O-RAN Intra-gNodeB Handover Across Terrestrial and NTN Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge of accurately handing over service in cellular networks as users move around and go in and out of network coverage areas, particularly in environments involving both terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks, is exacerbated by increased cellular traffic and the need for efficient resource management.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a wireless network architecture that logically separates coverage areas into terrestrial-only, non-terrestrial-only, and boundary areas, with cluster-specific connections and centralized unit management for seamless intra gNodeB handovers, reducing the number of connection anchor changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If traditional handover methods are used in cellular networks, then service can be handed over between cell towers, but computing resources are excessively consumed and connection management becomes complex when users move between terrestrial and non-terrestrial coverage areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the coverage area into distinct terrestrial-only and non-terrestrial-only zones, allowing the system to apply different connection management strategies to each segment. This segmentation enables more efficient resource allocation by matching connection types to appropriate coverage areas, reducing unnecessary computing resource consumption during handovers while maintaining reliable service continuity.
2Productivity
If multiple cell towers are added to handle increased cellular traffic, then network capacity increases, but handover management becomes more complex and resource-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and separates the connection management functions into dedicated terrestrial and non-terrestrial connection managers. This extraction simplifies the overall system by allowing each manager to handle only its specific connection type, reducing the complexity of handover management while supporting increased network capacity through multiple cell towers.
3Reliability
If traditional connection management is used when users move between coverage areas, then service continuity can be maintained, but the number of connection anchor changes increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic connection management that automatically adapts to the user's current coverage area. The system dynamically selects appropriate connection types (terrestrial or non-terrestrial) based on real-time location information, maintaining service continuity while optimizing network efficiency by minimizing unnecessary connection anchor changes.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are described herein for utilizing dynamic terrestrial and non-terrestrial intra gNodeB handover in a wireless network. A location of a user device connecting to the network is determined. In response to the user device being located within a terrestrial-only coverage area of the network, the user device is connected to a terrestrial cell within the terrestrial-only coverage area. In response to the user device being located within a boundary area of the network, a terrestrial cell in the boundary area is selected and a cluster associated with that terrestrial cell is identified. The user device is connected to that terrestrial cell based on that cluster. But in response to the user device being located within a non-terrestrial-only coverage area of the network, a cluster associated with a terrestrial cell within the boundary area closest to the user device is identified, and the user device is connected to a non-terrestrial cell based on that cluster.