Cross-Correlation Signal Processing for Mobile Radio Cell Scans

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional mobile radio communication terminal devices face inefficiencies in PLMN search processes due to long frequency scan times and poor quality of frequency scan outputs, especially when dealing with a large number of candidate EARFCNs, leading to suboptimal user experience.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a cross-correlation based method to evaluate potential carrier channels, which improves the detection accuracy and robustness against interference by correlating received signals with pre-stored reference signals, thereby enhancing the selection of suitable carrier channels for communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If RSSI-based frequency scan is used, then frequency scan time is short, but quality of frequency scan output is poor due to vulnerability to interference

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefrequency scan timeVSAvoidquality of frequency scan output
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary processing stage between frequency scan and cell scan. The frequency scan output is processed to generate an improved cell scan input, which acts as a mediator that enhances the quality of cell detection while maintaining the speed benefits of RSSI-based scanning. This intermediary processing includes evaluating multiple candidate cells and selecting the most promising ones for further scanning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary evaluation of frequency scan results before proceeding to cell scan. By pre-processing the frequency scan output and identifying candidate cells in advance, the system prepares quality information beforehand, which then guides the cell scan process more effectively, reducing the need for exhaustive scanning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If conventional frequency scan is performed for all candidate EARFCNs, then frequency scan output quality may improve, but frequency scan time becomes quite long

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefrequency scan output qualityVSAvoidfrequency scan time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by not performing exhaustive cell scans on all frequency scan candidates. Instead, it selectively processes only the most promising candidates identified through intermediary evaluation. This partial processing approach achieves sufficient detection quality without the time cost of complete scanning of all 692 EARFCNs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the frequency scan process into multiple stages: initial RSSI-based scanning, intermediary evaluation and filtering, and selective cell scan on candidate cells. This segmentation allows the system to handle the large number of EARFCNs in manageable portions, improving overall efficiency while maintaining detection quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If the number of candidate EARFCNs is large, then comprehensive cell detection may improve, but time spent on frequency scan and PLMN search becomes intolerable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomprehensive cell detectionVSAvoidPLMN search time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary filtering of candidate EARFCNs using RSSI measurements and intermediary processing before committing to full cell scan procedures. This preliminary action identifies a reduced set of candidate cells that are most likely to be valid, allowing comprehensive detection to be achieved on a smaller subset rather than all possible EARFCNs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses partial action by performing incomplete or reduced scanning on non-candidate cells while applying full scanning only to identified candidates. This approach achieves reliable cell detection for actual networks while avoiding the time penalty of exhaustive scanning across all 692 EARFCNs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP3038412B1Mobile radio communication terminal device for processing received digitized signals
Publication Date: 2018.08.01 INTEL CORP
  • EP3038412B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3038412B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3038412B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A mobile radio communication terminal device may include at least one circuit configured to perform a method of processing received digitized signals, the method including determining a plurality of cross-correlation coefficients for the received digitized signal. Each of the plurality of cross-correlation coefficients may be determined by cross-correlating the received digitized signal with a respective candidate mobile radio local reference signal out of a plurality of pre-stored candidate mobile radio local reference signals. The at least one circuit may be further configured to select one or more cross-correlation coefficients from the determined plurality of cross-correlation coefficients and perform a mobile radio cell scan based on one or more of the selected cross-correlation coefficients, thereby determining a mobile radio communication network to connect to.