Dynamic Mobility Measurement Thresholds for Cellular Network Optimization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communication networks face challenges in optimizing cell reselection processes due to static measurement threshold settings, leading to excessive battery consumption, decreased serving cell quality, and increased likelihood of devices going out of service, while manual configuration is costly and time-consuming, necessitating the need for self-optimizing networks.

Innovation Solution

A method for determining whether to perform mobility measurements in a mobile device by using bias and selection quality parameters, with threshold comparisons and hysteresis parameters to dynamically decide on measurement execution, allowing for adaptive cell reselection without relying on static network configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If measurement threshold is set too high, then device can save battery power, but serving cell quality decreases and device may go out of service

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery power consumptionVSAvoidserving cell quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic adjustment of measurement thresholds based on serving cell quality conditions. When serving cell quality is good, the threshold is raised to reduce measurements and save battery. When quality degrades, the threshold is lowered to trigger measurements and potential reselection, ensuring device remains in service. This dynamic approach resolves the contradiction by adapting the threshold to current network conditions rather than using a fixed high value.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors serving cell quality parameters and uses this feedback to adjust measurement threshold settings. The network evaluates device measurements and serving cell conditions, then provides feedback to adjust thresholds appropriately. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures that battery savings do not compromise serving cell quality, as the threshold is automatically adjusted when quality indicators suggest potential problems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If measurement threshold is set too low, then serving cell quality is maintained, but battery life is significantly shortened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveserving cell qualityVSAvoidbattery life
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Rather than using a consistently low threshold that would maintain quality but drain battery, the system dynamically adjusts the threshold based on actual serving cell conditions. When quality is excellent, the threshold is raised to reduce measurements and conserve battery. When quality begins to degrade, the threshold is lowered to trigger appropriate measurements and reselection actions. This dynamic adjustment maintains quality only when necessary, significantly reducing unnecessary battery consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the measurement threshold parameter based on serving cell quality assessments. The network evaluates quality metrics and adjusts the threshold parameter accordingly - raising it when quality is good to reduce measurements, and lowering it when quality degrades to maintain service. This parameter change strategy resolves the contradiction by making the threshold adaptive rather than fixed at a low value.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If measurement parameters are not configured, then device performs measurements all the time, but this increases battery consumption excessively

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice continuityVSAvoidbattery consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The network performs preliminary configuration of measurement parameters and thresholds before the device needs to make reselection decisions. By pre-configuring appropriate thresholds based on network knowledge and conditions, the device receives clear guidance on when measurements are necessary. This preliminary configuration prevents the device from performing measurements continuously, as it has advance information about the threshold conditions that trigger measurements, significantly reducing unnecessary battery consumption while maintaining service continuity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The device uses the configured threshold parameters to autonomously determine when measurements should be performed, without continuous network control. The self-service mechanism allows the device to compare current serving cell quality against the pre-configured thresholds and automatically initiate measurements only when conditions warrant it. This self-determination based on configured parameters eliminates continuous measurement behavior while ensuring measurements occur when necessary for service continuity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Reliability

If manual configuration is used for measurement parameters, then network performance can be optimized, but it is time-consuming and costly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork performanceVSAvoidconfiguration time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The network implements self-optimizing capabilities where measurement parameters and thresholds are automatically adjusted based on monitored network conditions and device feedback. Rather than requiring manual operator configuration, the system services itself by evaluating serving cell quality, device measurements, and reselection outcomes to automatically tune thresholds. This self-service approach maintains optimized network performance while eliminating the time-consuming and costly manual field testing and configuration processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system establishes feedback loops where device measurements, serving cell quality indicators, and reselection outcomes are continuously monitored and fed back to the network. This feedback enables automatic adjustment of measurement parameters and thresholds without manual intervention. The network uses this feedback to learn optimal parameter settings and automatically configure devices, replacing manual configuration processes with automated feedback-driven optimization that maintains performance while saving time and resources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2741543B1Measurements in a Communication Network
Publication Date: 2019.11.20 BLACKBERRY LTD
  • EP2741543B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2741543B1 patent drawingFigure 2~6
  • EP2741543B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

Methods, device and apparatus for use in a cellular network are disclosed. An example method disclosed herein comprises: receiving, via the cellular network, a bias parameter of a neighbour cell; and determining based on the bias parameter whether or not to perform at least one mobility measurement.