NTN Handover Using Location-Aware Cell Edge Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

In NTN systems, the difference in RSRPs between the center and edge of a cell is not significant, making it difficult for terminals to identify cell edges and adjacent cells with better channel quality, leading to delayed handovers and service interruptions.

Innovation Solution

Simultaneously consider channel and location measurement parameters to determine timely handovers, using measurement results to identify target cells and ensure seamless transitions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If RSRP-based handover mechanism is used in NTN system, then handover decision can be made based on signal quality measurement, but terminal cannot accurately identify cell edge or adjacent cells with better channel quality due to insignificant RSRP difference between center and edge

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecell edge identification accuracyVSAvoidhandover timing accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the measurement parameter from RSRP (signal quality) to location measurement parameter (distance to cell center), which shows significant variation between cell center and edge in NTN systems, enabling accurate cell edge identification and timely handover decisions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces location measurement parameter as an intermediary to indirectly indicate cell position and handover readiness, since direct RSRP measurement cannot reliably indicate cell edge status in NTN environments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If terminal waits for RSRP measurement to trigger handover, then handover can be made based on signal quality threshold, but service interruption occurs because terminal has already left original cell and entered another cell

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice continuityVSAvoidhandover delay

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables preliminary handover preparation by using location measurement to detect when terminal approaches cell edge, allowing handover procedures to be initiated before service interruption occurs, thus maintaining service continuity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanism where terminal continuously reports location measurement parameter to network device, which monitors the parameter and triggers handover command when threshold is reached, ensuring timely handover execution

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS12550012B2Non terrestrial network NTN handover method, device and storage medium

Publication Date: 2026.02.10 GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP LTD

AI summary

Embodiments of the present application provide a non terrestrial communication network NTN handover method, a device, and a storage medium; and the method includes: a terminal device measuring channel measurement parameters and location measurement parameters of a current serving cell and at least one first adjacent cell; the terminal device sending the measurement results of the current serving cell and at least one second adjacent cell to a network device; where the second adjacent cell is an adjacent cell which satisfies a measurement reporting condition; where the measurement results are configured to instruct the network device to determine a target cell to be handed over for the terminal device; and the terminal device performs handover according to a handover command received, where the handover command is configured to instruct the terminal device to perform handover from the current serving cell to the target cell.