5G Handover Processing Using Beamforming Measurement Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in 5G networks is to efficiently manage handover between base stations, especially when using high-frequency mmWave frequencies, which result in smaller coverage areas and frequent user equipment movement, requiring an efficient handover procedure that considers beamforming capabilities and interworking with a 5G core network.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for processing handover in 5G base stations and user equipment, involving radio quality measurement information exchange between user equipment and base stations, determination of handover necessity, and transmission of handover messages through the 5G core network using the NG interface and NGAP protocol, ensuring seamless connection changes while maintaining service continuity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If beamforming is used to extend coverage at high frequencies, then coverage area is improved, but handover complexity increases due to beam-specific measurements and configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The handover measurement process is segmented into cell-level measurements and beam-level measurements. The UE reports beam quality information (CRI, L1-RSRP) for multiple beams per cell, allowing the network to evaluate both cell suitability and beam suitability separately. This segmentation enables comprehensive coverage evaluation while maintaining structured handover decision-making.
Solution Approach 2:
The network configures the UE with measurement objects, reporting configurations, and beam-specific parameters before handover is needed. The UE performs measurements and prepares beam quality reports in advance, so that when handover is triggered, the decision can be made quickly based on pre-collected information about multiple candidate cells and their beams.
2Reliability
If frequent handover is performed to maintain connection in mmWave networks, then service continuity is improved, but signaling overhead and network load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The UE continuously measures and reports beam quality information (CRI, L1-RSRP) for configured cells and beams while connected to the serving cell. This continuous monitoring allows the network to track signal quality trends and predict handover needs, enabling smoother transitions and reducing the frequency of handover signaling by anticipating when handover will be beneficial.
Solution Approach 2:
The network uses feedback from UE measurements and beam quality reports to make informed handover decisions. The UE reports beam-specific metrics that feed back to the gNB, which then determines whether handover is necessary based on actual signal conditions rather than triggering handovers on fixed schedules or based on insufficient information.
3Measurement precision
If detailed beam quality measurement is implemented, then handover accuracy is improved, but processing requirements and measurement complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of treating all cells and beams uniformly, the measurement system applies local quality assessment by evaluating beam-specific parameters (CRI, L1-RSRP) for each beam within each candidate cell. This allows the network to identify the best beam for each cell and make handover decisions based on both cell-level and beam-level quality, improving accuracy without requiring exhaustive measurement of all possible parameters across all cells.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a method and an apparatus for processing handover between 5G base stations, which support beamforming and interwork with a 5G core network system in a next-generation/radio access network. The method of processing handover in a base station includes: receiving radio quality measurement information on a plurality of cells and on beams of the respective cells from a user equipment; determining whether handover is required based on the radio quality measurement information and transmitting a handover required message to a core network entity when it is determined that handover is required; and receiving a handover command message from the core network entity.