Airborne UE Cell Search Using Altitude-Triggered Frequency Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Airborne user equipment (UE) faces significant battery consumption and inefficiencies in cell search and selection processes due to resource-intensive scanning of multiple frequencies, which is exacerbated by limited availability of frequencies at higher altitudes, leading to delayed connections and degraded performance.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an 'airborne mode' in UE that modifies cell search and selection procedures to prioritize specific frequencies based on altitude detection, adjusting handover hysteresis margins, and optimizing handover decisions to reduce unnecessary scanning and power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a UE performs an all-band cell search to ensure comprehensive frequency coverage, then the reliability of connection establishment is improved, but the battery consumption and processing resource utilization increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cell search process into two distinct modes: a reduced set of frequencies for airborne UEs and a complete set of frequencies for terrestrial UEs. This segmentation allows the system to apply different search strategies based on the UE's operational context, thereby reducing unnecessary energy consumption for airborne devices while maintaining connection reliability through targeted frequency scanning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by tailoring the cell search frequency set to the specific needs of airborne UEs. Instead of applying a uniform all-band search to all UEs, the system provides a customized reduced frequency set specifically for airborne operations, optimizing energy efficiency for this particular use case while preserving comprehensive search capabilities for terrestrial UEs where full frequency coverage remains necessary.
2Reliability
If a UE performs an all-band cell search to ensure comprehensive frequency coverage, then the reliability of connection establishment is improved, but the processing resource utilization increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cell search process into two distinct modes: a reduced set of frequencies for airborne UEs and a complete set of frequencies for terrestrial UEs. This segmentation allows the system to apply different search strategies based on the UE's operational context, thereby reducing unnecessary processing overhead for airborne devices while maintaining connection reliability through targeted frequency scanning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by tailoring the cell search frequency set to the specific needs of airborne UEs. Instead of applying a uniform all-band search to all UEs, the system provides a customized reduced frequency set specifically for airborne operations, optimizing processing efficiency for this particular use case while preserving comprehensive search capabilities for terrestrial UEs where full frequency coverage remains necessary.
3Reliability
If a UE performs repeated all-band cell searches when airborne, then the reliability of finding available frequencies is improved, but the battery consumption increases and connections are delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining a reduced set of frequencies specifically for airborne UEs before the cell search process begins. This pre-prepared frequency set eliminates the need for repeated comprehensive all-band searches, allowing airborne UEs to quickly identify available frequencies and establish connections without the time-consuming iterative process of exhaustive frequency scanning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by modifying the frequency search parameters based on the UE's airborne status. When a UE is detected to be airborne, the system changes the search parameters to use a reduced frequency set instead of the complete frequency spectrum, thereby reducing both the time required for frequency detection and the associated battery consumption while maintaining reliable connection establishment.
4Ease of operation
If a UE uses default cell search procedures for airborne operations, then the ease of operation is maintained, but the battery consumption and processing overhead increase unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the cell search procedure adaptive to the UE's operational context. The system dynamically adjusts the frequency search set based on whether the UE is airborne or terrestrial, allowing the procedure to remain simple and automated for the user while optimizing energy consumption through context-aware parameter adjustment. This dynamic adaptation maintains ease of operation without requiring user intervention while significantly reducing battery consumption for airborne scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by automatically modifying the cell search frequency parameters based on the UE's airborne status detection. This automatic parameter adjustment maintains the simplicity of operation for the user while optimizing energy efficiency, as the system handles the complexity of parameter selection internally based on contextual information without requiring user input or awareness.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to systems and methods for delivering telecommunications coverage to airborne user equipment (UE). More particularly, in aspects set forth herein, systems and methods utilize an “airborne mode” that can be on the UE. The UE can automatically turn on the airborne mode when it detects that the UE is airborne. For example, the UE may detect a particular altitude, speed, or pressure that is associated with being airborne. The airborne mode could be used to modify the UE's default cell search and selection parameters to more quickly detect and connect to a particular air cell frequency.