CSFB Handover Strategy Selection for LTE-to-2G3G Fallback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing CSFB handover methods fail when a UE is outside the overlapping coverage area of an LTE and a 2G/3G cell, leading to handover failures and inability to use CS services.

Innovation Solution

An eNB sends a measurement control message to a UE to assess signal quality and select either blind or measurement-based handover to a 2G/3G neighboring cell, ensuring successful CSFB handover by choosing the best available cell based on signal quality reports.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If blind handover is used to reduce voice service setup delay, then handover speed is improved, but handover reliability deteriorates when UE is located beyond 2G/3G cell coverage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandover speedVSAvoidhandover reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic handover strategy selection based on real-time measurement report conditions. The eNB dynamically determines whether to use blind handover or measurement-based handover according to the UE's location and signal quality, transforming a static handover approach into a dynamic adaptive one that optimizes both speed and reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces measurement reports as feedback mechanisms where UEs report their measurement data to eNBs. The eNB uses this feedback information to determine the appropriate handover manner, creating a closed-loop control system that improves handover reliability while maintaining speed through informed decision-making

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If measurement-based handover is used to improve handover reliability, then handover success rate is improved, but handover time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandover success rateVSAvoidhandover time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial measurement action by only performing detailed measurements when necessary (when blind handover conditions are not met). This selective measurement approach reduces unnecessary measurement time while ensuring reliable handovers are performed when needed, balancing speed and reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Ease of manufacture

If preconfigured GSM/UMTS cells are used for CSFB, then voice service setup is simplified, but service availability deteriorates in non-overlapping coverage areas

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice setup simplicityVSAvoidservice availability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the handover parameter selection based on measurement conditions. Instead of using a fixed preconfigured cell, the system dynamically selects handover parameters (target cell, handover type) based on real-time measurement reports and UE location, enabling service availability across both overlapping and non-overlapping coverage areas

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2925081B1Circuit switched fall back switching method, device and base station
Publication Date: 2017.09.06 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP2925081B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2925081B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2925081B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention discloses a CSFB handover method and apparatus, and a system, and belongs to the communications field. The method includes: receiving, by an eNB, a CSFB indication; sending, by the base station after receiving the CSFB indication, a measurement control message to user equipment, where the measurement control message is used to instruct the user equipment to measure cell signal quality and send a corresponding event measurement report; and according to a receiving status of the event measurement report sent by the user equipment, selecting, by the base station, to complete CSFB handover by using blind handover, or selecting to complete CSFB handover by using measurement-based handover. The apparatus includes a first receiving module, a sending module, a second receiving module, and a handover module. In the present invention, according to a receiving status of an event measurement report sent by user equipment, blind handover is selected or measurement-based handover is selected to complete CSFB handover, thereby increasing a CSFB handover success probability.