Mobile Apparatus Triggered Mobility for Inter-Cell Interference

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current network technologies face limitations in supporting seamless mobility from macro cells to localized cells like femtocells and pico cells, particularly due to inter-cell interference, which leads to degraded connection quality and inefficient traffic offloading.

Innovation Solution

A mobile apparatus monitors connection quality with a serving cell and reports to a network node when a predefined threshold condition indicative of inter-cell interference is met, triggering a handover to a localized cell to offload network traffic and reduce interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a mobile terminal remains connected to a macro cell, then network coverage is maintained, but inter-cell interference from localized cells degrades connection quality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection qualityVSAvoidinter-cell interference

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile terminal performs preliminary measurements of reference signal received power (RSRP) and reference signal received quality (RSRQ) from both the serving macro cell and neighboring localized cells before handover occurs. By continuously monitoring these parameters and comparing them against threshold values, the system can detect inter-cell interference conditions early and trigger handover proactively, preventing connection quality degradation rather than reacting after interference has occurred.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where the mobile terminal reports measurement results to the network node, which then decides whether to trigger handover. The network continuously monitors connection quality parameters and uses this feedback information to make informed handover decisions, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts to changing interference conditions and optimizes connection quality dynamically.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If handover to a localized cell is triggered, then traffic offloading is achieved, but handover timing must be precise to avoid interference

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetraffic offloading efficiencyVSAvoidhandover timing accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile terminal performs preliminary measurements of RSRP and RSRQ from both the serving macro cell and neighboring localized cells before handover occurs. By continuously monitoring these parameters and comparing them against threshold values, the system can detect inter-cell interference conditions early and trigger handover proactively, preventing connection quality degradation rather than reacting after interference has occurred.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If localized cells are deployed within macro cell coverage, then traffic offloading capability is enhanced, but inter-cell interference increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetraffic offloading capabilityVSAvoidinter-cell interference

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful inter-cell interference signal into a useful measurement parameter. By measuring the RSRP and RSRQ of the interfering localized cell signals, the mobile terminal can detect the presence and strength of interference, which then triggers the handover process. Thus, what was previously a detrimental factor (interference) becomes the basis for making informed handover decisions and improving connection quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces measurement parameters (RSRP, RSRQ) and threshold values as intermediaries between the physical interference condition and the handover decision. These intermediaries translate the complex interference environment into quantifiable metrics that the mobile terminal and network node can process to make automated, optimal handover decisions, facilitating smooth transitions between macro and localized cells.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS8515431B2Methods and apparatuses for facilitating triggered mobility

Publication Date: 2013.08.20 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY

AI summary

Methods and apparatuses are provided for facilitating triggered mobility. A method may include monitoring, at a mobile apparatus, a connection quality associated with a serving cell serving the mobile apparatus. The method may further include determining based at least in part on the monitored connection quality whether a predefined threshold connection quality condition has been satisfied. The predefined threshold connection quality condition may be indicative of potential inter-cell interference from a cell located within a coverage area of the serving cell. In an instance in which it is determined that the predefined threshold connection quality condition has been satisfied, the method may additionally include causing a report indicating that the predefined threshold connection quality condition has been satisfied to be sent to a network node associated with the serving cell. A corresponding apparatus is also provided.