Conditional UE Handover Using Early Synchronization and Timing Advance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current handover techniques in telecommunications networks fail to optimize both handover latency and reliability for user equipment (UE) demanding high throughput, low latency, and high reliability, particularly in mobile scenarios, leading to resource consumption and poor user experiences.
Innovation Solution
A source network device provides conditional triggered mobility by generating handover conditions based on measurement data, applying targeted configurations, and enabling early downlink and uplink synchronization with a target network device before handover, using a combination of Layer 1 and Layer 3 measurements to enhance reliability and reduce latency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional handover techniques are used, then network coverage is maintained, but handover latency increases and reliability decreases for mobile users
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by preparing target cell information in advance before actual handover is needed. The source gNodeB retrieves and stores target cell details (physical cell identity, frequency, timing advance) during measurement reporting phases, so that when handover trigger conditions are met, the target cell is already prepared and can be immediately accessed without delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The handover process is segmented into distinct phases: measurement reporting phase (where target cell info is collected), handover decision phase (when trigger conditions are evaluated), and execution phase (actual handover). This segmentation allows each phase to be optimized independently, with measurement and preparation occurring in advance while execution happens rapidly when needed.
2Loss of time
If handover preparation is done in advance, then handover latency is reduced, but network resources are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by preparing only the necessary target cell information (physical cell identity, frequency, timing advance) rather than all possible configuration details. This selective preparation reduces resource consumption while still enabling rapid handover execution when trigger conditions are met.
Solution Approach 2:
Target cell information is prepared in advance during measurement reporting phases when the UE is normally communicating with the source gNodeB. This preliminary preparation occurs during existing communication windows, utilizing otherwise idle processing time, thereby reducing overall resource consumption while enabling fast handover when needed.
3Speed
If Layer 1 measurements are used for handover decisions, then handover speed increases, but measurement reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges Layer 1 measurements (for speed and responsiveness) with Layer 3 measurements (for reliability and accuracy) to create a hybrid measurement approach. The source gNodeB evaluates both measurement types together, using Layer 1 data for rapid response and Layer 3 data for validating the reliability of handover conditions, thereby achieving both speed and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter combination from using solely Layer 1 or Layer 3 measurements to a composite approach that incorporates both layers. This parameter change allows the system to leverage the speed advantage of Layer 1 measurements while compensating for their reliability issues through Layer 3 measurement validation.
Data Source
AI summary
A source network device may receive measurement data associated with a user equipment (UE) in a network, and may generate handover conditions for handing over the UE to a target network device in the network. The source network device may generate a handover request based on the measurement data satisfying the handover conditions, and may provide the handover request to initiate handover to the target network device. The source network device may apply a targeted configuration to the UE before the handover of the UE to the target network device, and may enable downlink synchronization and timing advance acquisition with the target network device before the handover of the UE to the target network device. The source network device may receive a handover success message from the target network device following completion of the handover.