Communications Device Multipath Handover Across Direct and Relay Links
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communications networks face challenges in efficiently supporting a wide range of devices with diverse data traffic profiles and maintaining high-quality wireless communications links, particularly in scenarios involving multipath UEs that require simultaneous direct and indirect path handovers.
Innovation Solution
A method for operating communications devices to perform multi-path handovers and form multipath connections by receiving measurement configurations, determining quality conditions, and transmitting measurement reports to infrastructure equipment, enabling simultaneous communication via both direct and indirect paths based on link quality measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the network supports a wide range of devices with diverse data traffic profiles, then device compatibility and service coverage are improved, but network complexity and difficulty of managing diverse traffic profiles increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication path into multiple independent paths (direct path and indirect path via relay UE). Each path can be independently managed and optimized for different device types and traffic profiles, allowing the network to handle diverse devices without increasing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal handover mechanism that can serve multiple device types (multipath UEs, relay-dependent UEs, conventional UEs) through a common framework. The measurement and handover procedures are designed to be applicable across different device categories, reducing the need for device-specific complex management
2Reliability
If simultaneous direct and indirect path handovers are implemented, then communication reliability is improved, but measurement and control complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the measurement and handover control for both direct and indirect paths into a unified procedure managed by the source gNB. The network simultaneously monitors both paths and coordinates the handover, reducing the complexity burden on the UE while maintaining reliable dual-path communication
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the UE reports measurement results for both direct and indirect paths to the network, and the network provides control decisions based on this feedback. This coordinated feedback loop enables reliable handover management without requiring the UE to independently manage complex measurements for both paths
3Measurement precision
If link quality measurements are performed for both direct and indirect paths, then handover decision accuracy is improved, but measurement overhead and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary measurements and evaluations of both direct and indirect paths before handover is triggered. By proactively gathering measurement data and assessing path qualities in advance, the network can make accurate handover decisions without incurring excessive measurement overhead during the actual handover execution
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements selective measurement strategies where the network performs comprehensive measurements for paths that are likely to be used, while using simplified measurements or previously stored information for less critical paths. This partial measurement approach maintains adequate handover decision accuracy while reducing overall measurement overhead
Data Source
AI summary
Operating a device for multi-path handover from source infrastructure equipment and relay device to target infrastructure equipment and relay device includes receiving, from the source infrastructure equipment, a measurement configuration including conditions for triggering the device to transmit a measurement report to the source infrastructure equipment. The conditions are based on qualities of wireless links between the device and the source infrastructure equipment and between the device and the source relay device. Based on the measurements, the condition for triggering the device is determined to be met. The measurement report is transmitted to the source infrastructure equipment, and includes the measurements of the qualities of the wireless links. From the source infrastructure equipment, an instruction to perform the multi-path handover from the source infrastructure equipment and source relay device to the target infrastructure equipment and target relay device is received. Then the multi-path handover is performed.