Spectrum Management Entity Proxy for Inter-Frequency Mobility

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Solution Overview

Problem

In dynamic spectrum allocation systems like CBRS, base stations in LTE networks face challenges in configuring user equipment for inter-frequency neighbor cell measurements due to changing channel assignments, limiting flexibility and efficiency in resource use.

Innovation Solution

A spectrum management entity proxy determines and transmits neighbor channel lists to base stations, enabling them to configure user equipment for inter-frequency measurements despite dynamic channel changes, thereby optimizing spectrum use and handoff processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If dynamic spectrum allocation is implemented, then spectrum utilization efficiency is improved, but base stations cannot configure user equipment for inter-frequency neighbor cell measurements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespectrum utilization efficiencyVSAvoidneighbor cell measurement capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The spectrum management entity performs preliminary actions by determining and providing neighbor channel lists to base stations before handover decisions are made. This allows base stations to pre-configure user equipment with the necessary frequency information for inter-frequency measurements, ensuring measurement capability is established in advance rather than attempting to adapt to dynamic changes in real-time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The spectrum management entity acts as an intermediary between the dynamic spectrum allocation system and the base stations. It receives channel allocation information, processes it into neighbor channel lists, and provides this processed information to base stations. This intermediary function bridges the gap between dynamic spectrum changes and the relative stability required for neighbor cell measurement configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If channel assignments change dynamically, then spectrum flexibility is improved, but user equipment mobility management becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespectrum flexibilityVSAvoidmobility management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The complexity of managing dynamic channel assignments for mobility purposes is extracted from the base stations and centralized in the spectrum management entity. The spectrum management entity extracts the essential information needed for neighbor cell measurements (neighbor channel lists) and provides it to base stations, allowing base stations to focus on execution rather than complex decision-making about frequency management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of frequency information from being dynamically variable at the base station level to being stabilized through the spectrum management entity's processing. By transforming raw dynamic channel allocation data into structured neighbor channel lists, the system maintains spectrum flexibility while providing base stations with stable, actionable parameters for mobility management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3861793B1Inter-frequency mobility support for communication systems with dynamic spectrum assignments
Publication Date: 2022.04.27 MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS INC
  • EP3861793B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3861793B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3861793B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Systems and methods for enabling inter-frequency user equipment mobility in shared spectrum communication systems. One example system (100) includes a communication interface (315) coupled to an electronic processor (305). The electronic processor (305) is configured to, for each of a plurality of base stations, determine a location for the base station. The electronic processor (305) is configured to select at least one handover candidate from the plurality of base stations based on the location and at least one base station characteristic. The electronic processor (305) is configured to determine a channel allocation. The electronic processor (305) is configured to generate, based on the channel allocation of the at least one handover candidate, a neighbor channel list (380). The electronic processor (305) is configured to transmit the neighbor channel list (380) via the communication interface (315).