Multi-Cell Handover via Base Station Coordination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing handover processes in communication systems cannot perform handovers when there are multiple source cells or target cells, leading to limitations in data transfer and service continuity.

Innovation Solution

A method where a first target base station notifies a second target base station to hand over user equipment, and sends a handover request acknowledge message to the source base station, enabling handover to multiple target cells.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a traditional handover process is used, then the handover procedure is simple, but handover cannot be performed when there exists more than one source cell or target cell

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandover capabilityVSAvoidhandover process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the handover process into distinct phases: source cell selection, target cell notification, and handover execution. The first target base station separately notifies the second target base station, allowing multi-cell handover to be achieved through divided operational steps rather than a monolithic process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first target base station acts as an intermediary between the source base station and the second target base station. It receives the handover request from the source, processes the multi-cell handover logic, and coordinates with both target cells, thereby enabling complex multi-cell handover while maintaining interface simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If handover is limited to single cell, then the process is manageable, but data service continuity is lost in multi-cell scenarios

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice continuityVSAvoidhandover process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The first target base station performs preliminary actions by notifying the second target base station before the actual handover execution. This advance coordination ensures that all target cells are prepared to receive the user equipment, guaranteeing service continuity in multi-cell scenarios

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The handover request acknowledge message provides feedback from the first target base station to the source base station, confirming the multi-cell handover arrangement. This feedback mechanism ensures that the source base station has verified information before executing the handover, maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4009703B1Handover processing method and base station
Publication Date: 2025.05.21 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4009703B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4009703B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4009703B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The application provides a handover processing method and a base station. The method includes: receiving, by a first target base station, a handover request message sent by a source base station or a core network node; sending, by the first target base station, a first message, according to the handover request message, to a second target base station to notify the second target base station that a handover of part or all of a service of a user equipment to the second target base station is to be performed; and sending, by the first target base station, a handover request acknowledge message to the source base station or the core network node to notify the source base station or the core network node to hand over the user equipment to at least one target cell of the first target base station and/or at least one target cell of the second target base station. The present application realizes a multi-cell handover.