Radio Link Threshold Indication for IoT Handover Continuity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobile communication networks experience significant interruptions and increased power consumption due to the lack of handover functionality in narrowband Internet-of-Things devices, leading to frequent radio link failures and prolonged data transmission disruptions during mobility events.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a radio link threshold indication and a radio cell list indication, allowing user equipment to prepare for and initiate a radio link failure procedure proactively, guided by the mobile communication network, to minimize data transmission interruptions and reduce power consumption by identifying potential target cells before link failure occurs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If handover functionality is added to narrowband IoT devices, then data transmission continuity is improved, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The network provides a radio cell list indication to the UE in advance, containing information about potential target cells before handover is needed. This allows the UE to have pre-configured knowledge of alternative cells, reducing the complexity and time required for actual handover execution when radio link failure occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The UE autonomously monitors radio link quality and independently decides when to initiate radio link failure procedure based on pre-configured thresholds, without requiring continuous network control. This self-service approach reduces signaling overhead and network complexity while maintaining reliable handover.
2Device complexity
If radio link failure procedure is initiated only after link deterioration, then device simplicity is maintained, but data transmission interruption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The network provides a radio cell list indication to the UE in advance, containing information about potential target cells before handover is needed. This allows the UE to have pre-configured knowledge of alternative cells, reducing the complexity and time required for actual handover execution when radio link failure occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The network configures the UE with a radio link threshold indication and monitors radio link quality feedback from the UE. When the threshold is breached, the network is notified and can provide updated cell lists, creating a feedback loop that enables timely handover decisions while maintaining simple device operation.
3Loss of time
If radio link threshold indication is provided to UE, then handover timing is improved, but network overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The radio cell list indication and threshold configuration are provided on a per-UE basis, allowing the network to optimize handover parameters for each device's specific conditions and location. This localized approach improves handover timing accuracy while minimizing unnecessary network overhead by only signaling what each specific UE needs.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for enhancing continuity of data transmissions and/or for reducing interruption or interruption periods of data transmissions between a user equipment and a mobile communication network, the mobile communication network comprising or being assigned to a radio access network, the radio access network comprising at least a first base station entity and a second base station entity, each one of the base station entities potentially serving the user equipment, wherein - upon the user equipment, while being in connected mode and being served by the first base station entity, measuring or detecting a deterioration of the radio communication link to and/or from the first base station entity - the user equipment initiates a radio link failure procedure and/or a cell selection procedure in case of a sufficiently strong deterioration of the radio communication link to and/or from the first base station entity, possibly leading to the user equipment eventually being served by the second base station entity instead of the first base station entity, wherein the method comprises the following steps: -- in a first step, the user equipment receives a radio link threshold indication, the radio link threshold indication being related to at least one radio link parameter and indicates a threshold value regarding the at least one radio link parameter, -- in a second step, subsequent to the first step, the user equipment initiates - in order to enhance continuity of an occurring data transmission and/or for reducing interruption or interruption periods of an occurring data transmission with the first base station entity - a preparation stage for the radio link failure procedure in case that a measurement or a determination regarding the at least one radio link parameter indicates a worse radio communication link quality compared to the threshold value of the radio link threshold indication.