Radio Control Node Handover Adaptation via Post-Connection Feedback

Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication networks face inefficiencies in managing handovers of User Equipments (UEs) between different beams, leading to unnecessary handovers and a 'handover ping-pong effect, as existing methods rely on pre-establishment measurements that do not account for the actual radio channel characteristics post-beam change.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method where Radio Control Nodes (RCNs) obtain feedback on the characteristics of radio connections established in a new beam, allowing them to adapt the process for handovers, using measurements from UEs after the connection is established, to improve mobility functionality and optimize channel quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If pre-establishment measurements are used for handover decisions, then handover process can be initiated, but unnecessary handovers and handover ping-pong effect occur due to inaccurate channel characteristic assessment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandover decision accuracyVSAvoidhandover process efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where measurement results obtained after radio connection establishment are reported back to the network node. This feedback loop allows the network to assess actual channel characteristics post-handover and make more accurate future handover decisions, thereby reducing unnecessary handovers and ping-pong effects while maintaining reliable connectivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary measurements of channel characteristics after radio connection establishment to gather accurate data about the actual channel conditions. These preliminary actions provide real information about post-handover channel quality, which is then used to refine handover decision-making processes and avoid premature or unnecessary handovers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of time

If handover decisions are made based on pre-establishment measurements, then handover can be initiated, but actual channel quality post-beam change is not accurately known

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandover initiation timeVSAvoidchannel characteristic measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary measurements of channel characteristics after radio connection establishment to gather accurate data about the actual channel conditions. These preliminary actions provide real information about post-handover channel quality, which is then used to refine handover decision-making processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where measurement results obtained after radio connection establishment are reported back to the network node. This feedback loop allows the network to assess actual channel characteristics post-handover and make more accurate future handover decisions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If frequent handovers are performed to optimize channel quality, then link stability may improve, but energy consumption increases and handover ping-pong effect occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelink stabilityVSAvoidUE energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where measurement results obtained after radio connection establishment are reported back to the network node. This feedback loop allows the network to assess actual channel characteristics post-handover and make more accurate future handover decisions, thereby reducing unnecessary handovers and ping-pong effects while maintaining reliable connectivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically adjusts handover decisions based on actual measured channel characteristics obtained after radio connection establishment. By adapting handover parameters and thresholds based on real feedback data, the system optimizes the balance between link stability and energy consumption, avoiding excessive handovers that would increase UE energy usage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3593561B1UE, first and second radio control node (RCN), and methods therein for adapting a process of changing radio connections

Publication Date: 2022.05.04 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

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AI summary

A method performed by a first Radio Control Node, RCN, for handling radio connections to be established in a second beam controlled by a second RCN for UEs served in a first beam controlled by the first RCN is provided. When a radio connection of a UE served in a first beam controlled by the first RCN has been established in the second beam controlled by a second RCN, the first RCN obtains (503) feedback from the second RCN. The feedback relates to information about the characteristics of a radio connection in the second beam resulting from measurements performed when the radio connection has been established between the UE and a second radio node providing the second beam. The first Radio Control Node, RCN then adapts (505) a process for radio connections to be established in the second beam controlled by the second RCN for UEs served in the first beam controlled by the first RCN based on the obtained feedback.