RAN Node Upcoming Event Detection for UE Connectivity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Communication networks, particularly for autonomous vehicles, face challenges in maintaining continuous connectivity due to factors like bad coverage areas, congestion, and handovers, which can disrupt service performance.

Innovation Solution

A method is introduced where a Radio Access Network (RAN) node detects upcoming events affecting the connection with User Equipment (UE), such as vehicles, and provides indications to the UE or associated applications, allowing them to adjust communication strategies, like data rate changes or route modifications, to mitigate disruptions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If session continuity is maintained by transferring connectivity to radio access points along a route, then connectivity is assured, but communication interruptions or disturbances occur leading to reduced service performance

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveconnectivityVSAvoidservice performance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The RAN node detects upcoming events (handovers, coverage losses, congestion) before they actually disrupt the connection and provides early notification to the UE. This allows the UE to proactively adjust communication parameters (data rate, routing, buffering) before the disruption occurs, thereby maintaining service performance while ensuring connectivity continuity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the RAN node provides detailed information about upcoming events to the UE, then the UE can make better communication adjustments, but the signaling overhead and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The RAN node provides targeted, event-specific notifications only when and where needed (to affected UEs about specific upcoming events). The notification includes only the essential information needed for the UE to make appropriate adjustments (event type, timing, affected parameters), avoiding unnecessary detailed information that would increase complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If the UE adjusts communication strategies proactively based on upcoming events, then service quality is maintained, but processing requirements and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice qualityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The UE receives advance notification of upcoming events and performs communication adjustments (data rate changes, routing modifications, buffering) only during the brief window before the event occurs. This targeted proactive adjustment approach maintains service quality while minimizing processing requirements and energy consumption compared to continuous monitoring and adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20230354140A1Radio access network node, user equipment, core network node, server application node and methods performed therein

Publication Date: 2023.11.02 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

AI summary

A method performed by a RAN node (12) for handling a communication in a communication network. The RAN node detects an upcoming event based on 5 whether a condition is fulfilled or not. The condition is related to a connection between the RAN node and a UE (10) served by the RAN node. The RAN node further provides to the UE or an application associated with the UE, an indication of the detected upcoming event.