Pre-emptive Handover for Moving Relay Nodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Relay nodes without fixed locations, such as those on moving vehicles, face challenges in performing handovers quickly enough to maintain service quality, especially when traveling at high speeds, as they rely on traditional signal measurement-based methods which are inefficient.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system where a relay node monitors its location and direction of travel along a predefined route to pre-emptively perform handovers to a selected donor access node based on predetermined handover locations and directions, independent of signal measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If traditional signal measurement-based handover methods are used for moving relay nodes, then the handover process follows conventional procedures, but the handover speed is insufficient to maintain service quality at high speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-determines handover locations along the relay node's route before the relay node actually reaches them. The network controller identifies optimal handover points in advance and prepares target donor access nodes, so when the relay node approaches these pre-marked locations, handovers can execute immediately without traditional signal measurement delays, thus achieving both high speed and reliable service continuity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the relay node's travel route into discrete segments with predefined handover locations at specific intervals or geographic points. Each segment has a predetermined target donor access node assigned to it, allowing the system to manage handovers as a series of discrete, pre-planned events rather than continuous signal-based decisions, improving both speed and reliability
2Productivity
If pre-emptive handover based on location matching is implemented, then handover speed increases significantly, but the system complexity increases due to route mapping and location monitoring requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a network controller as an intermediary that centralizes the complex tasks of route mapping, handover location determination, and donor access node selection. The relay node itself only needs to report its location and receive handover commands, significantly reducing the complexity burden on moving devices while maintaining high handover efficiency through centralized intelligent control
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows relay nodes to autonomously monitor their own locations using onboard positioning systems and automatically report these to the network controller. The relay nodes also autonomously execute handovers when commanded, reducing the need for continuous complex control signaling and simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining high productivity
3Loss of time
If handover is performed independent of signal measurement, then handover time is reduced and service continuity is maintained, but the adaptability to changing signal conditions may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-determines handover locations and target donor access nodes based on historical signal quality data, predicted relay node trajectories, and network load conditions. This preliminary planning allows the system to execute fast handovers without real-time signal measurements while still adapting to changing conditions through periodic updates to the pre-determined handover plan as the relay node progresses along its route
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the network controller continuously monitors relay node location, signal conditions, and handover performance. Based on this feedback, the controller dynamically adjusts future handover decisions, updating pre-determined handover locations and target selections to adapt to changing signal conditions while maintaining the speed benefits of pre-emptive handover
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments described herein relate to performing pre-emptive handovers of the backhaul connection of a moving small access node or a relay node that is attached to a mode of transportation traveling along a known or predefined route. The handovers to specific donor access nodes are based at least on a direction of travel, rate (speed) of travel, and current location of the mode of transportation, as well as the presence and coverage areas of the donor access nodes along the known route.