IAB Inter-CU Migration Handover Signaling Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication networks face challenges in efficiently managing handover and cell reselection processes, particularly in multi-hop scenarios where numerous UEs and IAB nodes are involved, leading to service interruptions and increased signaling load.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced where a first radio network node receives an indication from a second radio network node regarding the confirmation of handover or cell reselection for a migrating node and its associated nodes, allowing for the selective cancellation of handover for a subset of nodes based on architecture and signaling measurements, optimizing the handover process to reduce service interruptions and signaling load.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If handover is performed for a migrating IAB node and all its associated nodes, then network coverage and connectivity are improved, but service interruptions and signaling load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the handover process by distinguishing between the migrating IAB node itself and its associated nodes (UEs and child IAB nodes). The system allows selective handover where the parent node migrates while associated nodes may remain attached to the old node or be selectively reattached, avoiding the need to forcibly handover all associated entities and thus reducing service interruption time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by enabling handover for only the migrating IAB node while optionally maintaining association for associated nodes. This partial handover approach avoids the excessive action of forcing complete handover for all nodes, thereby reducing signaling load and service interruptions while still achieving the primary migration objective.
2Reliability
If handover is performed for a migrating IAB node and all its associated nodes, then network coverage is improved, but control plane signaling load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the handover signaling process by separating the migration of the IAB node from the reattachment of associated nodes. The system uses dedicated signaling mechanisms that allow the parent node to migrate independently, with associated nodes being selectively reattached only when necessary, thereby reducing the overall control plane signaling load compared to forcing complete handover for all nodes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent avoids excessive signaling by implementing partial handover where only the migrating IAB node undergoes complete handover procedures, while associated nodes may maintain their original connections or be reattached with simplified procedures. This reduces the cumulative signaling load that would result from forcing complete handover for all associated nodes.
3Device complexity
If selective handover cancellation is implemented, then signaling load is reduced, but handover management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the target node provides information about resource availability and handover status to the source node. This feedback enables intelligent decision-making about which nodes should be handed over and which should maintain their current connections, simplifying the handover management process while reducing signaling load through selective cancellation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the target node prepare and indicate its readiness to receive migrating nodes before the actual handover occurs. This preliminary indication allows the source node to plan the handover sequence optimally, reducing the complexity of real-time decision-making and simplifying management while still achieving signaling optimization.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments herein relate to, for example, a method performed by a first radio network node (12) for handling communication in a wireless communications network. The first radio network node receives from a second radio network node (15), an indication indicating whether handover or cell reselection to the second radio network node is confirmed or not, wherein the indication indicates whether a migrating node and/or one or more other nodes, directly and indirectly served by the migrating node, are accepted or cancelled for handover or cell reselection to the second radio network node (15). The first radio network node further determines to cancel handover or cell reselection of a subset of the one or more other nodes based the received indication.