Base Station Sector Selection via Random Access Preamble Signal Strength
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless radio networks with combined cell deployments, the limited resources for sector selection, such as SRS and PUCCH CQI, restrict the number of wireless terminals that can be supported, leading to sub-optimal sector selection and increased load, especially in scenarios with high mobility or future network deployments with more sectors.
Innovation Solution
A method in a base station that initiates a random access procedure for wireless terminals when the quality of their current sector falls below a threshold, allowing the base station to select a better sector based on signal strength measurements from random access preambles, thereby ensuring optimal sector communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If limited resources (SRS and PUCCH CQI) are used for sector selection, then the existing system can operate with current infrastructure, but the number of wireless terminals that can be supported is restricted and sub-optimal sector selection occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling the random access procedure to serve dual purposes: traditional access functionality and sector selection. By configuring multiple random access preambles corresponding to different sectors, the system allows wireless terminals to perform sector selection during the random access phase, thereby utilizing existing resources more efficiently and supporting more terminals without additional dedicated sector selection resources
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service by allowing wireless terminals to autonomously select optimal sectors through measuring signal strength of random access preambles and autonomously selecting a sector for communication. This self-service mechanism enables terminals to perform their own sector selection without requiring additional network resources, thereby resolving the contradiction between limited resources and the need for optimal sector selection across multiple terminals
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional sector selection resources are allocated, then current wireless terminals can be served, but the capacity to handle high mobility scenarios and future network deployments with more sectors is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by enabling dynamic sector selection through the random access procedure. The system allows wireless terminals to dynamically measure signal strength of different sector-specific preambles and switch to the optimal sector based on current conditions. This dynamic approach enhances adaptability to high mobility scenarios and future network deployments without requiring proportional increases in dedicated sector selection resources
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by configuring multiple random access preambles in advance, each associated with a different sector. This preliminary configuration allows the system to prepare for future high mobility scenarios and network expansions without requiring additional resources at deployment time. The pre-configured preambles enable seamless sector selection as network requirements evolve
Data Source
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AI summary
A method in a base station for handling sector selection is provided. A wireless terminal is connected to a first sector comprised in a combined cell. When a quality of the communication resources in the first sector is below a first threshold, the base station determines (404) that the first sector is no longer the best sector for the wireless terminal. Then the base station sends (407) an order to the wireless terminal to initiate a random access procedure in the combined cell. The base station then selects (408) a second sector in the combined cell based on measurements of signal strength of random access preambles received from the wireless terminal in each respective sector in the combined cell. The random access preambles are received from the wireless terminal in the initiated random access procedure. The second sector is selected for the wireless terminal to communicate in.