IAB Mobility Configuration for Seamless Handovers
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Solution Overview
Problem
In integrated access and backhaul (IAB) deployments for New Radio (NR), existing technologies face challenges in managing handovers efficiently, leading to packet loss and signaling overhead, especially in scenarios like high-speed trains where relative positions between IAB nodes and user equipment (UE) change frequently.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves transmitting mobility configuration and assistance information between IAB nodes and UE, using Radio Resource Control (RRC) messages and BAP sublayer routing, to determine and perform seamless handovers, reducing packet loss and improving service continuity by configuring BH RLC channels, traffic mapping, and PDCP information handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing handover technologies are used in IAB deployments, then basic mobility management is achieved, but packet loss and signaling overhead increase in high-speed mobile scenarios
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing measurement configuration and mobility information transmission in advance before handover is needed. The source IAB node configures measurement parameters and sends mobility assistance information to the target IAB node proactively, so that when handover becomes necessary in high-speed scenarios, the target node is already prepared with the required configuration information, preventing packet loss during the transition.
2Reliability
If frequent handovers are performed in high-speed train scenarios, then service continuity is maintained, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple signaling operations into a single efficient process. The source IAB node simultaneously performs measurement configuration, mobility information generation, and transmission to the target node in one coordinated sequence. The mobility assistance information packet consolidates multiple parameters (measurement IDs, frequency offsets, timing advance values) that would otherwise require separate signaling messages, thereby reducing overall signaling overhead while maintaining service continuity during frequent handovers in high-speed train scenarios.
3Measurement precision
If measurement configuration is transmitted frequently to track mobile scenarios, then handover accuracy is improved, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by transmitting measurement configuration information selectively and locally rather than universally and continuously. The source IAB node determines which specific measurement parameters are needed based on the particular mobile scenario (e.g., high-speed train detection) and transmits only those relevant parameters to the target node. This targeted approach maintains handover accuracy for mobile scenarios while avoiding the signaling overhead of transmitting complete measurement configurations in all situations.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, apparatus, and systems for determining whether a handover between network nodes should occur, and methods for performing handover. The disclosure relates to mechanisms to for performing mobility in an IAB network by exchanging information, such as mobility configuration information and mobility assistance information, among others.