Disaster Roaming Timer Control for UE Power Saving
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Solution Overview
Problem
During a disaster, communication networks can be severely impacted, leading to service interruptions and unnecessary power consumption due to unnecessary searches for the Home Public Land Mobile Network (HPLMN) even after disaster roaming is applied.
Innovation Solution
A method where a User Equipment (UE) determines if a disaster condition applies to its HPLMN and, if so, registers with a disaster roaming PLMN. The UE then stops a timer that would normally search for the HPLMN, preventing unnecessary searches until the disaster condition is resolved or the UE leaves the disaster area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the UE periodically searches for the HPLMN during disaster roaming, then the UE can potentially restore service to the home network, but this causes unnecessary power consumption and service interruption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the PLMN search function from continuous operation and makes it conditional. By introducing a timer mechanism that is stopped during disaster roaming conditions, the system selectively disables the PLMN search function when it would be futile (i.e., when the HPLMN is known to be unavailable due to disaster), thereby saving power while maintaining the ability to search when conditions permit.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamic control to the timer mechanism. The timer is started when disaster roaming conditions end or the UE leaves the disaster area, and stopped when disaster conditions are detected. This dynamic state change allows the system to adapt the PLMN search behavior to current network conditions, preventing unnecessary power consumption during disasters while maintaining service restoration capability when networks are operational.
2Reliability
If the UE periodically searches for the HPLMN during disaster roaming, then the UE can potentially restore service to the home network, but this causes service interruption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the PLMN search operation from the continuous service flow during disaster conditions. By stopping the timer when disaster roaming is active, the system extracts and disables the time-consuming PLMN search function that would otherwise cause service interruptions, allowing uninterrupted service through the visiting network until disaster conditions resolve.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent takes preliminary action by stopping the timer in advance when disaster conditions are detected. This prevents future PLMN search operations from causing service interruptions. The timer is restarted only when conditions change, ensuring that PLMN search resumes only when necessary and will not disrupt ongoing services.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the UE stops the timer during disaster roaming, then power consumption is reduced, but the UE cannot search for HPLMN restoration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dynamic timer control to balance power saving with network restoration capability. The timer is not permanently disabled but is dynamically stopped during disaster conditions and restarted when conditions improve. This dynamic approach allows the system to conserve power during disasters while maintaining the capability to search for HPLMN restoration when networks become operational again.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback through the timer mechanism that responds to changes in network conditions. When disaster conditions end or the UE leaves the disaster area, the timer is restarted, enabling PLMN search. This feedback loop ensures the system adapts its behavior based on real-time conditions, balancing power consumption with restoration capability.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a method for adjusting timer T when disaster roaming occurs, and a device supporting same. When a disaster condition is applied to a home public land mobile network (HPLMN), a user equipment (UE) performs registration with a disaster roaming PLMN. When the registration with the disaster roaming PLMN is performed, a timer for periodically searching for the HPLMN does not operate, and the HPLMN is not searched while the timer does not operate. In addition, the UE re-operates the timer on the basis of the disaster condition no longer being applied to the HPLMN or the UE leaving a disaster area.