LTE-A Handover Control via Straight Scheduling Priority

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Solution Overview

Problem

In LTE-A networks with carrier aggregation, existing handover procedures fail to manage data loss due to mismatching or loss of scheduling information when the cross scheduling method is employed, as component carriers have different channel qualities.

Innovation Solution

A method for controlling handovers between base stations that involves transmitting scheduling information using either the straight or cross scheduling method, ensuring seamless handovers by prioritizing handovers on component carriers operating with the straight scheduling method before those using the cross scheduling method.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the cross scheduling method is used to transmit scheduling information on component carriers, then the ratio of overhead occupied by communication resources is reduced and throughput is improved, but data loss occurs during handover due to mismatching or loss of scheduling information

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovethroughputVSAvoiddata loss during handover
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing handover on component carriers operating with the straight scheduling method before those using the cross scheduling method. This ensures that scheduling information is accurately transferred and managed during handover, preventing data loss while maintaining the throughput benefits of cross scheduling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If handover is executed on component carriers with cross scheduling method, then carrier aggregation functionality is maintained, but scheduling information mismatching causes data loss

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecarrier aggregation functionalityVSAvoidscheduling information mismatching
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the handover process by separating component carriers into two groups: those operating with the straight scheduling method and those with the cross scheduling method. Handover is executed sequentially, first on straight scheduling carriers then on cross scheduling carriers, ensuring scheduling information integrity while maintaining carrier aggregation functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Speed

If handover procedure is simplified without considering scheduling method differences, then handover execution is faster, but data loss occurs due to scheduling information issues

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandover execution speedVSAvoiddata loss prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-establishing a handover sequence that prioritizes straight scheduling component carriers. This preliminary arrangement enables faster handover execution compared to handling all carriers uniformly, while simultaneously preventing data loss through proper scheduling information management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3471460B1Method for controlling handover, user equipment, base station, and radio communication system
Publication Date: 2020.05.13 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP3471460B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3471460B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3471460B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a method for controlling a handover from a first base station to a second base station by a user equipment that performs radio communication over a communication channel formed by aggregating a plurality of component carriers, wherein scheduling information on each component carrier is transmitted to the user equipment according to either of a straight scheduling method and a cross scheduling method, and the method includes at the first base station, commanding first the user equipment to perform a handover from the first base station to the second base station on a second component carrier to be operated according to the straight scheduling method in the second base station, when it is determined that a handover on a first component carrier following the cross scheduling method is to be executed.