Cell-Selective Network Access via Preamble Signaling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless network technologies do not effectively allow terminal devices to selectively access different cell types based on preferences, such as femto cells and macro cells, to enjoy benefits like pricing advantages and high data rates.

Innovation Solution

The method involves differentiating cell types by unique preamble or header signals, allowing terminal devices to identify and selectively access the desired cell type by detecting predetermined cell type-specific preamble or header patterns, such as specific modulation series, flags, or repetition patterns.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If terminal devices access the network using conventional methods, then they can connect to the network, but they cannot selectively access different cell types (femto cell vs. macro cell) based on their preferences

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecell type selection capabilityVSAvoidnetwork access simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies preliminary action by pre-configuring distinct preamble sequences and header structures for different cell types (femto and macro cells) before the terminal device attempts to access the network. The terminal device is pre-programmed with knowledge of these differentiated signal structures, enabling it to proactively identify and select its preferred cell type during the initial scanning phase, rather than attempting access first and determining cell type later.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention implements local quality by introducing cell-type-specific characteristics into specific portions of the broadcast signal - namely the preamble and header sections. Different cell types transmit identical functional information but encode it with unique local identifiers (specific preamble sequences, distinct header formats, or differentiated repetition patterns). This allows terminal devices to differentiate cell types by examining only these localized signal portions without needing to decode the entire broadcast message.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If terminal devices can identify and selectively access desired cell types, then they can enjoy pricing benefits and high data rates, but the network infrastructure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata rateVSAvoidnetwork infrastructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies segmentation by dividing the broadcast signal into distinct functional segments with differentiated characteristics. The preamble portion contains cell-type-specific identification sequences, while the header portion may contain cell-type-specific flags or repetition patterns. This segmentation allows terminal devices to quickly identify cell types by examining only the preamble or header segments without needing to process the entire broadcast message, thereby enabling selective access without proportionally increasing overall network complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention implements parameter changes by modifying specific parameters of the broadcast signal to encode cell type information. Different cell types transmit using different preamble sequences (parameter: sequence pattern), different header formats (parameter: structural arrangement), or different repetition patterns (parameter: transmission frequency). These parameter variations enable terminal devices to distinguish cell types through signal detection without requiring fundamentally different infrastructure components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If cell types are differentiated by unique preambles or headers, then terminal devices can distinguish between them, but the signal structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecell type identification accuracyVSAvoidsignal structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies preliminary action by pre-configuring distinct preamble sequences and header structures for different cell types before the terminal device attempts to access the network. The terminal device is pre-programmed with knowledge of these differentiated signal structures, enabling it to proactively identify and select its preferred cell type during the initial scanning phase, rather than attempting access first and determining cell type later.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention implements local quality by introducing cell-type-specific characteristics into specific portions of the broadcast signal - namely the preamble and header sections. Different cell types transmit identical functional information but encode it with unique local identifiers (specific preamble sequences, distinct header formats, or differentiated repetition patterns). This allows terminal devices to differentiate cell types by examining only these localized signal portions without needing to decode the entire broadcast message.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2528395B1Cell-selective network access
Publication Date: 2018.05.09 HMD GLOBAL
  • EP2528395B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2528395B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2528395B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to methods and apparatuses for providing selective network access, wherein a cell type indication is provided based on at least one of a preamble and a header portion of a broadcast signal. At the receiving end, it is checked based on at least one of the preamble and the header portion, whether broadcast signals are received from different first and second cell types. The first cell type is selected for network access, if both broadcast signals from the first and second cell types are received with sufficient strength.