Adaptive UE Timer Configuration for RRC Handover in Coverage Enhanced LTE

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing Radio Resource Control (RRC) procedures in LTE networks, particularly for Machine Type Communication (MTC), face inefficiencies due to increased time requirements for state changes and handovers, leading to higher failure rates and power consumption, as the current timer settings do not account for repetitive transmissions and receptions used for coverage enhancement.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a terminal device and base station system that dynamically adjusts UE timers based on repetition levels, allowing for optimized RRC procedures by configuring timers specific to coverage enhancement scenarios, thereby reducing failure rates and power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If repetitive transmissions and receptions are performed for coverage enhancement, then coverage range is improved, but procedure time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage rangeVSAvoidprocedure time
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the timer value adaptive rather than fixed. The timer is dynamically adjusted based on the repetition level configured for coverage enhancement, allowing the system to optimize the balance between coverage range and procedure time according to actual channel conditions and repetition requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the timer parameter value based on the repetition level. Different timer values are configured for different repetition levels (e.g., longer timers for higher repetition levels), allowing the system to adapt the timing parameters to match the coverage enhancement requirements while preventing premature timer expirations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Area of stationary object

If repetitive transmissions and receptions are performed for coverage enhancement, then coverage range is improved, but failure rate increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage rangeVSAvoidfailure rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the timer parameter based on repetition level to prevent premature expirations that cause failures. By adjusting the timer value to account for the additional time required by repetitive transmissions, the system maintains reliability while achieving coverage enhancement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Area of stationary object

If repetitive transmissions and receptions are performed for coverage enhancement, then coverage range is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage rangeVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the timer value adaptive to repetition levels. This prevents unnecessary timer expirations and subsequent retransmission procedures, thereby reducing wasted power consumption while maintaining coverage enhancement benefits

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3277022B1Terminal device, base station device and communication methods
Publication Date: 2020.10.14 SHARP KK
  • EP3277022B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3277022B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3277022B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is technology relating to: a terminal device, a base station device, a communication method, and an integrated circuit capable of efficiently performing a Radio Resource Control procedure. The terminal device is configured to, when receiving, from the base station device, an RRC message including information on a target cell, random access information relating to a coverage level, and a timer relating to a handover and indicating the handover, start the timer relating to the handover and execute a random access to the target cell using the random access information relating to the coverage level of the target cell.