Network Node Link Switch Configuration Update
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for conditional handover in wireless communications networks, particularly in 5G systems operating at higher frequency bands, face challenges such as unreliable signal coverage and increased handover failure rates due to sensitive SINR variations, leading to inefficiencies in link switch operations between source and target links.
Innovation Solution
A method where a network node transmits an indication of an updated configuration for the target link to a wireless device before the link switch, ensuring confirmation of receipt either from the device or another network node, allowing for synchronized reconfiguration and reducing handover failures by avoiding configuration mismatches.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the network node updates the target link configuration without confirmation, then the handover speed is improved, but the configuration consistency between device and network node deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the wireless device sends a confirmation message to the network node after receiving the updated target link configuration. The network node waits for this confirmation before actually applying the configuration change, ensuring that the device has successfully received and processed the update instructions. This feedback loop resolves the contradiction by maintaining configuration consistency while enabling timely handover preparation.
Solution Approach 2:
The network node performs preliminary actions by transmitting the indication of updated configuration to the wireless device before the actual link switch occurs. This allows the device to prepare for handover in advance while the network node waits for confirmation, ensuring configuration consistency is established before the critical handover moment without delaying the overall handover process.
2Reliability
If the network node waits for confirmation before updating configuration, then the configuration consistency is improved, but the handover delay increases
Solution Approach 1:
The network node transmits the configuration update indication to the wireless device in advance, before the actual link switch is needed. This preliminary transmission allows the device to receive and process the configuration information early, while the network node can proceed with other handover preparations simultaneously, minimizing the overall time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuous useful action by allowing the network node to perform multiple operations in parallel: transmitting configuration indications, waiting for confirmation, and preparing for link switch. The confirmation mechanism does not create a sequential bottleneck but rather enables coordinated preparation activities that continue progress toward handover completion without significant delay.
3Speed
If the wireless device performs random access without updated configuration, then the access speed is improved, but the access reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless device receives and processes the updated target link configuration in advance, before initiating the random access procedure. The device stores this updated configuration information and uses it during the random access process to ensure proper synchronization and connection establishment with the target network node, thereby improving access reliability without significantly delaying the access process.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, performed by a network node. The method is for handling a switch of a wireless device from a source to a target link. The network node and the device operate in a wireless communications network. Given a configuration of the target link indicating resources to perform random access to the network node during the switch, the network node, transmits, prior to the switch, an indication to the device. The indication indicates an update to the configuration. The network node changes the configuration of the target link, based on the update. The changing is performed only after receiving a confirmation of at least one of: i) from the device, that the device has received the indication, and ii) from a first network node operating in the wireless communications network, that it has transmitted the indication to the device.