UE Traffic Steering Using Time-Aware Load Control Handover
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication networks, the handover process is prone to radio link failures due to the time required for load balancing assessments between neighboring base stations, leading to increased latency and resource consumption when user equipment moves out of coverage before load control information can be effectively communicated.
Innovation Solution
A method for steering communication traffic using a load control algorithm that determines the time duration a user equipment remains in a cell and compares it with the time needed for load control setting adjustment, allowing for immediate transmission of load control information if sufficient time remains, or omitting it if not, thereby ensuring a robust handover process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If load control procedures are applied during handover, then network load balancing is improved, but handover latency increases and radio link failure risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The network entity performs load control setting adjustments in advance before the handover is actually executed. By preparing the load control information beforehand and having it ready for transmission, the system avoids the time-consuming load balancing assessment during the critical handover moment, thus reducing handover latency while still achieving load balancing objectives.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic decision-making where the network entity continuously monitors the time duration since the last load control setting adjustment and compares it against a threshold. Based on this dynamic assessment, the system adaptively determines whether to apply load control procedures or skip them, optimizing the balance between load balancing efficiency and handover speed under varying network conditions.
2Productivity
If load control setting adjustment is performed, then network resource distribution is improved, but handover reliability deteriorates due to radio link failure
Solution Approach 1:
The network entity adjusts load control settings and prepares control information in advance, before the handover execution phase. This preliminary action ensures that load balancing decisions are made when the UE is still connected and communication channels are reliable, avoiding radio link failures that could occur during actual handover execution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a protective mechanism where the network entity monitors the time duration since last load control adjustment and compares it with a threshold representing safe operation margins. When this duration exceeds the threshold, the system performs load control adjustments proactively, cushioning against the risk of radio link failures that could occur if load balancing was deferred too long into the handover process.
3Productivity
If load control information is transmitted during handover, then network efficiency is improved, but message size increases and transmission complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the load control information transmission from the critical handover execution path. By performing load control setting adjustments separately and independently before handover, and only transmitting this information when beneficial, the system separates the load balancing function from the handover protocol, reducing message size and transmission complexity during the actual handover process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies load control information transmission partially - only when the time duration since last adjustment exceeds a threshold. This selective approach avoids the excessive action of always transmitting load control information during every handover, thereby reducing overall message transmission complexity and network overhead while still achieving network efficiency improvements when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for steering communication traffic of a user equipment (UE) in a network includes network entities that are configured to provide a radio access network for the user equipment. A serving network entity provides a current access to the network for the UE. Each network entity communicates with neighboring network entities. An algorithm implemented on a network unit uses as input a first time duration (Tcell), when the UE is within a radio coverage of the serving network entity, and a second time duration (TLC) that is time taken by the network to determine an adjusted load control setting. If Tcell>TLC the algorithm applies load control procedures within the communication network, and transmits a Radio Resource Control message with a network-calculated load control information to the UE. Otherwise, the algorithm transmits a Radio Resource Control message without the network-calculated load control information to the UE.