Wireless Terminal Failure Reporting in NES Conditional Handover

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies face challenges in handling handover failures and radio link failures associated with delayed CHO condition evaluation in Network Energy Saving (NES) type conditional handovers, unclear UE reporting of such failures, and unclear UE behavior during RRC connection reestablishment in such scenarios.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves a radio terminal that stores failure information indicating the elapsed time from the start of CHO execution condition evaluation until a handover or radio link failure occurs, and transmits this information to the network, along with specific handling procedures for cell selection and execution of conditional handovers based on NES mode and failure types.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the network enters NES mode to reduce energy consumption, then energy efficiency is improved, but handover failure handling and radio link failure reporting become unclear and complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork energy consumptionVSAvoidfailure handling complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the CHO evaluation process into distinct phases: pre-NES mode evaluation, post-NES mode evaluation, and failure handling phases. By dividing the complex failure handling into specific scenarios (handover failure before NES mode, radio link failure during NES mode, etc.), the patent makes each scenario manageable with clear predefined behaviors, reducing overall system complexity despite the energy saving requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent establishes preliminary rules and configurations for CHO evaluation before NES mode is activated. The network configures the UE with specific CHO parameters and evaluation conditions in advance, so that when NES mode is entered, the failure handling procedures are already defined and don't require complex real-time decisions, thus reducing operational complexity while maintaining energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of energy

If CHO condition evaluation is delayed in NES mode to save energy, then network activity is reduced, but failure detection and reporting time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork energy wasteVSAvoidfailure detection time
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic CHO condition evaluation during NES mode instead of continuous evaluation. The UE evaluates CHO conditions at specific intervals or triggered events (such as when exiting NES mode or upon receiving specific network signals), reducing energy consumption while ensuring timely failure detection at these periodic checkpoints. This periodic approach balances energy saving with acceptable failure detection timing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent establishes feedback mechanisms where the network monitors CHO evaluation status and can trigger evaluations or adjust NES mode operation based on network conditions. When failure risk is detected or network conditions change, the network can signal the UE to perform CHO evaluation or exit NES mode, ensuring timely response to failures while maintaining energy efficiency during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If the network maintains continuous CHO evaluation to ensure quick failure response, then reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandover reliabilityVSAvoidUE energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes CHO evaluation dynamic by adjusting its activity level based on network conditions and NES mode status. During NES mode, CHO evaluation is suspended or reduced, and the system dynamically transitions between evaluation and non-evaluation states based on triggers such as network signals, cell quality changes, or exit from NES mode. This dynamic approach maintains reliability when needed while conserving energy during stable low-activity periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the evaluation parameters and thresholds based on whether the network is in NES mode or not. Different measurement thresholds, evaluation frequencies, and triggering conditions are applied depending on the operational mode. This allows the system to maintain adequate handover reliability with relaxed parameters during NES mode, reducing energy consumption while still providing reliable service when the network is fully active.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4668867A1Wireless terminal, wireless access network node, and methods therefor
Publication Date: 2025.12.24 NEC CORP
  • EP4668867A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4668867A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4668867A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A radio terminal receives a first message containing configuration information for a conditional handover from a network. The radio terminal stores failure information indicating an elapsed time from a start of evaluation of an execution condition for the conditional handover to a given point in time in response to detecting a handover failure or a radio link failure after receiving the first message. The radio terminal transmits a second message containing the failure information to the network. For example, this helps improve a failure report provided by a radio terminal to a network regarding a radio link failure or a handover failure detected in relation to a conditional handover.