Coverage Enhancement Mode Switching for Wireless

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently switching between coverage enhancement (CE) and non-coverage enhancement (non-CE) modes in shared radio frequency spectrum, particularly in managing channel quality and radio link failures, which affects communication reliability, especially for devices with poor channel conditions.

Innovation Solution

The system allows user equipment (UE) to switch between CE and non-CE modes based on channel quality thresholds, using different random access resources and radio resource control (RRC) reconfiguration messages to adapt connections, and includes mechanisms for handover and cell reselection to optimize communication modes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the system uses CE mode for devices with poor channel conditions, then communication reliability is improved, but system resources are consumed more heavily

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidsystem resource consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic mode switching between CE and non-CE modes based on real-time channel quality measurements. The UE monitors channel conditions and switches modes adaptively, allowing the system to use CE mode only when necessary for poor channel conditions, thereby maintaining reliability while reducing unnecessary resource consumption during good channel conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters by switching between different coverage enhancement modes (CE0, CE1, CE2) based on channel quality thresholds. This parameter change allows the system to optimize the balance between communication reliability and resource consumption by selecting the appropriate CE level according to current channel conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the system switches modes frequently based on channel conditions, then communication reliability is improved, but switching complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidmode switching complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent establishes predetermined channel quality thresholds for switching between different CE modes before actual mode switching occurs. These pre-configured thresholds simplify the decision-making process by providing clear criteria for mode transitions, reducing the complexity of real-time switching decisions while maintaining reliable communication through appropriate mode selection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Use of energy by moving object

If the system uses non-CE mode for devices with good channel conditions, then system resources are conserved, but communication reliability deteriorates under poor conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem resource consumptionVSAvoidcommunication reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements continuous feedback through channel quality monitoring and measurement reporting. The UE measures channel conditions and provides feedback to the network, which triggers appropriate mode switching. This feedback mechanism ensures that the system transitions from non-CE to CE mode when channel conditions deteriorate, maintaining reliability while conserving resources during good conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4021086A1Coverage enhancement mode switching for wireless communications
Publication Date: 2022.06.29 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP4021086A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4021086A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4021086A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Described techniques provide for switching a user equipment (UE) between different coverage enhancement (CE) modes, such as between a non-CE mode and a CE mode. A UE may determine that a CE mode switch is to be performed and may initiate the mode switching. The UE may compare signal qualities of signals from one or more base stations against one or more threshold values and determine that a switch from a CE mode to a non-CE mode, or from a non-CE to CE mode, is to be performed. In some cases, a UE may be in idle mode and switch between CE modes, or may perform a cell reselection to a different base station. In other cases, a UE may be in connected mode and may declare a radio link failure to initiate a mode switch. A base station may initiate mode switching based on radio link monitoring of UEs.