Dynamic Base Station Threshold Configuration for Handover Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
In cellular wireless networks, setting aggressive scanning and handover thresholds to promote operation on a preferred coverage frequency can be counter-productive when the preferred frequency is minimal or non-existent, leading to reduced throughput and battery life, especially with changing network configurations.
Innovation Solution
Dynamically configuring base stations to broadcast specific start-scanning and handover thresholds based on the presence of nearby base stations operating on the preferred frequency, adjusting thresholds according to the network configuration to optimize handover to the preferred coverage frequency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If aggressive scanning and handover thresholds are set to promote operation on a preferred coverage frequency, then handover to preferred frequency is improved, but throughput and battery life deteriorate when preferred frequency is minimal or non-existent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the scanning and handover thresholds adjustable and adaptive rather than fixed. The network controller dynamically configures different threshold values based on the detected network state - when preferred frequency coverage is sufficient, aggressive thresholds promote handover; when coverage is minimal, conservative thresholds prevent unnecessary scanning. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between promoting handover and maintaining throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the network configuration state (presence and quality of preferred frequency coverage) and using this information to adjust the scanning and handover thresholds. The network controller receives feedback about network conditions and adapts the threshold settings accordingly, ensuring that aggressive thresholds are only applied when beneficial, thus preventing throughput degradation while maintaining handover effectiveness.
2Adaptability or versatility
If aggressive scanning and handover thresholds are set to promote operation on a preferred coverage frequency, then handover to preferred frequency is improved, but battery life deteriorates due to increased scanning activity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the scanning threshold dynamic rather than fixed. When the network controller detects that preferred frequency coverage is minimal or non-existent, it configures a conservative (higher) scanning threshold that reduces unnecessary inter-frequency scanning activity, thereby conserving device battery life. When preferred frequency coverage is sufficient, the threshold becomes aggressive (lower) to promote handover. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between handover promotion and energy conservation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from network state monitoring to adjust scanning thresholds adaptively. The network controller continuously assesses the availability and quality of preferred frequency coverage and feeds this information back into threshold configuration. This feedback mechanism ensures that aggressive scanning (which consumes battery) is only activated when it leads to beneficial handover outcomes, resolving the contradiction between handover effectiveness and battery life preservation.
3Device complexity
If fixed scanning and handover thresholds are used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to changing network configurations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a network controller as an intermediary that handles the complexity of adaptive threshold determination. Instead of requiring complex adaptive logic in each wireless device, the network controller acts as a centralized mediator that detects network state and configures appropriate thresholds for devices. This externalizes the complexity from devices to the network infrastructure, maintaining device simplicity while achieving network-wide adaptability to changing configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by allowing the network controller to automatically detect changes in network configuration (such as addition or removal of base stations on preferred frequency) and autonomously adjust scanning and handover thresholds without manual intervention. This automated self-adjustment mechanism provides adaptability to network changes while keeping device complexity low, as devices simply follow the thresholds configured by the network controller.
Data Source
AI summary
A method to dynamically configure a base station based on evaluation of whether nearby and/or neighboring base stations operate on a preferred coverage frequency. For instance, the base station could be configured to broadcast as a start-scanning threshold value a relatively high value in response to determining that a base station operating on the preferred coverage frequency is located within a predefined threshold distance. Further, the base station could be configured to broadcast as the start-scanning threshold value an intermediate value in response to determining that no nearby base station operates on the preferred coverage frequency but at least one base station that is a handover neighbor operates on the preferred coverage frequency. And the base station could be configured to broadcast as the start-scanning threshold value a relatively low value in response to determining that no nearby base stations or handover neighbors operate on the preferred coverage frequency.