Two-Stage Cell Reselection for Unlicensed Spectrum

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Solution Overview

Problem

In New Radio-Unlicensed (NR-U) systems, user equipment (UE) faces challenges in performing robust cell reselection in unlicensed bands, especially when neighbor cells belong to different public land mobile networks (PLMNs), leading to failed reselections due to lack of registration.

Innovation Solution

A two-stage cell reselection procedure is implemented, where the UE first measures and selects candidate cells based on signal metrics and then performs a pre-check of the PLMN associated with the target cell before initiating reselection, ensuring compatibility and improving success rates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If UE performs cell reselection in unlicensed band without PLMN verification, then reselection speed is improved, but reselection failure rate increases due to PLMN incompatibility

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecell reselection speedVSAvoidcell reselection success rate
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing PLMN verification before completing the cell reselection process. The UE measures and identifies candidate cells first, then verifies PLMN compatibility as a preliminary check before finalizing reselection. This prevents failed reselections due to PLMN incompatibility while maintaining efficient cell selection based on signal metrics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If UE performs PLMN verification before cell reselection, then reselection success rate is improved, but reselection process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecell reselection success rateVSAvoidreselection procedure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the cell reselection process into distinct stages: (1) cell measurement and candidate identification based on signal metrics, (2) PLMN verification of candidate cells, and (3) final reselection decision. This segmented approach organizes the complex procedure into manageable steps, making the PLMN verification process systematic and integrated into the existing reselection framework.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If UE performs PLMN search in between paging occasions, then PLMN compatibility is ensured, but time consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovePLMN compatibilityVSAvoidtime for PLMN search
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs PLMN verification as a preliminary check during the cell reselection process, utilizing existing measurement opportunities and signaling resources. By integrating PLMN verification into the cell selection procedure rather than performing separate PLMN searches, the solution ensures PLMN compatibility while minimizing additional time consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3970418B1Cell reselection for new radio - unlicensed
Publication Date: 2024.12.25 APPLE INC
  • EP3970418B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3970418B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3970418B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present application relates to wireless devices and components including apparatus, systems, and methods for two-stage cell reselection in New Radio (NR) systems operating on unlicensed spectrum. In some embodiments, a user equipment may be perform a pre-check of a public land mobile network associated with a target cell prior to cell reselection.