Conditional MDT Measurement Activation to Minimize Drive-Test Overhead

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current drive-test methods in mobile communication systems, particularly in LTE and 5G networks, face inefficiencies due to manual labor requirements and inability to optimize network coverage indoors and in private areas, leading to suboptimal MDT configuration and increased operational costs.

Innovation Solution

A method and device for processing abnormality configuration of Minimization of Drive-Test (MDT) by a base station, which includes receiving MDT-measurement configuration information, determining if the execution object satisfies measurement conditions, and activating or deactivating MDT measurements accordingly to avoid unnecessary operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual drive-test is adopted to check network coverage quality and system performance, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time and loss of energy increase due to manual labor requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork coverage quality measurementVSAvoidtime investment for manual drive-test
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables user equipment to automatically perform measurements and generate measurement reports without manual intervention. The UE autonomously determines when measurements are needed based on triggering conditions and automatically transmits reports to the network, eliminating the need for manual drive-tests while maintaining measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical manual drive-test process with an automated electronic measurement system. Instead of physical vehicles traveling through coverage areas, the system uses electronic measurement reports generated by user equipment to assess network coverage quality and system performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If manual drive-test is conducted outdoors, then measurement precision is improved for outdoor coverage, but adaptability deteriorates because indoor and private area optimization cannot be performed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoutdoor coverage measurementVSAvoidindoor and private area measurement capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The measurement system is designed to be universally applicable across multiple environments including outdoor, indoor, and private areas. The same measurement framework and reporting mechanisms work for all locations, enabling the system to optimize network coverage quality across diverse scenarios without requiring location-specific procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If MDT measurement configuration is activated without checking execution object conditions, then productivity is improved by continuous measurement, but loss of energy increases due to unnecessary operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous measurement capabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption for MDT measurements
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary evaluation of triggering conditions before activating MDT measurements. By assessing whether measurement activation is necessary based on predefined conditions, the system avoids unnecessary measurements and associated energy consumption while maintaining the ability to perform continuous measurement when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3716674B1Minimization of drive-test exception configuration processing method and device
Publication Date: 2025.08.27 VIVO MOBILE COMM CO LTD
  • EP3716674B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3716674B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3716674B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method and a device of processing abnormality configuration of MDT are provided. The method includes receiving first information related to MDT-measurement configuration sent by a network operation-administration-and-management entity or a network node of a core network, wherein the first information related to MDT-measurement configuration includes at least MDT-tracking report information; activating an MDT-measurement execution object to perform MDT measurement if the MDT-measurement execution object satisfies an MDT measurement condition in the MDT-tracking report information; not activating the MDT-measurement execution object to perform MDT measurement if the MDT-measurement execution object does not satisfy the MDT measurement condition in the MDT-tracking report information.