Mobile Base Station Handover via Management Node Coordination

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communication networks face challenges in smoothly handing over radio communication connections between mobile base stations as they move across geographical service zones, leading to potential disruptions in service for user equipment.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that utilize a management node to coordinate the handover process by receiving registration requests from ingressing mobile base stations, sending communication parameters, and facilitating the transfer of user equipment connections from egressing to ingressing mobile base stations through a controlled handover process, including the exchange of handover requests and replies to ensure seamless service continuity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual or automated handover procedures are used between mobile base stations, then service continuity can be maintained, but communication disruptions and delays occur during the handover process

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice continuityVSAvoidhandover delay
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by establishing communication links between mobile base stations before handover is needed. When a first mobile base station approaches a second mobile base station, they exchange communication parameters and establish a direct communication link in advance. This preliminary setup eliminates handover delays by having the communication path ready before the actual handover event occurs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a communication link between mobile base stations as an intermediary mechanism. Instead of relying on traditional infrastructure-based handover that causes disruptions, the mobile base stations communicate directly with each other through established communication parameters, serving as intermediaries to maintain seamless service continuity during movement between geographical service zones.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If traditional handover methods are used between mobile base stations, then base station mobility is enabled, but service quality and communication smoothness deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebase station mobilityVSAvoidservice quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adapts communication parameters based on the relative positions and movements of mobile base stations. As base stations move between geographical service zones, the system continuously updates communication parameters including frequency, timing, and power levels to maintain optimal service quality. This dynamic adjustment enables base station mobility while preserving reliable communication throughout the movement process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where mobile base stations exchange information about their positions, communication conditions, and service quality metrics. This feedback enables the system to adjust handover timing and communication parameters in real-time, ensuring that service quality is maintained even as base stations move dynamically through different geographical service zones.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3417649B1Smooth handover of active user traffic in mobile radio base stations
Publication Date: 2019.06.19 GOOGLE LLC
  • EP3417649B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3417649B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3417649B1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus for handover of communications between a plurality of radio user equipment and an egressing mobile base station to an ingressing mobile base station. The user equipment are terrestrially located within a geographical service zone (GSZ) having an ingress zone and an egress zone. When an egressing mobile base station enters an egress zone, it initiates a handover to a management node associated with the GSZ. The management node communicates with the ingressing mobile base station, which has entered the ingress zone, to accept the handover of the connections from the egressing base station. The handover is carried out without any disruption of user equipment communications. The management node can also communicate with a flight control node to control one or more flight parameters of the ingressing or egressing base station to facilitate smooth handover.