Mobile Relay Handover Latency Reduction in LTE-Advanced Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current relay technologies in mobile networks, particularly in 3GPP LTE-Advanced systems, are designed for stationary relays and do not effectively manage the handover of mobile relays, leading to potential network disruptions and quality of service (QoS) issues when relays move relative to source network nodes.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for managing a moving relay node by ensuring a target network node can support the relay, sending a handover request, establishing an interface between the relay and the target node, and detaching the relay from the source node without waiting for acknowledgement, thereby minimizing handover latency and maintaining QoS for connected user equipment (UEs).
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional handover procedures are used for mobile relays, then network coverage is maintained, but handover latency increases and QoS deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The source network node sends the handover command to the mobile relay node before receiving acknowledgement of the handover request from the target network node. This preliminary action allows the handover process to start earlier, reducing handover latency while maintaining QoS through optimized procedure sequencing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent skips the traditional waiting step for handover request acknowledgement by proceeding to send the handover command immediately. This rushing through of the handover procedure reduces latency while alternative mechanisms ensure QoS is maintained during the accelerated handover process.
2Reliability
If handover request acknowledgement is waited for, then handover reliability is improved, but handover latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The handover command is sent as a preliminary action before the handover request acknowledgement is received. This allows the mobile relay node to prepare for handover earlier, reducing latency while the target network node's prior preparation ensures reliability is maintained.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic handover procedures where the timing and sequencing of handover messages are optimized based on network conditions and relay mobility characteristics, allowing flexibility between reliability and latency trade-offs.
3Adaptability or versatility
If mobile relay handover is supported, then network adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The network nodes are designed with multi-functionality to handle both stationary and mobile relay handovers using the same infrastructure and protocols. This universal approach enables mobile relay support without proportionally increasing complexity, as existing network elements perform multiple functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The source and target network nodes act as intermediaries that manage the complexity of mobile relay handover procedures, shielding the mobile relay node from complex management tasks and simplifying its role while maintaining overall system adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and network node for managing a relay node that is moving relative to a source network node are provided. The method and the network node ensure a target network node is capable of supporting the relay node and if the target network node is capable of supporting the relay node, the method and network node sends a handover request from the source network node to the target network a handover request from the source network node to the target network node, and establishes an interface between the relay node and the target network node.