Handover Validity Timer for Wireless Network Ping-Pong Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current handover procedures in wireless communication networks face challenges with UE grouping, leading to ping-pong effects due to inconsistency of mobility thresholds and limited information on relevant mobility parameters, which affects load balancing and network efficiency.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a validity timer mechanism where the target network node maintains the mobility configuration defined by the source node during the handover procedure, allowing for flexible grouping strategies and reducing the risk of ping-pong handovers by defining a validity time for the mobility configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the target network node immediately applies its own mobility configuration after handover, then it can optimize for its local conditions, but this causes inconsistency with source node thresholds leading to ping-pong handovers
Solution Approach 1:
The target network node receives and stores the mobility configuration from the source node in advance during handover preparation, then applies it immediately upon handover execution. This preliminary action ensures consistency between source and target thresholds, preventing ping-pong effects while maintaining handover stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic timing control where the target node can delay applying its own mobility configuration until a validity timer expires or a handover confirmation is received. This dynamic approach allows the system to balance between immediate adaptability and maintaining source node threshold consistency, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and reliability.
2Reliability
If the source node provides detailed mobility parameters to the target node, then handover consistency is improved, but the signaling overhead and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential mobility configuration parameters (such as threshold values and key settings) from the source node and transmits them to the target node during handover. By taking out only the necessary information rather than all detailed parameters, the solution maintains handover consistency while reducing signaling overhead and procedural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobility configuration message serves multiple functions: it provides threshold information for handover decisions, establishes consistency between source and target nodes, and can be stored for future reference. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate signaling messages, thereby lowering overall complexity while maintaining reliability.
3Productivity
If the target node applies alternative mobility configuration immediately, then network optimization is improved, but this increases the risk of ping-pong handovers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action through a validity timer that controls when the target node can switch from source node mobility configuration to its own optimized configuration. The timer creates a delayed, periodic transition rather than immediate switching, allowing the system to maintain source node consistency initially and then transition to optimized local configuration, thereby reducing ping-pong risk while maintaining optimization capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The validity timer acts as a cushioning mechanism that prevents premature application of alternative mobility configuration. By providing this time buffer beforehand, the system ensures that handover is stable and confirmed before the target node applies its own optimized settings, thus cushioning against potential ping-pong effects while still enabling network optimization.
Data Source
AI summary
According to an aspect there is provided a method performed by a target network node for participating in a handover procedure of User Equipment, UE, from a source network node to the target networknode. The method basically comprises the step of starting (S1) a validity timer at a time instant associated with the handover procedure of the UE. The method also comprises the step of maintaining (S12), while the validity timer is running, a mobility configuration of the UE defined by the source network node.