Coverage Hole Detection Using UE RLF Timing and Location
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting coverage holes in wireless network systems are costly and inefficient, as they require manual drive tests and lack a standardized mechanism for determining signal coverage integrity.
Innovation Solution
A coverage hole detection apparatus and method that utilizes timing information and location information from user equipment (UE) to calculate boundary locations and determine coverage holes based on disconnection and reconnection events with base stations, incorporating moving velocity and sensitivity ranges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual drive tests are used to inspect base station coverage integrity, then measurement precision of coverage holes is improved, but loss of energy and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables user equipment to automatically detect and report coverage holes without requiring manual drive tests. The UE autonomously monitors signal quality, determines RLF events, and reports location information to the network, eliminating the need for professional testers while maintaining detection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using physical manual drive tests, the system creates a virtual measurement model by collecting and processing RLF report data from multiple UEs. The network reconstructs coverage hole information based on aggregated UE reports, replacing physical testing with data-driven virtual assessment.
2Loss of energy
If 3GPP RLF report mechanism is used to reduce drive test costs, then loss of energy is reduced, but measurement precision of coverage hole detection deteriorates due to lack of standardized determination method
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces specific parameter thresholds (signal quality thresholds, time duration thresholds for RLF determination) to standardize the coverage hole detection process. By defining precise parameters for RLF event identification and coverage hole determination, the system transforms the non-standardized RLF report mechanism into a precise measurement tool.
Solution Approach 2:
The network receives RLF reports from UEs, processes the location and timing information, and uses this feedback to identify coverage holes. The system continuously accumulates RLF report data and updates coverage hole information, creating a closed-loop feedback mechanism that improves detection precision over time.
3Device complexity
If RLF reports from mobile apparatuses are collected for coverage evaluation, then device complexity is reduced by using existing tools, but reliability of coverage hole detection worsens due to lack of standardized determination mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The system leverages the existing multi-functional RLF report mechanism already deployed in 3GPP networks. The same RLF reporting infrastructure used for connection management is also utilized for coverage hole detection, eliminating the need for separate detection devices and maintaining reliability through standardized processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-configures threshold values and determination criteria for RLF events and coverage holes before actual detection begins. By establishing standardized determination rules in advance, the system ensures reliable and consistent coverage hole detection across different UEs and network conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
A coverage hole detection apparatus and method are provided. The coverage hole detection apparatus decides two boundary locations of a coverage hole according to (a) a time length from a time point when a user equipment (UE) has detected a disconnection from a first base station to a time point when the UE determines that a Radio Link Failure (RLF) has happened, (b) a time length from a time point when the UE receives an RLF report request from a second base station to a time point when the UE transmits an RLF report response to the second base station, (c) a location that the UE determines that the RLF has happened, and (d) a location where the UE transmits the RLF report response. The coverage hole detection apparatus decides the coverage hole according to the two boundary locations and a sensitivity range of the UE.