Seamless Mobility for Wireless Devices via Predictive Blockage Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
In high-frequency wireless communication networks, such as those using millimeter wave (mmWave) or sub-terahertz frequencies, user equipment experiences signal interruptions and service degradation due to frequent handovers between base stations as it moves, especially when line of sight is blocked by obstructions, leading to suboptimal signal characteristics and coverage limitations.
Innovation Solution
The user equipment and base stations employ advanced mobility procedures, including predictive blockage detection and seamless handover techniques, using processing circuitry to determine blockage information and request transitions to better performing base stations, and utilizing maps of base station locations and coverage areas to proactively manage connections, reducing the need for power-consuming search procedures and minimizing service interruptions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If user equipment performs frequent handovers between base stations in high-frequency networks, then coverage area is expanded, but signal stability deteriorates and service interruptions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary blockage detection using sensing capabilities (mmWave radar, cameras, LIDAR) to identify potential obstructions before they actually block the signal path. This allows the network to proactively initiate handover procedures to alternative base stations before service interruption occurs, thereby expanding coverage while maintaining signal stability.
2Reliability
If user equipment performs power-consuming search procedures to detect base stations, then connection reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of potential base stations and blockage conditions using low-power sensing mechanisms before full connection establishment is required. This allows the device to maintain connection reliability by having advance knowledge of available base stations while consuming less energy during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional power-consuming radio frequency search procedures with alternative sensing mechanisms such as mmWave radar, cameras, and LIDAR that can detect base station locations and environmental conditions with lower energy consumption, thereby maintaining connection reliability while reducing power usage.
3Measurement precision
If line of sight is blocked by obstructions in high-frequency networks, then signal quality is maintained in clear conditions, but service continuity deteriorates when blockage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous feedback loops where sensing components monitor the environment for potential blockages, and this information is fed back to the network management system. When blockage is detected or predicted, the system automatically triggers handover procedures to alternative base stations, maintaining service continuity while preserving signal quality in clear conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary sensing components (mmWave radar, cameras, LIDAR) that act as mediators between the user equipment and base stations. These intermediaries detect environmental conditions and provide advance warning of potential signal blockages, enabling the system to maintain service continuity by proactively switching to alternative connections before quality degradation occurs.
Data Source
AI summary
User equipment may include a transmitter and a receiver coupled to an antenna to enable the user equipment to transmit and receive user data with a base station of the wireless network. However, the user equipment may perform power-consuming searches to determine a base station for connection. Furthermore, the connection may be affected by blockages and transitions during mobility scenarios. As such, it may be beneficial for the user equipment to implement mobility procedures. For example, the user equipment may form links with multiple base stations of a cell cluster for transitioning. In another example, the wireless network may generate a map with locations of base stations and beam characteristics for the user equipment to determine coverage areas and decrease a number of transitions. Still in another example, the user equipment may receive blockage information to predict a blockage and implement mobility procedures to maintain wireless service during a blockage.