Configurable Receiver for Inter-RAT Handovers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently supporting handovers between different radio access technologies (RATs), leading to increased costs, power consumption, and dropped connections due to the need for multiple receivers and complex circuitry.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that reduces RF circuitry in user equipment (UE) by using fully configurable receivers, allowing for independent tuning to multiple RATs, which enables faster inter-RAT handovers and reduces power consumption while maintaining connections with both current and alternate RATs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple receivers and complex circuitry are used to support handovers between different RATs, then handover capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a single receiver that can be dynamically configured to operate with different radio access technologies through software control. The receiver is designed to support multiple RATs (CDMA2000, LTE, WiMAX, etc.) by reconfiguring its parameters such as spreading codes, modulation schemes, and protocol stacks, eliminating the need for multiple dedicated receivers and reducing hardware complexity while maintaining handover capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic reconfiguration of the receiver parameters based on the target RAT. The system can adaptively change operating modes, frequency bands, and protocol configurations in real-time to match the required RAT for handover, enabling a single receiver to replace multiple static receivers through flexible, software-defined functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple receivers are used to support multiple RATs, then handover capability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
By implementing a single universal receiver that can be configured for different RATs, the system reduces the total number of active RF chains and baseband processors needed. When handover to a specific RAT is required, only the necessary receiver configuration is activated, leaving other RAT-specific circuitry in low-power or sleep mode, thereby reducing overall power consumption compared to having multiple continuously operational receivers.
Solution Approach 2:
The system periodically reconfigures the single receiver to monitor different RATs based on handover requirements and network conditions. Instead of continuously operating multiple receivers, the system activates the appropriate receiver configuration only when needed for measurement or handover execution, reducing average power consumption through periodic rather than continuous operation of RF components.
3Device complexity
If a single receiver is configured to support multiple RATs, then device complexity is reduced, but handover speed may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary configuration of the single receiver by maintaining software templates and parameter sets for multiple RATs in advance. When handover is initiated, the system quickly loads and activates the pre-prepared configuration for the target RAT, significantly reducing the reconfiguration time compared to building the configuration from scratch. This preliminary preparation enables fast handover despite using a single reconfigurable receiver.
Solution Approach 2:
The system optimizes handover speed by pre-defining and storing critical parameters (spreading codes, frequency offsets, modulation schemes, protocol stack settings) for each supported RAT. During handover, only the necessary parameter sets are switched rather than reconfiguring the entire receiver architecture, enabling rapid transitions between RATs while maintaining a simplified single-receiver hardware design.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for supporting handovers between different radio access technologies is provided. A method for communications device operations includes sending a request to a controller of the communications device to change an operating mode of the communications device, and receiving a transmission responsive to the request. The method also includes in response to determining that the controller has granted the request to change the operating mode and that the communications device is operating in a border cell, changing the operating mode of the communications device, tuning at least one receiver of the communications device to an alternate radio access technology (RA T), and initiating a handover with the alternate RAT.