Conditional Cell Reconfiguration for Low-Interruption Handover

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently managing network resource allocation and handover processes, particularly in high-speed, low-latency environments, leading to increased handover interruption times and reduced mobility reliability.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a conditional cell addition/change procedure initiated by a master node, which includes sending candidate cell information and execution conditions to user equipment, allowing for conditional handovers and cell changes based on predefined criteria to minimize interruption and improve reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional handover procedures are used in wireless communication systems, then network resource allocation can be managed, but handover interruption time increases and mobility reliability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemobility reliabilityVSAvoidhandover interruption time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements conditional handover by pre-configuring candidate target cells and their corresponding execution conditions before handover is needed. The master node provides the user equipment with candidate cell information and execution conditions in advance, so that when conditions are met, the handover can be executed immediately without interruption, thus reducing handover interruption time and improving mobility reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If conditional cell addition/change procedure is implemented, then handover interruption time is reduced and mobility reliability is improved, but network resource management complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemobility reliabilityVSAvoidnetwork resource management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the handover process into distinct phases: configuration phase (where candidate cells and execution conditions are pre-configured), evaluation phase (where the user equipment monitors conditions), and execution phase (where handover occurs when conditions are met). This segmentation allows each phase to be optimized independently, managing complexity while improving reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If multiple candidate cells are configured with execution conditions, then seamless transitions between network nodes are enabled, but signaling overhead and processing complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandover execution efficiencyVSAvoidsignaling overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent configures multiple candidate target cells with different execution conditions, but the user equipment only executes handover to one cell when its specific condition is met. This partial action approach enables seamless transitions by having prepared options ready, while avoiding the need to evaluate all possible handover scenarios simultaneously, thus managing signaling overhead effectively

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS12587937B2Conditional cell reconfiguration initiated by a master node

Publication Date: 2026.03.24 ZTE CORP

AI summary

In wireless communication, a device may change, add, or handover between providers (e.g. nodes) of network access. This may include a conditional cell addition/change procedure initiated by a master node. In addition, successive cell addition/changes can also be performed. The conditional procedures and/or successive procedures can reduce handover interruption time and improve reliability.