Handover Control Using Downlink Power Compensation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current handover control methods in cellular communication networks face challenges in heterogeneous environments where downlink transmission power varies across different network nodes, leading to suboptimal handover decisions when relying solely on uplink measurements.
Innovation Solution
Compensating uplink signal strength measurements with available downlink transmission power values to estimate downlink received power, enabling more accurate handover decisions in heterogeneous networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If handover decisions are based on uplink measurements only, then signaling resources are reduced and handover control is simplified, but handover accuracy deteriorates in heterogeneous networks with varying downlink transmission power
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces downlink transmission power values as an intermediary parameter to bridge the gap between uplink measurements and downlink quality assessment. By compensating uplink measurements with downlink power information, the system achieves accurate handover decisions without requiring direct downlink measurements, thus maintaining simplicity while improving accuracy in heterogeneous networks
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the handover decision parameter from raw uplink signal strength to compensated downlink received power by incorporating downlink transmission power values. This parameter transformation enables accurate prediction of downlink quality based on uplink measurements, resolving the contradiction between measurement simplicity and decision accuracy
2Measurement precision
If downlink measurements are used for handover decisions, then handover accuracy is improved, but signaling and processing resources are significantly consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables network nodes to use their own downlink transmission power values to compensate uplink measurements from wireless communication devices. This self-service approach allows each node to contribute its power information for handover decisions without requiring additional measurements from other nodes, reducing signaling overhead while maintaining accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses downlink transmission power values as an intermediary to replace direct downlink measurements. Instead of requiring wireless communication devices to measure and report downlink signals (which consumes significant resources), the system uses readily available uplink measurements compensated by network node power information, achieving the same accuracy with minimal resource consumption
3Adaptability or versatility
If handover decisions are made in heterogeneous networks with varying downlink power, then network flexibility is improved, but handover reliability deteriorates due to inaccurate quality predictions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the handover decision parameter from unadjusted uplink signal strength to compensated downlink received power by incorporating downlink transmission power values. This parameter adjustment accounts for heterogeneous network conditions, enabling reliable handover decisions across networks with varying downlink power configurations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where downlink transmission power values are used to adjust and compensate uplink measurements. This feedback loop ensures that handover decisions reflect the actual downlink quality conditions in heterogeneous networks, improving reliability while maintaining the flexibility to support various network configurations
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~6
AI summary
A handover control method for network nodes of a cellular communication network is disclosed. According to the method, a network node performs uplink signal strength measurements in relation to a wireless communication device operating in association with the cellular communication network, compensates the uplink signal strength measurements based on an available downlink transmission power value of the network node, and transmits the compensated uplink signal strength measurements to another network node. The other network node then bases a handover decision on an estimated downlink received power of the wireless communication device in relation to the other network node, wherein the estimated downlink received power is based on the compensated uplink signal strength measurements. Corresponding computer program products, arrangements and network nodes are also disclosed.