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EP-4740630-A1 - METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CLEANUP OF NETWORK RESOURCES AFTER HANDOVER PROCEDURE

EP4740630A1EP 4740630 A1EP4740630 A1EP 4740630A1EP-4740630-A1

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a system and method for managing network resources subsequent to a handover procedure in a communication network The disclosure encompasses: initiating, by an AMF unit [106], a guard timer after successful handover of a UE [102] from a source network to a target network; monitoring, by the AMF unit [106], for a deregistration request from a UDM [124] for the UE [102] within a predetermined boundary time set by the guard timer; and initiating, by the AMF unit [106], a cleanup procedure for a set of network resources, corresponding to the handover, allocated to the UE [102] in absence of receiving the deregistration request from the UDM [124] before expiry of the guard timer, wherein the cleanup procedure comprises releasing the set of network resources, for the handover, allocated at the AMF unit [106], SMF unit [108], and Policy Control Function (PCF) unit [122].

Inventors

  • BISHT, BIRENDRA
  • BHATNAGAR, AAYUSH
  • Singh, Harbinder Pal
  • LUTHRA, GAURAV
  • SINGH, SUMIT
  • JAISWAL, Rakesh Kumar
  • JAT, Saniya
  • KUMAR, RAHUL

Assignees

  • Jio Platforms Limited

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20240611

Claims (19)

  1. 1. A method for managing network resources subsequent to a handover procedure in a communication network, the method comprising: initiating, by an access and mobility management function (AMF) unit [106], a guard timer after successful handover of a User Equipment (UE) [102] from a source network to a target network; monitoring, by the AMF unit [106], for a deregistration request from a Unified Data Management (UDM) unit [124] for the UE [102] within a predetermined boundary time set by the guard timer; and initiating, by the AMF unit [106], a cleanup procedure for a set of network resources, corresponding to the handover, allocated to the UE [102] in absence of receiving the deregistration request from the UDM [124] before expiry of the guard timer, wherein the cleanup procedure comprises releasing the set of network resources allocated, for the handover, at the AMF unit [106], Session Management Function (SMF) unit [108], and Policy Control Function (PCF) unit [122],
  2. 2. The method as claimed in claim 1, comprises invoking, by the AMF unit [106], a Release session management (SM) Context service operation towards the SMF unit [108] to release a set of protocol data unit (PDU) sessions for the UE [102] as part of the cleanup procedure.
  3. 3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the guard timer is configured based on a predetermined value that corresponds to an expected time frame within which the deregistration request from the UDM unit [124] should be received post-handover.
  4. 4. The method of claim 1, comprises initiating, by the AMF unit [106], a UE Policy Association termination procedure to delete UE policy and access and mobility (AM) policy associated resources with the PCF unit [122] as part of the cleanup procedure.
  5. 5. The method of claim 1, comprises halting, by the AMF unit [106], the cleanup procedure if the deregistration request from the UDM unit [ 124] is received before the expiry of the guard timer.
  6. 6. The method as claimed in claim 1, comprises transmitting, by the AMF unit [106], a deregistration service operation towards the UDM unit [124] to remove the association with the UE [102] following the cleanup procedure.
  7. 7. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the guard timer is configurable.
  8. 8. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising maintaining, by the AMF unit [106], the network resources and session continuity if the UDM [124] deregistration request is received before the expiration of the guard timer.
  9. 9. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the source network comprises at least one of a Next Generation Radio Access Network (NGRAN) and Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN), and the target network comprises at least one of the NGRAN and the E-UTRAN.
  10. 10. A system for managing network resources subsequent to a handover procedure in a communication network, the system comprising: an access and mobility management function (AMF) unit [106] comprising: a processing unit [202] configured to initiate a guard timer after successful handover of a User Equipment (UE) [102] from a source network to a target network; a monitoring unit [204] configured to monitor for a deregistration request from a Unified Data Management (UDM) unit [124] for the UE [102] within a predetermined boundary time set by the guard timer; and the processing unit [202] configured to initiate a cleanup procedure for a set of network resources, corresponding to the handover, allocated to the UE [102] in absence of receiving the deregistration request from the UDM unit [124] before expiry of the guard timer, wherein the cleanup procedure comprises releasing the set of network resources, for the handover, at the AMF unit [106], Session Management Function (SMF) unit [108], and Policy Control Function (PCF) unit [122],
  11. 11. The system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the processing unit [202] is configured to invoke a Release session management (SM) Context service operation towards the SMF unit [108] to release a set of PDU sessions for the UE [102] as part of the cleanup procedure.
  12. 12. The system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the guard timer is configured based on a predetermined value that corresponds to an expected time frame within which the deregistration request from the UDM unit [124] should be received post-handover.
  13. 13. The system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the processing unit [202] is configured to initiate a UE Policy Association termination procedure to delete UE policy and access and mobility (AM) policy associated resources with the PCF unit [122] as part of the cleanup procedure.
  14. 14. The system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the processing unit [202] is configured to halt the cleanup procedure if the deregistration request from the UDM unit [124] is received before the expiry of the guard timer.
  15. 15. The system as claimed in claim 10, comprises a transmitting unit [206] configured to transmit a deregistration service operation towards the UDM unit [124] to remove the association with the UE [102] following the cleanup procedure.
  16. 16. The system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the guard timer is configurable.
  17. 17. The system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the processing unit [202] is configured to maintain the network resources and session continuity if the UDM unit [124] deregistration request is received before the expiration of the guard timer.
  18. 18. The system as claimed in claim 10, wherein: the source network comprises at least one of a Next Generation Radio Access Network (NGRAN) and Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN), and the target network comprises at least one of the NGRAN and the E-UTRAN.
  19. 19. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instruction for managing network resources subsequent to a handover procedure in a communication network, the storage medium comprising executable code which, when executed by one or more units of a system, causes: a processing unit [202] to initiate a guard timer after successful handover of a User Equipment (UE) [102] from a source network to a target network; a monitoring unit [204] to monitor for a deregistration request from a Unified Data Management (UDM) unit [124] for the UE [102] within a predetermined boundary time set by the guard timer; and the processing unit [202] to initiate a cleanup procedure for a set of network resources, corresponding to the handover, allocated to the UE [102] in absence of receiving the deregistration request from the UDM unit [124] before expiry of the guard timer, wherein the cleanup procedure comprises releasing the set of network resources, for the handover, at the AMF unit [106], Session Management Function (SMF) unit [108], and Policy Control Function (PCF) unit [122],

Description

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CLEANUP OF NETWORK RESOURCES AFTER HANDOVER PROCEDURE FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE [0001] The present disclosure relates generally to the field of wireless communication system. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to method and system for cleanup of network resources after handover procedure. BACKGROUND [0002] The following description of related art is intended to provide background information 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 be used only to enhance the understanding of the reader with respect to the present disclosure, and not as admissions of prior art. [0003] Wireless communication technology has rapidly evolved over the past few decades, with each generation bringing significant improvements and advancements. The first generation of wireless communication technology was based on analog technology and offered only voice services. However, with the advent of the second-generation (2G) technology, digital communication and data services became possible, and text messaging was introduced. 3G technology marked the introduction of high-speed internet access, mobile video calling, and location-based services. The fourth-generation (4G) technology revolutionized wireless communication with faster data speeds, better network coverage, and improved security. Currently, the fifth-generation (5G) technology is being deployed, promising even faster data speeds, low latency, and the ability to connect multiple devices simultaneously. With each generation, wireless communication technology has become more advanced, sophisticated, and capable of delivering more services to its users. [0004] Existing solutions in the art of network resource management, particularly in the context of handover procedures in 5G and 4G networks, often face challenges related to the efficient release of network resources when a User Equipment (UE) moves from one network to another. For example, during a handover from a 5G network to a 4G network or from one 5G network to another, the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) is expected to receive a deregistration request from the Unified Data Management (UDM) unit to release the resources allocated to the UE. However, due to potential issues in the network or at the UDM, this deregistration request may not reach the AMF in a timely manner or at all. As a result, the resources allocated for the UE at the AMF, Policy Control Function (PCF), and Session Management Function (SMF) units may remain occupied unnecessarily, leading to inefficiencies and reduced network capacity. [0005] Moreover, existing standards do not provide a clear solution for the scenario where the UDM-initiated deregistration request fails to reach the AMF. This lack of guidance leaves a gap in the network's ability to handle such situations effectively, resulting in potential resource wastage and suboptimal network performance. Consequently, there is a need for improved mechanisms to ensure the timely release of network resources following a handover procedure, especially in cases where the expected deregistration request from the UDM is not received. [0006] Thus, there exists an imperative need in the art to provide an efficient system and method for cleanup of network resources after handover procedure. OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION [0007] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment disclosed herein satisfies are listed herein below. [0008] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a system and method for cleanup of network resources after handover procedure. [0009] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a system and method for cleanup of network resources after handover procedure that ensures timely release of network resources allocated to a User Equipment (UE) in the event that a deregistration request from the Unified Data Management (UDM) unit is not received by the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) unit within a predetermined boundary time. [0010] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a system and method for cleanup of network resources after handover procedure that initiates a guard timer after a successful handover of the UE from a source network to a target network, thereby monitoring for the receipt of a deregistration request within a set timeframe. [0011] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a system and method for cleanup of network resources after handover procedure that triggers a cleanup procedure for releasing the set of network resources allocated at the AMF unit, Session Management Function (SMF) unit, and Policy Control Function (PCF) unit in the absence of the deregistration request before the expiry of the guard timer. [0012] It is another object of the present disclosure