Apparatus and method for searching target cell for handover in wireless communication system using beamforming and los criteria

摘要

Disclosed is a method and apparatus for compiling a priority list of neighboring base stations to facilitate the handover process. The base station uses beamforming to communicate with the mobile terminal and uses direction of incoming beam to determine the direction or position of the mobile terminal relative to the base station. The neighboring base stations that are located close to the mobile terminal are assigned a higher priority. In the priority assignment, the base station takes also into account the reliability of the beam direction, defined on the criterion of line of sight path between the mobile and base station; in NLOS cases, the beam direction can deviate significantly from the actual direction that the mobile terminal is located. The priority list of neighboring base stations is transmitted to the mobile terminal, which scans it in order to find a target base station to handoff. The advantage is that the mobile terminal will quickly find a new base station to handoff. In additional embodiments of the invention, the priority list of neighboring base stations includes their directions or positions so that the mobile terminal can also beamform to the new base station when first communicating with it.