User Equipment Handoff Rate Limiting via Contextual Awareness

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Solution Overview

Problem

Frequent handoffs between cellular networks lead to throughput degradation and service interruptions in user equipment (UE) due to the change in Internet Protocol (IP) address and reconnections to the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), impacting the quality of service (QoS) and user experience.

Innovation Solution

A method implemented in user equipment (UE) to monitor and reduce the rate of handoffs between radio access technologies (RATs) by selecting one RAT to maintain a wireless connection when the handoff threshold is exceeded, using contextual awareness information to determine the most suitable RAT based on historical and real-time data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the UE frequently handoffs between different RATs to maintain optimal wireless connection, then the wireless connection quality is improved, but the throughput degradation and service interruptions increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewireless connection qualityVSAvoidthroughput
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by predicting future handoff events using machine learning models before they actually occur. By analyzing historical handoff patterns and contextual information, the UE proactively prepares for upcoming handoffs, allowing for smoother transitions and reduced service interruptions. This predictive approach enables the system to maintain throughput by anticipating connection changes and preparing appropriate mitigation strategies in advance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring handoff patterns, connection quality metrics, and contextual information. The machine learning models are trained on this feedback data to improve prediction accuracy over time. The system uses feedback from actual handoff outcomes to adjust prediction parameters and refine the selection of appropriate RATs, thereby improving both connection quality and throughput through iterative optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If the UE performs handoffs between different RATs to maintain wireless connection, then the connection adaptability is improved, but the power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection adaptabilityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes parameters by dynamically adjusting the frequency and timing of handoffs based on predicted connection quality and contextual information. Instead of performing handoffs based solely on real-time signal strength, the system modifies handoff parameters (timing, target RAT selection) using predictions from machine learning models. This reduces unnecessary handoffs and associated power consumption while maintaining connection adaptability through intelligent parameter optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary analysis of contextual information and handoff patterns to predict future connection requirements. By preparing prediction models in advance and pre-determining optimal handoff strategies, the system avoids last-minute decision-making that would require additional processing power and energy. The preliminary training of machine learning models enables efficient real-time predictions with lower power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the UE monitors and manages handoffs between multiple RATs, then the service quality is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice qualityVSAvoidhandoff management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces machine learning models as intermediaries between raw handoff data and decision-making processes. These models act as mediators that automatically analyze complex patterns, contextual information, and historical data to generate predictions and recommendations. This intermediary layer simplifies the overall system architecture by automating complex analysis tasks, reducing the need for manual configuration and complex decision logic in the UE's handoff management software.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system segments handoff management into distinct functional modules: data collection, prediction model training, prediction execution, and decision implementation. By dividing the complex handoff management process into separate, specialized components, the system improves service quality through more thorough analysis while reducing overall device complexity. Each module can be independently optimized and maintained, making the complex system more manageable and easier to implement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11671887B2Limiting handoffs between wireless communication networks during a time period
Publication Date: 2023.06.06 QUALCOMM INC
  • US11671887B2 patent drawing
  • US11671887B2 patent drawing
  • US11671887B2 patent drawing

AI summary

This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer-readable media, for limiting handoffs in cellular networks. In some aspects, a user equipment (UE) may determine a quantity of handoffs that are performed between two or more radio access technologies (RATs) during a time period. The UE may determine whether the quantity of handoffs exceeds a handoff threshold within the time period. The UE may reduce a rate of handoffs when the UE determines that the quantity of handoffs exceeds the handoff threshold within the time period. The UE also may select one of the RATs to camp on and maintain the wireless connection when the UE determines that the quantity of handoffs exceeds the handoff threshold. The UE may determine which RAT to camp on based on handoff count information, handoff total connection time information, or contextual awareness information.