Elevation-Based Handover Control for Wireless Devices
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless communication devices experience unreliable handovers due to varying signal strength caused by structural environments, leading to inefficient battery usage and unwanted handovers when moving between different elevation levels, such as from ground to upper building floors.
Innovation Solution
A wireless communication device determines its latitude, longitude, and received signal strength to estimate elevation, using this information along with handover history to adjust handover parameters, such as required signal strength differences and time delays, to inhibit or enable handovers based on whether it is above a specific elevation level, thereby conserving battery life and avoiding unnecessary handovers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the device performs handover operations based on signal strength alone, then handover responsiveness is improved, but battery consumption increases and unwanted handovers occur in building environments
Solution Approach 1:
The device performs preliminary elevation estimation using latitude, longitude, and signal strength data before executing handover operations. By determining whether the device is above an elevation level in advance, the system can proactively adjust handover parameters to prevent unwanted handovers, thereby reducing unnecessary battery consumption while maintaining responsive handovers when truly needed
Solution Approach 2:
The handover parameters are made dynamic rather than static. The system continuously monitors elevation estimates and adjusts handover parameters in real-time based on whether the device is above or below elevation levels. This dynamic adaptation allows the device to optimize between responsiveness and battery consumption depending on the current environmental context
2Device complexity
If the device uses standard handover parameters in all locations, then device complexity is reduced, but handover reliability deteriorates in building environments with varying elevations
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different handover parameters based on local environmental characteristics. By estimating elevation using latitude and longitude data, the device determines the local context (above or below elevation level) and applies appropriate handover parameters for that specific location. This localized approach improves handover reliability in building environments without requiring globally complex control mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring signal strength, latitude, and longitude data to estimate elevation. This elevation estimate feeds back into the handover parameter selection process, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts to environmental conditions and improves handover reliability while maintaining manageable device complexity
3Reliability
If the device inhibits handovers above elevation levels, then battery consumption is reduced and handover stability is improved, but handover adaptability to changing environments deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The handover inhibition mechanism is dynamic rather than permanent. The system continuously re-evaluates elevation estimates and adjusts handover parameters accordingly. When the device moves below the elevation level, the inhibition is automatically removed and normal handover operations resume. This dynamic behavior maintains handover stability when needed while preserving adaptability when environmental conditions change
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless communication device determines a latitude indicator, longitude indicator, and received signal strength for its current location. The devices processes the latitude indicator, longitude indicator, and received signal strength to estimate its elevation at the location. The device also processes its handover history to determine a handover probability factor. The device then processes the estimated elevation and handover probability factor to estimate if the device is located in a building above an elevation level. If the estimate indicates that the device is located within the building above the elevation level, then the device modifies a handover parameter to inhibit handover attempts.