Cellular Network System Information Transmission via User Equipment Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In cellular networks, especially with 5G technology, the existing methods for providing system information to user equipment are inefficient due to the broadcasting of all system information items to all devices, which leads to unnecessary data transmission and increased power consumption, particularly when different user equipment types have varying periodicity needs and technology releases.
Innovation Solution
A method where a base station collects and transmits a subset of system information items based on the type of user equipment, allowing on-demand provisioning through multicast channels, reducing unnecessary data transmission by considering user equipment type, supported technology release, and radio conditions, and providing a basic set of system information items for decoding reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all system information items are broadcast to all user equipment, then all devices receive complete information, but unnecessary data transmission occurs and power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments system information into multiple subsets (first set, second set, third set) based on user equipment types. Each subset contains only the information items relevant to that specific device type, eliminating the need to broadcast all information to all devices. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by delivering complete relevant information to each device while minimizing overall transmission volume and energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by tailoring the system information content to specific user equipment types. Different subsets are constructed with different compositions based on the specific needs of each device category (e.g., mobile phones versus MTC devices). This ensures each device receives information optimized for its local requirements rather than a universal one-size-fits-all approach, reducing unnecessary data transmission while maintaining information completeness for each device type.
2Productivity
If different sets of system information are provided for different user equipment types, then transmission efficiency improves, but signaling overhead increases when sending individual lists
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the system information delivery mechanism by using a single multicast channel to transmit multiple differentiated subsets simultaneously. Instead of establishing separate individual signaling paths for each device type, all subset information is combined and transmitted through one shared channel. This merging approach maintains high transmission efficiency for each device type while minimizing the total signaling overhead compared to individual dedicated transmissions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal multicast channel that serves multiple user equipment types simultaneously. This single channel performs the multi-functionality of delivering different system information subsets to different device types without requiring separate dedicated channels for each type. The universal channel approach resolves the contradiction by achieving transmission efficiency for all device types while avoiding the signaling overhead of individualized provisioning.
3Device complexity
If system information items are bundled in messages with same periodicity, then transmission is simplified, but devices with different periodicity needs receive unnecessary information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments system information into subsets with different periodicity characteristics matched to specific user equipment types. The first subset may use a first periodicity suitable for mobile phones, while the second subset uses a second periodicity suitable for MTC devices. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by maintaining simple transmission mechanisms for each subset while ensuring each device type receives information at its optimal periodicity, avoiding unnecessary power consumption from receiving information at inappropriate intervals.
4Adaptability or versatility
If legacy releases are supported alongside new releases, then backward compatibility is maintained, but system information management becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments system information into release-specific subsets (first release information, second release information) that can be independently managed and transmitted. This segmentation allows the base station to maintain backward compatibility by providing legacy release information to older devices while simultaneously supporting new releases for newer devices. The segmentation approach resolves the contradiction by simplifying information management through structured organization rather than handling all release versions as a single complex entity.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for transmitting system information items from a base station of a cellular network to a first user equipment and a second user equipment, the base station is configured to provide a plurality of system information items, and the first user equipment belongs to a first type of user equipment and the second user equipment belongs to a second type of user equipment, different from the first type, upon reception of a request for system information from the first and second user equipment, the method comprising the steps of: -collecting each a subset of the system information items considering the type of user equipment in a set of system information messages for the respective type of user equipment, and -providing each of said set of system information message to the requesting user equipment, wherein at least one system information item is collected in the set of system information messages for the first type of user equipment and said at least one system information item is lacking in the set of system information messages for the second type of user equipment.