Active Mode Beam to Idle Mode Cell Neighbor Relations
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication networks, particularly in 5G NR, the lack of knowledge about active mode beam to idle mode cell neighbor relations leads to degraded performance when user equipment toggles between active and idle modes, as it may connect to different network nodes providing coverage, causing inefficiencies in handover processes.
Innovation Solution
A method where user equipment and network nodes collaborate to establish active mode beam to idle mode cell neighbor relations by monitoring and reporting synchronization signals, allowing the network to set up relations between active mode beams and idle mode cells, thereby identifying neighboring cells and improving handover efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If user equipment toggles between active and idle modes in areas covered by different network nodes, then mobility is maintained, but performance degrades due to lack of knowledge about active mode beam to idle mode cell neighbor relations
Solution Approach 1:
The network node proactively configures the UE with measurement and report configurations for idle mode synchronization signals before the UE actually needs to perform handover. This preliminary setup of measurement parameters and reporting mechanisms enables the UE to identify neighboring idle mode cells in advance, resolving the information loss about neighbor relations without degrading performance during mode toggling
Solution Approach 2:
The UE continuously monitors synchronization signals from potential target network nodes and provides feedback reports to the serving network node about detected idle mode cells. This feedback mechanism maintains up-to-date knowledge of active mode beam to idle mode cell neighbor relations, enabling reliable handover decisions when the UE toggles between active and idle modes
2Productivity
If the network monitors and reports synchronization signals to establish neighbor relations, then handover efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases due to collaboration between user equipment and network nodes
Solution Approach 1:
The serving network node performs multiple functions: it serves as the UE's active mode serving node, configures measurement parameters, receives measurement reports, and makes handover decisions. The UE also performs multiple functions: it monitors active mode beams, monitors idle mode synchronization signals, and reports measurements. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated handover management entities, improving efficiency while managing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The UE autonomously performs the monitoring of synchronization signals from potential target network nodes using the configured measurement parameters. The UE independently identifies neighboring idle mode cells and generates measurement reports without requiring continuous network intervention. This self-service approach streamlines the handover process by enabling the UE to autonomously gather necessary information about neighbor relations
3Measurement precision
If the user equipment monitors idle mode synchronization signals, then neighbor cell identification is improved, but use of energy increases due to continuous monitoring and reporting
Solution Approach 1:
The network node configures the UE with periodic measurement opportunities for idle mode synchronization signals rather than requiring continuous monitoring. The UE monitors synchronization signals at configured intervals and reports measurements periodically or when threshold conditions are met. This periodic approach maintains accurate neighbor cell identification while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous monitoring
Solution Approach 2:
The network node configures measurement parameters such as measurement periodicity, threshold values, and reporting conditions that allow the UE to adjust its monitoring behavior. When radio conditions are good or mobility is low, the UE can reduce monitoring frequency to save energy. When conditions deteriorate or mobility increases, the UE increases monitoring precision and frequency, dynamically adapting energy consumption to actual needs while maintaining measurement precision
Data Source
AI summary
Method and apparatus in a wireless communication network (100) for establishing active mode beam to idle mode cells neighbour relations are disclosed. A first network node (111) and other network nodes, a second and a third network nodes (112, 113) operate in the wireless communication network (100). The first network node (111) is a serving network node for the user equipment (130) with the active mode beam, and the idle mode cells are synchronization signal broadcast areas provided by the other network nodes (112, 113). The first network node (111) obtains information on synchronization signals transmitted from the other network nodes and stores information on active mode beam to idle mode cell relations, wherein the active mode beam is the beam serving the user equipment (130) when a new synchronization signal is detected, and the idle mode cell is the cell with the synchronization signal broadcast area provided by the network node transmitting the detected synchronization signal.