Fallback Carrier Configuration for Wireless Device Handover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Heterogeneous wireless communication networks face challenges in meeting increasing demand due to interference between macro and low power radio base stations, limiting the number of low power stations that can be employed and resulting in insufficient data rates and capacity.
Innovation Solution
A network node and wireless device method that configures a fallback carrier in a licensed frequency band for wireless devices operating in non-licensed frequency bands, allowing seamless handover to the licensed band when the non-licensed band becomes unavailable, thereby avoiding connection loss and congestion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If low power radio base stations are deployed within macro cell coverage to increase capacity and data rates, then network capacity and data rates are improved, but interference between macro and low power stations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The network is segmented into different frequency band types (licensed and non-licensed) to separate traffic. Low power base stations primarily use non-licensed bands for capacity enhancement, while macro stations use licensed bands for reliable coverage, reducing inter-cell interference while maintaining high network capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension of frequency band classification (licensed vs. non-licensed) to resolve the interference problem. By operating in different frequency dimensions, macro and low power stations can coexist with reduced interference, allowing increased deployment of low power stations to boost network capacity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If wireless devices operate in non-licensed frequency bands to utilize additional resources, then network resource utilization is improved, but service reliability deteriorates due to potential band unavailability
Solution Approach 1:
The network node pre-configures fallback carriers in licensed frequency bands for wireless devices operating in non-licensed bands. This preliminary preparation ensures that when non-licensed bands become unavailable, devices can immediately switch to pre-identified licensed band carriers without service interruption, maintaining both high resource utilization and service reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a cushioning mechanism by establishing fallback carriers in advance. This creates a safety buffer that protects service continuity when non-licensed bands are unavailable, allowing devices to seamlessly transition to licensed bands without experiencing connection loss or degraded reliability.
3Reliability
If wireless devices perform cell reselection when non-licensed bands become unavailable, then service continuity is maintained, but network resources are wasted due to resource-intensive reselection procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The network node provides advance information to wireless devices about fallback carriers in licensed bands. This preliminary guidance allows devices to directly switch to predetermined carriers without performing resource-intensive cell reselection procedures, maintaining service continuity while significantly reducing device energy consumption and network signaling overhead.
Solution Approach 2:
The network node acts as an intermediary by providing fallback carrier information to devices. This intermediary guidance eliminates the need for devices to independently perform complex cell reselection, reducing both device energy consumption and network resource usage while ensuring seamless service continuity when non-licensed bands become unavailable.
4Productivity
If multiple low power radio base stations are deployed to meet increasing user demand, then network capacity is improved, but interference limitations prevent further deployment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network into licensed and non-licensed band operations, allowing multiple low power base stations to be deployed in non-licensed bands for capacity enhancement without interfering with macro station operations in licensed bands. This segmentation removes interference-based deployment limitations and enables scalable network capacity expansion.
Solution Approach 2:
By introducing frequency band type as an additional operational dimension, the patent enables dense deployment of low power base stations in non-licensed bands while macro stations operate in licensed bands. This dimensional separation eliminates interference constraints, allowing network capacity to scale with user demand without being limited by interference between base stations.
Data Source
AI summary
A network node, a wireless device and a respective method performed by the same in a wireless communication network employing heterogeneous frequency band types, the network node being operative to serve wireless devices in a non-licensed frequency band and in a licensed frequency band, the network node serving a wireless device in a non-licensed frequency band are provided. The method in the network node comprises configuring (110) a fallback carrier in the licensed frequency band to the wireless device, wherein if the network node determines that the wireless device should switch to the licensed frequency hand, the method comprises handing over (130) the wireless device to the fallback carrier.