Wireless Handoff for Multiple Bearers with Differing QoS

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently handling handovers between network nodes for devices with varying quality of service requirements, particularly in new radio access technology (RAT) networks, where different applications demand different latency and reliability targets.

Innovation Solution

A method for establishing multiple radio connections with varying quality of service levels, allowing for simultaneous or sequential handovers of bearers based on specific quality of service requirements, using dual connectivity or break-before-make handover mechanisms to ensure seamless data transmission during handovers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single handover procedure is used for all bearers, then the handover process is simple and fast, but it cannot meet diverse quality of service requirements for different data traffic types

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequality of service adaptationVSAvoidhandover procedure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the handover procedure into multiple independent procedures, each tailored to specific bearer types with different quality of service requirements. Critical bearers (e.g., URLLC) receive dedicated handover procedures with higher priority and different parameters compared to non-critical bearers (e.g., eMBB), allowing customized quality of service treatment without requiring a completely complex unified procedure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic selection of handover procedures based on real-time bearer characteristics and quality of service requirements. The system dynamically determines which handover procedure to apply to each bearer by evaluating factors such as latency tolerance, reliability requirements, and data traffic type, enabling adaptive quality of service management while maintaining operational simplicity through automated decision-making.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If handover is performed for all bearers simultaneously, then all data transmissions are maintained, but latency-critical applications suffer due to handover interruption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission continuityVSAvoidhandover latency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by prioritizing handover execution for critical bearers first, before non-critical bearers. The system pre-establishes handover procedures for latency-sensitive applications (e.g., URLLC, augmented reality) to complete their handover before less time-critical bearers (e.g., eMBB), ensuring that time-sensitive data transmissions experience minimal or no interruption while maintaining overall transmission continuity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements skipping by allowing non-critical bearers to temporarily suspend or skip handover execution during the handover process, focusing resources on completing handover for critical bearers first. This selective rushing through of critical handovers minimizes latency for important applications while non-critical bearers resume their handover process afterward, balancing reliability and time loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #21Skipping (Rushing through)

3Adaptability or versatility

If different handover procedures are applied to different bearers, then diverse quality of service requirements are met, but the control signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebearer-specific quality of serviceVSAvoidcontrol signaling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing a framework where a limited set of standardized handover procedure templates serves multiple bearer types. Instead of creating entirely unique procedures for each bearer, the system uses universal procedure patterns (e.g., priority-based handover, simultaneous handover) that can be configured and parameterized for different bearer characteristics, reducing control signaling overhead while maintaining the ability to meet diverse quality of service requirements through flexible parameter adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3741186B1Method and apparatus for handoff of multiple bearers with differing quality of service levels in a wireless communication system
Publication Date: 2025.06.25 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP3741186B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3741186B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3741186B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Embodiments of the present technique provide a terminal device and a method of operating a terminal device in a wireless communication network. The method comprises establishing, by the terminal device, a first radio connection between the terminal device and a first network access node for transmission of data via a first bearer and a second radio connection between the terminal device and the first network access node for transmission of data via a second bearer. In accordance with a difference between a quality of service for the data transmission via the first bearer and a quality of service for the data transmission via the second bearer, a third radio connection is established between the terminal device and a second network access node for transmission of the data via the first bearer; and the third radio connection is established between the terminal device and the second network access node, a fourth radio connection is established between the terminal device and the second network access node for transmission of the data via the second bearer.