Virtual Neighbor Objects for Idle Mode Mobility Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional techniques cannot adequately manage idle mode mobility in wireless networks with large numbers of femtocells, as they limit neighbor lists to 32 entries, preventing mobile devices from selecting from multiple femtocells within a sector.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of virtual neighbor objects in neighbor lists allows for the identification of multiple femtocells within a sector, enabling effective idle mode reselection between macro and femto networks by assigning more than one femtocell to a virtual neighbor object.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional neighbor lists with 32 entries are used, then device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is maintained, but the system cannot adequately manage idle mode mobility in networks with large numbers of femtocells
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the neighbor list into multiple components: a first neighbor list with a first number of entries (e.g., 32 conventional entries) and a second neighbor list with a second number of entries (virtual neighbor object identifiers). This segmentation allows the system to maintain the simple conventional neighbor list structure while adding virtual neighbor objects that can represent multiple femtocells, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining simplicity and increasing adaptability to manage large numbers of femtocells
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces virtual neighbor objects as intermediary elements that act as proxies for multiple femtocells. These virtual neighbor objects are included in the neighbor list and enable mobile devices to identify and select from multiple femtocells without requiring each femtocell to be individually listed. This intermediary mechanism resolves the contradiction by providing enhanced adaptability while avoiding the complexity of managing numerous individual neighbor entries
2Quantity of substance
If the number of femtocells in a sector increases beyond 32, then network capacity and coverage are improved, but conventional neighbor lists cannot identify all femtocells for idle mode reselection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes virtual neighbor objects multi-functional by enabling them to represent multiple femtocells simultaneously. Each virtual neighbor object can be associated with multiple femtocells, allowing a single neighbor list entry to provide access to numerous femtocells. This universality resolves the contradiction by enabling the identification of a large quantity of femtocells without proportionally increasing the number of neighbor list entries, thereby preventing loss of identification capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new dimension to the neighbor list structure by introducing virtual neighbor objects that operate at a higher level of abstraction. Instead of listing individual femtocells in the traditional one-to-one manner, the system uses virtual neighbor objects that create a many-to-one relationship, where multiple femtocells map to a single virtual neighbor object identifier. This dimensional change enables the system to handle a larger quantity of femtocells while maintaining efficient identification capability
Data Source
AI summary
Facilitation of an idle mode reselection utilizing a virtual neighbor object is presented herein. A virtual neighbor component can create at least one virtual neighbor object and associate the at least one virtual neighbor object with wireless access points. Further, a reselection component can facilitate idle mode reselection between a base station and a wireless access point of the wireless access points based on the at least one virtual neighbor object.