Handover mechanism in cellular networks

摘要

Systems, apparatuses, and methods for a handover procedure in heterogeneous networks are provided. In particular, an intermediate handover (IHO) is introduced. Certain aspects of the disclosure involve, a method, performed at a first base station of a wireless communications network. An indication that a user equipment (UE) is receiving coverage signal from a second base station can be received. A data packet destined for the UE can be transmitted to the second base station. A communications link with the UE can be maintained after transmitting the data packet to the second base station.

主权项

1. A method performed at a first base station of a wireless communications network, the method comprising:
receiving an indication that a user equipment (UE) is receiving coverage signal from a second base station; forwarding data packets destined for the UE to the second base station; maintaining a RRC_connected state with the UE after forwarding the data packets destined for the UE to the second base station, wherein maintaining the RRC_connected state with the UE comprises:
sending, from the first base station to the UE, a first Radio Resource Control (RRC) message after forwarding the data packets; andin response to the first RRC message, receiving, at the first base station, a second RRC message from the UE; receiving a data packet destined for an Evolved Packet Core (EPC) from the second base station; decrypting the data packet destined for the EPC to form Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) Service Data Unit (SDU); forwarding the data packet destined for the EPC to the EPC; and maintaining a communications link with the UE after forwarding the data packet destined for the EPC from the second base station.