Steering Connected-Mode UEs to Higher Capacity Cells
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Solution Overview
Problem
User equipment (UEs) in cellular networks often remain attached to lower capacity cells due to their stationary nature, lack of measurement gaps for inter-frequency measurements, or prolonged operation in connected mode, preventing them from transitioning to higher capacity cells even when these are available or back in service.
Innovation Solution
Base stations (eNB/gNB) actively steer UEs from lower capacity cells to higher capacity cells by initiating handovers based on predefined thresholds and cell status updates, using RRC reconfiguration messages to facilitate inter-frequency measurements and handovers, even when UEs are non-mobile and operating in connected mode.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If UEs operate in connected mode for long durations without transitioning to idle mode, then connection stability is maintained, but cell reselection to higher capacity cells cannot occur
Solution Approach 1:
The network performs preliminary actions by proactively initiating handover procedures before the UE would naturally transition to idle mode. The base station sends handover commands to mobile UEs while they are still in connected mode, pre-empting the need for idle mode transitions and ensuring UEs move to higher capacity cells without breaking connection stability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If measurement gaps are configured for inter-frequency measurements, then UEs can discover higher capacity cells, but measurement gaps interrupt transmissions and receptions
Solution Approach 1:
The network performs preliminary cell selection and handover preparation actions before interrupting UE transmissions. By pre-identifying target higher capacity cells and preparing handover parameters in advance, the system minimizes the duration and impact of measurement gaps, allowing UEs to switch cells with reduced interruption to data throughput.
3Reliability
If stationary UEs remain on lower capacity cells due to lack of mobility, then connection continuity is maintained, but network resource utilization is suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The base station implements feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring UE status, current cell capacity, and available higher capacity cells. When a stationary UE is detected on a lower capacity cell and a higher capacity cell becomes available, the base station provides feedback through handover commands to redirect the UE, thereby optimizing network resource utilization while maintaining connection continuity.
4Ease of operation
If UEs do not transition to idle mode for cell reselection, then connected mode services are maintained, but UEs cannot access higher capacity layers
Solution Approach 1:
The network performs preliminary handover preparation and configuration actions while the UE remains in connected mode. By pre-configuring handover parameters, measuring target cell quality in advance, and preparing execution commands, the system enables UEs to transition to higher capacity cells without requiring idle mode transitions, thus maintaining service continuity while improving data throughput.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed technology provides system and methods for steering wireless communication devices away from low capacity layers (e.g., cells operating on low bandwidth frequency bands or low capacity radio access technologies (RATs) when the devices are stuck on such low capacity layers because of operational state changes of radio cells that the devices can attach to. For example, when a base station determines that a stationary, connected-mode, device has been operating on a low capacity layer for a certain duration, or if a higher capacity layer that was previously out of service comes back in service, the base station can initiate a handover causing the device to attach to the higher capacity layer.