Method for performing a handover process for a mobile radio network terminal in a mobile radio network, corresponding apparatuses for performing the method, transportation vehicle and core network management device, and corresponding computer programs

Equipment for preparing for performance of a handover process for a mobile radio network terminal in a mobile radio network, wherein the equipment comprises:

• an observation sensor positioned on a second transportation vehicle and configured to observe a first transportation vehicle travelling on a road to generate observation data, wherein the mobile radio network terminal is associated with and in possession of a user riding in the first transportation vehicle, wherein the first transportation vehicle lacks connectivity to communicate with the mobile radio network, wherein the second transportation vehicle includes an on-board connectivity unit that provides connectivity to communicate with the mobile radio network such that observation data generated by the observation sensor is communicated with the mobile radio network;
• and
• a processing device configured to:
• predict travel route information about a travel route predicted for the mobile radio network terminal in the first transportation vehicle based on the observation data generated by the observation sensor on the second transportation vehicle,
• forward the predicted travel route information to a base station of the mobile radio network presently handling communication of the mobile radio network terminal on the mobile radio network to which the observer transportation vehicle is logged on about the predicted travel route of the road participant,
• wherein the predicted travel route information enables determining which mobile radio network cell of the mobile radio network the mobile radio network terminal located in the first transportation vehicle is travelling to based on the forwarded predicted travel route information, whereby a notification is sent to a base station of the mobile radio network cell to which the first transportation vehicle is determined to be travelling according to the predicted travel route to prepare to take over communication with the mobile radio network terminal in the first transportation vehicle in the handover process, and
• wherein the observation sensor positioned on the second transportation vehicle comprises any one or more of a light detection and ranging sensor, a radio detection and ranging sensor, and a video camera.

A non-transitory computer readable medium that includes program code, which when run in a processing device, performs a process to prepare for performance of a handover process for a mobile radio network terminal in a mobile radio network, the process comprising:

• observing a first transportation vehicle travelling on a road using an observation sensor positioned on a second transportation vehicle to generate observation data, wherein the mobile radio network terminal is associated with and in possession of a user riding in the first transportation vehicle, wherein the first transportation vehicle lacks connectivity to communicate with the mobile radio network, wherein the second transportation vehicle includes an on-board connectivity unit that provides connectivity to communicate with the mobile radio network such that observation data generated by the observation sensor is communicated with the mobile radio network;
• predicting travel route information about a travel route predicted for the mobile radio network terminal in the first transportation vehicle based on the observation data generated by the observation sensor on the second transportation vehicle;
• forwarding the predicted travel route information to a base station of the mobile radio network presently handling communication of the mobile radio network terminal on the mobile radio network;
• evaluating the predicted travel route information in a core network management component of the mobile radio network to determine which mobile radio network cell the mobile radio network terminal is travelling to based on the forwarded predicted travel route information;
• and
• informing a base station of the mobile radio network cell of the mobile radio network to which the observed transportation vehicle is determined to be travelling according to the predicted travel route to prepare to take over communication with the mobile radio network terminal in the first transportation vehicle in the handover process,
• wherein the observation sensor positioned on the second transportation vehicle comprises any one or more of a light detection and ranging sensor, a radio detection and ranging sensor, and a video camera.