Methods and apparatus for quickly exploiting a new link during hand-off in a wireless network

摘要

A way to deliver traffic to a mobile node that is undergoing a hand off between two Access Routers (AR) is described. The method of the present invention operates to perform some or all of the following: decrease, e.g., minimize, delays between the time the old link breaks and the first packet is sent from the new link; reduce and/or eliminate packet bursts from old to new AR when an old (existing) link breaks; ensure that packets are neither lost nor duplicated during hand off; maintain QoS control of delivery order to the MN; make good or best use of multiple links during make-before-break hand-off; and support both uplink and downlink traffic.

主权项

1. A method for handing off a wireless link from an old access router to a new access router, comprising:
receiving a first flow from a home agent before a hand-off indication is received; receiving a second flow from the home agent after the hand-off indication is received; determining that a wireless link is no longer usable after a first portion of the first flow is sent to a mobile node on the wireless link; and forwarding, based on the determining, the second flow after a second portion of the first flow, wherein the forwarding is performed by the old access router, wherein the old access router is distinct from the home agent, and wherein the old access router forwards the second flow to the new access router.