Network-Triggered Handover With Preconfigured Target Cell Setup

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communications systems, particularly in Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs), frequent handovers due to moving cells result in high overhead and latency, as UEs need to dynamically select and signal target cell configurations, which is inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A source cell transmits a handover command to a UE with the target cell's configuration in advance, followed by a trigger message to initiate the handover, reducing overhead and latency by preparing the UE ahead of time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If dynamic target cell selection and configuration signaling is performed during handover, then handover adaptability is improved, but overhead and latency increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandover adaptabilityVSAvoidhandover latency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The network pre-configures handover parameters, target cell information, and configuration data before the handover event occurs. This preliminary preparation allows the UE to execute handover quickly when triggered, reducing latency while maintaining adaptability through pre-planned configurations for multiple potential target cells.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The handover process is divided into distinct phases: configuration phase (where target cell information is prepared and stored), trigger phase (where handover condition is detected), and execution phase (where actual handover occurs). This segmentation allows configuration work to be done in advance without blocking the rapid execution when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If frequent handovers are performed in NTNs due to moving cells, then connection reliability is improved, but overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidsignaling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Configuration data for multiple potential target cells is prepared and stored in advance during the configuration phase. When handover is triggered, the UE can immediately execute using pre-configured parameters without requiring additional signaling exchanges, thereby reducing overhead while supporting frequent handovers for connection reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The network provides copied configuration data for target cells that mirrors the structure and parameters needed for handover execution. This allows the UE to have ready-to-use configuration templates that can be quickly activated without generating new signaling overhead during frequent handover events.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP4154428B1Network triggered handover
Publication Date: 2026.04.15 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP4154428B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4154428B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4154428B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. The described techniques may provide for efficiently triggering a handover at a user equipment (UE) from a source cell to a target cell. The UE may receive, at a first time period, a first control message including a configuration of a target cell to use at a second time period for performing a handover procedure from a source cell to a target cell. The UE may then receive, at the second time period, a second control message triggering the UE to perform the handover procedure from the source cell to the target cell. The UE may use the configuration of the target cell received in the first control message to perform a handover procedure from the source cell to the target cell at the second time period in response to receiving the second control message.