Carrier Frequency Scanning Control for Battery Conservation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cellular wireless devices face battery life conservation challenges due to the energy-intensive process of scanning and signaling across various carrier frequencies, particularly those with higher path loss, which can lead to increased battery consumption and reduced remaining battery life.
Innovation Solution
A method where a UE determines its remaining battery life and, if below a threshold, excludes scanning carrier frequencies higher than its serving carrier frequency, limiting the scanning process to only lower frequencies to conserve energy and prevent transition to more battery-intensive higher frequency operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the UE scans all carrier frequencies including higher frequencies, then the UE can find target coverage on any available carrier, but the battery consumption increases and remaining battery life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the carrier frequency scanning process into two distinct phases: an initial comprehensive scan that includes all carrier frequencies (both lower and higher than serving frequency) to discover available target coverage, and a subsequent restricted scan that limits scanning to only lower carrier frequencies to conserve battery energy. This segmentation allows the system to balance between thoroughness and energy efficiency at different stages of the scanning process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of scanning behavior based on battery status. When battery level is above a threshold, the UE performs comprehensive scanning including higher frequencies. When battery level falls below the threshold, the UE dynamically switches to restricted scanning mode that excludes higher frequencies. This dynamic adaptation allows the scanning coverage to change based on real-time energy conditions, resolving the contradiction between scanning completeness and energy consumption.
2Reliability
If the UE scans higher carrier frequencies, then the UE can access higher priority carriers, but the path loss increases and battery life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary comprehensive scanning of all carrier frequencies including higher frequencies during initial network entry or when battery status is good, allowing the UE to identify and prioritize target carriers before battery depletion becomes a concern. This preliminary action ensures that reliable target coverage information is obtained in advance, reducing the need for subsequent extensive scanning when battery life is limited.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the scanning parameter set based on battery status. When battery level is sufficient, the scanning parameter includes all carrier frequencies. When battery level drops below threshold, the scanning parameter is modified to exclude higher frequencies. This parameter change approach allows the system to maintain reliability for target coverage acquisition when energy is available, while conserving battery life when energy is limited.
3Measurement precision
If the UE performs comprehensive carrier frequency scanning, then the UE can identify optimal target carriers for handover, but the signaling overhead and processing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by performing complete carrier frequency scanning (including higher frequencies) only when necessary for accurate measurement and evaluation, such as during initial network entry or when battery status permits. For routine scanning when battery is limited, the patent performs only partial scanning of lower frequencies. This selective application of comprehensive versus partial scanning balances measurement precision requirements with device complexity and energy constraints.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are methods and systems to help conserve battery life of a user equipment device (UE). In particular, the UE may make a determination that a remaining battery life is threshold low. In response to making the determination, the UE may engage in a scanning-limiting process that involves (i) the UE identifying on the list each carrier frequency higher than the serving carrier frequency and (ii) based on the identifying, the UE excluding each identified higher carrier frequency from the list, so that, in response to detecting a trigger to scan carrier frequencies in search of target coverage for possible handover, the UE scans each carrier frequency on the list that is lower than the serving carrier frequency but forgoes scanning each identified higher carrier frequency. Further, once the UE detects the trigger, the UE may responsively scan carrier frequencies in accordance with the scanning-limiting process.