Cluster Manager Intra-Cluster Handover for Millimeter-Wave Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
In Ultra-Dense Networks (UDN) with Millimeter-Wave (MMW) Radio Access Technology, the traditional handover procedure is inefficient due to high burden and overhead on access nodes, as they need to forward context information and packets, which leads to increased latency and signaling complexity.
Innovation Solution
The method involves post-processing of Layer 1/2 measurements to Layer 3 measurements at a radio node or cluster manager, allowing for intra-cluster handover decisions by the cluster manager and inter-cluster decisions by the control node, reducing the need for UE to convert measurements and simplifying handover processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional handover procedure is used in MMW-RAT network, then handover can be performed between access nodes, but the burden and overhead on access nodes increases due to forwarding context information and packets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a network controller as an intermediary that centralizes the handover decision-making process. The network controller receives measurement reports from UEs, determines target access nodes, and manages context information forwarding, thereby relieving the burden from individual access nodes while maintaining reliable handover functionality
2Reliability
If traditional handover procedure is used in MMW-RAT network, then handover can be performed between access nodes, but latency and signaling complexity increase due to forwarding context information and packets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary actions by having the network controller pre-determine target access nodes based on UE measurement reports before handover is actually needed. The network controller maintains updated information about access node capabilities and conditions, allowing for faster handover execution when required, thereby reducing latency
3Measurement precision
If UE performs measurement conversion to Layer 3 measurements, then handover decisions can be made with detailed information, but signaling from UE increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the measurement conversion function from the UE and relocates it to the network controller. The UE only needs to report raw Layer 1/2 measurements, and the network controller performs the conversion to Layer 3 measurements internally, thereby maintaining measurement precision while significantly reducing the signaling volume from the UE
4Productivity
If intra-cluster handover decisions are made by cluster manager, then control node responsibilities are reduced, but cluster manager functionality must be enhanced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control functions by introducing a cluster manager that handles intra-cluster handover decisions, while the network controller focuses on inter-cluster decisions and overall network management. This segmentation allows the network controller to offload routine handover decisions to cluster managers, improving overall control node efficiency while distributing the enhanced functionality across multiple cluster managers
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a method used in a cluster manager controlling a cluster for a terminal device served by a radio node, and to the associated cluster manager. The cluster manager is under control of a control node and the cluster includes the radio node. The method includes: receiving Layer 1 (L1)/Layer 2 (L2) measurements of the terminal device on the radio node and one or more neighboring radio nodes of the radio node; determining a target radio node, to which the terminal device is to be handed over, based on the L1/L2 measurements; determining whether the target radio node is within the cluster; and if it is determined that the target radio node is within the cluster, determining whether the terminal device is to perform handover from a beam of the radio node to a beam of the target radio node.