Cell Reselection Rules for Network Function Prioritization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cell reselection methods in 5G networks fail to meet operator requirements for load balance and preferred cell residency in scenarios with mixed LTE and NR coverage, lacking a solution to prioritize cells based on specific network functions and signal quality thresholds.

Innovation Solution

A method for user equipment (UE) to acquire cell reselection rules through protocol configurations, system messages, or pre-stored information, allowing it to select target cells based on network functions such as 5G indication and core network type, and prioritize cell reselection using a combination of frequency and network function criteria.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If frequency-priority-based cell reselection policy is adopted for load balance, then load distribution is improved, but ability to meet operator requirements for preferred cell residency is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload balanceVSAvoidoperator requirement fulfillment
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The cell reselection policy is segmented into multiple priority levels: first priority for cells supporting target network functions, second priority for frequency-based load balancing. This segmentation allows both load balance and operator preferences to be satisfied simultaneously by dividing the reselection criteria into hierarchical segments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different reselection criteria are applied to different cell types locally: cells supporting target network functions receive special priority treatment, while other cells follow standard frequency-priority-based reselection. This local quality differentiation enables operator-specific preferences to be met without compromising overall load balance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If all LTE cells are treated with same frequency priority, then simplicity of reselection process is improved, but ability to differentiate preferred cells is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereselection process simplicityVSAvoidcell differentiation capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

While maintaining uniform frequency priority for simplicity, the invention introduces a local quality differentiation mechanism by adding network function support as an additional prioritization criterion. Cells supporting target network functions are identified and given preferential treatment, achieving differentiation without complicating the base frequency-priority framework.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The cell prioritization mechanism combines multiple properties (frequency priority and network function support) into a composite evaluation criterion. This composite approach allows the system to maintain the simplicity of frequency-based reselection while incorporating additional differentiation capabilities through the overlay of network function support checking.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Speed

If cell reselection is based only on signal quality, then reselection speed is improved, but ability to ensure UE resides in preferred cells is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereselection speedVSAvoidpreferred cell residency
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention performs preliminary action by pre-identifying cells that support target network functions and marking them with higher priority before reselection occurs. This preliminary classification allows the UE to quickly identify preferred cells without complex real-time evaluations, maintaining fast reselection speed while ensuring preferred cell residency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The reselection mechanism changes the priority parameter dynamically based on network function support. Cells supporting target network functions are assigned a higher priority parameter value, which modifies the reselection behavior to prefer these cells while maintaining the overall speed of the signal quality-based reselection process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3742803B1Cell reselection method and device
Publication Date: 2023.03.01 GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP LTD
  • EP3742803B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3742803B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3742803B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided are a cell reselection method and device as well as a computer storage medium. The method includes: User Equipment (UE) acquires a cell reselection rule; and the UE selects a target cell based on the cell reselection rule and a network function supported by a neighbor cell and executes cell reselection based on the target cell.