Autonomous Handover Grant for Wireless Network Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication networks, handover processes between 3GPP eNBs often fail due to the user equipment (UE) not receiving a handover command, leading to delays and idle connections as security keys need to be discarded and re-generated, causing inefficiencies in network transitions.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a network-provided autonomous handover method where the source eNB generates an autonomous handover grant (AHG) with parameters for the target eNB, including a handover timer and permit, allowing the UE to initiate a handover without relying on a received HO command, and facilitating context transfer to ensure seamless connection establishment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the UE waits for a handover command from the source eNB, then the handover can be controlled by the network, but the handover delay increases and connection continuity deteriorates when the command is not received
Solution Approach 1:
The source eNB performs preliminary actions by sending the autonomous handover grant and context information to the target eNB before the UE actually needs to hand over. This prepares the target eNB in advance with all necessary UE context, so when the UE autonomously initiates handover, the target eNB is already ready to accept the connection immediately, eliminating delays caused by context transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The UE is empowered to autonomously initiate the handover process to the target eNB without waiting for a handover command from the source eNB. The UE uses the autonomous handover grant information received from the source eNB to independently decide and execute the handover, making the system self-service rather than relying on continuous network control signals.
2Speed
If the UE attempts to connect to the target cell without a handover command, then handover speed improves, but the target eNB may reject the connection request due to lacking UE context
Solution Approach 1:
The source eNB performs preliminary actions by sending the autonomous handover grant and context information to the target eNB before the UE actually needs to hand over. This prepares the target eNB in advance with all necessary UE context, so when the UE autonomously initiates handover, the target eNB is already ready to accept the connection immediately, eliminating delays caused by context transfer.
3Reliability
If the UE goes idle when handover fails, then security keys can be regenerated, but further delays are introduced and network efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The UE is empowered to autonomously initiate the handover process to the target eNB without waiting for a handover command from the source eNB. The UE uses the autonomous handover grant information received from the source eNB to independently decide and execute the handover, making the system self-service rather than relying on continuous network control signals.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure describe methods, systems, and devices for facilitating transfer of user equipment (UE) handover in multi-cell networks. A source evolved node B (eNB) may transmit an autonomous handover grant to a UE along with an indication of a target eNB. The source eNB may also make a handover request to the target eNB and provide a UE context to the target eNB. Upon transmission of a handover command, the UE may perform a random access channel procedure to connect to the target eNB. Because the eNB may have the UE context (or may be able to fetch the context), the handover time may be lessened. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.