O-RAN Handover Parameter Updates via RIC Load Balancing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems face inefficiencies in handover operations due to inadequate load balancing, leading to network congestion, degraded service quality, and resource wastage, particularly in complex networks with new standards like 5G, where existing self-organizing network (SON) techniques lack real-time centralized management.
Innovation Solution
A method for parallel updating of handover parameters in an open-RAN environment using a radio access network intelligent controller (RIC) application, which periodically compares serving cell load parameters with neighboring cells, dynamically adjusts cell individual offsets (CIOs), and updates handover parameters in real-time to optimize load balancing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If self-organizing network (SON) techniques are used for handover management, then automatic monitoring and optimization is achieved, but real-time centralized management is lacking and intelligence is limited to individual cell basis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a centralized Handover Management System (HMS) as an intermediary component that coordinates handover decisions across multiple cells. The HMS collects load information from serving and target cells, performs centralized evaluation, and determines optimal handover parameters, thereby achieving real-time centralized management while maintaining automation through the standardized interface between HMS and base stations.
2Reliability
If handover is performed based on signal strength comparison, then connection switching is achieved, but network congestion is aggravated when target cell is heavily loaded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the Handover Management System continuously monitors the load information of both serving and target cells. Based on this feedback, the system dynamically adjusts handover decisions - preventing handover to heavily loaded cells even if signal strength is good, and redirecting to less loaded cells to balance network load and avoid congestion.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the handover decision parameters by incorporating cell load information alongside signal strength measurements. Instead of relying solely on signal strength comparison, the HMS evaluates multiple parameters including serving cell load, target cell load, and signal quality to make informed handover decisions that prevent congestion while maintaining reliable connections.
3Adaptability or versatility
If unnecessary handover switching occurs, then radio resources are wasted and system efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The Handover Management System performs preliminary evaluation of handover candidates by assessing target cell load conditions before initiating handover. This preliminary action prevents unnecessary handovers to cells that are already heavily loaded, thereby avoiding radio resource wastage and maintaining system efficiency while preserving the flexibility to handover when appropriate.
4Device complexity
If existing centralized handover management systems are used, then handover control is centralized, but they fail to provide real-time optimization in complex networks with new standards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic handover management system where the Handover Management System continuously adapts its decisions based on real-time load information from serving and target cells. The system dynamically adjusts handover parameters and decisions according to current network conditions, enabling real-time optimization in complex networks while maintaining the benefits of centralized control structure.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for identifying handover requirement by a Radio access network (RAN) controller in open RAN (O-RAN) environment. The O-RAN environment has a virtualized network architecture having at least one RAN controller that is able to control, via an E2 node, a plurality of user equipments (UEs) positioned in a serving cell, a cell covering a location for serving a UE, the serving cell is adjacent to a plurality of neighbour cells. The method includes parallel execution of the operations performed by the RAN controller for each serving cell and each of the neighbor cell and updating CIOs in stepwise i.e., gradually with repeated comparing of the serving cell load parameter with each of the plurality of neighbour cell load parameters and updating the serving cell handover parameter and the plurality of neighbour cell handover parameters based on the comparison.