Inter-RAT Handover Measurements for Coverage Hole Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radio access technologies (RATs) face challenges in detecting coverage holes, particularly in high-density areas where legacy systems may not effectively identify service deficiencies, leading to inadequate signal strength and service failures.
Innovation Solution
The system employs inter-RAT handover measurements to identify coverage holes by receiving reports from user equipment (UE) during handovers between different RATs, allowing network management apparatuses to detect and characterize these gaps, and subsequently adjust service parameters or deploy new base stations to mitigate them.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If legacy RATs are deployed to provide coverage in high-density locations, then service coverage is improved in populated areas, but coverage holes are created in low-density locations between high-density areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where UEs report handover failure information to the network. When a handover fails (indicating a coverage hole), the network receives this feedback and can identify the problematic area. This feedback loop enables the network to detect and respond to coverage holes created by selective RAT deployment, allowing for targeted network optimization to improve service reliability in low-density locations.
2Measurement precision
If inter-RAT handover measurements are implemented to detect coverage holes, then measurement precision for identifying coverage holes is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional measurement and reporting requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages the UE's existing handover functionality and measurement capabilities to detect coverage holes. Instead of requiring complex dedicated measurement equipment, the UE performs routine handover measurements and reports failures autonomously. This self-service approach allows the network to gain precise coverage hole detection information using the UE's inherent capabilities, minimizing additional device complexity while improving measurement precision for identifying coverage issues.
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments for identifying coverage holes in a radio access technology (RAT) are described. In some embodiments, a network management (NM) apparatus may receive a first report, including one or more measurements taken by a first UE, in response to an event related to a handover of the first UE between a first RAT and a second RAT different from the first RAT. The NM apparatus may receive a second report including one or more measurements taken by a second UE in response to an event related to a handover of the second UE between the first RAT and a third RAT different from the first RAT. The NM apparatus may identify a hole in a coverage area of the first RAT based at least in part on the first and second reports. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.