Uplink Reference Signaling for Wireless Handover Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobile telecommunications systems face challenges in handover procedures due to high power consumption, complex equipment requirements, and high control signaling overhead, especially in scenarios involving small cells and fast-moving devices, which lead to increased battery drain and handover failures.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves terminal devices transmitting reference signaling that is measured by radio access nodes, allowing controlling nodes to determine the most appropriate distributed units for communication, thereby reducing the need for terminal device measurements and minimizing handover failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If terminal devices perform measurements of downlink signals broadcast by network nodes for handover decisions, then handover procedures can be executed, but power consumption increases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of having terminal devices measure downlink signals from multiple network nodes, the patent inverts the measurement approach by having network nodes measure uplink reference signals transmitted by the terminal device. The serving network node and neighboring network nodes measure the uplink reference signals and report measurements to a controlling network node, which then makes the handover decision. This inversion transfers the measurement burden from the terminal device to the network infrastructure, significantly reducing terminal device power consumption while maintaining handover reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a controlling network node as an intermediary that centralizes the handover decision-making process. The controlling network node receives measurement reports from the serving network node and neighboring network nodes based on uplink reference signal measurements, then determines the appropriate handover target. This intermediary approach allows distributed measurements to be coordinated centrally, reducing the complexity and power consumption at the terminal device while ensuring reliable handover decisions.
2Reliability
If terminal devices perform measurements of downlink signals for handover decisions, then handover procedures can be executed, but device complexity and equipment requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional measurement architecture by having network nodes measure uplink reference signals instead of terminal devices measuring downlink signals. This approach eliminates the need for terminal devices to maintain complex measurement and reporting functionality for multiple frequency bands and cells, significantly simplifying terminal device equipment while preserving handover reliability through network-side measurements and centralized decision-making.
3Measurement precision
If extensive measurement and reporting procedures are performed for handover decisions, then handover accuracy can be improved, but control signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the measurement and reporting functions from the terminal device and relocates them to the network side. Network nodes perform the measurements of uplink reference signals and generate measurement reports, eliminating the need for terminal devices to perform extensive measurements and reporting across multiple frequency bands and cells. This extraction reduces control signaling overhead while maintaining measurement precision through network-side measurement capabilities.
4Reliability
If handover procedures are performed frequently to maintain connectivity for fast-moving devices, then connection reliability can be maintained, but power consumption and handover failures increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having neighboring network nodes pre-measure uplink reference signals transmitted by the terminal device before handover is needed. The controlling network node receives these pre-collected measurement reports and can make rapid handover decisions when required, reducing the time and power needed for actual handover execution. This preliminary measurement approach maintains connection reliability for fast-moving devices while reducing terminal device power consumption during handover procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of evaluating whether to handover a terminal device from communicating with a first network infrastructure element associated with a first communication cell to communicating with a second network infrastructure element associated with a second communication cell in a wireless telecommunications system. The method includes establishing an indication of radio conditions associated with a path between the terminal device and the first network infrastructure element; and establishing an indication of a second measurement of radio conditions associated with a communication path between the terminal device and the second network infrastructure element; and determining whether to handover the terminal device from communicating with the first network infrastructure element to the second network infrastructure element based on a comparison of the indication of the first measurement of radio conditions and the indication of the second measurement of radio conditions.