UE Handover via Reference Cell Configuration Comparison

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing handover procedures in cellular networks, especially in high-frequency bands, are inefficient due to the need for frequent reconfiguration and signaling over radio links, leading to delays and resource wastage in fast mobility scenarios.

Innovation Solution

The method involves comparing candidate cells against a reference cell configuration stored at the UE, allowing for reuse of configurations and reducing the need for frequent reconfiguration, thereby speeding up the handover process and improving Quality of Service (QoS).

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If existing handover procedures are used in high-frequency bands, then handover can be performed, but frequent reconfiguration and signaling over radio links cause delays and resource wastage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandover speedVSAvoidhandover delay
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The network entity pre-configures conditional handover parameters and candidate target cell information before the UE actually needs to hand over. This includes preparing measurement configurations, candidate cell lists, and handover execution conditions in advance, so that when handover is triggered, the UE can execute it immediately without additional signaling delays.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The UE stores reference cell configurations and candidate target cell configurations locally. Instead of repeatedly requesting and receiving full configuration data during each handover, the UE uses stored copies of these configurations, comparing them against current measurements to determine handover execution, thereby eliminating redundant signaling overhead.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Reliability

If frequent reconfiguration is performed during handover, then handover accuracy can be maintained, but resource usage increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandover accuracyVSAvoidresource usage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The solution applies different levels of configuration detail to different cells. The reference cell has a full configuration stored, while candidate target cells have condensed configurations that reference common parameters from the reference cell. This allows the UE to maintain handover accuracy by having detailed reference information while reducing resource usage through condensed candidate cell descriptions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The UE discards full configuration data for candidate target cells and instead stores reference configurations that can be recovered and applied when handover is executed. The UE maintains a reference cell configuration and uses it as a template, applying only the specific differences needed for each target cell, thereby reducing memory and processing resource usage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Measurement precision

If conditional configurations are released frequently, then configuration accuracy is maintained, but handover delay increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration accuracyVSAvoidhandover delay
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The network entity provides the UE with pre-configured conditional handover parameters including candidate target cell configurations and execution conditions before the UE needs to hand over. The UE stores these configurations locally and maintains them until handover execution is triggered, eliminating the need for frequent release and reconfiguration cycles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The UE continuously monitors measurements against stored handover conditions using the pre-configured reference cell and candidate target cell configurations. This continuous monitoring allows the UE to execute handover immediately when conditions are met, maintaining configuration accuracy while avoiding the delays associated with frequent configuration release and reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentEP4319286A1Handover of a UE in a cellular network
Publication Date: 2024.02.07 VODAFONE GROUP SERVICES LTD
  • EP4319286A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4319286A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4319286A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The disclosure relates to handover of a User Equipment (UE) in a cellular network. The UE receives a list of candidate cells from a serving cell of the UE. One or more characteristics of each candidate cell from the list of candidate cells is identified, to allow reconfiguration of the UE from a source cell to a target cell from the list of candidate cells. The one or more characteristics is referenced to a reference cell configuration stored at the UE, the reference cell configuration differing from a configuration of the source cell.