Cell Barring for Network Energy Saving
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication systems, user equipment (UE) face inefficiencies due to unnecessary power consumption and processing overhead when monitoring cells that are barred, as existing systems lack distinction between NES-capable and NES-incapable UEs, leading to inappropriate access control and increased signaling overhead.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a second cell barring parameter (cellBarred-NES) that indicates access permissions for NES-capable UEs, allowing them to access barred cells while barring legacy UEs, using system information blocks (SIBs) and master information blocks (MIBs) to convey this information, thereby enabling selective access control based on UE capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single cell barring parameter is used for all UEs, then legacy UEs can be barred from NES-capable cells, but NES-capable UEs cannot access these cells due to the barring
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cell barring parameter into two distinct parameters: a first cell barring parameter (applicable to legacy UEs) and a second cell barring parameter (applicable to NES-capable UEs). This segmentation allows the network to independently control access for different UE types, enabling NES-capable cells to bar legacy UEs while permitting NES-capable UEs to access, thus resolving the contradiction between access control flexibility and cell access availability.
2Loss of information
If UEs monitor all cells for system information, then complete cell availability information is obtained, but power consumption and processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing different system information configurations to different UE types. NES-capable UEs receive enhanced system information that includes the second cell barring parameter and NES capability indicators, allowing them to make informed access decisions without monitoring all cells. Legacy UEs receive standard system information without these additional parameters. This targeted information provision reduces power consumption and processing overhead while maintaining complete cell information availability for each UE type.
3Reliability
If cell barring parameters are provided for all UE types, then access control is comprehensive, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic signaling where the second cell barring parameter and NES capability indicators are selectively provided in system information based on network configuration and UE capability. The signaling is dynamic in that NES-capable UEs can be identified and provided with appropriate parameters, while legacy UEs receive only the first cell barring parameter. This dynamic approach maintains comprehensive access control accuracy while minimizing signaling overhead by providing information only when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communication are described. A user equipment (UE) may receive, via a first cell, first system information that indicates a first cell barring parameter associated with the first cell. The first cell barring parameter may indicate whether UEs are barred from accessing the first cell. The UE may receive, via a second cell, second system information that indicates a second cell barring parameter associated with the first cell. The second cell barring parameter may be applicable to UEs of a first type associated with a UE capability to communicate via cells that support one or more network energy saving (NES) procedures. The UE may participate in communications via the first cell based on the UE being of the first type and the second cell barring parameter indicating that UEs of the first type are permitted to access the first cell.