Dynamic Carrier Switching Threshold Adjustment for Dual Connectivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication networks, particularly in dual-connectivity scenarios, seamless transitions between carriers are challenging, especially when one carrier is an anchor for maintaining good dual-connectivity service, as existing methods lack efficient threshold adjustments for facilitating such transitions based on signal strength and load conditions.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of adjusted thresholds and biases by access nodes to determine whether a carrier is an anchor for dual-connectivity service, dynamically adjusting signal strength and load thresholds to facilitate smoother transitions between carriers, such as from high-frequency to low-frequency carriers, to maintain optimal communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If default thresholds are used for carrier transition, then carrier switching can occur, but transition reliability is poor when carrier is anchor for dual-connectivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic threshold adjustment where the access node modifies measurement thresholds based on real-time detection of dual-connectivity anchor carrier status. When a carrier is identified as an anchor carrier for dual-connectivity service, the system dynamically adjusts the measurement threshold to prevent unnecessary transitions, whereas non-anchor carriers use default thresholds allowing normal switching. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making thresholds flexible rather than fixed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the measurement threshold parameter conditionally based on the carrier's role in dual-connectivity service. By detecting whether a carrier serves as an anchor carrier, the access node modifies the threshold value to appropriately control transition behavior. This parameter change strategy enables reliable carrier transition management by adapting the threshold parameter to the specific operational context of each carrier.
2Ease of operation
If measurement threshold is lowered to facilitate transition, then carrier switching becomes easier, but signal quality deteriorates on anchor carriers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different measurement thresholds to different carriers based on their specific roles in the network. Anchor carriers for dual-connectivity service receive a protected threshold setting that maintains higher reliability, while non-anchor carriers use more aggressive threshold settings that facilitate easier transitions. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by allowing easy transitions where appropriate while protecting service reliability where critical.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically determines the appropriate threshold level for each carrier based on its functional role. By detecting whether a carrier is an anchor carrier, the access node applies different threshold strategies: conservative thresholds for anchor carriers to maintain service reliability, and liberal thresholds for non-anchor carriers to enable easy transitions. This dynamic threshold selection resolves the contradiction between ease of operation and service reliability.
3Speed
If carrier transition is facilitated without threshold adjustment, then switching speed improves, but transition accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the measurement threshold parameter based on the carrier's role in dual-connectivity service. For anchor carriers, the system adjusts the threshold to ensure accurate measurement and reliable transition decisions, while for non-anchor carriers, the default threshold enables faster switching. This conditional parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction by optimizing the threshold parameter for each specific transition scenario.
Solution Approach 2:
Different measurement precision requirements are applied locally to different carriers based on their operational importance. Anchor carriers require higher measurement precision to ensure service continuity, so the system applies adjusted thresholds that maintain accuracy. Non-anchor carriers can tolerate lower precision for faster transitions. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction between transition speed and measurement accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
A mechanism for controlling a measurement threshold used for triggering transition of a user equipment device (UE) from being connected with a first access node on a first carrier to being connected with the first access node instead on a second carrier. A determination is made as to whether the first carrier on which the UE is connected with the first access node is an anchor carrier for dual-connectivity service of the UE. And responsive to at least the determination being that the first carrier on which the UE is connected with the first access node is the anchor carrier for dual-connectivity service of the UE, the measurement threshold is adjusted from a default level to an adjusted level to help facilitate transition of the UE from being connected with the first access node on the first carrier to being connected with the first access node instead on the second carrier.