Uplink Power Restricted Handover Decision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional handover decisions in wireless communication systems are based solely on downlink reference signals, which can lead to coverage and capacity issues due to power limitations in uplink channels, especially when user equipment (UE) antennas are restricted by Maximum Power Reduction (MPR) requirements, potentially resulting in suboptimal handover decisions.
Innovation Solution
The UE determines handover conditions by considering both downlink and uplink link budgets, triggering or inhibiting handovers based on the relative performance of uplink channels to ensure optimal network switching, even when downlink performance is comparable or better.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If handover decisions are based solely on downlink reference signals, then the handover process is simple and fast, but coverage and capacity issues arise due to uplink power limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the handover decision process into two independent evaluations: downlink channel quality assessment and uplink link budget evaluation. This allows the system to separately assess downlink performance (for speed) and uplink capability (for reliability), then combine both criteria before making the final handover decision, thus resolving the contradiction between fast decision-making and communication quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new dimension to handover decision-making by introducing uplink link budget evaluation as a separate criterion alongside downlink reference signal measurements. This multi-dimensional approach ensures that both downlink performance and uplink power capabilities are considered, preventing handovers to cells that would cause uplink coverage holes while maintaining efficient decision-making processes.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If MPR restrictions are applied to UE antennas, then RF exposure regulations are met, but uplink power is reduced causing coverage holes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary uplink link budget evaluation before executing handover decisions. By assessing the uplink power capability and predicting potential coverage holes in advance, the system can prevent handovers that would result in uplink coverage degradation, thus maintaining both RF exposure compliance and adequate coverage area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the UE reports uplink power capability and power reduction information to the network. This feedback enables the network to make informed handover decisions that account for MPR restrictions, ensuring that handovers do not create uplink coverage holes while still meeting RF exposure requirements.
3Illumination intensity
If handover is triggered based on downlink signal strength, then the UE can connect to stronger downlink cells, but uplink capacity may be insufficient due to power restrictions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates downlink signal strength evaluation from uplink power capability assessment into distinct evaluation steps. The system first evaluates downlink quality, then independently assesses uplink link budget and power availability, and only combines both positive outcomes for handover execution. This segmentation ensures that strong downlink signals alone do not trigger handovers when uplink power would be insufficient.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the decision parameters by introducing uplink power capability and link budget metrics as additional criteria alongside downlink signal strength. This multi-parameter approach ensures that handovers are triggered only when both downlink quality and uplink power availability meet required thresholds, balancing downlink signal strength with uplink capacity.
Data Source
AI summary
Performing restricted based handover. In one aspect, there is a method performed by a user equipment (UE) served by a serving network node. The method comprises determining that a handover condition exists, wherein the handover condition is a handover triggering condition or a handover inhibiting condition. The method further comprises as a result of determining that the handover triggering condition exists, triggering a handover of the UE from the serving network node to a target network node, or as a result of determining that the handover inhibiting condition exists, inhibiting a handover of the UE from the serving network node to the target network node. Determining that the handover condition exists comprises: determining that a power restriction exists i) for an UL channel between the UE and the serving network node or ii) for an UL channel between the UE and the target network node.