Access Point Cluster Selection for Seamless Random Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cellular network technologies require terminal devices to suspend current services for cell switching, leading to service discontinuity and increased latency during mobility, as cells are independently managed and switching between them is necessary for maintaining signal quality.

Innovation Solution

The terminal device forms an access point cluster with multiple access points, selecting one with suitable signal quality to initiate a random access procedure, allowing continuous service without frequent switching, and the base station manages this cluster for efficient data transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If terminal devices perform cell switching to maintain signal quality during mobility, then service continuity is improved, but service discontinuity and latency increase due to suspension of current services

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice continuityVSAvoidlatency during switching
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple cells into a single access point cluster, allowing terminal devices to access the cluster without switching between individual cells. This combination approach maintains service continuity while eliminating the need to suspend services during switching operations, as the cluster acts as a unified access point.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic selection of access points within the cluster based on signal quality measurements. Terminal devices can dynamically choose the optimal access point (e.g., selecting from first, second, or third access points based on signal strength) without triggering service suspension, thereby reducing latency while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If terminal devices switch between independent cells to maintain signal quality, then access to higher signal quality cells is achieved, but the complexity of cell switching procedures increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal quality maintenanceVSAvoidcell switching procedure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By combining multiple cells into a single access point cluster, the patent reduces the complexity of cell switching procedures. Instead of managing independent cell switching with multiple independent procedures, the system treats the cluster as a single access point, simplifying the access procedure while maintaining the ability to select optimal signal quality access points within the cluster.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If frequent cell switching is performed to maintain signal quality, then service continuity is improved, but data transmission latency increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice continuityVSAvoiddata transmission speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary selection of access points within the cluster based on signal quality measurements before data transmission begins. By pre-selecting the optimal access point (first, second, or third access point based on signal strength) and establishing connections in advance, the system avoids latency-inducing switching operations during active data transmission, thus improving productivity while maintaining service continuity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4694360A1Communication method, communication apparatus, and computer-readable storage medium
Publication Date: 2026.02.11 ZTE CORP
  • EP4694360A1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP4694360A1 patent drawingFigure 5~7C
  • EP4694360A1 patent drawingFigure 8~10

AI summary

Disclosed are a communication method, a communication apparatus, and a computer-readable storage medium. The communication method comprises: acquiring signal quality information of each access point in an access point cluster, wherein the access point cluster comprises at least two access points; determining, from the access point cluster, an access point of which the signal quality information meets a first preset requirement to be a first access point; and initiating a random access process by means of the first access point, so as to access the access point cluster.