Cell-Specific Handover Thresholds Using UE Signal-Distance Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless networks set handover triggers based on uniform RSRP or RSRQ thresholds for entire geographical regions, failing to account for varying conditions across different cells, leading to inefficient handovers and increased dropped calls.
Innovation Solution
Implement cell-specific dynamic thresholding by collecting UE-specific radio signal information, determining relationships between signal parameters and distances, and dynamically selecting handover parameters (RSRP or RSRQ) optimized for each cell's conditions using heuristics or AI, to improve handover accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If uniform handover thresholds are set for entire geographical regions, then network configuration and management is simplified, but handover accuracy deteriorates leading to increased dropped calls
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the network into cell-specific segments, where each cell has its own handover threshold parameters (a3-Threshold, a5-Threshold1, a5-Threshold2) determined independently based on local signal conditions. This segmentation allows each cell to be optimized individually rather than applying uniform thresholds across entire geographical regions, thereby improving handover reliability while maintaining manageable complexity through automated cell-specific parameter determination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by determining handover parameters specific to each cell's radio signal conditions. The network entity calculates cell-specific thresholds based on local RSRP and RSRQ measurements, ensuring that handover decisions are optimized for local conditions rather than applying generic regional thresholds. This local optimization directly addresses the reliability issue while the automated calculation process keeps configuration complexity manageable.
2Measurement precision
If cell-specific dynamic thresholding is implemented, then handover accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the network entity continuously monitors radio signal conditions (RSRP, RSRQ) and uses this feedback to dynamically determine and adjust cell-specific handover parameters. The system collects measurement data from UEs, processes this feedback information, and automatically updates thresholds to optimize handover accuracy. This automated feedback loop improves measurement precision while avoiding manual configuration complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The network entity performs self-service by automatically determining handover parameters based on collected radio signal information without requiring manual configuration for each cell. The system autonomously calculates optimal thresholds using algorithms that process RSRP and RSRQ measurements, thereby improving handover accuracy while minimizing the operational complexity that would otherwise be required to manually configure cell-specific parameters.
3Device complexity
If manual configuration of handover parameters is used, then system complexity is reduced, but adaptability to varying cell conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms static manual configuration into dynamic automated determination. Handover parameters are no longer fixed but are dynamically calculated based on real-time radio signal conditions (RSRP, RSRQ) specific to each cell. This dynamic approach allows the system to automatically adapt to varying cell conditions while the underlying algorithm maintains manageable complexity by using standardized calculation methods applicable across all cells.
Data Source
AI summary
Solutions are disclosed that provide cell-specific dynamic thresholding for handover triggers. User equipment (UEs) collect and report received radio signal information for radio sites, such as reference signal received power (RSRP) and reference signal received quality (RSRQ) parameters, along with the UE's location and dropped call information (if calls drop). A relationship between UE distance, from the site's tower, and each of the radio signal parameters is determined, along with dropped call distances. Based on which relationship provides the superior prediction of dropped call, a handover parameter and possibly a threshold are determined specific to each cell. For example, one cell may use RSRP, an adjacent neighbor cell may use RSRQ, and another adjacent cell may use a weighted combination. This process is updated and may be repeated to continually adjust the handover criteria as cell conditions change (e.g., seasonal and other changes).