Dynamic 5G to LTE Switching Thresholds for Vehicle Velocity
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing 5G wireless network technologies face challenges in maintaining connection quality for vehicles in motion, particularly when switching between 5G and 4G sites, due to varying speeds and directions, leading to potential call drops and data loss, as current methods do not adequately account for vehicle velocity and direction in determining signal quality thresholds.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic signal quality threshold system that incorporates vehicle speed and direction into the decision-making process for switching between 5G and 4G connections, using a lookup table or sensors like accelerometers and digital compasses, and adjusting thresholds based on application bandwidth requirements to ensure seamless transitions and maintain high-quality connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If switching between 5G and 4G sites occurs at a predetermined period suitable for low-speed motion, then the system complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but the connection reliability deteriorates for high-speed vehicles as switches cannot be made in time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the switching decision period adaptive rather than fixed. The system dynamically adjusts the measurement and switching decision period based on vehicle speed: using a first (shorter) period for high-speed vehicles to enable timely switching, and a second (longer) period for low-speed vehicles to reduce system complexity. This resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to be simple when needed but responsive when required.
2Device complexity
If the switching threshold is set for pedestrian speeds, then the threshold determination is simplified, but the connection quality deteriorates for vehicle speeds due to insufficient switching timeliness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting the switching threshold based on vehicle speed. The system determines a first switching threshold for high-speed vehicles that enables timely switching to maintain connection quality, and a second switching threshold for low-speed vehicles that simplifies threshold determination. This resolves the contradiction by allowing the threshold parameter to adapt to different operating conditions.
3Speed
If 5G millimeter wave coverage is expanded, then the connection speed is improved, but the coverage area deteriorates due to difficulty traversing walls and windows
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the wireless coverage area into multiple small cells rather than using a single large cell. This allows 5G millimeter wave signals to be distributed across many smaller coverage zones, each with its own access point. The segmentation enables the system to maintain high connection speeds in each small cell while collectively covering a larger total area, resolving the contradiction between speed and coverage area.
4Reliability
If switching between 5G and 4G sites occurs frequently, then the connection quality is improved for high-speed vehicles, but the service quality deteriorates due to choppy QoS from different connection speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the switching frequency adaptive rather than constant. The system dynamically determines switching frequency based on vehicle speed: using a higher switching frequency for high-speed vehicles to maintain connection quality, and a lower switching frequency for low-speed vehicles to avoid choppy QoS. This resolves the contradiction by allowing frequent switching only when necessary for connection quality.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed technology proposes a new methodology to include the effect of speed and direction of a UE into the threshold used for determining when to switch between a 4G UL connection and a 5G UL connection. The system can use a lookup table with various speeds mapping to varying thresholds. The system can use an accelerometer sensor or digital compass to determine the direction of the vehicle, such as heading away from or toward the 5G site, so the vehicle can switch sooner from 5G-NR to LTE and from LTE to NR, respectively. For C-V2X applications, latency is an important factor because 5G technology provides shorter latency than 4G; thus keeping the link on 5G is preferred when under good coverage. Further, the idea is not limited to UL, 5G and/or vehicle technologies, but can also be applied to DL direction, Wi-Fi and/or drone technologies as well.