Adaptive Mobility Mode Selection in 5G Uplink and Downlink Handovers

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional wireless communications systems face challenges in efficiently managing mobility modes, particularly in reducing power consumption and improving reliability during inter-zone handovers, as they often require blind zone searches that waste resources and increase processing time for user equipment (UE).

Innovation Solution

The implementation of adaptive mobility mode selection techniques that allow user equipment (UE) to dynamically switch between uplink (UL) and downlink (DL) mobility modes based on conditions such as speed and channel quality, using network-provided neighbor lists to minimize blind searches and optimize power usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional blind zone search procedures are used for mobility management, then complete coverage search is achieved, but power consumption increases and handover failure rates increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandover failure rateVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The network pre-configures neighbor cell lists and mobility parameters for UEs before handover is needed. This preliminary provision of mobility information allows UEs to perform targeted measurements on pre-identified neighbor cells rather than conducting exhaustive blind searches, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining reliable handovers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The network acts as an intermediary by providing mobility management assistance information (neighbor cell lists, measurement configurations) to UEs. This intermediary guidance enables UEs to efficiently identify candidate cells for handover without performing resource-intensive blind zone searches, reducing both power consumption and handover failures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If adaptive mobility mode selection is implemented, then power consumption decreases and handover reliability improves, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemobility tracking reliabilityVSAvoidmobility mode selection complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements self-service through autonomous mobility mode selection where UEs independently determine their mobility mode (controlling or controlled) based on pre-configured criteria and current conditions. This self-service approach reduces the need for complex network-controlled mode selection while improving mobility tracking reliability through UE-autonomous decisions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs parameter changes by dynamically adjusting mobility behavior based on UE speed, channel conditions, and mobility mode. The system changes operational parameters (measurement configurations, handover thresholds) according to the selected mobility mode, enabling adaptive performance without requiring complex structural changes to the system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Speed

If UE performs autonomous mobility mode switching, then responsiveness to channel conditions improves, but processing time and complexity at UE increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemobility mode switching speedVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The network performs preliminary configuration of mobility mode parameters, measurement configurations, and switching criteria before UE needs to make autonomous decisions. This pre-provisioning of mobility management information enables UEs to switch modes rapidly based on pre-established rules without performing complex real-time analysis, thus improving switching speed while minimizing processing time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3516900B1Techniques for mobility mode selection in uplink-based and downlink-based mobility
Publication Date: 2020.09.23 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3516900B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3516900B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3516900B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Various aspects described herein relate to techniques for mobility mode selection in uplink-based and downlink-based mobility in wireless communications systems. In an aspect, a method for wireless communications may include determining that a user equipment UE(115) is operating in a first mobility mode (1702), determining whether the UE satisfies at least one condition associated with mobility of the UE for mobility mode selection (1704), and selecting a second mobility mode based on a determination that the UE satisfies the at least one condition, wherein each of the first mobility mode and the second mobility mode is an uplink mobility mode or a downlink mobility mode (1706). The techniques described herein may apply to different communications technologies, including the 5th Generation, 5G, New Radio NR communications technology.