Cell Selection Offset Compensation for 33 dBm Terminal Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing LTE and NB-IoT systems do not support a power class of 33 dBm, which limits the uplink coverage and communication capabilities of terminal devices, especially in scenarios where both 23 dBm and 33 dBm devices coexist, as they are not distinguished in cell selection processes, leading to access issues for devices with higher transmit power.

Innovation Solution

A communication method that distinguishes between power classes of 23 dBm and 33 dBm by determining specific offsets and compensation amounts, allowing terminal devices to calculate and adjust their transmit powers accordingly, enabling better cell selection and access for devices with higher transmit power.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If existing LTE and NB-IoT protocols are used without distinction for different power classes, then system compatibility is maintained, but terminal devices with 33 dBm power class cannot access cells effectively due to lack of power class differentiation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower class supportVSAvoidcell access reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by introducing power class-specific parameters (qrxlevminoffset and qqualminoffset) that are locally adjusted based on the terminal's power class. Terminals with different power classes (23 dBm, 33 dBm) receive different offset values, allowing each power class to have optimized cell selection criteria tailored to its specific characteristics, thereby enabling effective cell access for high-power terminals while maintaining compatibility with existing systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If cell selection criteria are made more stringent to ensure fair access, then network stability is improved, but terminal devices with higher transmit power (33 dBm) cannot leverage their coverage advantage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork stabilityVSAvoiduplink coverage range
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the cell selection criteria parameters (qrxlevminoffset and qqualminoffset) based on the terminal's power class. For terminals with 33 dBm power class, specific offset values are applied that allow them to leverage their higher transmit power advantage and achieve broader coverage, while terminals with 23 dBm power class use different offset values that maintain network stability and fair access conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Length of moving object

If power class differentiation is introduced for 33 dBm terminals, then uplink coverage is enhanced, but system complexity increases due to additional parameters and calculations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuplink coverage rangeVSAvoidcell selection calculation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the offset parameters (qrxlevminoffset and qqualminoffset) in the network before terminals perform cell selection. These power class-specific offset values are prepared in advance and provided to terminals through system information, so that terminals can directly apply them during cell selection without performing complex real-time calculations, thereby reducing device complexity while still achieving power class differentiation and enhanced coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3879886B1Communication method and communication apparatus
Publication Date: 2024.06.19 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3879886B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3879886B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3879886B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

This application provides a communication method and a communications apparatus. In the embodiments of this application, different power classes are distinguished in a cell selection calculation process. To be specific, when a terminal device has a first transmit power class, the terminal device determines a compensation amount of the first power class based on a first offset and a second offset of the first power class, and further performs cell selection based on the second offset and the compensation amount of the first power class. In the embodiments of this application, an appropriate compensation amount of the first power class may be obtained by setting values of the first offset and the second offset, so that the terminal device with the first power class more easily satisfies a criterion used for cell selection, and further more easily accesses a cell.