Multimode Mobile Station Handoff to 802.16m Zones

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Solution Overview

Problem

In Mobile Broadband Wireless Access systems, multimode mobile stations experience connection disruptions and inefficient power usage during handoffs from legacy to enhanced networks, and fail to utilize advanced network features due to limitations in existing handoff procedures.

Innovation Solution

A method for handoff that involves scanning neighboring base stations, detecting capabilities for 802.16m zones, and triggering a Zone Switch request to switch from legacy to 802.16m zones, either by the mobile station or the base station, using MAC versions and ranging requests to ensure seamless transition and utilization of advanced network features.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the multimode MS uses existing handoff procedures to move from legacy network to enhanced network, then the connection is maintained, but the MS cannot utilize the additional features of the enhanced network and continues to use legacy protocols

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveutilization of enhanced network featuresVSAvoidconnection stability during handoff

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the ABS broadcast its capability to support 802.16m zones and neighboring ABS types in advance through neighbor advertisement messages. This allows the MS to know the target ABS capabilities before handoff, enabling it to prepare for switching to enhanced protocols while maintaining connection stability during the transition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses the ABS as an intermediary that mediates the transition from legacy to enhanced network. The ABS provides both legacy zone and 802.16m zone support, acting as a bridge that allows seamless handoff while enabling access to enhanced features. The ABS coordinates the zone switching process to ensure connection continuity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the multimode MS scans for legacy zone under ABS of potential target cell, then the MS can find and connect to the target cell, but the MS wastes considerable amount of power in scanning

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandoff connection successVSAvoidpower consumption during scanning

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the serving ABS provide information about neighboring ABS types and capabilities in advance through neighbor advertisement messages. This pre-information allows the MS to identify target cells that support 802.16m zones without extensive scanning, significantly reducing power consumption while ensuring reliable handoff connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the multimode MS connects to the legacy zone of the ABS after handoff, then the handoff is successful, but the MS is limited to legacy protocols and cannot utilize enhanced network capabilities

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandoff completionVSAvoidnetwork capability utilization

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies feedback by having the MS detect the ABS capability to support 802.16m zones through broadcast messages and neighbor advertisements. Based on this feedback information, the MS can autonomously trigger zone switching requests or respond to network-initiated switching commands, ensuring both handoff success and enhanced feature utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Adaptability or versatility

If the system provides both legacy zone and 802.16m zone under ABS, then the enhanced features are available, but the complexity of managing multiple zones increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport for multiple network standardsVSAvoidzone management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing the ABS to provide multiple functions: it serves as both a legacy network provider and an enhanced network provider through different zones. This multi-functional design allows a single ABS to support both 802.16e and 802.16m standards, reducing the need for separate infrastructure while managing complexity through unified control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2144464B1Method for handoff during connected mode of a multimode mobile station in a mixed deployment

Publication Date: 2016.10.12 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

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AI summary

Methods for handoff of a multimode mobile station (MS). The MS, in connected mode, moves from a cell of a legacy base station to a cell of an ABS and scans base stations from a list of neighbouring base stations, wherein at least the ABS is listed as another legacy base station in the list of neighbouring base stations. The MS performs the handoff to connect to a legacy zone of the ABS. Further, the multimode MS switching from the legacy zone of the ABS to a advanced zone of the ABS based on a Zone Switch request or command is triggered by either the multimode MS or the ABS. The Zone Switch request is triggered after detecting capabilities of either the multimode MS or the ABS that they support advanced zone. The capabilities are detected by using MAC versions of the multimode MS and the ABS or an indicator for the advanced zone. The multimode MS can also performs handoff to the advanced zone from the cell of the legacy base station by receiving one or more information items for ranging in the advanced zone from the ABS during the handoff.