5G Terminal Network Mode Selection Using PLMN and Location

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing 5G terminal devices face inefficiencies in network search and high power consumption due to incorrect selection of NSA or SA networking modes, leading to suboptimal user experience and service availability.

Innovation Solution

A method for a terminal device to select between NSA and SA networking modes based on preset information, including PLMN information and geographical location, signal quality, and system messages, to dynamically switch between networking modes for optimal network registration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the terminal device performs comprehensive network search to ensure service availability, then service availability is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice availabilityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal device performs preliminary actions by obtaining preset information including PLMN information and networking modes before actual network selection, and uses geographical location information to pre-determine the appropriate networking mode, avoiding comprehensive network searches and reducing power consumption while ensuring service availability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The terminal device serves itself by autonomously determining its networking mode based on its own geographical location information and preset information stored locally, without requiring extensive network searches or external assistance, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining reliable service access

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If the terminal device searches multiple networking modes to ensure optimal connection, then connection quality is improved, but network search time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection qualityVSAvoidnetwork search time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal device performs preliminary determination of the appropriate networking mode by obtaining geographical location information and matching it with preset information before actual network connection, eliminating the need to search multiple networking modes and significantly reducing network search time while ensuring optimal connection quality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The network selection process is segmented into distinct steps: obtaining geographical location information, matching with preset PLMN information, and determining the networking mode. This segmentation allows the terminal to efficiently navigate to the appropriate network without performing comprehensive searches across all possible networking modes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If the terminal device stores comprehensive preset information for all operators, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperator compatibilityVSAvoidinformation storage complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal device uses a universal geographical location information matching mechanism that works across all operators and countries. Instead of storing operator-specific selection logic, the device universally applies location-based matching to determine the appropriate networking mode, simplifying the system while maintaining broad adaptability to different operators and network configurations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3793264B1Method for selecting NSA and sa networking modes and terminal device
Publication Date: 2025.11.26 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3793264B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3793264B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3793264B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

This application provides a network search method for a terminal device and a device. By presetting a public land mobile network (Public Land Mobile Network, PLMN) and a networking mode associated with the PLMN, the terminal device searches based on a geographical location to obtain PLMN information of a current geographical location, to determine, based on the preset public land mobile network (Public Land Mobile Network, PLMN) and the networking mode associated with the PLMN, a current networking mode of the terminal device, and the terminal device may further switch the networking mode based on a geographical location, signal strength, and a system message.