UAV Handover via Extended Cell Global Identifier
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobile network technologies face challenges in performing seamless handovers for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) due to issues like PCI confusion and the inability to determine the correct target base station, leading to potential handover failures.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a method where a serving base station sends a request to a UAV to obtain an extended cell global identifier (ECGI) from a target base station, which then establishes an X2 communication link to facilitate a handover, ensuring a stable transition between base stations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the serving base station uses traditional PCI-based neighbor list lookup for handover, then the handover process is simple and fast, but PCI confusion occurs and the correct target base station cannot be determined
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces ECGI as an intermediary identifier that mediates between the physical layer PCI and the network layer handover decision. The ECGI serves as a unique global identifier that resolves the ambiguity of PCI reuse across different base stations, enabling reliable target base station identification without increasing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new dimension to the identifier system by introducing ECGI as a second layer of identification. Instead of relying solely on PCI (one-dimensional), the system now uses both PCI and ECGI together, where ECGI provides the additional dimension needed to uniquely identify base stations globally and resolve PCI confusion
2Reliability
If the serving base station requests ECGI from the target base station to resolve PCI confusion, then the target base station can be uniquely identified, but the handover process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the serving base station proactively request ECGI information from the target base station before the handover is executed. This advance acquisition of the unique identifier ensures that the correct target base station is identified and confirmed prior to the handover transition, preventing identification errors
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by having the serving base station verify the target base station's identity through ECGI confirmation. The target base station provides feedback about its ECGI, which the serving base station uses to confirm correct identification before proceeding with handover, creating a verification loop that ensures accuracy
3Reliability
If the system uses only physical cell identifier (PCI) for base station identification, then the identifier is simple and easy to obtain, but PCI confusion occurs due to PCI reuse across different base stations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds a new dimension to the identifier system by introducing ECGI as a second layer of identification. Instead of relying solely on PCI (one-dimensional), the system now uses both PCI and ECGI together, where ECGI provides the additional dimension needed to uniquely identify base stations globally and resolve PCI confusion
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, receiving a notification from a serving base station regarding a communication device over a mobile network indicating discovery of a target base station, and obtaining a device type of the communication device and a first cell identifier of the target base station. Further embodiments include providing instructions to the serving base station to request the communication device to obtain a second cell identifier of the target base station, and obtaining the second cell identifier of the target base station from the serving base station over the mobile network. Additional embodiments include providing instructions to the serving base station to generate a communication link between the serving base station and the target base station based on the second cell identifier. Other embodiments are disclosed.