Predictive Wireless Handover Pre-Configuration for Low-Latency Mobility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional handover procedures in wireless communications networks, particularly in 5G and NR systems, suffer from high latency and signaling overhead, especially in scenarios involving group handovers, which are not optimally designed for devices with varying data traffic profiles and mobility requirements.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced where a source communications node predicts the future location of a device and transmits a pre-configuration message with handover settings to the device, followed by a trigger signal for the device to handover to a target node at a future time, thereby reducing the need for real-time measurement reports and signaling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional handover procedures using Layer 3 RRC layer signaling are used, then handover control and configuration are achieved, but latency is high and signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by predicting the future location of the communications device and pre-configuring handover parameters before the actual handover event occurs. The source communications node determines a future time based on predicted location and transmits pre-configuration messages in advance, so that when handover is needed, the device can execute it immediately without waiting for real-time measurement reports and conventional RRC signaling procedures.
2Reliability
If conventional handover procedures are used, then handover execution is controlled, but signaling overhead is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential handover configuration information from the complex Layer 3 RRC signaling procedure and transmits it separately as pre-configuration data at lower protocol layers. By taking out the critical handover parameters and configuring them in advance through more efficient signaling mechanisms, the patent reduces the burden on real-time RRC signaling while maintaining reliable handover control.
3Measurement precision
If real-time measurement reports are used for handover decisions, then accurate handover timing is achieved, but the process is too slow for low latency applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary location prediction and handover configuration before the handover event occurs. Instead of waiting for real-time measurement reports, the system proactively determines the future location of the device, identifies the target communications node in advance, and pre-configures all necessary handover parameters. This eliminates the time-consuming real-time measurement and decision-making process while maintaining accurate handover timing based on predicted location.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of operating a source node of a wireless network for controlling handover of a device from the source node to a target node of the wireless network is provided. The method comprises selecting, by the source node, to handover the device from the source node to the target node at a future time on a basis of a predicted location of the device at the future time; transmitting, by the source node, a pre-configuration message to the device including a configuration for the handover of the device from the source node to the target node at the future time; and arranging, by the source node, for the device to receive a trigger instructing the device to handover from the source node to the target node at the future time.