Carrier Aggregation Handover via Contention-Based Signatures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently performing handovers, particularly in carrier aggregation scenarios, where seamless transitions between cells are hindered by complex resource allocation and signature management.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for user equipment (UE) to perform handovers by transmitting measurement reports, receiving signature route sequence indices and cyclic shift parameters, and generating contention-based signatures for random access on component carriers, enabling efficient handover in carrier aggregation environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If carrier aggregation is implemented to increase system capacity and data rates, then network performance is improved, but handover complexity increases due to multiple component carriers requiring coordinated management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the handover process by treating each component carrier independently. The network can activate or deactivate specific component carriers during handover based on target cell conditions, rather than managing all carriers simultaneously. This segmentation reduces handover complexity while maintaining the productivity benefits of carrier aggregation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring component carrier information in the source cell before handover occurs. The network prepares the necessary component carrier setups and signaling in advance, so that when handover is triggered, the UE can transition smoothly without dealing with the full complexity of carrier aggregation management during the critical handover moment.
2Productivity
If multiple component carriers are activated for carrier aggregation, then data transmission capacity is improved, but resource allocation complexity increases during handover
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by enabling flexible activation and deactivation of component carriers during handover. The network can dynamically adjust which component carriers are active based on target cell conditions, UE capabilities, and traffic requirements. This dynamic approach allows the system to maintain high data transmission capacity while simplifying resource allocation complexity by only managing necessary carriers during handover.
3Reliability
If seamless handover is achieved in carrier aggregation scenarios, then user experience is improved, but signaling overhead increases due to coordinated management of multiple carriers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and separates the essential handover signaling from the complete carrier aggregation configuration signaling. By identifying and transmitting only the critical component carrier information needed for handover (such as target cell component carrier indices and activation states), the patent reduces signaling overhead while maintaining seamless handover. Non-essential carrier configuration details are omitted or handled separately, reducing the information burden during handover signaling.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a wireless communication system which supports carrier aggregation. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and to an apparatus for enabling a user equipment to perform a handover in a wireless communication system which supports carrier aggregation. The method for performing a handover comprises the steps of: transmitting a measurement report on a target cell to a serving cell; receiving, from the serving cell, a message containing a signature route sequence index, cyclic shift parameters, and information related to the component carrier of the target cell; confirming contention-based signatures generated on the basis of the signature route sequence index and cyclic shift parameters; and transmitting one of said contention-based signatures to the target cell for random access, via one or more component carriers, on the basis of said information related to the component carrier. The present invention also relates to an apparatus for the method.