Atomic Handover for 6G Nomadic Non-Public Networks Using Edge-Based Spectrum Brokering

2026-06-17

AI Summary

This study addresses the challenge of maintaining connectivity continuity for 6G nomadic non-public networks (NNPNs) when migrating across heterogeneous infrastructures, where coordinating network handover with dynamic spectrum access remains difficult. To this end, the authors propose a zero-touch atomic handover mechanism that jointly accomplishes network selection and spectrum allocation in a single step through collaboration between edge-based spectrum brokers and cognitive spectrum managers, thereby achieving atomicity of these two operations for the first time. The proposed approach enables seamless migration of NNPNs between public land mobile networks (PLMNs) and non-public networks (NPNs). MATLAB-based mobile healthcare simulations demonstrate that the architecture effectively supports smooth handovers for ambulance-mounted NNPNs, significantly enhancing connection reliability and handover performance in 6G temporary deployment scenarios.

Abstract

Nomadic Non-Public Networks (NNPN) are expected to play an important role in future 6G systems by enabling mobile and rapidly deployable network infrastructures for scenarios such as emergency response or temporary events. In such environments, maintaining seamless connectivity is challenging, as both network attachment and spectrum access may need to be adapted simultaneously when moving across heterogeneous infrastructures. In this paper, we investigate handover mechanisms for NNPN and propose a zero-touch approach that jointly considers mobility management and dynamic spectrum coordination. The proposed architecture introduces an edge-based Spectrum Broker in combination with a Cognitive Spectrum Manager to support an atomic handover procedure, where network selection and spectrum allocation are performed in a single step. The concept is evaluated using a MATLAB-based simulation of a mobile healthcare scenario, where an ambulance with its NNPN transitions between Public Land Mobile Networks (PLMN) and Non-Public Networks (NPN).

Problem

• Nomadic Non-Public Networks
• 6G
• handover
• spectrum access
• seamless connectivity

Innovation

• Atomic Handover
• Edge-based Spectrum Brokering
• Nomadic Non-Public Networks
• Zero-touch Mobility
• Cognitive Spectrum Management