Dynamic Handover Thresholds for Advanced Receivers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current handover (HO) management solutions in cellular networks unnecessarily revert UEs with advanced receivers due to fixed signal strength thresholds, wasting network resources and degrading user experience, as they do not account for the improved performance of these receivers.
Innovation Solution
Adjusting HO threshold values based on the actual performance of advanced receivers, using an offset in dB that considers the receiver type, number of antennas, multipath channel profile, and active services, to determine when to initiate handover measurements and procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If fixed signal strength thresholds are used for handover decisions, then handover procedures are simple to implement, but UEs with advanced receivers experience unnecessary handovers and degraded user experience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the handover threshold parameter from a fixed value to a dynamic value that adapts to the UE's receiver capabilities. The network determines and signals different threshold offsets for UEs with advanced receivers (e.g., dual-antenna RAKE receivers, interference suppression receivers) versus standard receivers, allowing the handover decision to account for the improved signal processing performance of advanced receivers without complicating the overall handover mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The handover threshold becomes dynamic rather than static by incorporating UE-specific receiver capability information. The network dynamically adjusts the threshold based on the UE's receiver type (standard, dual-antenna RAKE, interference suppression), enabling the system to adapt handover decisions to actual receiver performance while maintaining a relatively simple implementation through pre-determined threshold offsets
2Loss of energy
If fixed signal strength thresholds are used for handover decisions, then network resource usage is efficient, but coverage area for UEs with advanced receivers is unnecessarily reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the threshold parameter to account for receiver capabilities, the system extends the effective coverage area for UEs with advanced receivers. These receivers can maintain reliable connections at lower signal strengths, so the adjusted thresholds allow them to remain connected to the home network in areas where standard receivers would trigger unnecessary handovers, effectively expanding the coverage area without additional network resources
3Area of stationary object
If advanced receiver performance is accounted for in handover decisions, then coverage area is extended, but threshold determination becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent manages the complexity of threshold determination by using pre-determined threshold offsets specific to each receiver type. Instead of requiring complex real-time analysis of receiver performance, the network simply applies the appropriate offset value based on the UE's declared receiver capability. This keeps the determination process relatively simple while still achieving the goal of extended coverage for advanced receivers
Solution Approach 2:
The threshold offsets for different receiver types are determined in advance by the network based on expected performance characteristics. This preliminary determination of appropriate thresholds for each receiver category eliminates the need for complex real-time calculations, reducing the complexity of the actual handover decision process while still achieving receiver-specific optimization
4Reliability
If unnecessary handovers are prevented for advanced receivers, then user experience improves, but requires dynamic threshold adjustment mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent improves user experience by changing the threshold parameter to prevent unnecessary handovers for advanced receivers. The dynamic adjustment mechanism is kept relatively simple through the use of pre-determined offsets based on receiver type, avoiding the need for complex real-time performance monitoring and adjustment while still achieving the goal of improved user experience through reduced unnecessary handovers
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and apparatus adapted to adjust threshold values for initiating HO measurements based on terminal or user equipment (UE) performance. The threshold values for initiating the HO measurements and for executing the HO may be determined by the network. Prior to determining whether to proceed with these procedures, the thresholds are adjusted, based on the actual UE performance. This adjustment is achieved by applying an offset in dB that captures the effective SIR improvement of the advanced receiver compared to the standard receiver used to set the thresholds. The offset depends on, among other things, the receiver type used, the number of receiver antennas, the multi-path channel profile, the number of active radio links, and the services/connection modes that are currently active in the UE.