Handover Prediction in Wireless Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication networks, the prolonged handover execution time (HET) increases the likelihood of communication link failure between a Mobile Station (MS) and its Base Station (BS), leading to service interruptions, as the link may be lost before a successful handover to a target BS is completed.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for predicting handover by transferring the datapath and context information to target Base Stations (BSs) and gateways before the actual handover, based on a signal quality threshold, allowing for uninterrupted communication by preparing the target network components ahead of time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If handover is performed only when signal quality deteriorates below threshold, then handover is triggered only when necessary, but handover execution time increases and communication link may be lost before handover completes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by predicting handover needs before signal quality deteriorates below the threshold. The prediction module uses current signal quality and deterioration rate to calculate a predicted quality at a future time point, triggering handover preparation in advance. This allows the target base station and gateway to be prepared before the actual handover executes, reducing handover execution time while maintaining link reliability.
2Loss of time
If handover prediction is performed earlier based on deterioration rate, then handover execution time is reduced, but additional signal quality monitoring and prediction calculations are required
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary prediction of handover needs by calculating predicted signal quality at a future time point based on current quality and deterioration rate. This allows early triggering of handover preparation without requiring complex real-time analysis during the handover execution itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The prediction module uses readily available signal quality measurements and deterioration rates that are already being monitored for handover decisions. By leveraging existing monitoring data and adding prediction calculations, the system achieves early handover triggering without requiring entirely new complex monitoring infrastructure.
3Loss of time
If datapath is transferred to target base station before handover, then handover execution time is reduced, but network resources are occupied in advance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transfers the datapath to the target base station in advance based on predicted handover timing, rather than waiting until signal quality deteriorates. This preliminary action reduces handover execution time significantly, as the datapath is already in place when handover executes. The system accepts temporary advance resource occupation as a trade-off for reduced handover time and improved service continuity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for predicting a handover of a Mobile Station (MS) of a plurality of MSs to one or more target Base Stations (BSs) of a plurality of BSs in a wireless communication network. The method includes predicting a need for a handover of a MS to one or more target BSs selected from the plurality of BSs based on a handover threshold. The handover threshold is associated with a quality of a signal received by the MS. The method further includes transferring datapath associated with the MS to one or more of the one or more target BSs and one or more gateways prior to the handover of the MS. The one or more gateways are associated with one or more of a serving BS associated with the MS and the one or more target BSs. The plurality of BSs includes the serving BS.