Beam Indication in Handover Commands for 5G Wireless Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication networks face challenges in optimizing handover performance, particularly in 5G networks, due to the lack of precise beam selection during handovers, which can lead to reduced network performance and increased resource wastage.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a beam indication mechanism in handover commands to direct wireless devices to select specific beams, ensuring both network and device requirements are met, thereby improving handover efficiency and reducing resource wastage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If beamforming is used to enhance signal strength and throughput, then network capacity and coverage are improved, but handover performance deteriorates due to lack of precise beam selection control

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork capacityVSAvoidhandover performance

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring multiple beams with different directions and preparing beam indication information before handover occurs. The network node determines which beam to indicate based on predicted handover scenarios, and the wireless device is pre-configured with multiple beams in case the indicated beam becomes unavailable during handover, ensuring continuous service without interruption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of beam selection by introducing beam indication information that specifies which beam the wireless device should select during handover. Instead of relying on default or automatic beam selection, the network dynamically adjusts the beam parameter through indication information, allowing optimization of handover performance while maintaining high network capacity from beamforming.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the network provides detailed beam indication information, then handover reliability is improved, but the complexity of handover procedures increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandover reliabilityVSAvoidhandover procedure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by making the beam indication mechanism applicable to both intra-node handovers (within the same gNodeB) and inter-node handovers (between different gNodeBs). The same beam indication approach works across different handover scenarios, reducing the need for separate complex procedures for each case while maintaining high reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses beam indication information as an intermediary element that simplifies the handover process. Rather than requiring complex direct coordination between source and target nodes, the beam indication acts as a mediator that carries essential beam selection information from the source node to the wireless device, reducing procedural complexity while ensuring reliable beam selection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If multiple beams are configured for handover, then network performance is improved, but resource management complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork performanceVSAvoidresource management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by configuring only the necessary number of beams for handover scenarios rather than all possible beams simultaneously. The network determines the appropriate number of beams to configure based on the specific handover situation, avoiding excessive resource allocation while ensuring sufficient beam options for reliable handover and maintaining high network performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS11252620B2Wireless device, radio network node, and methods performed therein for communicating in a wireless communication network

Publication Date: 2022.02.15 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

AI summary

Some embodiments herein relate to a method performed by a wireless device (10) for handling communication of the wireless device (10) in a wireless communication network (1), wherein a first radio network node serves the wireless device (10) and the wireless communication network (1) further comprises a second radio network node (13). The wireless device receives a handover command from the first radio network node (12) indicating a handover to a cell served by the second radio network node (13), the handover command comprises a beam indication, such as a threshold, controlling which beam of the cell to select by the wireless device (10). The wireless device (10) further selects a beam of the cell based on at least the beam indication.