Conditional Handover Using Preconfigured Access Resources

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies fail to address network energy saving (NES) and multicast broadcast service (MBS) scenarios where multiple terminals need to be handed over, with high signaling overhead and latency, and existing conditional handover (CHO) not considering channel quality for network energy saving (NES) and multicast broadcast service (MBS) technologies have not solved the problem of high signaling overhead and latency for network energy saving (NES) and multicast broadcast service (MBS) technologies in conditional handover (CHO) scenarios.

Innovation Solution

A conditional handover method and apparatus that provides handover execution conditions and access resources for turning on or off specific features, such as network energy saving (NES), multicast broadcast service (MBS), or RedCap UE, to terminals, allowing them to perform handover without additional signaling overhead by pre-configuring access resources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If per-UE RRC signaling is used to send handover commands to multiple terminals, then handover can be performed for each terminal, but signaling overhead increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandover executionVSAvoidsignaling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges handover configurations for multiple terminals into a single group handover command. Instead of sending separate RRC signaling to each terminal, the network device sends one group handover command that contains handover configuration information applicable to multiple terminals simultaneously, thereby reducing signaling overhead while ensuring reliable handover execution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the handover process into two phases: pre-configuration phase where handover configuration information is prepared and stored by terminals, and execution phase where terminals autonomously execute handover when conditions are met. This segmentation eliminates the need for real-time individual signaling during handover execution, reducing overall signaling overhead.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If per-UE RRC signaling is used to provide handover configurations, then each terminal receives customized handover parameters, but handover latency increases due to sequential signaling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandover configuration accuracyVSAvoidhandover latency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring handover parameters and configuration information in advance and storing them in terminals before handover is actually needed. The handover configuration information includes target cell identification, access parameters, and execution conditions. When handover conditions are met, terminals can immediately execute handover without waiting for sequential RRC signaling, thus reducing handover latency while maintaining configuration accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Loss of energy

If network enters NES state with multiple terminal handovers, then network energy saving is achieved, but handover signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork energy consumptionVSAvoidsignaling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies merging principle by combining handover configurations for multiple terminals into a single group handover command. When the network needs to enter NES state and multiple terminals require handover, the network device sends one consolidated group handover command containing configuration information applicable to all affected terminals, thereby reducing the total signaling overhead associated with multiple individual handovers while enabling the network to successfully enter the energy-saving state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4668858A1Conditional handover method, apparatus and device
Publication Date: 2025.12.24 CHINA MOBILE COMM GRP CO LTD
  • EP4668858A1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4668858A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP4668858A1 patent drawingFigure 6

AI summary

This disclosure discloses a conditional handover method, apparatus and device. The method includes: sending a handover execution condition and an access resource to a terminal; wherein the access resource is provided by a handover candidate cell and is used for turning on or off of one or more features, and the handover execution condition includes turning on or off of a specified feature, and/or a measurement condition, and/or a timer condition.