Dynamic Neighboring Cell List Update in Heterogeneous Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
In heterogeneous wireless communication networks, managing neighboring cell lists is tedious and inefficient, especially due to differences in signal quality measurements across various technologies, leading to prolonged handover processes and inefficient radio scanning.
Innovation Solution
A method for dynamically updating neighboring cell lists by transmitting lists with candidate attachment points, frequency channels, and expected signal qualities to terminals, scanning for quality measurements, comparing them with predetermined criteria, and statistically analyzing data to update the lists, using harmonizing filters to normalize measurements across different technologies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If a neighboring cell list is created and transmitted to terminals to ease scanning, then scanning time is reduced, but the establishment and updating of the list becomes tedious
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by having terminals autonomously perform radio signal quality measurements on neighboring attachment points and automatically report these measurements to the core network. The core network then autonomously updates the neighboring cell lists based on received measurements, eliminating the need for manual list management while maintaining reduced scanning times
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where terminal measurements are continuously collected and fed back to the core network. The core network uses this feedback to dynamically update neighboring cell lists, creating a closed-loop system that automatically adapts to network changes without manual intervention
2Adaptability or versatility
If signal quality measurements are taken across different technologies in heterogeneous networks, then comprehensive neighbor detection is achieved, but global comparison between connection qualities becomes difficult due to normalized measurement differences
Solution Approach 1:
The core network changes the parameter representation of signal quality measurements by normalizing measurements from different technologies (WLAN, WiMAX, 3G, LTE) into a unified scale. This allows comprehensive multi-technology detection while maintaining precise global comparison capability through standardized parameter transformation
3Reliability
If comprehensive radio scanning is performed to determine the best neighboring attachment point, then accurate handover decisions are made, but handover process time is prolonged
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by continuously collecting and analyzing radio signal quality measurements in advance of handover decisions. Terminals proactively measure neighboring attachment points and report measurements to the core network before handover is needed, allowing the core network to pre-determine optimal handover targets and reduce actual handover execution time
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention refers to a method for dynamically updating neighboring cell lists in heterogeneous networks wherein said method comprises the following steps: - transmitting to at least one terminal a neighboring cell list comprising candidate neighboring attachment points identifiers, the corresponding frequency channels and the corresponding expected radio signal qualities, said cell corresponding to the cell to which said at least one terminal is connected, if a handover process is required for said at least one terminal, - scanning the surroundings of said terminal for measuring radio signal quality provided by the neighboring attachment points of the heterogeneous network, said scanning being achieved in priority along the channels corresponding to the attachment points of the neighboring cell list, - comparing the measured radio signal quality of the neighboring attachment points with the data of the neighboring cell list, if at least one radio signal quality measurement is different from the expected radio signal quality of the neighboring cell list and matches at least one predetermined condition, - transmitting said at least one radio signal quality measurement, its corresponding neighboring attachment point identifier and its corresponding frequency channel to the core network, - analysing statistically the at least one received radio signal quality measurement and the former available measurements corresponding to the cell to which said at least one terminal is connected, - updating the neighboring cell list based on said analysis.