Femto Node Handoff via Unique Identifier Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in wireless communication systems is efficiently handing off calls from macro nodes to femto nodes due to complications arising from multiple femto nodes being deployed within the coverage area of a traditional macro node, where existing methods struggle to uniquely identify the intended femto node for handoff, leading to suboptimal network performance.
Innovation Solution
The method involves transmitting a known signal from the femto node to the access terminal, including an identifier that uniquely identifies the femto node, and receiving a message facilitating the handoff from the macro node to the femto node, allowing for the establishment of a communication link based on this identifier.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple femto nodes are deployed within the coverage area of a traditional macro node, then network coverage and capacity are improved, but the complexity of identifying the intended femto node for handoff increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the handoff identification process into multiple distinct components: a known signal transmission phase, an identifier message transmission phase, and a message reception phase. This segmentation allows the system to handle multiple femto nodes by processing them through discrete, manageable steps rather than attempting simultaneous identification, thereby reducing the perceived complexity while maintaining multi-node support.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the femto node transmit its identifier in advance through a known signal and a first message containing the unique identifier before the actual handoff occurs. This preliminary identification allows the macro node and access terminal to prepare for the handoff process, reducing the complexity of real-time identification during the critical handoff moment.
2Productivity
If existing handoff methods are used without unique femto node identification, then the handoff process is simpler, but network performance deteriorates due to suboptimal handoff decisions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by having the access terminal receive and process the unique femto node identifier, then use this information to provide feedback to the macro node about which femto node is the intended target. This feedback loop ensures that handoff decisions are based on accurate, identified targets rather than assumptions, improving both the efficiency and reliability of the handoff process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical or procedural handoff method with a signal-based identification system. Instead of relying on complex signal strength measurements and geometric calculations to determine handoff targets, the system substitutes a direct identifier transmission mechanism that electronically identifies the target femto node, thereby improving handoff accuracy without significantly increasing procedural complexity.
3Measurement precision
If a known signal with unique identifier is transmitted from each femto node, then handoff accuracy is improved, but signal transmission complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the known signal transmission with the identifier message transmission into a unified communication protocol. Rather than treating the known signal and the identifier as separate, complex operations, the patent combines them into a single integrated message structure that carries both the synchronization/identification function and the unique femto node identifier, thereby reducing overall transmission complexity while maintaining high identification precision.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for performing a handoff of an access terminal from a macro node to a femto node are disclosed. In one embodiment, the femto node is configured to transmit a predetermined signal for determining signal quality and an identifier that uniquely identifies the femto node to the access terminal. The access terminal is configured to transmit the identifier to the macro node. The femto node is identified as a hand in target based on the transmitted identifier and the macro node is configured to hand in the access terminal to the femto node.