Inter-Frequency Handoff via Infrastructure Broadcasts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inter-frequency handoff algorithms in wireless communication networks require mobile stations to interrupt active communication sessions to scan for suitable handoff candidates, leading to wasted transmission time and potential data loss, and often necessitate multiple receivers, increasing complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that allows a mobile terminal with a single receiver to perform inter-frequency handoffs without scanning multiple frequencies, by utilizing information broadcast by infrastructure nodes about neighboring nodes and their QoS capabilities, enabling seamless handoffs without interrupting active sessions and reducing hardware requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mobile stations interrupt active communication sessions to scan for handoff candidates on multiple frequencies, then handoff capability is achieved, but transmission time is wasted and data loss occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by having infrastructure nodes broadcast their frequencies and QoS capabilities in advance. Mobile stations receive and store this information while maintaining active communication, so when handoff is needed, the scanning process is already prepared and can execute immediately without interrupting transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
Infrastructure nodes act as intermediaries by broadcasting their operational parameters (frequency, QoS capabilities) to mobile stations. This eliminates the need for mobile stations to actively scan multiple frequencies, as the target handoff candidates are already identified and advertised by the infrastructure itself.
2Speed
If mobile stations use multiple receivers to scan frequencies simultaneously, then handoff speed is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The infrastructure nodes serve as intermediaries that provide handoff target information directly to mobile stations through broadcasts. This eliminates the need for mobile stations to use multiple receivers for simultaneous frequency scanning, as the target frequencies are already identified and communicated by the infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The infrastructure nodes perform the work of identifying and advertising suitable handoff candidates, rather than requiring mobile stations to independently scan and evaluate multiple frequencies. This self-service approach by the infrastructure reduces the computational and hardware burden on mobile devices.
3Loss of time
If mobile stations scan dedicated handoff channels continuously, then handoff latency is reduced, but bandwidth resources are wasted
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous scanning, the system uses periodic broadcasts by infrastructure nodes to advertise their frequencies and QoS capabilities. Mobile stations receive these periodic updates and maintain a ready list of handoff candidates, achieving low latency without the continuous resource consumption of constant scanning.
Solution Approach 2:
Infrastructure nodes act as intermediaries that proactively provide handoff information to mobile stations. This eliminates the need for mobile stations to continuously scan dedicated handoff channels, as the infrastructure voluntarily broadcasts the necessary information, reducing bandwidth waste while maintaining readiness.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for facilitating inter-frequency handoff of a mobile node (102) in a wireless communication network (100). The system and method permit a mobile node (102), equipped with a single receiver, to perform handoffs seamlessly from one infrastructure node (106-1) to another infrastructure node (106-2) without having to scan through multiple frequencies and without having to interrupt the active communication session.