expiry of the configurable period of time (i.e., the timer expiry) based on the unsuccessful receipt of the PDU modification to release 5QI 1 bearer in case of VoNR call. 30
35
Next, at step [614], the method comprises triggering a start A3/A5 measurement event to start sending the intra-system measurement report to the target network [106] for A3 and/or A5 intra-system measurement events which will indicate the RRC layer of the UE [102] to start measuring neighboring cells and start intra-system measurement event within the UE [102] for A3/A5 event based on the detecting the expiry of the configurable period of time (i.e., the 5 timer expiry) or the successful receipt of the PDU modification to release 5QI 1 bearer in case of VoNR call.
Next, at step [616], the method comprises indicating by the UE [102] to the RRC Layer of the UE [102] to start transmitting the intra-system measurement report to the target network 10 [106].
Particularly, once the above stated response is received, the NAS Layer of the UE [102] in case of VoNR call at the UE [102] overwrites the existing event i.e., the BYE with a new event to start transmitting the intra-system measurement report to the target network [106] and 15 indicate the RRC Layer of the UE [102] to start measuring neighboring cells and start transmitting intra-system measurement report. The BYE event will also be associated with a timer i.e., the configurable period of time which will stop on receiving the PDU modification request to delete the 5QI 1 bearer and expire if the PDU modification request to delete 5QI 1 bearer is not received at the UE [102] from the target network [106] in the configurable period 20 of time. Upon expiry of the timer i.e., the configurable period of time, the NAS layer of the UE [102] would indicate the RRC layer of the UE [102] to start transmitting the intra-system measurement report to the target network [106].
Thereafter, the method [600] terminates at step [618]. 25
The proposed solution, as disclosed in the present disclosure, introduces a novel approach to address the problem of collisions between UL signaling messages and Xn HO procedures at the user equipment (UE) [102] end. By leveraging the UE [102]'s awareness of UL signaling messages and the expectation of a response from the 5GC, the solution offers a unique 30 method [300] to mitigate the occurrence of such collisions. It introduces the concept of
36
holding intra-system HO measurements until the desired response from the network is received, thereby ensuring a smoother handover process.
Further, the present disclosure discloses a technical solution that involves implementing specific functionalities within the UE [102] to enable the avoidance of collisions between UL 5 signaling messages and Xn HO procedures. At the higher layers of the UE [102], NAS or SIP signaling messages are initiated. Upon initiation, a dedicated event called "Stop intra-system measurements" is triggered within the UE [102], instructing the RRC layer to cease sending any intra-system measurement reports to the network. This temporary suspension of measurements ensures that the ongoing UL signaling message and the Xn HO procedure do 10 not interfere with each other. Once the network responds with the desired message for the UL signaling, another event called "Resume intra-system measurements" is triggered within the higher layers of the UE [102]. This event directs the RRC layer to resume sending intra-system measurement reports, ensuring the continuous flow of accurate measurement data for efficient handover decision-making. 15
Further, the technical solution as disclosed in the present disclosure has the technical effect of significantly reducing the occurrence of collisions between UL signaling messages and Xn HO procedures, leading to improved handover performance in wireless communication system [200]s. By intelligently managing intra-system HO measurements and synchronizing 20 them with UL signaling events, the present disclosure minimizes disruptions and failures that could arise from these collisions. The technical effect of the proposed solution is threefold. First, it enhances the reliability of handovers by preventing conflicts between UL signaling messages and ongoing HO procedures. Second, it ensures the accurate transmission of measurement reports to the network, enabling better-informed handover decisions. Finally, 25 it improves the overall user experience by minimizing call drops, data disruptions, and delays during handover processes. For instance, during a registration request with a mobility registration update, the solution stops intra-system measurements until the UE [102] receives a registration acceptance for the update. Similarly, during VoNR call setup and termination, intra-system measurements are temporarily halted until specific responses are received. In 30 EPSFB call establishment, the solution suspends intra-system measurements until the
37
network provides a fallback command. These examples demonstrate the diverse applications of the solution in various scenarios, further emphasizing its technical efficacy.
While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in 5 the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the present disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter to be implemented merely as illustrative of the present disclosure and not as limitation.
We claim:
1. A method [300] for optmizing a handover procedure at a user equipment (UE) [102],
the method [300] comprising:
o transmitng, from the UE [102] to a target network [106], an uplink (UL) signaling
message based on a registraton of the UE [102] at the target network [106]; o triggering, at the UE [102], a stop intra-system measurement event for a
confgurable period of tme based on the transmission of the UL signaling message; o detectng, at the UE [102], one of a successful receipt of a response to the UL
signaling message and an unsuccessful receipt of the response to the UL signaling
message, in the confgurable period of tme; o triggering, at the UE [102], a start intra-system measurement event based on one
of the successful receipt of the response and an expiry of the confgurable period
of tme; o generatng, at the UE [102], an intra-system measurement report based on the
start intra-system measurement event; o transmitng, from the UE [102] to the target network [106], the intra-system
measurement report; and o optmizing, at the UE [102], the handover procedure based on the transmission of
the intra-system measurement report to the target network [106].
2. The method [300] as claimed in claim 1, wherein the UL signaling message comprises one of a NAS signaling message and a SIP signaling message.
3. The method [300] as claimed in claim 1, wherein the stop intra-system measurement event is triggered to stop an intra-system measurement at the UE [102].
4. The method [300] as claimed in claim 1, wherein the start intra-system measurement event comprises initatng the intra-system measurement at the UE [102] to generate the intra-system measurement report.
5. The method [300] as claimed in claim 1, wherein the confgurable period of tme is at least one of a dynamically confgured period of tme and a system confgured period of tme.
6. The method [300] as claimed in claim 1, wherein the stop intra-system measurement event is triggered during one of a mobility registraton update (MRU) event, a VoNR

call setup event, a VoNR call release event, an EPS fall-back call setup event and a network bearer busy event.
7. The method [300] as claimed in claim 6, wherein the response to the UL signaling
message comprises:
o a registraton accept for MRU in an event the stop intra-system measurement
event is triggered during the mobility registraton update (MRU) event, o a 5QI=1 (VoNR) RWR (EPSFB) in an event the stop intra-system measurement event
is triggered during the VoNR call setup event, o a PDU modifcaton to release 5QI=1 (VoNR) in an event the stop intra-system
measurement event is triggered during the VoNR call release event, o a fall back command in a form of one of handover command and release with
redirecton (RWR) command in an event the stop intra-system measurement event
is triggered during the EPS fall-back call setup event, and o a target response from a network bearer of the target network [106] in an event in
an event the stop intra-system measurement event is triggered during the network
bearer busy event.
8. A system [200] for optmizing a handover procedure at a user equipment (UE) [102],
the system [200] comprises:
a storage unit [204]; and
the UE [102], wherein the UE [102] is confgured to:
o transmit, from the UE [102] to a target network [106], an uplink (UL) signaling
message based on a registraton of the UE [102] at the target network [106]; o trigger, at the UE [102], a stop intra-system measurement event for a confgurable
period of tme based on the transmission of the UL signaling message; o detect, at the UE [102], one of a successful receipt of a response to the UL signaling
message and an unsuccessful receipt of the response to the UL signaling message,
in the confgurable period of tme; o trigger, at the UE [102], a start intra-system measurement event based on one of
the successful receipt of the response and an expiry of the confgurable period of
tme; o generate, at the UE [102], an intra-system measurement report based on the start
intra-system measurement event;

o transmit, from the UE [102] to the target network [106], the intra-system
measurement report; and o optmize, at the UE [102], the handover procedure based on the transmission of
the intra-system measurement report to the target network [106].
9. The system [200] as claimed in claim 8, wherein the UL signaling message comprises one of a NAS signaling message and a SIP signaling message.
10. The system [200] as claimed in claim 8, wherein the stop intra-system measurement event is triggered to stop an intra-system measurement at the UE [102].
11. The system [200] as claimed in claim 8, wherein the start intra-system measurement event comprises initatng the intra-system measurement at the UE [102] to generate the intra-system measurement report.
12. The system [200] as claimed in claim 8, wherein the confgurable period of tme is at least one of a dynamically confgured period of tme and a system confgured period of tme.
13. The system [200] as claimed in claim 8, wherein the stop intra-system measurement event is triggered during one of a mobility registraton update (MRU) event, a VoNR call setup event, a VoNR call release event, an EPS fall-back call setup event and a network bearer busy event.
14. The system [200] as claimed in claim 13, wherein the response to the UL signaling message comprises:
o a registraton accept for MRU in an event the stop intra-system measurement
event is triggered during the mobility registraton update (MRU) event, o a 5QI=1 (VoNR) RWR (EPSFB) in an event the stop intra-system measurement event
is triggered during the VoNR call setup event, o a PDU modifcaton to release 5QI=1 (VoNR) in an event the stop intra-system
measurement event is triggered during the VoNR call release event, o a fall back command in a form of one of handover command and release with
redirecton (RWR) command in an event the stop intra-system measurement event
is triggered during the EPS fall-back call setup event, and o a target response from a network bearer of the target network [106] in an event in
an event the stop intra-system measurement event is triggered during the network
bearer busy event.

15. A user equipment (UE) [102] for optmizing a handover procedure at the UE [102], the UE [102] is confgured to: o transmit, from the UE [102] to a target network [106], an uplink (UL) signaling
message based on a registraton of the UE [102] at the target network [106]; o trigger, at the UE [102], a stop intra-system measurement event for a confgurable
period of tme based on the transmission of the UL signaling message; o detect, at the UE [102], one of a successful receipt of a response to the UL signaling
message and an unsuccessful receipt of the response to the UL signaling message,
in a confgurable period of tme; o trigger, at the UE [102], a start intra-system measurement event based on one of
the successful receipt of the response and an expiry of the confgurable period of
tme; o generate, at the UE [102], an intra-system measurement report based on the start
intra-system measurement event; o transmit, from the UE [102] to the target network [106], the intra-system
measurement report; and o optmize, at the UE [102], the handover procedure based on the transmission of
the intra-system measurement report to the target network [106].