Cell-Edge UE Handover via Neighboring Base Station Power State
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication systems, particularly in LTE and 5G networks, there is a challenge in maintaining Quality of Service (QoS) for user equipment (UEs) when the serving base station enters a minimum downlink power control region, leading to reduced transmission power and potential service degradation for cell-edge UEs.
Innovation Solution
The method involves a first base station receiving a message from user equipment indicating the power received from signals emitted by a second adjacent base station. If the power is sufficient to provide a quality of service greater than the minimum, the first base station initiates a handover of the user equipment to the second base station, thereby improving QoS.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the base station operates under minimum downlink power control to guarantee minimum quality of service, then the quality of service is maintained at acceptable levels, but the throughput and coverage for cell-edge user equipment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the service area into different regions based on power control requirements. The base station divides its coverage into a first region where minimum downlink power control is applied to guarantee QoS, and a second region where higher power can be transmitted to improve throughput. This spatial segmentation allows the system to simultaneously maintain reliable minimum QoS while improving productivity in specific areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different power transmission characteristics to different spatial regions. In the first region, minimum downlink power control is applied to ensure reliable QoS for cell-edge users. In the second region, the base station can transmit at higher power levels to improve throughput and coverage. This local differentiation of power control strategies resolves the contradiction between maintaining minimum QoS and improving overall productivity.
2Productivity
If the base station transmits at higher power to improve throughput, then the productivity increases, but the minimum downlink power control requirements are violated and quality of service deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the service area into distinct regions with different power control requirements. The first region enforces minimum downlink power control to guarantee QoS, while the second region allows higher power transmission for improved throughput. This segmentation enables the system to pursue higher productivity without compromising the reliability of minimum QoS guarantees.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements location-dependent power control strategies. In regions where minimum QoS guarantees are critical, the base station transmits at controlled power levels. In other regions where throughput optimization is prioritized, higher power transmission is permitted. This local quality differentiation allows simultaneous optimization of both productivity and reliability in different spatial contexts.
3Reliability
If the base station uses minimum downlink power control to ensure service coverage, then the quality of service is maintained, but the transmission power is reduced and coverage area effectively decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the coverage area into a first region subject to minimum downlink power control for QoS guarantees, and a second region where higher power transmission extends the effective coverage. This segmentation allows the base station to maintain reliable service in the first region while expanding overall coverage in the second region.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent resolves the coverage limitation by introducing a spatial dimension differentiation. Instead of uniformly applying minimum power control across the entire service area, the system creates a power control gradient where different regions have different power transmission characteristics. This dimensional approach to power control allows the base station to maintain QoS in critical areas while extending effective coverage through higher power regions.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques of determining whether to hand over a user equipment to a new base station include requesting power state information from a neighbouring base to see if the power state of the neighbouring BS is sufficient to serve a UE unable to be served by the current BS due to being in a minimum power mode, DL average power control Region #2. For example, when one BS enters DL average power control Region #2, the BS starts to coordinate with its neighbouring BSs to determine whether the neighbouring BSs are not in Region #2 and exchange segments information. The BS coordinates with UEs at a cell-edge to know if switching the UEs at the cell-edge to neighbouring BS(s) can improve their QoS (throughput).