5G Qualification Service Using 4G Path Loss Modeling

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Users may not receive the full benefits of future generation wireless networks, such as 5G, due to factors like building materials and equipment placement, leading to inconsistent service availability indoors.

Innovation Solution

A qualification service that estimates 5G access conditions by calculating 5G path loss using 4G measurements, guiding users to measure signal strength, and employing a machine learning algorithm to adjust estimates based on various locations and user data, determining if a location qualifies for 5G coverage and assisting in equipment setup.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If 5G equipment is deployed with line-of-sight characteristics, then network capacity and speed are improved, but indoor service availability deteriorates due to building materials blocking signals

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork speedVSAvoidindoor service availability

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary qualification assessment before 5G equipment installation by measuring 4G signal characteristics at the user location. This advance evaluation predicts whether the location will qualify for 5G service, allowing users to make informed decisions about equipment installation without experiencing poor indoor coverage afterward.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses 4G network measurements as an intermediary to predict 5G service quality. Since 4G signals can penetrate buildings more effectively, measuring 4G path loss and signal strength provides indirect information about the building's radio frequency characteristics, which then informs the 5G qualification decision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If users install 5G equipment without prior qualification assessment, then deployment speed is improved, but service quality deteriorates due to inconsistent indoor coverage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeployment speedVSAvoidservice quality

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Speed

If 5G path loss is calculated using theoretical models alone, then calculation speed is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to variations in building materials and environmental factors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecalculation speedVSAvoidpath loss accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses actual 4G signal measurements taken at the user's location as feedback to calibrate and adjust the path loss model. By comparing measured 4G path loss values with theoretical predictions, the system adapts the model parameters to reflect the specific building's radio frequency characteristics, thereby improving 5G path loss estimation accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adjusts path loss model parameters based on measured 4G signal characteristics. Different building materials and environmental conditions result in different empirical path loss exponents and intercept values, which are determined through measurement and then applied to 5G frequency calculations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS10924938B2Method and system for qualification and placement of next generation equipment based on modeling

Publication Date: 2021.02.16 VERIZON PATENT & LICENSING INC

AI summary

A method, a device, and a non-transitory storage medium provide to receive from an end device, a first measurement of a signal transmitted by a wireless station and measured by the end device outside of a building; receive, from the end device, a second measurement of a signal transmitted by the wireless station and measured by the end device inside the building; calculate, based on the first measurement and the second measurement, a path loss, for a second frequency, between a future generation cell site and the building; calculate a received signal power of the future generation cell site based on the path loss; compare the received signal power to a threshold value; determine, based on the comparison, whether the building is qualified to receive future generation equipment to be placed in the building.