Beam Forming Parameter Adaptation for Wireless Handover Reliability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communications networks face challenges in efficiently handling handovers using reconfigurable antenna systems (RAS), leading to increased risks of radio link failures and dropped calls due to sudden changes in coverage areas and unnecessary handovers during cell splitting or merging.

Innovation Solution

A method and network node that acquire channel measurements to determine desired beam forming parameters, initiating network-controlled handovers and changing beam forming parameters only after the handover has been initiated, thereby reducing simultaneous handover signals and minimizing radio link failures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If beam forming parameters are changed instantly to adapt to traffic distribution changes, then the adaptability of the antenna system is improved, but the reliability of wireless connections deteriorates due to increased radio link failures and dropped calls

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability of antenna systemVSAvoidreliability of wireless connections
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by initiating handover procedures for wireless devices before actually changing the beam forming parameters. The network node determines desired beam forming parameters based on channel measurements, identifies devices that will be affected by the parameter change, and initiates their handover to different cells in advance. This ensures devices have sufficient time to complete handover before the coverage area changes, preventing radio link failures while maintaining the ability to adapt to traffic distribution changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If beam forming parameters are changed gradually to maintain connection stability, then the reliability of wireless connections is improved, but the productivity of the network deteriorates due to delayed adaptation to traffic patterns

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability of wireless connectionsVSAvoidproductivity of network adaptation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The network node performs preliminary actions by determining desired beam forming parameters and identifying affected wireless devices before the actual parameter change. Handover procedures are initiated in advance with a timing offset that ensures completion before the parameter change occurs. This approach maintains reliability while enabling relatively quick adaptation to traffic patterns, as the preparation is done ahead of time rather than during the actual transition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple handover signals are sent simultaneously during cell splitting or merging, then the adaptability of the network structure is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to increased probability of radio link failures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability of network structureVSAvoidreliability during cell operations
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by determining the desired beam forming parameters and identifying the set of wireless devices that will be affected by the parameter change before initiating handover procedures. This allows the network node to systematically manage handovers for multiple devices in advance of the actual parameter change, rather than sending handover signals simultaneously when the change occurs, thereby reducing the probability of radio link failures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3449581B1Shaping of transmission beams
Publication Date: 2021.09.15 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP3449581B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP3449581B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3449581B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

There is provided mechanisms for shaping transmission beams in a wireless communications network. A method is performed by a network node. The method comprises acquiring channel measurements from wireless devices served by radio access network nodes using current beam forming parameters and being controlled by the network node. The method comprises determining, based on the channel measurements, desired beam forming parameters for shaping the transmission beams for at least one of the radio access network nodes. The method comprises initiating network controlled handover of at least some of the wireless devices served by the radio access network nodes based on the desired beam forming parameters. The method comprises initiating a change of the current beam forming parameters to the desired beam forming parameters for shaping the transmission beams for the at least one of the radio access network nodes only after having initiated said network controlled handover.