Cell Selection Indicator for Wireless Network Resource Optimization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cell selection and reselection methods in wireless communication networks, such as GSM, often rely on signal strength or quality metrics, which may not accurately account for the resources a device would be assigned to a target cell, potentially leading to suboptimal cell choices and increased interference.

Innovation Solution

The method involves obtaining information about the resources associated with potential target cells and sending indicators to devices to evaluate these cells based on signal quality or strength, considering interference and cell load conditions, allowing for more accurate cell selection and reselection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If cell selection and reselection are based on signal strength or quality metrics, then the cell selection process is simple and fast, but the selection accuracy is insufficient and may lead to suboptimal cell choices

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecell selection accuracyVSAvoidcell selection process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The network node performs preliminary actions by determining which measurement metric (signal strength or signal quality) should be used by the device before the device actually performs cell selection or reselection. This advance determination allows the device to use the appropriate metric without needing to complexly evaluate multiple metrics in real-time, thus improving selection accuracy while maintaining process simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The network node provides feedback to the device about which measurement metric to use for cell evaluation. This feedback mechanism enables the network to guide the device toward optimal cell selection based on current network conditions, thereby improving selection accuracy without requiring the device to independently determine the best metric

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If traditional signal strength based cell selection is used, then the device complexity is low, but the interference and cell load conditions are not properly accounted for

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecell selection suitabilityVSAvoidmeasurement metric evaluation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The network node monitors interference and cell load conditions, then provides feedback to the device indicating which measurement metric (signal strength or signal quality) is most appropriate given current network conditions. This feedback loop ensures reliable cell selection that accounts for interference and load without requiring the device to independently evaluate multiple complex metrics

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The network dynamically changes the measurement metric parameter that the device should use, switching between signal strength and signal quality based on current network conditions such as interference levels and cell load. This parameter adjustment allows the system to adapt to changing conditions while keeping the device's measurement process relatively simple

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3412071B1Cell selection and cell reselection in a wireless communication network
Publication Date: 2020.01.29 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP3412071B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3412071B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3412071B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Methods, network node (110; 113, 400) and device (120; 600) for supporting cell selection and/or cell reselection for the device (120; 600) in a wireless communication network (100). The wireless communication network (100) obtains information regarding resources associated with one or more potential target cells (116a-b), respectively, for the device (120; 600), which resources would be associated with the device (120; 600) if the device (120; 600) would camp on said one or more potential target cells (116a-b). The wireless communication network (100) determines, based on said obtained information, an indicator for indicating to the device (120; 600) how to evaluate said one or more potential target cells (116a-b) regarding cell selection and/or cell reselection. The wireless communication network (100) sends the determined indicator to the device (120; 600) that evaluates one or more potential target cells regarding cell selection and/or cell reselection based on the indicator. Elected for publication: Figure 2