Communication Control Apparatus for Heterogeneous Network Measurement Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication networks with heterogeneous configurations, the existing measurement gap method for switching between macro and small cell frequency bands is inefficient, leading to unnecessary frequency band switching and increased power consumption when no small cell is nearby.
Innovation Solution
A communication control apparatus that stores small cell base station information and instructs radio terminals to perform quality measurements in the small cell frequency band only when a small cell is present, using movement information to optimize frequency band switching and measurement gap timing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the measurement gap is provided periodically and the UE switches frequency band in every measurement gap, then the measurement of radio signal is performed regularly, but the frequency use efficiency deteriorates and power consumption increases when there is no small cell in the vicinity
Solution Approach 1:
The base station performs preliminary actions by determining small cell presence and proactively notifying the UE of measurement opportunities only when small cells are detected in the vicinity, rather than requiring the UE to continuously monitor and switch frequencies regardless of small cell presence
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement gap configuration is made dynamic by adjusting the measurement gap period based on small cell presence. When small cells are present, the UE performs measurements more frequently; when absent, measurement frequency is reduced, allowing the system to adapt measurement intensity to actual network conditions
2Reliability
If the UE switches frequency band in every measurement gap, then the measurement coverage is comprehensive, but the frequency use efficiency deteriorates due to unnecessary switching
Solution Approach 1:
The base station performs preliminary detection of small cell presence and notifies the UE in advance, allowing the UE to switch frequency bands only when necessary, thereby maintaining measurement coverage while eliminating unnecessary frequency switching
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement behavior is localized to areas where small cells are actually present. The UE performs frequency band switching and measurements only in locations where small cells have been detected, rather than uniformly across all areas, optimizing frequency resource utilization
Data Source
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AI summary
A communication control apparatus in a wireless communication system having an area in which coverage areas of a macro cell base station and a small cell base station using different frequency bands overlap includes a storage unit configured to store small cell base station information indicating whether the small cell base station is present within the coverage area of the macro cell base station, and a control unit configured to instruct a radio terminal apparatus present within the coverage area of the macro cell base station to perform quality measurement in a frequency band of the small cell base station when the small cell base station is present within the coverage area of the macro cell base station based on the small cell base station information.