TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

As wireless networks evolve and grow, there are ongoing challenges in communicating data across different types of networks. For example, a wireless network may include one or more access nodes, such as base stations, for providing wireless voice and data service to wireless devices in various coverage areas of the one or more access nodes. As wireless technology continues to improve, various different iterations of radio access technologies (RATs) may be deployed within a single wireless network. Such heterogeneous wireless networks can include newer 5G and millimeter wave (mmW) networks, as well as older legacy networks (such as 3G). In some cases, deployment of 5G new radio (NR) access nodes alongside or co-located with 4G long-term evolution (LTE) access nodes utilizes dual connectivity technology (e.g. EN-DC), wherein control information is transmitted using the 4G RAT and data is transmitted using the 5G RAT. There are various potential deployments of EN-DC, such as one-to-one (where a 4G eNodeB is colocated with a 5G gNodeB at the same cell site or radio access network), or one-to-many (where a 4G eNodeB at a first radio access network is coupled via X2 links to many different 5G gNodeBs, each within their own radio access network or cell site). Each radio access network (RAN) or cell site can further include a cell site router, which provides connectivity to other network elements, such as an intermediate or core network. The connection between the cell site router and other network elements closer to the core network may be referred to as a mobile backhaul.

Further, as wireless device technology improves, increasing numbers of wireless devices are using various transmission modes dual connectivity and multiple input multiple output (MIMO). However, transitioning to these advanced technologies in today's heterogeneous wireless networks can be associated with problems. In particular, load balancing of wireless devices between two or more neighboring access nodes can be problematic, particularly when access nodes suffer from intermodulation distortion caused by various different sources. For example, access nodes configured to deploy multiple carriers/frequencies (including while operating in a dual-connectivity mode) may suffer from 3rdorder intermodulation distortion caused at the antennae of the access node by products of the different frequencies. Further, passive intermodulation distortion can be caused by components of the access nodes themselves. 3rdorder or passive intermodulation distortion can impact a quality of service provided by the access node. Particularly when many wireless devices, and operating in dual-connectivity mode, the quality of service for the wireless devices can be impacted. Thus, standard handovers of these wireless devices, which may be triggered by poor or deteriorating signal conditions from a serving access node, would not benefit the wireless devices if the target access nodes suffer from intermodulation distortion, despite providing better signal conditions.

Overview

Exemplary embodiments described herein include methods, systems, and processing nodes for preventing or delaying handovers to target access nodes that are suffering from intermodulation distortion. An exemplary method for ensuring service quality in wireless network suffering from intermodulation distortion includes determining that a target access node for a handover of a wireless device is experiencing an intermodulation distortion level that exceeds a first threshold, and delaying the handover of the wireless device to the target access node.

Another exemplary method for delaying handovers to target access nodes suffering from intermodulation distortion includes determining that an intermodulation distortion level measured at a target access node meets a threshold, and for wireless devices attached to a serving access node adjacent the target access node, adjusting handover thresholds to delay handovers of the wireless device to the target access node.

Another exemplary method for delaying handovers includes determining a requirement for a handover of a wireless device from a source access node to a target access node that is suffering from threshold levels of intermodulation distortion, and delaying the handover of the wireless device to the target access node.

The exemplary embodiments described herein may be performed by a processing node within a system, such as a telecommunication system. For example, an exemplary system for delaying handovers can include a processing node that is configured to perform any of the disclosed operations in various combinations.

