Cell Selection via Reservation Indicators

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems face challenges in managing cell selection and reservation, particularly in scenarios where certain cells need to be restricted or reserved for specific users or network slices, while ensuring compatibility with legacy UEs and maintaining coherent behavior across different standards.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of a cell reservation indicator (reservedNrCell) and its associated exception indications allow network nodes to broadcast reservation status and exceptions, enabling UEs to determine if they can select or camp on a cell based on their identity, service level, or network slice access, ensuring compatibility with earlier standards and future features.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If cells are reserved for specific users or network slices, then resource allocation control is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional reservation indicators and exception handling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource allocation controlVSAvoidcell selection mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cell reservation mechanism is segmented into distinct components: a primary reservation indicator (reservedNrCell) that applies generally, and exception indications (reservedNrCellExceptions) that provide specific overrides. This segmentation allows the system to manage complexity by dividing the reservation control into hierarchical layers, where the general rule applies unless specific exceptions are defined.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The exception indications apply local quality by allowing specific UEs or network slices to be exempted from general cell reservations on a per-cell basis. This enables differentiated treatment where most UEs are subject to reservation restrictions while specific authorized UEs can access reserved cells, achieving fine-grained resource allocation control without universally complicating the system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If cell reservation indicators are introduced for future network slices, then adaptability to future standards is improved, but compatibility with legacy UEs deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuture standards compatibilityVSAvoidlegacy UE compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by defining a framework with reservedNrCell and reservedNrCellExceptions indicators in advance, preparing the infrastructure for future network slice differentiation. Legacy UEs encounter these indicators but can operate normally by treating reserved cells as simply unavailable, while the framework is already in place to support future slice-specific exceptions without requiring legacy UE modifications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The cell reservation indicator mechanism serves universal purposes: it currently manages operator-reserved cells for all UEs, while simultaneously preparing the structure for future network slice isolation. The same indicator framework will support both legacy operation modes and future slice-specific reservations, allowing one mechanism to fulfill multiple functions across different deployment scenarios and time periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If comprehensive cell reservation exceptions are tracked, then measurement precision of UE eligibility is improved, but loss of information increases due to additional broadcast data requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveUE eligibility determinationVSAvoidbroadcast information overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies partial action by providing exception information only when necessary. The reservedNrCellExceptions indication is optional and only populated when there are actual exceptions to the reservation rule. This avoids broadcasting unnecessary information for cells with no exceptions, reducing overhead while maintaining precision for cases where exceptions exist. The mechanism provides exactly the right amount of information needed without excessive data transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP3639564B1Cell selection reselection and camping

Publication Date: 2023.10.11 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

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AI summary

Systems and methods for cell selection, reselection and camping are provided. A network node transmits cell broadcast information including a cell reservation indication and a cell reservation exception indication. A wireless device receives cell broadcast information and determines if the cell is reserved for selection. The cell can be selected, and camped on, in accordance with the wireless device being associated with the cell reservation exception indication.