Cell-Level Location Tracking for IoT Network Signaling Reduction

Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently managing the increasing number of machine-type communications devices, which lead to a high volume of random access requests, causing network load and potential operational disruptions due to the need for accurate location tracking and data transfer in a scalable and energy-efficient manner.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a location update procedure that allows terminal devices to select and communicate their cell level location to network elements, enabling more precise tracking and reducing unnecessary paging by associating cell identifiers with terminal device identifiers, thereby optimizing network resource usage and enhancing communication efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If terminal devices perform frequent location updates and random access requests for accurate location tracking, then location accuracy is improved, but network load increases and operational disruptions occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocation accuracyVSAvoidnetwork performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the tracking area into multiple cells and introduces cell-level location tracking. Instead of treating the entire tracking area as a single unit, the system divides it into smaller cell units (e.g., eNBs or gNBs), allowing more granular location management. This segmentation reduces the need for frequent tracking area updates while maintaining accurate location knowledge, thereby reducing network load while preserving location accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adds a new dimension to location tracking by introducing cell-level granularity beyond the traditional tracking area level. The location information now includes both tracking area identifier and cell identifier, creating a hierarchical location structure. This dimensional enhancement allows the network to track devices more efficiently at a finer granularity without proportionally increasing signaling overhead.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If the network tracks terminal devices at a coarse tracking area level, then network resource usage is reduced, but location precision deteriorates causing unnecessary paging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork resource efficiencyVSAvoidlocation precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the tracking area into multiple cells and introduces cell-level location tracking. Instead of treating the entire tracking area as a single unit, the system divides it into smaller cell units (e.g., eNBs or gNBs), allowing more granular location management. This segmentation reduces the need for frequent tracking area updates while maintaining accurate location knowledge, thereby reducing network load while preserving location accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by maintaining different levels of location information granularity for different purposes. At the tracking area level, coarse location is sufficient for broad device management, while at the cell level, precise location information is maintained for targeted paging and data transfer. This localized differentiation of information quality optimizes both network resource usage and location precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If machine-type communication devices are supported with basic tracking, then device connectivity is enabled, but scalability is limited due to high volume of random access requests

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice connectivityVSAvoidscalability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the tracking area into multiple cells and introduces cell-level location tracking. Instead of treating the entire tracking area as a single unit, the system divides it into smaller cell units (e.g., eNBs or gNBs), allowing more granular location management. This segmentation reduces the need for frequent tracking area updates while maintaining accurate location knowledge, thereby reducing network load while preserving location accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic location tracking where terminal devices report their cell-level location information to the network. The network dynamically updates and stores this location information in the position management table, enabling adaptive and efficient routing of data packets. This dynamic approach allows the system to scale to support large numbers of MTC devices without proportionally increasing random access requests.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3342221B1Enhancing the accuracy of communication network's knowledge about location of terminal devices

Publication Date: 2021.12.08 NOKIA SOLUTIONS & NETWORKS OY

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Figure 5A~5B

AI summary

There is provided a method comprising: acquiring, by a first network element of a cellular communication system providing a first cell, a location update request from a terminal device within the first cell, wherein the location update request is related to a cell level location of the terminal device, and wherein the location update request comprises a terminal device identifier; and examining that the terminal device has selected the first cell, and forwarding the location update request to a second network element of the cellular communication system.