RF Handoff Table Generation for Multi-Frequency Network Channel Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
In multi-frequency networks, devices face challenges in seamlessly handoff to new RF channels due to data acquisition failures, leading to a loss of access to common and additional content, which adversely impacts user experience.
Innovation Solution
A handoff system that assembles information about neighboring RF channels and generates seamless and partially seamless handoff tables to determine the best channel for switching, ensuring continued reception of desired content by ranking available RF channels based on signal strength and content availability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a device randomly hands off to any RF channel that carries desired content, then handoff speed is improved, but content availability (common and additional content) deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by generating handoff tables in advance that rank RF channels based on content availability metrics (common content and additional content). When handoff is needed, the device simply selects the top-ranked channel from the pre-computed table, achieving both fast handoff and optimized content availability without random selection
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback mechanisms by evaluating content availability metrics and using them to rank RF channels in handoff tables. The ranking is based on feedback from network measurements about which channels carry desired content, common content, and additional content, ensuring that handoff decisions are informed by actual network conditions rather than random selection
2Reliability
If handoff is performed to maintain content reception, then service continuity is improved, but user experience deteriorates due to loss of common and additional content
Solution Approach 1:
The system generates handoff tables in advance that rank RF channels not only by signal strength but also by content availability metrics including common content and additional content. This preliminary ranking ensures that when handoff occurs, the device transitions to a channel that maintains both service continuity and optimal content availability, thereby preserving user experience
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameters used for handoff decision-making by incorporating content availability metrics (common content and additional content) alongside signal strength. This multi-parameter approach ensures that handoff decisions optimize both service continuity and user experience by selecting channels that maintain not just connectivity but also content richness
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus for RF handoff in a multi-frequency network. A method includes generating a handoff table that comprises RF channels of current and neighboring local operations infrastructures (LOIs) carrying the same content as a current RF channel; detecting a handoff event; disqualifying one or more of the RF channels from the handoff table based on disqualification criteria; selecting a selected RF channel from remaining RF channels in the handoff table that have not been disqualified; and performing a handoff from the current RF channel to the selected RF channel. Another method includes detecting a handoff event; identifying a start of a handoff time interval; determining if RSSI measurements are available at the start of the handoff time interval for RF channels carrying desired content; and performing a handoff to a selected RF channel having a greatest RSSI measurement.