Adaptive Measurement Thresholds for Small Cell Discovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
In heterogeneous networks, the traditional s-Measure threshold for triggering inter-frequency and inter-RAT measurements can lead to inefficient handover processes due to strong serving cell signal strength, causing UEs to fail in discovering small cells, resulting in unnecessary battery power consumption and potential performance degradation.
Innovation Solution
Adaptive thresholds for measurement triggering and reporting are implemented based on current cell load or individual UE contributions, allowing the eNB to configure UEs for optimal inter-frequency and inter-RAT measurements, enabling timely discovery of small cells and efficient offloading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If traditional s-Measure threshold is used for triggering measurements, then UE battery power consumption is reduced by avoiding unnecessary measurements, but small cell discovery is prevented when serving cell signal strength is strong
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the s-Measure threshold adaptive rather than fixed. The threshold is dynamically adjusted based on real-time network conditions including cell load, UE load contribution, and signal strength variations. This allows the system to optimize between energy saving and small cell discovery capability according to changing network states.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of s-Measure threshold from a static value to a dynamic parameter that varies based on multiple factors such as cell load, UE load contribution, and signal strength. This parameter change enables the system to adapt measurement triggering behavior to current network conditions, resolving the contradiction between energy saving and discovery reliability.
2Device complexity
If fixed s-Measure threshold is used, then measurement configuration is simple, but handover efficiency deteriorates in heterogeneous networks with strong serving cell signals
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static fixed threshold to a dynamic adaptive threshold that automatically adjusts based on network conditions. This dynamic approach maintains configuration simplicity while significantly improving handover efficiency in heterogeneous networks by triggering measurements only when necessary based on real-time cell load and signal strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the eNB continuously monitors cell load, UE load contribution, and signal strength, then uses this feedback to adjust the s-Measure threshold. This closed-loop feedback system optimizes measurement triggering and handover decisions without requiring complex manual configuration.
3Reliability
If measurements are triggered at high signal strength, then small cells are discovered timely, but unnecessary UE activity and battery consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the triggering parameter dynamically based on multiple factors including cell load, UE load contribution, and signal strength. This allows the system to distinguish between cases where strong signal strength indicates good coverage (no measurement needed) versus cases where strong signal from macro cell coexists with available small cells (measurement needed for offloading), thereby optimizing energy consumption while maintaining discovery reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies local quality by tailoring measurement triggering decisions to individual UE characteristics and local network conditions. Instead of a uniform threshold, the system adjusts parameters based on specific UE load contributions, signal strength, and local cell conditions, enabling optimized energy consumption and discovery timing for each UE scenario.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus for adapting thresholds for measurement triggering and measurement report triggering are disclosed. An example method, suitable for implementation in a base station, begins with monitoring (510, 610) a cell load for the cell served by the base station. The method continues with the determining (520, 630) of a first signal threshold for the serving cell to be used for triggering neighbor cell measurements by at least a first mobile terminal, or a second signal threshold for the serving cell to be used for triggering reporting of neighbor cell measurements by the first mobile terminal, or both, where said determining is based on the monitored cell load. The determined first signal threshold or the determined second signal threshold, or both, are transmitted (530, 640) to the first mobile terminal.