Multi-Target Handover Preparation for LTE Cell Border Failures
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Solution Overview
Problem
In mobile networks, particularly in LTE systems, handover failures occur due to the risk of UE being handed over to a wrong cell, leading to connection losses and reduced handover performance when there are overlapping cells at network borders, as conventional solutions fail to accurately interpret and adjust handover borders effectively.
Innovation Solution
A handover method and network node solution that involves receiving measurement reports from UE, determining at least two potential target cells, and transmitting handover request messages to each, with selection based on evaluation of measurement reports to identify the best target cell and prepare candidate cells for re-establishment in case of failures, thereby reducing the need for border adjustments and enhancing handover performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional handover procedures are used with single target cell selection, then the handover decision process is simple, but the risk of handover failure increases when UE is handed over to wrong cells at network borders
Solution Approach 1:
The source eNB sends handover request messages to multiple potential target cells in advance before the UE actually needs to handover. This preliminary action ensures that target cells are pre-configured and ready to receive the UE, reducing the risk of handover failure due to wrong cell selection or delayed preparation
Solution Approach 2:
The invention prepares multiple candidate target cells simultaneously, creating a buffer or cushion against the risk of selecting a wrong single target cell. If the primary target cell proves unsuitable, the UE can be handed over to an alternative prepared cell, cushioning against handover failure
2Reliability
If handover border adjustments are made to avoid wrong cell handovers, then handover failure risk is reduced, but the complexity of network configuration and maintenance increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of physically adjusting handover borders through network reconfiguration, the invention changes the parameter of target cell selection by evaluating multiple cells based on measurement reports. This allows dynamic adaptation to varying radio conditions without permanent border changes
Solution Approach 2:
The handover target selection becomes dynamic rather than static. The source eNB continuously evaluates multiple potential target cells based on current measurement reports and selects the most suitable one, allowing the system to adapt to changing conditions without manual border adjustments
3Reliability
If multiple handover request messages are sent to potential target cells, then the risk of handover failure is reduced, but the signaling overhead and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The target cells autonomously evaluate their own suitability for handover based on the measurement reports and their current resource availability. Each target cell independently performs admission control and prepares resources without requiring extensive coordination with other cells, reducing overall processing time
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a handover (HO) method performed in a network node, comprising: receiving measurement reports from a UE, the measurement reports being related to a predetermined number of cells, the predetermined number of cells constituting a first set; determining based on the received measurement reports that there are at least two potential target cells in the first set for HO of the UE; and transmitting a HO request to each of the at least two potential target cells for the HO of the UE. The present disclosure further provides a network node using the HO method and a computer program product.