Conditional Link Switch in Wireless Communication Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing link switch approaches in wireless communication systems suffer from high latency, which is particularly problematic when quick link switches are necessary to maintain service continuity before the serving link's quality degrades excessively.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a conditional link switch method, where a wireless communication device is conditionally commanded to switch from a source link to a target link only when specific conditions, such as improved signal strength or quality, are met, thereby reducing unnecessary link switches and preserving network resources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional link switch approaches are used, then service continuity can be maintained, but link switch latency becomes excessively high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice continuityVSAvoidlink switch latency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring conditional handover commands with multiple candidate target links before the actual link switch is needed. The network node prepares and transmits handover commands containing configuration information for multiple potential target links in advance, so that when link degradation occurs, the device can immediately execute the appropriate pre-prepared handover without waiting for new configuration, thus reducing link switch latency while maintaining service continuity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If frequent link switches are performed to maintain optimal connection, then service quality is improved, but network signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice qualityVSAvoidnetwork signaling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent reduces signaling overhead by pre-configuring multiple candidate target links in advance. Instead of performing frequent measurement reports and receiving new handover commands for each potential switch, the device receives comprehensive configuration information upfront and autonomously selects the appropriate target link based on pre-defined conditions, significantly reducing the frequency of signaling interactions while maintaining optimal service quality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables self-service by allowing the wireless device to autonomously evaluate link conditions and select the appropriate target link from pre-configured candidates based on stored conditions. The device independently determines when and where to switch without continuous network intervention, reducing signaling overhead while maintaining service quality through autonomous decision-making based on pre-received configuration information

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3826361B1Link switch in a wireless communication system
Publication Date: 2025.06.11 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP3826361B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3826361B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3826361B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A wireless communication device (16) is configured for use in a wireless communication system. The device (16) in this regard is configured to receive a command (22) that commands the device (16) to perform a link switch (24) from a source link (20A) to a target link (20B) responsive to fulfillment of a condition. The command (22) may indicate a target link configuration (26) relative to a source link configuration. The device (16) is also configured to store information (30) from which the target link configuration (26) indicated by the command (22) is determinable irrespective of any change to the source link configuration occurring after receipt of the command (22). In some embodiments, the device (16) is configured to, responsive to fulfillment of the condition, perform a link switch (24) from the source link (20A) to the target link (20B) using the target link configuration (26) as determined from the stored information (30).