Switch Gap Transfer Across Base Stations During UE Handover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multi-USIM devices experience issues with systematic collisions in paging occasions and inefficient network switching due to lack of coordinated switch gap configurations during handovers, leading to missed pages and resource wastage in existing 3GPP systems.
Innovation Solution
A mechanism to transport switch gap configurations from a first gNB to a second gNB during a handover operation, allowing the UE to maintain RRC connections and continue switching without leaving, by sharing previously agreed switch gap configurations between gNBs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a Multi-USIM device switches between networks to monitor paging channels and perform measurements, then the device can maintain connectivity with multiple networks, but systematic collisions occur leading to missed pages and distorted connection statistics
Solution Approach 1:
The network configures the UE with switch gap configurations before handover occurs, allowing the UE to pre-arrange gap patterns for monitoring the second network. This preliminary configuration ensures that the UE can maintain monitoring capabilities without causing systematic collisions that would distort connection statistics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces switch gap configurations as an intermediary mechanism between the UE's dual network monitoring needs and the network's connection management requirements. These configurations act as a mediator that allows the UE to switch between networks while providing the first network with awareness of the switching patterns, preventing statistic distortion.
2Ease of operation
If the UE autonomously releases the RRC connection with the first network when switching to the second network, then the UE can respond to paging requests on the second network, but the first network interprets this as an error case and pages continue to be sent wasting resources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the network receives information about the UE's switch gap configurations and ongoing switching activities. This feedback allows the network to understand that the UE is intentionally switching to monitor the second network, rather than experiencing an error, thereby preventing unnecessary continued paging and resource wastage.
Solution Approach 2:
The UE is empowered to self-manage its network switching through configured gap patterns, autonomously determining when to switch to monitor the second network while maintaining the RRC connection with the first network. This self-service approach eliminates the need for error-prone autonomous connection releases while still enabling flexible network switching.
3Device complexity
If the UE uses common radio and baseband components shared among multiple USIMs under single processor control, then the device complexity is reduced, but performance issues arise due to systematic collisions and inefficient resource management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic switch gap configurations that allow the UE to flexibly adjust its resource allocation between multiple USIMs based on current network conditions and priorities. This dynamic approach enables the shared radio and baseband components to be efficiently time-multiplexed between different USIMs, preventing systematic collisions while maintaining reduced device complexity through component sharing.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for a user equipment (UE) is provided. The method includes the UE maintaining a first Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection with a first base station (BS) of a first network while receiving transmissions from a BS of a second network during at least one time period specified in a switch gap configuration. The UE receives an RRC reconfiguration message from the first BS that includes a first command and a second command. The first command instructs the CE to begin a handover procedure from the first BS to a second BS of the first network. The UE may initiate executing of the handover procedure according to the first command. The UE may or may not continue to receive transmissions from the BS of the second network during the at least one time period based on the second command.