Base Station Timing Advance Localization for Network Degradation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication networks struggle to accurately identify and mitigate network degradation, leading to increased connection losses, dropped data rates, and lost data packages due to UEs not being able to effectively report their location, resulting in inefficient handling of network degradation.
Innovation Solution
A method where a base station receives timing advance values from a UE experiencing network degradation to calculate the location of the degradation and instruct nearby UEs to take precautionary actions to avoid or mitigate the influence of the degradation, using both base station-controlled and UE-controlled methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the network relies on UE location reporting to handle degradation, then degradation handling capability is improved, but location reporting accuracy deteriorates when UEs are in idle mode
Solution Approach 1:
The network performs preliminary actions by proactively monitoring Timing Advance values and predicting potential degradation areas before UEs actually experience problems. The system pre-calculates degradation zones based on TA patterns and proactively notifies UEs or triggers handovers before connection losses occur, thereby maintaining high reliability without depending on reactive location reporting.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the network uses Timing Advance values as a mediator to infer UE location and predict degradation. Instead of relying directly on UE location reports (which fail in idle mode), the system uses TA as an indirect indicator to determine UE position and anticipate degradation zones, solving the accuracy problem in idle mode.
2Reliability
If the network broadcasts degradation information to all UEs, then coverage of degradation information is improved, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by tailoring degradation information delivery to specific local conditions. Instead of uniform broadcasting to all UEs, the network identifies UEs in or near predicted degradation zones using their Timing Advance values and sends targeted notifications only to those affected UEs. This localized approach maintains reliable coverage for relevant UEs while minimizing signaling overhead for unaffected UEs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by selectively notifying only the subset of UEs that are likely to be affected by degradation, rather than providing excessive broadcasting to all UEs. The network uses TA-based location inference to determine the partial set of interested UEs and sends degradation information only to them, optimizing the balance between information coverage and signaling efficiency.
3Device complexity
If the network waits for UE location reports to identify degradation areas, then processing complexity is reduced, but response time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The network performs preliminary analysis by continuously monitoring Timing Advance values and pre-identifying potential degradation areas before UEs report problems. The system proactively calculates degradation zones based on TA patterns and prepares notification messages in advance, enabling rapid response when degradation actually occurs without waiting for UE location reports, thus reducing response time while keeping processing complexity manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback mechanisms where UEs periodically report their Timing Advance values, and the network uses this feedback to continuously update its prediction of degradation zones. This feedback loop enables the network to maintain an up-to-date picture of UE locations and predicted degradation areas, allowing for timely responses without requiring complex real-time location reporting from UEs.
4Measurement precision
If the network uses Timing Advance values to locate UEs, then location determination accuracy is improved, but measurement dependency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by using Timing Advance values as a substitute parameter for traditional location reports. Instead of relying on UE-provided location data (which may be inaccurate or unavailable in idle mode), the system transforms TA values into location predictions through calculated degradation zones. This parameter substitution maintains location determination accuracy while reducing dependency on direct UE location measurements, as TA values are already measurements the network performs for other purposes.
Data Source
AI summary
A method performed by abase station for handling network degradation in a wireless communications network is provided. The base station receives (201, IS1) from a first UE experiencing a network degradation, a determined type of the network degradation together with an estimated first Timing Advance, TA1, value. Based on the received TA1 value, the base station calculates (202, 1) a location, location X, associated with the network degradation. When a first location, location L1, of a second UE is at a distance from the location X that is below a second threshold, the base station decides (204, 2) a first decision to perform an action to restrain degrading influence from the location X. The first decision is based on the determined type of the network degradation. The base station sends (205, 2) to the second UE, the first decision to perform an action to restrain degrading influence from the location X.