Wireless Handover Optimization Using Motion Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
5G cellular-wireless access technologies using millimeter waves face challenges with uneven wireless coverage due to blockage by buildings or absorption by vegetation, rain, or clouds, leading to reduced call quality and dropped calls, as existing handover mechanisms do not effectively manage transitions between different frequency bands and cell types.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system that determines handover events in wireless networks based on cell characteristics and motion data, using user equipment (UE) and base stations to assess speed thresholds, cell sizes, and signal strengths to prevent unnecessary handovers between wide area networks (WANs) and small cells, particularly when the UE is moving at high speeds or in specific communication states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If handover mechanisms are implemented to manage transitions between different frequency bands and cell types, then call quality and coverage are improved, but network congestion and excessive handovers occur when devices move at high speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The handover mechanism dynamically adjusts its behavior based on device motion state. When the device is detected to be in motion (via accelerometer data), the system suppresses handover events to WAN cells, preventing excessive handovers. When the device is stationary, normal handover operations are permitted. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making the system flexible rather than rigid.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the handover parameter thresholds based on device motion state. Specifically, it modifies the received signal strength indicator (RSSI) threshold and handover event triggers depending on whether the device is moving or stationary. This parameter adjustment prevents unnecessary handovers during motion while maintaining quality handovers during stationary periods.
2Reliability
If handover events are triggered based on signal strength thresholds, then connection quality is maintained, but unnecessary handovers occur when devices are moving at high speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The handover decision process is made dynamic by continuously monitoring device motion state through accelerometer data. The system adapts its handover triggering behavior in real-time based on whether the device is moving or stationary, preventing unnecessary handovers during high-speed motion while maintaining responsive handovers when the device is stationary.
Solution Approach 2:
The device's motion state (detected via accelerometer) acts as an intermediary factor that mediates between signal strength conditions and handover execution. Even when signal strength thresholds are met, the motion state intermediary can block unnecessary handovers, while allowing them when the device is stationary and handovers are beneficial.
3Productivity
If millimeter wave frequencies are used to provide high bandwidth communications, then data transmission capacity is improved, but coverage becomes uneven due to blockage by buildings or absorption by vegetation, rain, or clouds
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes operational parameters (handover thresholds, cell selection criteria) based on device motion state to compensate for the inherent coverage limitations of millimeter wave frequencies. When devices are moving, the system adjusts parameters to maintain connections more aggressively, compensating for the reduced reliability of mmWave coverage in dynamic environments.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, devices, and techniques described herein are directed to improved wireless handovers based on device movement. User equipment (UE) can be wirelessly connected to a network via a serving cell, while handover operations allow the UE to transition a connection from the serving cell to a candidate cell to facilitate mobility and connection continuity. In some cases, the serving cell can be a wide area network and the candidate cell can be a small cell, whereby the small cell utilizes millimeter wavelength communications. In some cases, where a candidate cell can provide a higher quality connection compared to the serving cell, a handover decision can be based at least in part on motion data associated with the UE. For example, if a speed of the UE is above a threshold, the UE or network can be prevented from initiating a handover from the serving cell to the candidate cell.