Wireless Handover Signaling for Low-Latency Service Continuity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional cell handover methods in wireless communication systems, such as those used in 5G, suffer from high latency and disrupt data transmission and reception due to the need for layer 3 signaling, leading to reduced quality of service and increased service interruption rates, especially in scenarios with frequent cell changes.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method that utilizes lower layer signaling, such as the MAC or physical layer, combined with pre-configured operations to facilitate handover, including operations like clearing HARQ buffers and initiating random access, to reduce latency and ensure data continuity during handover.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional layer 3 (RRC) signaling is used for cell handover, then the handover process is reliable and complete, but the handover latency increases to tens or hundreds of milliseconds

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandover reliabilityVSAvoidhandover latency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring handover parameters and lower layer (MAC/physical) signaling mechanisms before handover is needed. The network pre-sets target cell information, MAC layer configurations, and random access resources in advance, allowing the terminal to execute handover rapidly when triggered without waiting for full RRC reconfiguration, thus reducing latency while maintaining reliability through pre-validated configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the handover process into multiple independent phases: lower layer preparation (MAC/physical layer configuration), execution trigger (handover command reception), and completion (synchronization and data continuity). This segmentation allows critical time-consuming RRC procedures to be separated from the actual handover execution, enabling parallel processing and reducing overall handover latency while maintaining complete handover reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If traditional handover process is executed, then cell switching is completed, but data transmission and reception are interrupted causing service discontinuity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandover executionVSAvoiddata transmission continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements continuity of useful action by maintaining data transmission and reception throughout the handover process. The MAC layer is configured to continue data forwarding and buffering during cell switching, and the physical layer maintains synchronized connections with both source and target cells temporarily. This ensures that data flow remains uninterrupted while the terminal transitions between cells, preserving service continuity without compromising handover execution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Area of stationary object

If frequent cell handovers occur in 5G small cell scenarios, then network coverage is improved, but service quality deteriorates due to cumulative handover latency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork coverageVSAvoidservice quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

In 5G small cell scenarios with frequent handovers, the patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring multiple target cell parameters and MAC layer settings in advance. When the terminal enters a small cell coverage area, handover preparations are already in place, enabling rapid execution without full RRC reconfiguration for each handover. This reduces cumulative latency from frequent handovers while maintaining expanded network coverage through efficient cell transitions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4593459A1Method and device used for wireless communication
Publication Date: 2025.07.30 APOGEE 5G GLOBAL LLC
  • EP4593459A1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
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  • EP4593459A1 patent drawingFigure 6~11

AI summary

Disclosed in the present application are a method and device used for wireless communication. The method comprises: receiving first signaling, wherein the first signaling comprises a first cell identity, and the first cell identity is configured for a target SpCell (Special Cell); and executing the first signaling, wherein the step of executing the first signaling comprises executing a target operation set. In the present application, better mobility management can be implemented by means of the first signaling.