O-RAN Handover Recommendation via Parallel Cell Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless network operators face challenges with network congestion and inefficient resource utilization during handover operations in wireless communication systems, leading to degraded service quality and resource wastage, especially in complex networks with varying load conditions.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for real-time handover in an open-Radio Access Network (O-RAN) environment that simultaneously detects handover requirements and identifies target neighbor cells by dynamically updating handover parameters and utilizing parallel processing to optimize resource usage and load balancing across cells in 4G/LTE and 5G networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If handover is performed to the cell with strongest radio reception, then signal quality is improved, but network congestion increases and service quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes handover parameters (CIO values, hysteresis margins) based on real-time cell load conditions. When a cell is heavily loaded, the system adjusts parameters to discourage handover to that cell even if signal strength is strong, thereby preventing congestion while maintaining service quality
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring cell load values and using this information to adjust handover decisions. The network entity receives load information from cells and uses this feedback to control handover parameters, ensuring that handover does not exacerbate existing congestion
2Reliability
If handover parameters are monitored and adjusted for load balancing, then service quality is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces a network entity (RIC or O&M system) as an intermediary that centralizes the complexity of handover parameter management. This intermediary collects cell load information, determines appropriate handover parameters, and distributes them to relevant entities, thereby managing complexity in a structured way while improving service quality
Solution Approach 2:
The handover management function is segmented into separate components: cell load monitoring, parameter determination, and parameter distribution. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and managed by different network entities, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining improved service quality
3Productivity
If parallel handover processes are implemented for real-time detection and target cell identification, then handover efficiency is improved, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The handover process is divided into two parallel segments: a first handover process for real-time detection of handover requirements and a second handover process for target cell identification. This segmentation enables simultaneous execution of both functions, improving overall handover efficiency while managing processing complexity through functional separation
Solution Approach 2:
The first handover process performs preliminary detection of handover requirements in real-time, preparing the system for subsequent target cell identification. This preliminary action enables the second process to focus solely on identification, improving overall efficiency while distributing processing complexity across two specialized processes
Data Source
AI summary
A method and radio access network (RAN) controller (102) for providing real-time target cell recommendation for handover in an open-RAN (O-RAN) environment (400) is disclosed. The O-RAN environment has a virtualized network architecture having at least one RAN controller, the RAN controller is connected with a plurality of E2 nodes, the plurality of E2 nodes are connected to a plurality of user equipment (UEs) (112a, 112b, 112c, 112d and 112e) positioned in a serving cell (110) adjacent to a plurality of neighbour cells (108a,108b). The method comprising executing a first handover process to enable checking, at the atleast one UE, if triggering of handover is required and a second handover process to identify a target neighbour cell (108a/108b) for handover of the atleast one UE from the serving cell to the target neighbour cell and recommending the handover of the atleast one UE from the serving cell to the identified target neighbour cell based on the first handover process and the second handover process. The first handover process and the second handover process are triggered simultaneously.