Rank-Based Handover Criteria for 5G NR Throughput Optimization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current handover decisions in wireless communication systems, particularly in connected states, are suboptimal as they rely solely on signal strength parameters, which are not suitable for data-intensive operations and can result in lower throughput due to target cells supporting lower ranks than source cells, especially in 5G NR systems with massive MIMO technology.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a rank-based criterion for handover decisions in addition to or alternative to signal strength-based criteria, where User Equipment (UE) measures and reports rank values of neighbor cells, allowing the network to select a target cell based on both signal strength and rank, ensuring optimal throughput.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If handover decisions are based solely on signal strength parameters, then the handover process is simple and fast, but the throughput deteriorates due to target cells supporting lower ranks than source cells
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a new parameter (rank value) to the handover decision process in addition to the existing signal strength parameters. The network configures the UE to measure and report both signal strength and rank values of neighbor cells. The handover decision is then made based on a combination of these parameters, specifically selecting a target cell that satisfies both signal strength thresholds and rank criteria, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining simple handover procedures and achieving high throughput.
2Productivity
If rank-based criterion is added to handover decisions, then throughput is improved by selecting higher rank target cells, but the measurement and reporting overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The network performs preliminary configuration of measurement events and reporting criteria before the handover decision is made. The network configures the UE with specific measurement events that include both signal strength and rank criteria, and pre-defines the reporting thresholds. This preliminary setup allows the UE to efficiently measure and report only when configured criteria are met, reducing unnecessary measurement and reporting overhead while still enabling throughput-optimized handover decisions.
3Measurement precision
If handover decisions consider both signal strength and rank, then the accuracy of handover selection is improved, but the decision-making time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic handover decision mechanism where the network can flexibly adjust the weighting and thresholds of different parameters (signal strength and rank) based on current network conditions and UE requirements. The measurement event configuration allows dynamic setting of triggering conditions, and the network can adaptively choose which cells to consider as potential targets based on real-time measurements. This dynamic approach enables accurate handover selection while minimizing decision time by focusing evaluations on the most promising candidate cells.
Data Source
AI summary
Handover criteria for wireless networks are provided. A base station (BS) transmits, to a user equipment (UE), a configuration for at least one measurement event to be used for a handover of the UE from a source cell to one of a set of neighbor cells, wherein the configuration includes at least a configured rank criterion for triggering a measurement report in response to the measurement event. The BS receives, from the UE, the measurement report based on the configuration, the measurement report at least including a measured rank value for one or more reported cells in the set. The BS selects a target cell from the reported cells for the handover based at least on the received measured rank values, and transmits a handover command to the UE for the handover to the selected target.