Uplink Beacon Signaling for UE Node Reselection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobile telecommunications systems face high power consumption and complexity in user equipment (UE) due to frequent downlink signal measurements for network node selection, handover, and location tracking, leading to reduced battery life and increased signaling overhead, particularly in small cells and fast-moving UEs.
Innovation Solution
The UE transmits beacon signaling that is measured by network nodes, allowing the network to determine radio channel conditions and select appropriate nodes, reducing the processing load on the UE and eliminating the need for frequent handover signaling, thereby lowering power consumption and simplifying UE design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the UE performs downlink signal measurements for network node selection and handover, then network node selection accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of the UE measuring downlink signals from network nodes, the patent inverts the measurement direction by having network nodes measure uplink beacon signals transmitted by the UE. This inversion transfers the measurement burden from the UE to the network infrastructure, reducing UE power consumption while maintaining measurement accuracy for handover decisions
Solution Approach 2:
The UE transmits beacon signals that serve dual purposes: enabling network nodes to perform measurements for handover decisions and providing the UE with a simple transmission task that consumes minimal power compared to continuous downlink measurements. The network infrastructure serves itself by using these beacons for measurement purposes
2Measurement precision
If the UE performs downlink signal measurements for handover, then handover decision accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional handover measurement approach by having network nodes measure uplink beacon signals from the UE instead of the UE measuring downlink signals from network nodes. This simplifies the UE's required functionality to basic beacon transmission while enabling accurate handover measurements through network-side processing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the complex measurement and evaluation functionality from the UE and relocates it to the network side. The UE is left with the simple task of transmitting beacon signals, while the network nodes perform the complex measurements, evaluations, and handover decisions based on these signals
3Measurement precision
If the network performs location tracking via frequent location updates, then location accuracy is improved, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The beacon signals transmitted by the UE serve multiple functions simultaneously: they enable handover measurements by network nodes, provide location information for tracking, and reduce the need for separate location update signaling. This multi-functionality reduces overall signaling overhead while maintaining location tracking capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the location tracking function with the handover measurement process. The same beacon signals used for handover measurements also provide location information to the network, eliminating the need for separate location update signaling and reducing overall signaling overhead
4Reliability
If the network pages via all possible cells in location area, then UE reachability is improved, but network signaling load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The beacon signals transmitted by the UE provide feedback to the network about the UE's current location and which network nodes can receive the signals. This feedback mechanism allows the network to identify the UE's location without paging all cells in the location area, reducing signaling load while maintaining reachability
Data Source
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AI summary
A wireless telecommunications system comprising: a controller element; a first base station and a second base station; and a terminal device operable to communicate with the first base station over a first radio path and to communicate with the second base station over a second radio path. The controller element is configured to select one of the first base station and the second base station to act as a serving base station for the terminal device on the basis of measurements of beacon signalling transmitted by the terminal device, wherein the measurements provide an indication of radio channel conditions associated with the first radio path and the second radio path.