Neighbor Cell Configuration Broadcast for NTN Handover Signaling

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Solution Overview

Problem

In non-terrestrial networks, large-scale terminal handovers due to NTN device movement cause signaling congestion and resource inefficiencies due to terminal-specific signaling for cell configuration information.

Innovation Solution

Broadcasting a common and dedicated information set for multiple neighboring cells, reducing redundant signaling and improving resource utilization by minimizing repeated transmission of common information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If terminal-specific signaling is used to send configuration information of target cells to terminals, then each terminal can receive accurate handover configuration information, but signaling overhead increases and signaling congestion occurs in the cell

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandover configuration deliveryVSAvoidsignaling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The configuration information of multiple neighboring cells is segmented into a common information set (first information set) that is shared across all cells and cell-specific information sets (second information sets) that are unique to each cell. The common information set is broadcast once to all terminals, while cell-specific information sets are provided individually, thereby reducing redundant signaling overhead while ensuring accurate handover configuration delivery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The common information set serves as a universal configuration that can be applied to multiple neighboring cells simultaneously. By broadcasting this common information set once, the system achieves multi-functionality where a single transmission serves multiple terminals and multiple cells, reducing the overall signaling overhead compared to sending individual configuration messages for each cell.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If configuration information of multiple neighboring cells is sent separately to terminals, then each terminal receives complete handover information, but resource overhead increases due to repeated transmission of common information

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandover configuration completenessVSAvoidresource overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The configuration information of multiple neighboring cells is merged by identifying and extracting the common information set that is shared across all cells. This common information set is combined with individual cell-specific information sets to form complete handover configuration packages, thereby eliminating repeated transmission of common information and reducing resource overhead while maintaining configuration completeness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The network device performs preliminary action by pre-identifying and extracting the common information set from the configuration information of multiple neighboring cells before broadcasting it to terminals. This preliminary extraction and broadcasting of common information eliminates the need for repeated transmission, reducing resource overhead while ensuring that terminals receive complete handover configuration information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4694331A1Communication method and communication apparatus
Publication Date: 2026.02.11 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4694331A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4694331A1 patent drawingFigure 2a~3
  • EP4694331A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

This application provides a communication method and a communication apparatus. The method includes: A first network device determines a first information set, where parameter information in the first information set is parameter information included in configuration information of each of a plurality of second cells, the configuration information is used by a terminal to switch, the first network device manages a first cell, and the second cell is a neighboring cell of the first cell; and the first network device sends a first message in the first cell, where the first message includes the first information set and a second information set of each second cell, and the second information set includes parameter information other than the first information set in the configuration information of the second cell. This can reduce signaling overheads and improve resource utilization.