Method for Reducing End-to-End Latency in Telemedicine Services Over 5G Networks

Abstract

ABSTRACT Method for Reducing End-to-End Latency in Telemedicine Services Over 5G Networks The invention discloses a method for minimizing handover latency in telemedicine services over 5G networks, particularly for high-mobility scenarios. This method employs early registration and IP prefetching techniques, enabling a mobile router within a healthcare unit to predict future access points based on link-level signal measurements and preemptively configure an IP address with the upcoming access router. Binding updates and route optimization are initiated in advance, allowing continuous data transmission and reducing latency during base station transitions. This approach ensures uninterrupted connectivity and real-time communication, enhancing telemedicine service reliability and data flow efficiency in mobile healthcare applications operating across 5G networks. Figure 2

Specification

Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to latency reduction techniques in mobile network systems, specifically enhancing real-time telemedicine services over fifth generation (5G) wireless networks.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The field of telemedicine has advanced significantly with the development of mobile network technologies, which allow healthcare services to be delivered in real-time, even in remote or underserved areas. Mobile networks in the fifth generation (5G) standard provide high bandwidth and low latency, which are essential for the smooth transmission of medical data and real-time communication between healthcare providers and patients. In scenarios where mobile healthcare units operate in disaster-stricken or remote areas, maintaining consistent and reliable connectivity is crucial. Network mobility, which allows devices within a mobile network to remain connected as they move across network boundaries, is central to enabling these mobile telemedicine applications. However, current methods for ensuring continuous connectivity face limitations in maintaining low latency during handovers, especially in high-mobility situations.

One of the most widely used protocols for network mobility is the NEtwork MObility Basic Support Protocol (NEMO BSP), an extension of Mobile IPv6 that facilitates uninterrupted communication by allowing devices in a mobile network to maintain ongoing sessions as they move between networks. NEMO BSP is widely applied in mobile scenarios but exhibits high latency during handover processes. This latency can be problematic in applications like telemedicine, where even brief interruptions can hinder service quality. The latency issues in NEMO BSP result from delays in binding updates and network re-registration when switching from one access point to another, leading to disruptions in data transmission.

To mitigate some of the latency issues associated with NEMO BSP, protocols such as Seamless IP-diversity based Network Mobility (SINEMO) have been developed. SINEMO utilizes the multihoming capability of the Stream Control Transmission Protocol (SCTP) to allow simultaneous connections across multiple networks, reducing the time taken to transition from one network to another. Additionally, the Fast and Route Optimized NEMO (FRONEMO) protocol was introduced to further improve handover efficiency by incorporating advanced registration and IP prefetching techniques. These improvements have shown potential in reducing latency; however, they still encounter difficulties in scenarios that involve rapid or frequent handovers, which are common in high-density 5G environments.

Despite these advancements, existing protocols do not fully address the challenges of high-mobility telemedicine applications. For instance, while SINEMO reduces latency through multihoming, its reliance on multiple active connections may not be feasible for all mobile healthcare setups. Similarly, FRONEMO's IP prefetching and optimized registration techniques provide some benefits but can still lead to data loss or service disruptions during fast transitions between base stations. The issues of high latency and frequent disconnections have not been adequately resolved by existing solutions, and these limitations significantly impact applications that require continuous, real-time data exchange, such as mobile telemedicine services.

There is thus a strong need for a network mobility solution that overcomes these limitations by minimizing handover latency and maintaining connectivity for devices within a mobile network. This need is especially relevant in telemedicine, where disruptions in communication can affect patient outcomes by delaying diagnostics, monitoring, or emergency responses. As 5G networks become more widely adopted, the importance of achieving seamless, low-latency connectivity in mobile telemedicine applications continues to grow.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is the primary object of the invention to minimize handover latency in mobile network environments using early registration and IP prefetching techniques.

It is another object of the invention to provide an improved network mobility solution specifically suited for telemedicine applications over 5G.
It is another object of the invention to facilitate continuous data flow during base station handovers, enhancing real-time communication in mobile telemedicine networks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
To meet the objects of the invention, it is disclosed here a method for reducing handover latency in telemedicine services over a fifth generation (5G) network, comprising steps of: predicting a future access router for a mobile healthcare unit by analyzing link-level signal measurements from multiple base stations, including reference signal received power (RSRP); performing early registration with the future access router by initiating preemptive IP configuration and binding updates from a mobile router while connected to a current access router; transmitting binding updates and receiving route optimization acknowledgments through the current access router, allowing continuous data transmission during handover; and executing IP address mapping and route optimization at the mobile router to finalize handover, thereby minimizing latency and maintaining uninterrupted data flow for telemedicine services, wherein early registration includes preemptively configuring an IP address with the future access router based on real-time link measurements, enabling seamless IP address transition between the current and future access routers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
Figure 1 is an image that represents an application scenario for the communication system that bridges a mobile network and a terrestrial network.
Figure 2 is a diagram showing handover signaling in the mobile network, showing the steps involved in transitioning a mobile device from one cell to another.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The invention introduces a method, termed HEALTHNEMO, that improves network mobility by utilizing pre-emptive registration and IP prefetching. As a mobile unit transitions between 5G base stations, the mobile router engages in early binding updates and route optimization, allowing uninterrupted data transmission. By predicting the next access router, the mobile router completes IP configuration ahead of time, reducing latency and enhancing data throughput. This method ensures that critical healthcare data is transmitted seamlessly during the mobile unit's movement, thus significantly improving telemedicine service reliability in disaster response scenarios.

The telemedicine service has been taken as the use case where a mobile van is roaming across a disastrous area and providing medical facilities to the victims (shown in Fig. 1). The mobile van is equipped with an onboard-IP network based on IEEE 802.11 LAN. The mobile access router (MR) connects the whole network to the Internet over 5G link (L2). In this use case, first data is accumulated from the mobile hosts/victims (MH1 and MH2 in Fig. 1) and then send to the base station (BS) by the access router over the wireless link. MH1 and MH2 residing in the mobile network are sending variable bit rate (VBR) streaming traffic to a fixed host (FH)/correspondent node (CN) residing in the terrestrial network. When a packet is sent from BS to FH/CN through the terrestrial link (L3), the packet may be redirected through an Anchor Point (AP) residing in the terrestrial network depending on the mobility management protocol. The AP keeps track of the current location of the mobile network. As the mobile van (MV) moves from one place to another, the MV needs to change its connectivity from one 5G base station to another. Since the MV contains multiple mobile terminals, it may consider that a group of MTs are moving from one base station to another, leading to the concept of network mobility. In such a scenario, ensuring bounded end-to-end latency is extremely important.

Handover failure issues arising from frequent switching between base stations have not been addressed, which makes it inappropriate for 5G. This invention proposes a new method namely HEALTHNEMO which utilizes both the concept of early registration and IP prefetching techniques, particularly targeting the telemedicine service in 5G. HEALTHNEMO employs an early registration strategy combined with IP prefetching to minimize handover latency and improve throughput. During the transition between 5G base stations, the mobile router proactively sends binding updates and route optimization packets. Such pre-emptive approach reduces handoff latency, as data communication continues uninterruptedly. HEALTHNEO's early registration technique enables control packets to be transmitted ahead of the handover, resulting in a faster and more efficient transition compared to SINEMO.

It introduces an early registration technique to reduce the handover latency. This technique predicts the future access router based on link level measurement such as reference signal received power (RSRP), and then proceed with IP configuration and registration. The functionality of the proposed protocol is depicted in Fig. 2. As the MR enters the overlapping zone of Current Access Router (CAR) and future access router (FAR), the MR sends BU, enabling the alternate care-of-address mobility option, to the FH through the CAR. It is to be noted that, since in-band signaling is used in packet switching, data communication is in progress when the MR is sending/receiving control packets. So, delay associated with binding update (BU) and route optimization (RO) processes are not part of handover latency. As soon as the MR gets Route Optimization Acknowledgement (ROACK) and Binding Acknowledgement (BACK) through CAR, it performs L2 handover between CAR and FAR. After completion of the L2 handoff, the FAR becomes the CAR of the MR and the MR sends the announcement packet to the CAR. In response to the announcement packet, the CAR sends a response packet to the MR. The response packet is basically a router advertisement with the NAACK option containing the IP address to be used in the new network. After getting the response packet from the CAR, the MR performs the following mapping of IP addresses: CCoA→PCoA, FCoA→CCoA. After completion of the address mapping, the MR performs deregistration and IP-prefetching.

Applications and commercialization
Commercialization opportunities include partnerships between healthcare providers, technology companies, and insurance providers to develop and deploy telemedicine solutions. Moreover, the integration of AI and IoT technologies with 5G networks can enhance the efficiency and accuracy of telemedicine services, opening new avenues for innovation and commercialization.

Deliverables of Telemedicine Using 5G Networks
Telemedicine services leveraging 5G networks offer a range of valuable deliverables that can significantly impact healthcare delivery.

Improved Accessibility and Affordability
Remote Consultations: 5G's low latency and high bandwidth enable real-time, high-quality video consultations, making healthcare services accessible to patients in remote or underserved areas.
Reduced Travel Costs: By eliminating the need for physical visits, patients can save on transportation and accommodation expenses, making healthcare more affordable.

Enhanced Quality of Care
Real-time Monitoring: 5G-enabled devices can continuously monitor patients' vital signs, allowing for early detection of health issues and timely interventions.
Remote Diagnostics: High-resolution medical images and data can be transmitted quickly, facilitating accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.
Specialized Consultations: Patients can access consultations with specialists located anywhere in the world, improving the quality of care, especially for rare or complex conditions.

Efficient Healthcare Delivery
Streamlined Workflow: Telemedicine can reduce administrative burdens, improve patient flow, and optimize resource allocation in healthcare facilities.
Improved Patient Outcomes: By enabling timely interventions and better disease management, telemedicine can contribute to improved patient outcomes.
Reduced Hospitalization: In some cases, telemedicine can help prevent unnecessary hospitalizations, reducing healthcare costs and improving patient satisfaction.
Innovation and Research
New Applications: 5G technology opens opportunities for innovative telemedicine applications, such as virtual reality-assisted surgeries and remote rehabilitation.
Data-Driven Insights: The vast amount of data generated through telemedicine can be analyzed to identify trends, improve treatment protocols, and drive medical research.
, Claims:WE Claim:

1. A method for reducing handover latency in telemedicine services over a fifth generation (5G) network, comprising steps of:
predicting a future access router for a mobile healthcare unit by analyzing link-level signal measurements from multiple base stations, including reference signal received power (RSRP);
performing early registration with the future access router by initiating preemptive IP configuration and binding updates from a mobile router while connected to a current access router;
transmitting binding updates and receiving route optimization acknowledgments through the current access router, allowing continuous data transmission during handover; and
executing IP address mapping and route optimization at the mobile router to finalize handover, thereby minimizing latency and maintaining uninterrupted data flow for telemedicine services,
wherein early registration includes preemptively configuring an IP address with the future access router based on real-time link measurements, enabling seamless IP address transition between the current and future access routers.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the method comprising step of utilizing an alternate care-of address mobility option during binding updates to facilitate seamless connectivity between the mobile router and a fixed host node within the terrestrial network.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein binding updates and route optimization are performed via in-band signaling, allowing for simultaneous data and control packet transmission to minimize latency without interrupting data flow during handover.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the method comprising step of predicting signal strength thresholds to determine the initiation of early registration with the future access router, thereby reducing the risk of disconnections during high-mobility transitions.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step of transmitting binding updates includes using link-level measurements to identify an overlapping zone between the current access router and future access router, allowing for continuous data transmission during the transition.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the method comprising step of performing address mapping such that the current care-of address (CCoA) is mapped to a previous care-of address (PCoA) and a future care-of address (FCoA) is mapped to the CCoA, thereby streamlining address configuration during handover.

7. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the method comprising steps of:
deregistering from the current access router and automatically mapping IP addresses to the future access router, and
ensuring low latency and uninterrupted communication between mobile terminals in the healthcare unit and remote hosts during the handover process.

8. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein preemptive binding update packets are transmitted prior to entering the coverage area of the future access router, enabling faster handover by reducing the time required for IP configuration and route optimization.

9. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the method comprising step of sending an announcement packet from the mobile router to the future access router after handover completion, allowing the future access router to confirm IP address allocation and enable immediate data transmission post-handover.

10. A system for reducing handover latency in telemedicine services over a fifth generation (5G) network, comprises:
a mobile router configured within a mobile healthcare unit, said mobile router comprises:
a processor configured to predict a future access router by monitoring link-level signal measurements from multiple base stations, including reference signal received power (RSRP),
a communication module capable of performing early registration and initiating IP prefetching to pre-configure an IP address with the future access router prior to handover, and
a binding update module configured to send binding updates and receive acknowledgments through the current access router to ensure route optimization prior to handover,
wherein, during movement of the mobile healthcare unit between 5G base stations, the system maintains an uninterrupted data transmission by proactively performing address mapping and route optimization, thereby reducing latency associated with handovers in high-mobility scenarios.

Documents