Cell-Level Location Reporting in Cellular Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing 3GPP location reporting solutions are inadequate for providing cell-level granularity of user equipment (UE) location in both active and idle modes, leading to increased signaling load and limited support for push-type services, as they only report changes in presence reporting areas when the UE is in active mode or performs specific updates.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves defining an 'Area For Location Reporting' (AFLR) by network entities, which includes a list of cell identifiers broadcast by wireless network elements, allowing the UE to monitor its location and send location reports to the network even in idle mode, using NAS procedures or Tracking/Routing Area Updates with a special cause, enabling accurate location reporting with cell-level granularity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If existing 3GPP location reporting mechanisms are used, then location reporting is supported, but cell-level granularity is not achieved and signaling load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the location reporting function by introducing a new presence reporting area (PRA) hierarchy above the existing cell level. This allows location reporting to occur at the PRA level (group of cells) rather than individual cell level, reducing signaling load while maintaining sufficient granularity for push services. The network can configure multiple PRAs with different granularities based on service requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by allowing different presence reporting area configurations for different geographic regions and user equipment. The network can define PRAs with cell-level granularity in areas where push services are critical, while using coarser granularity in other areas, optimizing the balance between location precision and signaling overhead locally.
2Adaptability or versatility
If location reporting is enabled for push services, then service capability is improved, but network overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the presence reporting area mechanism universal by designing it to support multiple functions: traditional location-based policy and charging, new push services, and mobility management. The same PRA configuration and reporting infrastructure serves all these purposes, avoiding additional overhead for push services specifically.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the reporting trigger parameters by introducing event-driven reporting based on PRA entry/exit rather than continuous or periodic reporting. This parameter change significantly reduces network overhead while maintaining the ability to deliver push services when needed, as reports are only generated when location changes cross PRA boundaries.
3Measurement precision
If cell-level location tracking is implemented, then location accuracy is improved, but battery consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the continuous location monitoring function from the user equipment and relocates it to the network side. The UE only needs to report when it enters or exits a PRA, while the network handles the complex task of determining location changes and managing reporting triggers, significantly reducing UE battery consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action through event-driven reporting where the UE periodically checks its location against configured PRAs and only reports when location changes trigger a PRA boundary crossing. This is more efficient than continuous reporting as it activates only when necessary, reducing battery drain while maintaining location accuracy for push services.
Data Source
AI summary
An example method is provided in one example embodiment and includes receiving, by a user equipment device, a list including at least one location identifier associated with an area for location reporting and an area identifier identifying the area for location reporting. The method further includes receiving a location identifier broadcast by a wireless network element, and determining whether the broadcast location identifier matches the at least one location identifier associated with the area for location reporting. The method further includes sending a location reporting message by the user equipment device to a first network node when it is determined that the broadcast location identifier matches the at least one location identifier associated with the area for location reporting. The location reporting message is indicative of the user equipment device either entering or exiting the area for location reporting.