Conditional Make-Before-Break Handover in 5G Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current handover procedures in wireless communication networks, especially in 5G networks, face challenges such as interruptions and failed transmissions due to poor radio conditions, which can lead to unsuccessful handovers and reduced mobility robustness.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a conditional make-before-break handover method, where the UE receives a message for a limited configuration to maintain connection to the source cell during handover to a target cell based on execution conditions, allowing for simultaneous communication with both cells and reducing the risk of failed transmissions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If traditional handover procedures are used, then handover speed is improved, but handover reliability deteriorates due to interruptions and failed transmissions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandover speedVSAvoidhandover reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by establishing the target cell connection before breaking the source cell connection. The UE is configured with target cell parameters in advance, and the handover is executed by first connecting to the target cell while maintaining the source cell connection, thereby preventing transmission interruptions and improving handover reliability without sacrificing speed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent ensures continuity of useful action by maintaining the source cell connection active during the target cell connection establishment. Data transmission continues uninterrupted through the source cell while the target cell connection is being set up, eliminating gaps in communication and ensuring continuous useful action throughout the handover process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

2Device complexity

If connection to source cell is broken before target cell is established, then device complexity is reduced, but data transmission continuity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoiddata transmission continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses preliminary action by pre-configuring the UE with target cell parameters and establishing the target cell connection before breaking the source cell connection. This sequence ensures that data transmission continuity is maintained because the target cell is ready to immediately take over when the source cell connection is released, avoiding any interruption in data transmission

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements continuity of useful action by keeping the source cell connection active during the entire target cell connection establishment process. The UE maintains simultaneous connections to both source and target cells, ensuring that data transmission continues without interruption until the target cell connection is fully established and the source cell connection can be safely released

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentEP4098027B1Radio network node, user equipment, and handover methods performed in a communication network
Publication Date: 2023.08.30 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP4098027B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4098027B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4098027B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Embodiments herein relate e.g. to a method performed by a first radio network node (12) for handling communication in a wireless communication network. The first radio network node transmits, to a UE (10) served by the first radio network node in a first cell (11), a message for the UE (10). The message includes an indication for a reconfiguration for communicating with the first radio network node (12) in the first cell during a handover of the UE (10) to a second cell, wherein the message is associated with a configuration for handing over the UE to the second cell based on whether an execution condition is fulfilled or not, and/or for maintaining a connection to the cell while a connection to the second cell is being established. The first radio network node then receives information, from the UE (10), indicating that the UE (10) has applied the reconfiguration.