Conditional Handover RLF Reporting for Mobility Failure Classification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current RLF reporting after successful conditional handover does not provide clear insights into whether the handover configuration was improperly timed or if the target cell failed to configure the UE correctly, leading to ambiguity in network optimization.

Innovation Solution

The UE retains and logs additional information in the RLF report, including successful handover details and CHO configuration from the source cell, along with elapsed times and measurements, to enable the network to better classify mobility failure types and optimize handover configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the UE deletes CHO configuration after successful handover execution, then the UE memory is cleared and preparation for new handover is enabled, but the network loses the ability to determine whether the handover was properly timed or if the target cell failed to configure the UE correctly

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveUE memory managementVSAvoidhandover configuration information
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the CHO configuration storage into different retention states: the configuration is retained in a specific state after successful handover execution and only deleted when explicitly instructed by network signaling or after a timer expires. This segmentation allows the UE to maintain handover configuration information for network analysis purposes while still preparing for new handovers, resolving the contradiction between memory management and information preservation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary retention of CHO configuration information after successful handover execution, before the UE prepares for new handover configurations. This preliminary action ensures that the network receives complete RLF report information including handover configuration details, enabling the network to determine whether the handover was properly timed or if the target cell failed to configure the UE correctly, while still allowing for subsequent memory clearance when appropriate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of information

If the UE retains all handover configuration information indefinitely, then the network has complete information for analysis, but the UE memory is occupied and cannot be used for new configurations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandover configuration informationVSAvoidUE memory usage
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic memory management for CHO configuration information, where the retention state changes based on network signaling and timer expiration. The UE retains configuration information in a controlled state after successful handover, but can clear it when network instructed or after timer expiry. This dynamic approach allows the UE to maintain information for network analysis while freeing memory for new configurations, resolving the contradiction between information retention and memory availability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary retention of CHO configuration information for a limited duration or under specific conditions before automatic clearance or network-instructed deletion. This preliminary retention ensures the network receives complete RLF report information while preventing indefinite memory occupation, allowing the UE to balance information preservation with memory availability for new handover preparations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If the network does not receive detailed handover configuration information in RLF reports, then the reporting mechanism remains simple, but the network cannot classify mobility failure types (too early, too late, wrong cell)

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveRLF reporting mechanismVSAvoidfailure classification accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary retention and inclusion of handover configuration information in RLF reports, enabling the network to receive detailed data about the handover process. This preliminary action provides the network with the necessary information to classify mobility failure types (too early, too late, wrong cell) accurately, while the reporting mechanism itself remains a standard extension that does not significantly increase complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enhances the RLF report as a feedback mechanism from the UE to the network, including detailed handover configuration information such as source cell, target cell, and configuration parameters. This feedback enables the network to analyze the handover process and classify failure types accurately, providing the network with the insights needed to optimize mobility robustness while maintaining a relatively simple reporting structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4305880B1Enhancements to MRO in case of RLF after successful (conditional) handover
Publication Date: 2025.10.15 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP4305880B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4305880B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP4305880B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

Systems and methods are disclosed for enhancements to Mobility Robustness Optimization (MRO) in case of Radio Link Failure (RLF) after successful (conditional) handover. In one embodiment, a method performed by a wireless device comprises receiving a handover (HO) configuration or conditional handover (CHO) configuration from a source cell and declaring a RLF in association with a HO or CHO to a target cell. The method further comprises generating a RLF report responsive to declaring the RLF, the RLF report comprising the HO configuration or CHO configuration, a successful HO report, information about one or more associated time durations, one or more radio link measurements for one or more CHO candidate cells associated to the CHO configuration received from the source cell, or any combination thereof. The method further comprises transmitting the RLF report to a network node.