Base Station ECM Control Using M2M Coverage History
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coverage enhancement techniques for Machine-to-Machine (M2M) terminals in LTE networks lead to inefficient use of radio resources and increased power consumption, particularly when applied to MTC UEs with varying radio qualities, and require time-consuming determination of whether to apply ECM.
Innovation Solution
A base station and core network system that utilizes history information on previous coverage enhancement processing to determine efficiently whether to apply ECM to MTC UEs, reducing the need for real-time radio quality assessments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If coverage enhancement processing is applied to MTC UEs, then communication quality is improved, but radio resources are consumed inefficiently and power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies coverage enhancement processing selectively based on individual UE characteristics. The eNB determines whether each MTC UE requires ECM by evaluating specific criteria such as radio quality thresholds, UE category, and service type, rather than applying ECM uniformly to all MTC UEs. This localized approach ensures that only UEs with poor communication quality receive the enhanced processing, thereby improving communication quality for those who need it while avoiding unnecessary power consumption for UEs with adequate signal conditions.
2Reliability
If coverage enhancement processing is applied to MTC UEs, then communication quality is improved, but radio resources are consumed inefficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements selective ECM application where the eNB evaluates each MTC UE's specific conditions (radio quality, UE category, service type) and applies coverage enhancement processing only to those UEs that meet the criteria for poor communication quality. This prevents wasteful consumption of radio resources on UEs with adequate signal conditions while ensuring adequate resources are allocated to UEs that genuinely require enhanced coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs partial action by applying coverage enhancement processing to only a subset of MTC UEs rather than all of them. The eNB uses determination criteria to identify which specific UEs require ECM, applying the enhanced processing partially to those with poor radio quality while leaving UEs with good signal conditions to use normal processing, thereby optimizing radio resource utilization.
3Measurement precision
If real-time radio quality assessment is performed to determine ECM application, then accurate coverage enhancement decisions are made, but determination time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses pre-established determination criteria that incorporate historical radio quality information, UE category, and service type to make ECM decisions. Instead of performing complex real-time radio quality assessments for each ECM decision, the eNB utilizes previously collected information and predefined thresholds to quickly determine whether a UE requires coverage enhancement. This preliminary preparation of decision criteria significantly reduces determination time while maintaining accurate coverage enhancement decisions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses historical radio quality data and UE information as copies of current conditions to make ECM decisions. Rather than performing complete real-time measurements, the eNB leverages stored information about UE characteristics and past radio conditions, combined with current basic measurements, to efficiently determine ECM applicability. This copying approach maintains decision accuracy while reducing the time required for assessment.
Data Source
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AI summary
A base station (13) is configured to receive, from a Machine-to-machine (M2M) terminal (11) or a core network (14), history information indicating whether or not specific coverage enhancement processing was executed in previous communication with the M2M terminal (11). Further, the base station (13) is configured to control communication using the specific coverage enhancement processing between the M2M terminal (11) and the base station (13) based on the history information received from the M2M terminal (11) or the core network (14). It is thus possible to contribute to improving efficiency of determination regarding whether to apply a special coverage enhancement processing to the M2M terminal.