Automatic ENDC Enable via UE Measurement Thresholds
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for enabling Evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) New Radio (NR) Dual Connectivity (DC) (ENDC) in 4G LTE evolved Node B (eNB) are inefficient, leading to false 5G icon display on user equipment (UE) without actual 5G coverage, causing customer confusion and complaints. Additionally, manual drive tests for identifying overlapping coverage are time-consuming and costly.
Innovation Solution
An automatic method for triggering ENDC enabling in 4G LTE eNBs based on measurement reports, where the eNB determines if a predetermined number of Automatic ENDC Enable (AEE) criteria are met over a specific time period, and enables ENDC only when this threshold is exceeded.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual drive tests are used to identify overlapping coverage, then measurement accuracy is improved, but time consumption and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by allowing the network to automatically identify overlapping coverage areas and trigger ENDC enabling based on measurement reports from user equipment, eliminating the need for manual drive tests while maintaining measurement accuracy through automated algorithms that analyze UE measurement data
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical drive test system (physical vehicles with measurement equipment) with an electronic automated system that collects and processes measurement reports from user equipment, substituting physical measurement methods with electronic data analysis to identify coverage overlap
2Device complexity
If ENDC is enabled without verifying overlapping coverage, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability decreases due to false 5G icon display
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically detecting overlapping coverage areas before enabling ENDC functionality, using measurement reports to verify the presence of 5G coverage in the overlapping area, thereby preventing false 5G icon display while maintaining simple device operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the system continuously monitors measurement reports from user equipment to detect overlapping coverage conditions, using this feedback information to automatically trigger ENDC enabling only when appropriate, ensuring reliable 5G service indication while keeping device complexity low
3Productivity
If automated ENDC enabling is implemented, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple measurement reports from different user equipment into a collective dataset for analyzing overlapping coverage, combining individual measurements to form a comprehensive view that maintains high measurement precision while enabling automated high-speed ENDC deployment across the network
Data Source
AI summary
An evolved Node B (eNB) for providing automatic ENDC enabling. Measurement reports are generated during a prior handover by user equipment (UE) configured in 5G NR connected mode. The measurement reports are received at a 4G LTE evolved Node B. Based on the measurement reports, the 4G LTE eNB determines a number of Automatic ENDC Enable (AEE) criterion being met during a predetermined time period that is greater than a threshold. In response to the number of Automatic ENDC Enable (AEE) criterion met during the predetermined time period being greater than the threshold, ENDC is automatically enabled for the 4G LTE eNB.