NTN CU-DU Handover Using Preconfigured Target DU Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication systems where Centralized Unit (CU) and Distributed Unit (DU) equipment are separated, there is a need for rapid switching of user equipment to appropriate DU equipment and DU equipment to appropriate CU equipment.

Innovation Solution

The CU equipment generates switching configuration information for predicting and facilitating the transition of user equipment to target DU equipment and DU equipment to target CU equipment, including identification and priority information to ensure seamless handover.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the CU and DU equipment are separated, then the system architecture becomes more flexible and modular, but the handover switching speed between DU and CU equipment deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem architecture flexibilityVSAvoidhandover switching speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the source DU equipment pre-establish communication links with candidate target DU equipments before handover occurs. The CU equipment also pre-determines switching configuration information including candidate target units. This pre-preparation eliminates the need for real-time discovery during handover, thus maintaining fast switching speed despite the modular separated architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

If the target DU equipment is determined after switching, then the system operates with simpler real-time decision-making, but the handover process experiences time delay and service interruption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereal-time decision complexityVSAvoidhandover time delay
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves this contradiction by performing the target DU equipment determination action in advance. The CU equipment determines candidate target DU equipments and generates switching configuration information before the user equipment actually switches. This pre-determination allows the handover to execute quickly without real-time decision delays, while the complexity is managed through automated algorithms at the CU.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The CU equipment acts as an intermediary between the source DU and target DU. It pre-determines the switching configuration information and communicates it to both the source DU and user equipment. This intermediary approach centralizes the complex determination logic, allowing fast execution at the radio interface while maintaining architectural flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If switching configuration information is transmitted during handover, then the handover process is simple and direct, but the signaling overhead increases and switches are slower

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandover process simplicityVSAvoidsignaling overhead time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the CU equipment generate and prepare switching configuration information in advance, before the handover is triggered. This pre-prepared information is then transmitted efficiently to the source DU and user equipment, reducing the actual handover signaling time while maintaining the simplicity of the direct switching process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3962166B1Fast handover for non-terrestrial network having a CU-du configuration
Publication Date: 2026.02.25 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP3962166B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2(a)
  • EP3962166B1 patent drawingFigure 2(b)~3
  • EP3962166B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a central unit (CU) device, a user equipment, a wireless communication method, and a storage medium. The CU device according to the present disclosure comprises a processing circuit, configured to: generate switching configuration information for the user equipment to switch from a source distributed unit (DU) device to a target DU device, the switching configuration information comprising one or more candidate target DU devices of the user equipment; and send the switching configuration information to the user equipment. By using the CU device, the user equipment, the wireless communication method, and the storage medium according to the present disclosure, the user equipment can be rapidly switched to a suitable DU device, and a DU device can be rapidly switched to a suitable CU device.