MEC Server Cell Handover Latency Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cell handover methods in mobile edge computing are inefficient due to the need for multiple measurements by the source base station to determine the target cell, leading to complex processes and low handover efficiency, particularly in high-speed vehicle scenarios where latency and reliability are critical.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a mobile edge computing (MEC) server that determines the target cell based on the mobile terminal's status information, including location and speed, and sends an identifier to the terminal for seamless handover, thereby simplifying the handover process and improving efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the source base station measures all possible target cells multiple times to determine the final target cell, then the handover decision accuracy is improved, but the process complexity increases and handover efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandover decision accuracyVSAvoidprocess complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the handover decision-making function from the source base station and relocates it to the MEC server. The source base station only needs to obtain terminal status information and send it to the MEC server, which then determines the target cell. This extraction simplifies the base station's functionality while maintaining accurate handover decisions through the MEC server's centralized processing capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The MEC server acts as an intermediary between the source base station and the terminal. Instead of the source base station directly measuring and deciding handover targets, the MEC server receives status information, performs the decision-making process, and returns the target cell identifier. This intermediary role streamlines the handover process while ensuring reliable decisions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the source base station measures all possible target cells multiple times to determine the final target cell, then the handover decision accuracy is improved, but the handover efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandover decision accuracyVSAvoidhandover efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The MEC server performs preliminary processing by obtaining terminal status information (location, speed, direction) in advance and using this information to proactively determine the target cell before the handover is actually needed. This preliminary action eliminates the need for multiple repeated measurements during the handover process, significantly improving handover efficiency while maintaining decision accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If conventional cell handover methods are used with multiple measurements, then the handover decision is reliable, but the latency increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandover decision reliabilityVSAvoidhandover latency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The MEC server uses terminal status information to proactively determine the target cell in advance, eliminating the need for multiple repeated measurements during the handover execution phase. This preliminary determination significantly reduces handover latency while maintaining reliable decisions based on comprehensive status information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

By extracting the time-consuming measurement and decision-making process from the source base station and relocating it to the MEC server, the system reduces the time required for handover execution at the base station while maintaining reliable decision-making through the MEC server's centralized processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP3503620B1Method, device and system for cell handover
Publication Date: 2022.06.15 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3503620B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3503620B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3503620B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

This application provides a cell handover method, apparatus, and system. The cell handover method includes: receiving, by a mobile edge computing MEC server, status information of a mobile terminal that is sent by a source cell, where the status information includes location information and speed information; determining, by the MEC server, a target cell based on the status information, where the MEC server serves the target cell, the target cell is neighboring to the source cell, and coverage of the target cell partially overlaps coverage of the source cell; and sending, by the MEC server, an identifier of the target cell to the mobile terminal by using the source cell. According to the cell handover method, apparatus, and system provided in this application, cell handover is controlled by using the MEC server, to improve efficiency of the cell handover.