Uplink-Aware Handover Skipping for URLLC Control Channel Limits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ultra-reliable low latency communications (URLLC) handovers in advanced networks face significant network overhead and risk of connection interruption due to frequent handovers, especially in high mobility scenarios, which deteriorate network performance and violate quality of service requirements.
Innovation Solution
The technology employs uplink and control channel-aware handover decisions, measuring uplink performance and control channel key performance indicators to determine if a handover is necessary, considering uplink interference and control channel capacity to optimize handover decisions, thereby reducing unnecessary handovers and minimizing network overhead.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If handover is performed in URLLC networks, then connection reliability is improved through switching to better serving cells, but network overhead increases significantly and spectral efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the decision parameters for handover by introducing uplink performance metrics (uplink SINR, uplink throughput) and control channel metrics (PDCCH block error rate, control channel element utilization) as key criteria. This transforms the traditional downlink-only handover decision into a dual-directional assessment, enabling more accurate determination of when handover is truly necessary, thereby reducing unnecessary handovers and associated overhead.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the network continuously monitors uplink performance and control channel status, and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust handover decisions. The system feeds back handover performance metrics to refine future handover thresholds, creating a closed-loop system that optimizes the balance between connection reliability and network overhead over time.
2Productivity
If handover is performed frequently to maintain connection quality, then spectral efficiency improves, but the risk of connection interruption and packet drops increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing proactive assessments of uplink performance and control channel status before handover is triggered. The system evaluates multiple parameters in advance and only initiates handover when thresholds are clearly met, preventing premature or unnecessary handovers that could cause connection interruptions. This advance evaluation reduces the risk of packet drops during handover transitions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements cushioning by setting conservative handover thresholds and maintaining hysteresis margins that prevent oscillatory handover behavior. The system buffers against unnecessary handovers by requiring significant degradation in uplink or control channel performance before triggering handover, thereby cushioning the connection against interruption risks while still maintaining spectral efficiency.
3Quantity of substance
If network densification is implemented in private 5G to increase capacity, then network capacity improves, but handover overhead increases to the point where handover gains become insignificant
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by evaluating handover necessity individually for each user equipment based on its specific uplink performance and control channel conditions, rather than applying uniform handover policies across the network. This localized assessment ensures that handovers are performed only where and when truly needed, reducing overall handover overhead even in densely deployed networks with many cells.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables self-service by allowing the system to automatically monitor its own performance metrics and make autonomous handover decisions without excessive network intervention. The network equipment independently evaluates uplink SINR, throughput, and control channel status to determine handover necessity, reducing signaling overhead associated with centralized handover control while maintaining optimal connection management.
Data Source
AI summary
The technology described herein is directed towards skipping handover, particularly for ultra-reliable low latency communications (URLLC) devices, based on uplink conditions and other conditions such as control channel capacity and uplink channel performance (e.g., efficiency-related data. In one aspect, a controller monitors UEs, such as URLLC devices, and for each UE evaluates serving cell and neighbor cell data conditions. Based on the conditions, the controller decides whether to allow handover or skip handover. In another aspect, a UE is provided with conditional handover criteria, and the UE skips or starts a handover based on UE state data monitored at the UE with respect to the conditional handover criteria. In another aspect, machine learning can model the relation between the performance data used for handover skip decisions with respect to signal strength data to determine very optimal thresholds for handover skip decisions.