阅读说明：本技术 用于支持将用户设备ue从第一类型的无线电接入技术rat切换到第二类型的rat的方法、网络功能和计算机程序产品 (Method, network function and computer program product for supporting handover of a user equipment, UE, from a radio access technology, RAT, of a first type to a RAT of a second type ) 是由 乔治·福蒂 布·比尔曼 拉尔夫·凯勒 于 2017-12-08 设计创作，主要内容包括：公开了一种发起将用户设备(UE)从第一类型的无线电接入技术(RAT)切换到第二类型的RAT的方法,其中,所述UE经由利用所述第一类型的RAT的无线电接入网(RAN)所包括的接入节点(AN)附接到核心网,其中,所述方法包括以下步骤：所述UE向所述AN发送与所述UE和所述RAN中的接入节点之间的链路的质量有关的测量数据；所述UE从所述AN接收指示符,其中所述指示符通知所述UE存在丢失所述UE与所述无线电接入网之间的连接的风险；由所述接收到的指示符触发,所述UE发起切换,以便经由所述第二类型的RAT接入CN。(Disclosed is a method of initiating handover of a User Equipment (UE) from a first type of Radio Access Technology (RAT) to a second type of RAT, wherein the UE is attached to a core network via AN Access Node (AN) comprised by a Radio Access Network (RAN) utilizing the first type of RAT, wherein the method comprises the steps of: the UE sending measurement data to the AN relating to quality of a link between the UE and AN access node in the RAN; receiving, by the UE, AN indicator from the AN, wherein the indicator informs the UE that there is a risk of losing the connection between the UE and the radio access network; triggered by the received indicator, the UE initiates a handover to access a CN via the RAT of the second type.)

1. A method of initiating handover of a user equipment, UE, from a radio access technology, RAT, of a first type to a RAT of a second type, wherein the UE is attached to a core network, CN, via AN access node, AN, comprised by a radio access network, RAN, utilizing the RAT of the first type, wherein the method comprises the steps of:

-the UE sending measurement data to the AN relating to the quality of a link between the UE and AN access node in the RAN;

-the UE receiving AN indicator from the AN, wherein the indicator informs the UE that there is a risk of losing the connection between the UE and the radio access network;

-triggered by the received indicator, the UE initiating a handover to access a CN via the RAT of the second type.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

-prior to said transmitting step, said UE receiving a request from said AN to provide measurement data relating to the quality of a link between said UE and AN access node in said RAN.

3. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the initiating step comprises: initiating a handover to access a CN via a second RAN, the second RAN being different from a RAN to which the UE is currently connected.

4. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein in the step of initiating a handover, the UE is connected to the same CN via the second type of RAT.

5. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the receiving step further comprises:

-the UE receiving a preferred second RAT from the AN, the UE being capable of connecting to the core network using the preferred second RAT.

6. A method of enabling a user equipment, UE, to switch from a radio access technology, RAT, of a first type to a RAT of a second type, wherein the UE is attached to a core network via AN access node, AN, comprised by a radio access network, RAN, utilizing the RAT of the first type, wherein the method comprises the steps of:

-the AN receiving from the UE measurement data related to the quality of a link between the UE and AN access node in the RAN;

-the AN determining, based on the measurement data, that there is a risk of losing the connection between the radio access network and the UE;

-the AN sending AN indicator to the UE, wherein the indicator indicates a risk of losing a connection such that the UE will initiate a handover procedure to the RAT of the second type.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising the steps of:

-prior to said receiving step, said AN sending to said UE a request for providing measurement data related to the quality of a link between said UE and AN access node in said RAN.

8. The method of any of claims 6 to 7, wherein the transmitting step further comprises:

-the AN sending a preferred second RAT with which the UE can connect to the core network.

9. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the indicator indicating the risk of losing a connection is binary.

10. The method of any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the indicator indicating the risk of losing a connection has a plurality of risk levels.

11. AN access node, AN, in a radio access network, RAN, the AN being configured to cause a user equipment, UE, to switch from a radio access technology, RAT, of a first type to a RAT of a second type, wherein the UE is connected to a core network, CN, via the AN comprised by the radio access network, RAN, utilizing the RAT of the first type, wherein the AN comprises:

-a receiving device configured to receive, from the UE, measurement data related to the quality of a link between the UE and an access node in the RAN;

-a determining device configured to determine, based on the measurement data, that there is a risk of losing the connection between the radio access network and the UE;

-a transmitting device configured to transmit an indicator to the UE, wherein the indicator indicates a risk of losing a connection such that the UE will initiate a handover procedure to the RAT of the second type.

12. The AN of claim 11, wherein the transmitting device is further configured to: sending a request to the UE for providing measurement data related to a quality of a link between the UE and an access node in the RAN.

13. A user equipment, UE, in a communication network, wherein the UE is to be handed over from a radio access technology, RAT, of a first type to a RAT of a second type, wherein the UE is attached to a core network via an access node comprised by a radio access network, RAN, utilizing the RAT of the first type, wherein the UE comprises:

-a transmitting device configured to transmit measurement data to the access node relating to the quality of a link between the UE and an access node in the RAN;

-a receiving device configured to receive an indicator from the access node, wherein the indicator informs the UE that there is a risk of losing the connection between the UE and the access network;

-a handover device configured to initiate a handover procedure for accessing the CN via the RAT of the second type.

14. The UE of claim 11, wherein the receiving device is further configured to: prior to the receiving step, receiving a request from the AN to provide measurement data related to a quality of a link between the UE and AN access node in the RAN.

15. A computer program product comprising computer program code which, when executed on a processor of a user equipment, UE, causes the processor to implement the method according to any of claims 1 to 5 and 9 to 10.

16. A computer program product comprising computer program code which, when executed on a processor of an access node of a radio access network, RAN, causes the processor to implement the method according to any of claims 6 to 8 and 9 to 10.

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to handover, and more particularly, to handover of a User Equipment (UE) from a first type of Radio Access Technology (RAT) to a second type of RAT.

Background

Generally, all terms used herein are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the relevant art unless explicitly given and/or otherwise implied by the context. All references to "a/an/the element, device, component, means, step, etc" are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of the element, device, component, means, step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise. The steps of any method disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless one step must be explicitly described as being after or before another step and/or implicitly one step must be after or before another step. Any feature of any embodiment disclosed herein may be applied to any other embodiment, where appropriate. Likewise, any advantage of any embodiment may apply to any other embodiment, and vice versa. Other objects, features and advantages of the appended embodiments will become apparent from the description that follows.

Certain problems may arise in the telecommunications networks that exist today. For example, a particular service may be invoked for a particular UE in the event that the UE has actually requested a service that may not be supported by the telecommunications network.

Another possible problem may be that the requested service may be provided by the telecommunications network but not within the required quality of service (QoS) requirements.

In any of these cases, it may not be possible or sufficient to provide service to the UE. That is, a service may be established for the UE, but not with the required QoS, or may eventually not be established at all.

Disclosure of Invention

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a method for supporting handover of a User Equipment (UE) from a Radio Access Technology (RAT) of a first type to a RAT of a second type.

Another object is to provide network functions for supporting handover of a User Equipment (UE) from a Radio Access Technology (RAT) of a first type to a RAT of a second type.

It is a further object to provide a computer program product comprising computer program code which facilitates the method according to the present disclosure.

In a first aspect of the invention, a method of initiating handover of a User Equipment (UE) from a first type of Radio Access Technology (RAT) to a second type of RAT is provided, wherein the UE is attached to a core network via AN Access Node (AN) comprised by a Radio Access Network (RAN) utilizing the first type of RAT.

The method comprises the following steps:

-the UE sending measurement data to the AN relating to the quality of a link between the UE and AN access node in the RAN;

-the UE receiving AN indicator from the AN, wherein the indicator informs the UE that there is a risk of losing the connection between the UE and the radio access network;

-triggered by the received indicator, the UE initiating a handover to access a CN via the RAT of the second type.

The inventors have seen that it would be beneficial if an access node in a Radio Access Network (RAN) could provide an indication to a User Equipment (UE) indicating whether a handover is required. Furthermore, it may be advantageous if the UE initiates the handover procedure itself based on such received indicator. As such, the proposed method involves a User Equipment (UE) initiated handover.

It may be noted that terms other than "handover" may also be used to refer to a process of handing over a UE from one network/access technology to another network/access technology. For example, in the third generation partnership project (3GPP), the handover procedure may be referred to as an access transfer, session transfer, or mobility procedure. Within the scope of the present disclosure, the term "handover" is used to refer to a procedure in which a UE connected to a first network/access technology is transferred to a second network/access technology.

According to the present disclosure, a UE is connected to an access node of a radio access network. The Radio Access Network (RAN) is, for example, a next generation (NF) RAN for accessing a core network of the 5G type or a Long Term Evolution (LTE) RAN for accessing a core network of the 4G type.

At the request of the RAN, or initiated by the UE itself, the UE may send measurement data relating to the quality of the link between the UE and the access node in the RAN. Thus, the UE can perform measurements not only on the access node to which it is connected, but also on other access nodes in the RAN. Preferably, the RAN instructs the UE to provide the measurements to the RAN. It is also advantageous for the UE to include more information in the instruction, which informs the UE which measurements to perform and report to the RAN.

It may happen that an access node connected to a UE is able to determine that the UE is moving towards a geographical location where the access node is no longer able to adequately serve the UE. In this case, the particular access node may check or determine whether there are other available access nodes in the UE to which the UE may connect. That is, there may be another access node that can more fully serve the UE.

Such a determination may be based on measurement data received from the UE. Thus, the measurement data comprises data on the quality of the links between the UE and the plurality of access nodes in the RAN.

The present disclosure relates to a case where an access node to which a UE is connected determines that there is a risk of losing a connection between the UE and a RAN. This means that the access node determines that the UE may be out of range of the RAN, or that the UE is requesting a service that the RAN is not capable of providing, etc. Further, the access node may determine that the RAN is unlikely to handover the access node to another access node or another technology within the RAN to improve connectivity between the UE and the RAN.

The above implies the following risks: the UE will lose connectivity with the RAN and the RAN (more specifically the access node) cannot improve the situation by, for example, indicating a handover. In this way, the access node provides an indicator to the UE, wherein the indicator informs the UE that there is a risk of losing the connection between the UE and the RAN.

Triggered by the indicator, the UE may initiate a handover via the second type of RAT in order to access the core network. Note that the RAN may not be able to initiate such a handover, but the UE is able to initiate such a handover. The UE may initiate a handover to another RAN (i.e., a different RAN).

Following the above, the proposed method is advantageous in that it enables a UE to initiate a handover between RATs in case the RAN to which the UE is connected has determined that the UE will likely lose connection with it.

Network-based mobility may be preferred if the network (more specifically the RAN) discovers the risk of losing a connection and informs the UE accordingly, and UE-based mobility according to the present disclosure may be initiated. This enables the UE to take action to maintain uninterrupted connections for the required applications with a high probability even if the access technology that the UE is required to initiate changes.

There are multiple use cases where an access node sends an indicator to a UE to cause the UE to initiate a handover:

the option 2 deployment coexists with the option 1 deployment, i.e., a New Radio (NR) connected to 5GC coexists with Long Term Evolution (LTE) and inter-radio access network (IRAN) handover support connected to Evolved Packet Core (EPC). The NR's 5G access node (i.e., the gNB) may not know the nearby 2G/3G cells and may not know whether LTE is not present or too weak;

in the case where the RAN does not support IRAT handover, handover from the 5G RAN to the 4G RAN (and vice versa);

in the case of no proper 4G coverage, switch from 5G to 2G/3G; conversely, if the 2G/3G RAN is not updated, the UE may decide to switch back from 2G/3G to 5G;

switching from 5G to WLAN.

Further, in the step of initiating the handover, the UE may access the same or a different Core Network (CN) via the second type of RAT. For example, the CN may change from a 5G core to an Evolved Packet Core (EPC). Alternatively, the UE may continue to access the same CN even after the handover procedure.

In an example, the method further comprises the steps of:

-prior to said transmitting step, said UE receiving a request from said AN to provide measurement data relating to the quality of a link between said UE and AN access node in said RAN.

The access node may request the UE to take out measurement data related to the quality of the link between the UE and the access node in the RAN. Furthermore, the access node may determine which access node the UE is to consider when constructing the measurement data.

The measurements related to the quality of the link may relate to signal-to-noise ratio, received signal code power, reference symbol received power, reference signal received quality, reference symbol received quality, received signal strength indicator, and so on. The UE may perform such measurements on a broadcast channel utilized by the access node.

In another example, the initiating step comprises: initiating a handover to access a CN via a second RAN, the second RAN being different from a RAN to which the UE is currently connected.

As described above, the RAN to which the UE is connected may lose connectivity with the UE. The particular RAN may not have the capability to initiate a handover of the UE to a second RAN (i.e., a different RAN). An advantage of this particular embodiment is that handover can still be established in case the UE initiates handover. In this way, the RAN provides an indicator to the UE and, based on the indicator, the UE indicates that a handover is to be performed.

In another example, in the step of initiating handover, the UE connects to the same CN via the second type of RAT. It may be advantageous for the UE to continue accessing the same CN as the previous connection.

In another example, the receiving step further comprises:

-the UE receiving a preferred second RAT from the AN, the UE being capable of connecting to the core network using the preferred second RAT.

In addition to the indicator, the RAN may also send any other information to the UE, such as the preferred RAT. This increases the likelihood that the handover can be successfully performed.

In a second aspect, a method is provided for enabling handover of a User Equipment (UE) from a first type of Radio Access Technology (RAT) to a second type of RAT, wherein the UE is attached to a core network via AN Access Node (AN) comprised by a Radio Access Network (RAN) utilizing the first type of RAT.

The method comprises the following steps:

-the AN receiving from the UE measurement data related to the quality of a link between the UE and AN access node in the RAN;

-the AN determining, based on the measurement data, that there is a risk of losing the connection between the radio access network and the UE;

-the AN sending AN indicator to the UE, wherein the indicator indicates a risk of losing a connection such that the UE will initiate a handover procedure to the RAT of the second type.

Different aspects of the above examples of methods applicable to a method for a mobility management node according to the present invention, including advantages thereof, correspond to various aspects of methods applicable to a network function according to the present invention.

In an example, the method further comprises the steps of:

-prior to said receiving step, said AN sending to said UE a request for providing measurement data related to the quality of a link between said UE and AN access node in said RAN.

In another example, the transmitting step further comprises:

-the AN sending a preferred second RAT with which the UE can connect to the core network.

In any case, the indicator indicating the risk of losing a connection may be binary, e.g. "1" or "0".

The indicator indicating the risk of losing a connection may have a plurality of risk levels. So that the UE can determine whether to initiate a handover based on a particular risk level.

In a third aspect, AN Access Node (AN) in a Radio Access Network (RAN) configured to cause a User Equipment (UE) to handover from a Radio Access Technology (RAT) of a first type to a RAT of a second type, wherein the UE is connected to a core network via the AN comprised by the Radio Access Network (RAN) utilizing the RAT of the first type.

The AN comprises:

-a receiving device configured to receive, from the UE, measurement data related to the quality of a link between the UE and an access node in the RAN;

-a determining device configured to determine, based on the measurement data, that there is a risk of losing the connection between the radio access network and the UE;

-a transmitting device configured to transmit an indicator to the UE, wherein the indicator indicates a risk of losing a connection such that the UE will initiate a handover procedure to the RAT of the second type.

The transmitting device may be further configured to: sending a request to the UE for providing measurement data related to a quality of a link between the UE and an access node in the RAN.

The access node may be, for example, a gNB in a 5G RAN or an eNB in a 4G RAN.

Different aspects according to the invention, including advantages thereof, applicable to the above-described method examples correspond to the various aspects according to the invention applicable to the above-described access node.

In a fourth aspect, a User Equipment (UE) in a communication network is provided, wherein the (UE) is to be handed over from a first type of Radio Access Technology (RAT) to a second type of RAT, wherein the UE is attached to a core network via an access node comprised by a Radio Access Network (RAN) utilizing the first type of RAT.

The UE includes:

-a transmitting device configured to transmit measurement data to the access node relating to the quality of a link between the UE and an access node in the RAN;

-a receiving device configured to receive an indicator from the access node, wherein the indicator informs the UE that there is a risk of losing the connection between the UE and the access network;

-a handover device configured to initiate a handover procedure for accessing the CN via the RAT of the second type.

The receiving device may be further configured to: prior to the receiving step, receiving a request from the AN to provide measurement data related to a quality of a link between the UE and AN access node in the RAN.

In a fifth aspect, there is provided a computer program product comprising computer program code which, when executed on a processor of a User Equipment (UE), causes the processor to implement a method according to any of the examples provided above.

In another example, a computer program product is provided comprising computer program code which, when executed on a processor of an access node of a Radio Access Network (RAN), causes the processor to carry out a method according to any of the examples provided above.

In the context of the present invention, a module, a device, an apparatus, etc. may also be implemented as a computer program running on a processor.

The above and other features and advantages of the present invention will be best understood from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals denote identical parts or parts performing identical or similar functions or operations.

Drawings

Fig. 1 shows several scenarios involving a radio access network RAN.

Fig. 2 shows an overview of a 5G core network architecture, including interworking with evolved packet core.

Fig. 3 schematically shows a signaling diagram according to the invention.

Fig. 4 schematically shows a method according to the invention.

Fig. 5 schematically shows a method according to the invention.

Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a network element.

Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a network element.

Detailed Description

Some embodiments contemplated herein will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, other embodiments are included within the scope of the subject matter disclosed herein, and the disclosed subject matter should not be construed as limited to only the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of example only to convey the scope of the subject matter to those skilled in the art.

Fig. 1 shows several scenarios involving a Radio Access Network (RAN). NR as a new radio access and 5GC (5G core network) as a new packet core network are undergoing standardization work. The 3GPP RAN defines several schemes as shown in fig. 1 for which work is ongoing or is planned.

There are other options 6 and 8, but neither RAN nor SA2 work for them. As can be seen from the scheme shown in fig. 1, both LTE and NR will be connected to NGCN (next generation core network)/5 GC. LTE will also partly connect to the EPC to serve legacy UEs, but also serve new UEs using option 3, where NR is anchored in the EPC/LTE, i.e. supported as an additional data carrier for LTE.

Fig. 2 shows an overview of a 5G core network architecture, including interworking with evolved packet core.

The RAN indicates which neighbouring cells the UE is to measure. The UE provides the measurement report to the RAN, which then determines whether a handover needs to be performed to a cell of the same radio technology or to a cell of a different radio technology. Also, Single Radio Voice Call Continuity (SRVCC) from LTE to 2G/3G is typically initiated by LTE enbs based on measurement reports.

The model shown in fig. 2 enables seamless interworking between two LTE and NR/NG-RAN networks through procedures in EPC and 5 GC. By way of example, this means that a voice call over NG-RAN/5GC can be transferred to LTE/EPC when both accesses have voice functionality. This means that both radio accesses support voice QoS.

Certain challenges currently exist. Currently, the core network cannot initiate a handover from 5G to 4G. This may be prevented because the subscriber does not have access to voice over 5G or because the network is unable to provide voice or other voice over 5G.

Certain aspects of the present disclosure and embodiments thereof may provide solutions to these challenges or other challenges. In the following, we describe the solution from interworking with LTE/EPC from the 5G-RAN/5GC perspective, but it is equally applicable to interworking of LTE/EPC with 5G-RAN/5 GC.

For Service Based Architectures (SBA), the Access and Mobile Function (AMF) may subscribe on SMF + PGW-C, PCF or AF as follows: the AMF wants to receive a notification when using a voice service with a 5G QoS indicator (5 QI).

The AMF may make this subscription only if the AMF knows that the UE is in an area where the gbb does not support the QoS required for voice. When the AMF knows that the UE has no voice subscription in the 5GS, it can always make this subscription. The AMF may remove the subscription when the UE is in an area where the gbb supports QoS required for voice, and remove the subscription when the UE is no longer served by a particular AMF.

The SMF + PGW-C will know that the 5QI voice service is used based on the QoS rules for the voice received from the PCF. The PCF will know this based on the media component description received from the AF, which the AF itself knows, e.g. the P-CSCF will learn from the service identifier in SIP signalling. Upon receiving the subscription information, the SMF + PGW-C, PCF or AF must notify the AMF before setting up QoS flows for voice and wait for a response message from the AMF. The SMF + PGW-C, PCF or AF must wait for the AMF's response message before being able to establish the QoS flow, which may be indicated by a specific indication in the subscription made by the AMF, or may be a default setting for this type of subscription. The notification from SMF + PGW-C, PCF or AF must contain an indication that requires the AMF to respond, i.e., "please tell me when to make resource allocations", or must force the AMF to always respond to such notification from SMF + PGW-C, PCF or AF.

When the AMF receives the notification of the QoS flow for voice setup, the AMF decides whether the QoS flow can be set in the local access or whether the UE should move to 4G by commanding handover in the gNB. The AMF may use the configured knowledge that the gbb in the geographical area does not support 5QI voice. The reason for allowing both sets of decisions is to allow a larger subscription geographical coverage than the actual handover and thus to optimize the signaling required in the network.

After sending a notification (possibly with the additional item that a response from the AMF is needed for resource allocation) to the AMF, the SMF + PGW-C, PCF or AF will buffer any 5GC signaling needed to set the required QoS flow.

The AMF will respond to the notification from SMF + PGW-C, PCF or AF because the need for a response from the AMF has been indicated in the notification or the response is mandatory, with a "notify" response message and a reason. The reason may indicate that QoS flow setup may continue, that the UE is not in an area requiring handover, or that SMF + PGW-C, PCF or the AF will continue to wait for further setup until an acknowledgement is received to change RAT to 4G, that the AMF will instruct the gNB to perform HO, and that SMF + PGW-C, PCF and the AF subscribe to notifications about RAT changes. Furthermore, RAT change, unsubscribe from AMF, or AMF migration without new subscription from new AMF should allow SMF + PGW-C, PCF or AF to proceed with setup of required resources.

Various embodiments are presented herein that address one or more of the problems disclosed herein. Certain embodiments may provide one or more of the following technical advantages. For example, certain embodiments enable a voice-centric UE to camp on the NR/5G-RAN (even if the subscriber does not have access to voice calls on the 5G or has no voice call capability) and initiate a handover to LTE that has voice QoS enabled at call setup (and vice versa). Furthermore, according to some embodiments, if a service requiring voice media QoS is initiated, the CN will trigger a handover to a neighbouring cell of the eNB connected to the EPC. The handover from 5G to 4G (and vice versa) is initiated already before resources are allocated in the RAN (and in the core). Referring now to fig. 3, an exemplary signaling diagram in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is schematically illustrated by reference numeral 10. The UE20 accesses services in the core network by establishing (91) a call or communication session. Such a procedure 91 of establishing a communication session is well documented and known to the person skilled in the art. Upon establishing 91 such a communication session, the UE20 connects to the access network 20. In establishing such a communication session, the UE may also communicate with other nodes/network functions in the network, such as a mobile switching center server (MSC)40, an internet protocol based multimedia subsystem (IMS)50, a Session Management Function (SMF)70, an authentication server function (AUSF)80, and/or a remote 90.

Access network 30 may include multiple access nodes serving UEs 20. Such an access node is for example a base station or eNodeB or a gNB. Under normal operating conditions, the UE20 is served by one of a plurality of access nodes in the access network. According to an embodiment of the invention, the access network 30 instructs (92) the UE20 to send a measurement report. These measurement reports may relate to the quality of connection signals between UE20 and various access nodes within access network 30.

The step of instructing (92) UE20 to send a measurement report to access network 30 may be performed together when establishing (914) the communication session. Upon receiving the instruction 92, the UE20 provides 93 the requested measurement report to the access network 30. Once the access network 30 receives the requested measurement report, the access network 30 may decide (94) to indicate to the UE20 that a handover is to be initiated based on the values indicated in the report. An advantage of sending an indicator to the UE20 is that it avoids situations where both the UE20 and the access network make different decisions when the signal quality degrades. If the access network 30 sees that there is a risk of losing the connection, such an indicator is sent to the UE 20.

If the access network 30 determines that the UE20 should be handed off, the access network 30 sends (95) an indicator that indicates to the UE20 that the UE20 should initiate a handover procedure. Such a handover may be performed to a different access node in the same access network or to a different access network 40. In the exemplary signaling diagram shown, the target access network 40 to which the UE20 is connected is shown. It is also understood that a UE may also switch from one type of access technology to another. The different access technologies may be utilized to connect to the core network through the same or different access networks 30, 40.

The indicator may simply be a binary value, where, for example, 0 indicates to the UE20 that there is no risk of losing the connection, and 1 indicates that there is a risk of losing the connection. Alternatively, the indicator may have multiple possible values. As an example, the indicator may have a "low" value to indicate to the UE20 that the risk of losing a connection is low, a "medium" value to indicate to the UE20 that there is a risk of losing a connection is medium, and a "high" value to indicate to the UE20 that the risk of losing a connection is high. These values are exemplary only, and other options are possible.

Along with the indication to handover the UE20, the access network 30 may also send an indication of the preferred access node, access network, or access technology to which the UE20 is to be handed over. Such additional information may also be contained within the same signaling message 95. In a sense, the access network 30 may also steer the UE20 to a desired direction at handover. Where the size of the message sent in the signal 95 is critical, it is contemplated that additional information such as preferred access node, access network, access technology, etc. may be sent to the UE20 in a separate message. However, it may be beneficial to send such information immediately before or after sending the indicator.

Once the UE20 receives the indicator from the access network, based on the value of the indicator, the UE20 determines (96) whether to initiate a handover. Such a decision may be based on, for example, the value of the received indicator. As an example, if the UE20 receives a "low" value from the access network, it may determine that the risk of losing the connection is low and therefore does not need to initiate a handover. In this case, the handover procedure may be delayed until an indicator of a "medium" or "high" value is received. If the UE20 receives an indicator of a "medium" value, the UE20 may decide to initiate the handover as soon as possible, but may decide to choose a path that does not interrupt the current communication session. If an indicator of a "high" value is received, UE20 may immediately switch the current session and prepare for a break before make (break before make) scenario in which the current communication session is terminated before the UE is completely switched. This may result in temporary data loss or current session interruption.

Once the UE20 decides (96) to handover the current communication session, it notifies (97) the MSC 50 and the IMS 60 of the handover. Finally, the handover procedure terminates (98).

Fig. 4 illustrates an exemplary method 100 according to the present invention. In a first step (110), the UE receives a request from the access network to provide a measurement report. This step is optional and the UE may provide measurement reports, for example, in a periodic manner. In step (120), the UE provides the measurement report to the access network. The report includes signal quality measurements of signals received by the UE from various nodes in the access network. Subsequently, the UE receives (130) an indicator from the access network. Based on the received indicator, the UE decides to initiate (140) a handover procedure. Such a handover may be to a different access technology or a different access network or both.

Fig. 5 illustrates an exemplary method 150 according to the present invention. In a first step (160), the access network sends a request to the UE to provide a measurement report to the access network. As mentioned before, this step is optional, since the UE may send such measurement reports periodically. However, to minimize unnecessary signaling, the UE may provide measurement reports only when requested by the access network. The access network then receives (170) a measurement report from the UE. Based on the data, the access network determines (180) whether the UE is to initiate a handover procedure. The access network then informs (190) the UE of its decision. Such a decision is informed using an indicator indicating the risk of losing the connection with the UE. Such an indicator may be binary or may comprise more than two values.

Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a network element 200 (e.g., an access network). The node comprises receivers 201, 202 to receive messages from other nodes in the communication network. The network element further comprises a transmitter 203, 204 to transmit the message to other nodes in the communication network. The network element 200 further comprises a processor 205, the processor 205 being configured to determine, based on the received measurement report, that there is a risk of losing the connection between the UE and the network. The node 200 also includes a memory 206. All interacting with the processor 205 through a communication bus 207. The memory 206 is further configured to store a computer program product which, when executed by the processor 205, performs a method according to the present disclosure.

Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a network element 250, e.g., a User Equipment (UE). The node comprises receivers 251, 252 to receive messages from other nodes in the communication network. The network element further comprises transmitters 253, 254 to transmit messages to other nodes in the communication network. The node further comprises a processor 255, the processor 255 being configured to decide whether to initiate a handover procedure based on the indicator received from the access network. The processor also informs the switching device 257 of the decision. Node 250 also includes a switching device 257, switching device 257 configured to initiate a handover procedure for UE 250 based on the decision made by processor 255. Node 200 also includes memory 256. All of which interact with the processor 255 via a communication bus 258. The memory 256 is also configured to store a computer program product that, when executed by the processor 255, performs methods in accordance with the present disclosure.

Other variations to the disclosed examples can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed disclosure, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. A single processor or other unit may fulfill the functions of several items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. A computer program may be stored/distributed on a suitable medium, such as an optical storage medium or a solid-state medium supplied together with or as part of other hardware, but may also be distributed in other forms, such as via the internet or other wired or wireless telecommunication systems. Any reference signs in the claims shall not be construed as limiting the scope.

The present disclosure is not limited to the examples disclosed above, and those skilled in the art may make modifications and enhancements without necessarily applying the inventive techniques, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as disclosed in the appended claims.