Autonomous Paging for UE Measurement Collection in Small Cells
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication systems, especially in small cell environments, there is a challenge in obtaining accurate and complete neighbor cell information for handover and measurement purposes, as existing methods rely on manual provisioning, Network Listen mode measurements, and UE measurements, which can lead to call drops and inefficient handover processes due to incomplete or inaccurate data.
Innovation Solution
A network element and communication system that allows for autonomous paging of terminal devices in Idle, CELL_PCH, or URA_PCH states to collect UE measurements without an active connection, enabling the radio access network to extend core network procedures and request inter-RAT, inter-frequency, and intra-frequency measurements, thereby enhancing neighbor cell detection and list optimization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the network uses manual operator provisioning or NWL mode measurements to obtain neighbor cell information, then the deployment is simple and scalable, but the neighbor cell information is incomplete or inaccurate leading to call drops and inefficient handover
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables small cell base stations to autonomously obtain accurate neighbor cell information by leveraging UE measurements during normal operation. The network element automatically configures measurement tasks and processes measurement reports without requiring manual operator intervention or complex provisioning, allowing the system to self-optimize neighbor cell lists based on actual UE locations and network conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where UE measurement reports are collected, processed, and used to dynamically update neighbor cell lists in small cell base stations. The network element receives measurement data from UEs, analyzes it to identify optimal neighbor cells, and feeds this optimized information back to the small cells, enabling continuous improvement of handover performance without manual reconfiguration
2Reliability
If the UE measures multiple cells to ensure accurate handover, then handover success rate improves, but the measurement time increases and UE battery power is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by customizing measurement configurations based on the specific network environment and UE location. The network element determines which cells require measurement and what measurement parameters are most relevant for each local situation, allowing UEs to measure only the necessary cells with appropriate precision rather than universally measuring all possible cells, thus reducing time and power consumption while maintaining handover success
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring measurement tasks and establishing measurement criteria before handover events occur. The network element proactively identifies potential handover scenarios and pre-configures measurement parameters, allowing UEs to perform targeted measurements only when needed rather than continuously scanning all cells, thereby reducing overall measurement time and power consumption while ensuring handover readiness
3Productivity
If the network element extends core network procedures to collect UE measurements during idle states, then measurement frequency increases and handover optimization improves, but network resources and UE power are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic action by collecting UE measurements at strategically determined intervals rather than continuously. The network element configures periodic measurement tasks that activate during idle states when UE mobility is detected or at scheduled intervals, allowing measurement collection to occur periodically rather than continuously, thus improving measurement efficiency while minimizing UE battery power consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting measurement configuration parameters based on network conditions and UE state. The network element modifies measurement frequency, measurement objects, and reporting thresholds according to current network load, UE mobility patterns, and battery power considerations, allowing the system to optimize between measurement productivity and power consumption by adapting parameters to actual operating conditions rather than using fixed parameters
Data Source
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AI summary
A communication system comprising a core network operably coupled to a small base station (HNB) arranged to support wireless communications to a user equipment UE is described. The HNB comprises a control processor being arranged in a first embodiment to: support setting up of an air interface connection with the UE to allow the UE and the core network to exchange messages, e.g. for a Location Update procedure and to receive an instruction from the core network via a core network connection to release the connection to the core network; usually, the HNB would transmit a RRC Connection Release message to the UE; however, the UE utilizes this situation to request and receive UE measurements by using RRC Measurement Control/Report messages and thus delays the initiation of the RRC Connection Release procedure towards the UE; in a econd embodiment, the control processor is arranged to autonomously page the UE: thus, the UE establishes a RRC connection for responding to the paging message and the HNB may request receive UE measurements