Handover Request Message Segmentation for Multi-RAT Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing number of user equipment (UEs) and data transmission demands in wireless communication systems, coupled with the need to reduce latency and support handover in new radio access technologies, pose challenges for base stations (BS) in efficiently managing limited radio resources and maintaining compatibility with legacy systems.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for supporting handover in wireless communication systems, where a base station determines the need for handover and transmits a request message to a network node, including radio access network (RAN) and radio access technology (RAT) information, to facilitate smooth transitions between different RAN types, such as next-generation systems like NR and LTE, while maintaining compatibility with legacy systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If handover request messages include detailed RAN and RAT type information for next-generation systems, then handover support between different radio access technologies is improved, but message complexity and information processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The handover request message is segmented into distinct information fields: RAN type information and RAT type information. This segmentation allows the message to carry comprehensive handover support capabilities while maintaining structured organization, enabling the system to handle multiple RAT types (LTE, NR, etc.) without creating an unmanageably complex message format.
Solution Approach 2:
The handover request message structure is designed with universal applicability across different radio access technologies. By incorporating both RAN type and RAT type information fields, the same message format can facilitate handover between various RAT combinations (e.g., LTE to NR, NR to LTE, intra-LTE, intra-NR), making the system multi-functional without requiring separate message formats for each scenario.
2Reliability
If the base station supports multiple radio access technologies and high-density nodes, then communication service quality is improved, but the amount of data and control information to be transmitted increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and separates critical handover-related information (RAN type and RAT type) into dedicated fields within the handover request message. This extraction allows the base station to transmit essential multi-RAT support information without burdening the system with excessive redundant data, enabling reliable handover management across multiple RATs while controlling information volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The handover request message is prepared in advance with embedded RAN and RAT type information before actual handover execution. This preliminary inclusion of target RAN and RAT identifiers allows the receiving base station to pre-configure appropriate handling procedures for different RAT types, reducing the need for additional control information during the actual handover execution phase.
Data Source
AI summary
A source BS may determine that handover of a UE to a target BS is needed and transmit a handover request message indicating a request of handover to the target BS to a network node to which the source BS is connected. The handover request message may include radio access network (RAN) type information indicating a target RAN and radio access technology (RAT) type information indicating a target RAT.