Wireless Handoff Selection via Context Parameter Evaluation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless access networks face challenges in efficiently selecting and implementing appropriate handoff types during mobile terminal transitions between base stations, which can disrupt traffic flow and service integrity.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves determining context information associated with wireless communications between mobile terminals and base stations, using this information to select the most suitable handoff type from available options such as soft handoffs and fast base station switching, based on factors like channel conditions, application preferences, and device capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple types of handoffs are supported in a wireless access network, then the system's adaptability to different communication scenarios is improved, but the complexity of selecting and implementing the appropriate handoff type increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by evaluating multiple context parameters (channel conditions, terminal mobility, service type, base station capabilities) to dynamically select the appropriate handoff type. The system changes the handoff parameters (soft handoff, hard handoff, fast base station switching) based on the evaluated context, resolving the contradiction by providing adaptability through parameter-based selection while maintaining manageable complexity through structured evaluation criteria.
2Speed
If context information is transferred between base stations during handoff, then the handoff speed is improved, but the network overhead and processing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-establishing context information sharing agreements between base stations before handoff occurs. The system prepares the necessary context information (terminal profile, service parameters, channel state) in advance and makes it available for rapid transfer during handoff, thus improving handoff speed while managing overhead through proactive preparation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential context information needed for handoff from the complete terminal profile. By selecting and transferring only the critical parameters (service type, mobility level, channel conditions) rather than the entire context database, the system achieves fast handoff while minimizing network overhead and information loss.
3Reliability
If soft handoffs with multiple supporting base stations are used, then service reliability is improved, but the network resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by implementing soft handoff selectively only when necessary for maintaining service reliability. The system evaluates context conditions (channel variability, terminal mobility, service criticality) and activates soft handoff with multiple base stations only when the reliability benefit justifies the resource cost, otherwise using simpler handoff mechanisms to conserve network resources.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention facilitates handoffs for a mobile terminal in a wireless access network that is capable of supporting different types of handoffs. The different handoff types may include soft handoffs and fast base station switching (FBSS). In operation, context information associated with supporting wireless communications between the wireless access network and the mobile terminal are determined. Based on whether the context information is shared between base stations involved in the handoff or transferred from one base station to another of the base stations involved in the handoff, a particular handoff type is selected from the different handoff types that are available. Selecting the specific type of handoff to use may also be based on the level of context information that is available, the actual content of the context information, application preferences, channel conditions, base station or mobile terminal capabilities, or any combination thereof.