Resolving Node Identifier Confusion in Wireless Handover
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication systems, the deployment of multiple small-coverage base stations, such as femto cells, can lead to node identifier confusion, where multiple access points share the same identifier, causing difficulties in handover operations between access terminals and access points.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of techniques to detect and resolve node identifier confusion by using unique identifiers, such as global cell identifiers, and configuring access terminals and access points to acquire and use these unique identifiers during handover operations, ensuring accurate communication and resource allocation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If multiple access points deploy the same node identifier to save identifier resources, then identifier resource utilization is improved, but handover operation reliability deteriorates due to identifier confusion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the identifier system into two distinct parts: a non-unique node identifier (for resource efficiency) and a unique access terminal identifier (for reliability). This segmentation allows the system to maintain both identifier resource utilization and handover operation reliability by using each identifier type for its appropriate purpose.
Solution Approach 2:
The access terminal identifier acts as an intermediary that resolves the conflict between node identifier reuse and handover reliability. By introducing this additional identifier that is unique to each access terminal, the system can distinguish between different access points even when they share the same node identifier, thus maintaining reliable handover operations.
2Ease of operation
If access terminals use non-unique node identifiers for communication, then communication simplicity is improved, but connection accuracy deteriorates due to identifier confusion
Solution Approach 1:
The communication system is segmented into two identifier layers: node identifiers for simple network-level communication and access terminal identifiers for precise device-level identification. This allows communication to remain simple at the network level while achieving high accuracy at the device level during handover and connection operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds another dimension to the identifier system by introducing access terminal identifiers as a secondary identification layer. This dimensional addition allows the system to maintain simple communication using node identifiers while achieving precise connection accuracy by adding the access terminal identifier dimension when needed.
3Device complexity
If the network uses a limited number of node identifiers, then system complexity is reduced, but the ability to uniquely identify access points deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The identification system is segmented into node-level identification (using simple node identifiers) and access terminal-level identification (using unique access terminal identifiers). This segmentation reduces system complexity by keeping node identifiers limited while maintaining precise access point identification through the combination of node identifier and access terminal identifier.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the access terminal identifier as a copying mechanism that references the node identifier while adding unique identification. The access terminal identifier copies the node identifier's identification function but extends it to provide unique access point identification without increasing the node identifier space.
Data Source
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AI summary
Confusion resulting from assigning the same node identifier to multiple nodes is resolved through the use of confusion detection techniques and the use of unique identifiers for the nodes. In some aspects an access point and/or an access terminal may perform operations relating to detecting confusion and/or providing a unique identifier to resolve confusion.