Cross-Technology Coverage Mapping for Wireless UE Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless user equipment (UE) devices face inefficiencies in scanning for network coverage, leading to prolonged scanning times and inefficient resource utilization, especially in dense radio environments, which can result in missing optimal network opportunities due to full band scans being time-consuming and battery-intensive.
Innovation Solution
A cross-technology coverage mapping system that determines a UE device's geographic location and restricts scanning to only those radio access technologies (RATs) with coverage in that area, using a database to map overlapping coverage areas and modulate scanning behavior, thereby reducing unnecessary scans and conserving battery power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a UE device performs a full band scan of all supported bands, then it can find its last registered PLMN in every supported radio access technology, but the scanning time becomes excessively long and battery power is inefficiently utilized
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-mapping coverage areas of different RATs and storing this information in a database before the UE needs to perform network selection. When network selection is required, the UE queries the database for its current location to determine which RATs have coverage, eliminating the need for full band scans. This preliminary preparation of coverage mapping data resolves the contradiction by providing reliable network information without requiring time-consuming scans.
Solution Approach 2:
A coverage mapping database serves as an intermediary between the UE device and the network. Instead of the UE directly scanning all frequency bands, the database provides pre-computed coverage information that mediates the network selection process. The database stores mappings between geographic locations and available RATs, allowing the UE to quickly determine scan requirements without performing exhaustive scans, thus reducing time while maintaining reliability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a UE device performs a full band scan, then it can search for available networks, but battery power is inefficiently utilized
Solution Approach 1:
The coverage mapping database is built in advance by collecting and storing information about which RATs are available in which geographic areas. This preliminary action eliminates the need for the UE to perform energy-intensive full band scans during actual network selection. The UE simply queries the database for its location, obtaining adaptability information without consuming excessive battery power.
Solution Approach 2:
The database acts as an intermediary that provides network availability information without requiring the UE to perform exhaustive scans. Instead of the UE directly consuming energy to scan all bands, the database mediates by providing pre-computed coverage data, allowing the UE to adapt to different networks efficiently while conserving battery power.
3Measurement precision
If a UE device performs a full band scan, then it can identify available networks, but the radio environment may have changed significantly by the time selection is complete
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary mapping of coverage areas and stores this information in the database before network selection is needed. When the UE requires network selection, it queries the database for its current location to quickly identify available RATs, avoiding the time delay of performing full scans in real-time. This preliminary preparation ensures accurate network identification without the time loss associated with live full band scans.
Solution Approach 2:
The coverage mapping database serves as an intermediary that provides current and accurate network identification information without requiring time-consuming real-time scans. The database stores pre-updated coverage information that reflects the current radio environment, allowing the UE to quickly and accurately identify available networks without waiting for lengthy scan processes that could miss optimal network opportunities.
Data Source
AI summary
A cross-technology coverage mapping system and method for modulating scanning behavior of a wireless user equipment (UE) device in a radio network environment. In one exemplary embodiment, the wireless UE device is operable to determine its geographic area location. A logic module of the wireless UE device is adapted for interrogating a database to determine which radio access technologies (RATs) have coverage in the geographic area location. Responsive to the interrogation, scanning by the wireless UE device is restricted to only those RATs that have coverage in the particular geographic area.