LTE Handover Parameter Adaptation via UE Activity Classification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current LTE networks face challenges in optimizing handover (HO) parameter thresholds, which affect the ability of User Equipments (UEs) to meet service level agreement (SLA) key performance indicators (KPIs), leading to suboptimal handover rates and user experience degradation due to varying UE mobility and service types.

Innovation Solution

A method for updating HO parameters based on UE history information, where eNBs and MMEs classify UE activity types and adjust HO parameters accordingly to minimize handover rates and ensure KPI compliance, using a flow chart process that involves receiving UE history, determining activity types, and setting specific HO parameters for different UE categories.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If fixed HO parameter thresholds are used for all UEs, then network configuration is simple, but UEs with different mobility and service types cannot meet their specific KPIs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different UE service typesVSAvoidHO parameter configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments UEs into different activity types (e.g., high mobility, low mobility, stationary) based on their historical behavior patterns. Each activity type is assigned specific HO parameter thresholds tailored to its characteristics, allowing the network to adapt to diverse UE requirements without using a single complex configuration for all UEs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically changes HO parameters (such as A3Offset, hysteresis, timeToTrigger) based on the determined activity type of each UE. By adjusting these parameters according to UE behavior patterns rather than using fixed values, the system achieves adaptability to different service types while maintaining manageable configuration complexity through automated classification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If HO parameters are optimized for each UE individually, then KPI compliance improves, but signaling load and network processing increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveKPI compliance rateVSAvoidsignaling load
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary classification of UEs into activity types based on historical handover data before actual handover decisions are made. By pre-determining the activity type and associated optimal parameters, the system reduces the need for continuous individual parameter adjustments and signaling during handover events, thereby improving KPI compliance without proportionally increasing signaling load.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables UEs to effectively self-categorize into activity types based on their own historical handover patterns and mobility behavior. The network uses this self-generated information to assign appropriate parameters, reducing the need for extensive network-side signaling and processing while still achieving individualized optimization for each UE's KPI requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Speed

If aggressive HO thresholds are used, then UE mobility response is fast, but ping-pong handovers increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandover response speedVSAvoidhandover stability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamic HO parameters that adapt to the UE's activity type. For high-mobility UEs, more aggressive thresholds enable faster handover response, while for low-mobility or stationary UEs, more conservative thresholds prevent unnecessary handovers and ping-pong scenarios. This dynamic adjustment of parameters based on determined activity characteristics allows the system to optimize both handover speed and stability for different UE categories simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2974453B1Method and apparatus for LTE handover reduction
Publication Date: 2018.10.17 ALCATEL LUCENT SA
  • EP2974453B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP2974453B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP2974453B1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

A method of setting hand over (HO) parameters for a user equipment (UE) connected to a first cell of a base station (BS) may include receiving, at the BS, history data corresponding to the UE, the history data including, for each of a plurality of cells the UE was previously connected to, an entry including HO information of the UE at the cell; determining at the BS, an activity type of the UE based on the received history data; and setting, at the BS, the HO parameters for the UE based on the determined activity type, the HO parameters controlling the manner in which the UE detects conditions for initiating an HO event.