Relay Node Handover Control With RRC Continuity Across Donor Switches
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cellular communication systems face challenges in efficiently managing data relay and connection switching in multi-hop relay networks, particularly in scenarios involving Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) nodes, where changes to user equipment operations are not preferable for backward compatibility.
Innovation Solution
Implementing connection switching between donor base stations through transparent operations on the network side, maintaining RRC connections via intermediate nodes, and utilizing local routing based on capacity information to optimize data relay paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If connection switching is performed between donor base stations in multi-hop relay networks, then network flexibility and fault tolerance are improved, but device complexity and control difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary control mechanism where the relay node acts as a mediator between the user equipment and donor base stations during connection switching. The relay node receives handover commands from the source donor base station and forwards them to the target donor base station, simplifying the control process and reducing the complexity at individual nodes while maintaining overall system reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The connection switching process is segmented into distinct phases: source donor base station initiates handover, relay node receives and processes the handover command, and target donor base station executes the connection switch. This segmentation allows each node to perform a specific function, reducing overall control difficulty while improving fault tolerance through distributed decision-making
2Productivity
If local routing is implemented based on capacity information, then data relay efficiency is improved, but information processing requirements and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes capacity information as a dynamic parameter to determine routing decisions. The relay node changes routing parameters based on received capacity information from donor base stations, allowing flexible adaptation to network conditions without requiring complex processing algorithms. This parameter-based approach improves data relay efficiency while keeping device complexity manageable
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where capacity information is continuously exchanged between donor base stations and relay nodes. This feedback loop allows the network to dynamically adjust routing decisions based on current capacity conditions, improving data relay efficiency without requiring complex local processing at each node since the decision logic is distributed through the feedback messages
3Duration of action of stationary object
If RRC connection is maintained via intermediate relay nodes during handover, then service continuity is improved, but signal transmission distance and potential data loss increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by establishing the RRC connection with the target donor base station through the relay node before the actual handover is complete. The handover command is prepared and transmitted in advance, allowing the connection to be pre-configured via intermediate relay nodes. This preliminary setup ensures service continuity while minimizing data loss by having the path ready before data needs to traverse the extended distance
Data Source
AI summary
In a first aspect, a communication control method is a communication control method used in a cellular communication system and includes performing, by a relay node including a user equipment under control of the relay node, connection switching from a first donor base station to a second donor base station, continuing Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection between the user equipment and the first donor base station via the second donor base station after performing of the connection switching, and transmitting, by the first donor base station to the user equipment via the second donor base station by using the RRC connection, a handover command that instructs the user equipment to perform a handover to the second donor base station.