CBRS Preemptive Handoff for Grant Suspension Continuity

Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile devices using Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) spectrum experience service outages due to grant suspensions by the SAS, leading to the need for a method to handover to another cell without initiating the random access channel process.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for preemptive handoff involving a traffic distribution system that maintains a list of base stations, selects alternative cells based on location, RF conditions, and load, and coordinates with the core network to initiate a handover before service is lost.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the mobile device waits for the suspended base station to restore service or naturally exit the suspended state, then the network structure remains simple, but the mobile device loses service continuity and must re-initiate the RACH process

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice continuityVSAvoidhandover management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The traffic distribution system performs preliminary actions by proactively identifying alternative base stations and preparing handover parameters before the suspended base station loses service. The system maintains a list of alternative base stations and pre-establishes handover configurations, enabling seamless service continuity without requiring the mobile device to re-initiate RACH process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The traffic distribution system acts as an intermediary between the suspended base station and the core network, managing the handover process automatically. It receives suspension notifications, identifies alternative base stations, and coordinates the handover without requiring mobile device intervention or network re-configuration from scratch.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of time

If the mobile device initiates RACH process to find another base station after suspension, then the network structure remains simple, but service interruption occurs and handover time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandover timeVSAvoidservice interruption

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The traffic distribution system performs preliminary actions by proactively identifying alternative base stations and preparing handover parameters before the suspended base station loses service. The system maintains a list of alternative base stations and pre-establishes handover configurations, enabling seamless service continuity without requiring the mobile device to re-initiate RACH process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The handover process is designed to continue useful actions without interruption. The mobile device maintains its connection and service parameters while the traffic distribution system coordinates the transition to the alternative base station, ensuring continuous service rather than complete service termination and re-establishment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Productivity

If the system manually manages handover for each suspended base station, then service continuity can be maintained, but the system complexity and processing overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandover processing efficiencyVSAvoidhandover management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The traffic distribution system performs self-service by automatically managing the entire handover process without external intervention. It autonomously receives suspension notifications, identifies alternative base stations from its maintained list, and coordinates handover parameters, eliminating the need for manual network configuration or complex centralized management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The traffic distribution system performs preliminary actions by proactively identifying alternative base stations and preparing handover parameters before the suspended base station loses service. The system maintains a list of alternative base stations and pre-establishes handover configurations, enabling seamless service continuity without requiring the mobile device to re-initiate RACH process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12615569B2Preemptive mobile device handoff due to grant suspension in a Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) network

Publication Date: 2026.04.28 CHARTER COMM OPERATING LLC

AI summary

Methods and systems for preemptive handoff in response to receiving a grant suspension at a Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) device (CBSD). A traffic distribution system (TDS) maintains a base station list with a wireless coverage area. An operations support system receives a CBRS spectrum suspension command for a CBSD. In response to the CBRS spectrum suspension command, the TDS requests from a core network (CN), data for the mobile device and data for one or more neighbor base stations selected from the list based on the suspended CBSD and the mobile device data. The TDS determines an alternative base station for the mobile device, which is selected from the one or more neighbor base stations based on the data for the mobile device data and the one or more neighbor base stations, and sends to the CN, the alternative base station to initiate a handover command.