Coordinated UE Group Handover via Agent Base Station
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current handover processes for user equipment groups in wireless network communications require each UE, including the agent UE, to initiate a random access process separately, leading to high preamble and signaling consumption, and unnecessary synchronization in single link MUCC states.
Innovation Solution
A method where a serving base station determines the need for handover based on measurement reports from the agent UE and other UEs, sends a handover request to a target base station, and receives configuration messages for PRACH resources and C-RNTI allocations, allowing coordinated handover without redundant synchronization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If each UE (including agent UE) performs separate random access process for handover, then handover can be completed for each UE, but preamble and signaling consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the handover processes of multiple UEs into a single coordinated operation. The source eNB sends a single handover request message to the target eNB that includes context information of the agent UE and all to-be-handed-over UEs. The target eNB allocates PRACH resources and C-RNTIs in one configuration message, and all UEs complete handover simultaneously by monitoring the same physical downlink control channel. This merging approach maintains reliable handover completion while dramatically reducing preamble and signaling consumption compared to separate handover processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The handover request message serves multiple functions simultaneously: it conveys context information of the agent UE, lists all to-be-handed-over UEs with their measurement reports, establishes cooperative relationships between UEs, and triggers coordinated resource allocation at the target eNB. This multi-functional message design eliminates the need for multiple separate signaling exchanges, reducing overall signaling consumption while ensuring complete handover execution for all UEs.
2Reliability
If UEs in single link MUCC state perform additional synchronization process during handover, then synchronization is ensured, but handover efficiency decreases due to redundant operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the redundant synchronization step from the handover process for UEs in single link MUCC state. Since these UEs maintain cooperative relationships with the agent UE and the agent UE is already synchronized with the target eNB, the individual synchronization process for each UE is removed. The UEs simply need to monitor the physical downlink control channel and receive downlink data through the agent UE, which automatically maintains synchronization without additional signaling or processing steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The agent UE serves itself and the to-be-handed-over UEs by maintaining the cooperative relationship and handling synchronization autonomously. The agent UE continues to forward data and maintain the cooperative link with the target eNB, which automatically keeps the group synchronized without requiring individual synchronization actions from each UE. This self-service mechanism eliminates redundant synchronization operations while maintaining reliable synchronization across the UE group.
3Ease of operation
If separate handover processes are used for each UE, then individual handover control is achieved, but device complexity and signaling overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the handover information into structured components within a single coordinated process. The handover request message includes distinct context information for the agent UE and separate entries for each to-be-handed-over UE with their measurement reports and cooperative relationships. The target eNB allocates specific PRACH resources and C-RNTIs for each UE individually within the same configuration message. This segmented organization maintains individual handover control capability while avoiding the complexity of completely separate handover processes.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention discloses a method, device, and system for handover of a user equipment group, and belongs to the field of wireless network communications. The method includes: determining, according to a measurement report of agent UE and a measurement report of UE in a UE group that are sent by the agent UE, whether the agent UE and the UE in the UE group need to be handed over; when the agent UE and at least one piece of UE in the UE group need to be handed over, sending a handover request message to a T-eNB; receiving a handover configuration message sent by the T-eNB and sending the handover configuration message to the agent UE; and receiving a context release message sent by the T-eNB, and releasing context resources of the agent UE and the to-be-handed-over UE. The present invention resolves a problem that currently a large quantity of Preambles and signaling need to be consumed because agent UE and each piece of to-be-handed-over UE need to perform handover with a T-eNB during handover of a UE group and a problem of redundant synchronization in a single link MUCC state, thereby saving Preamble resources and signaling and improving handover efficiency.