Dynamic Pilot Acquisition Timeline for Wireless Terminals

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Access terminals face challenges in efficiently re-acquiring pilot signals when transitioning from a sleep state, particularly in varying channel conditions, which affects power consumption and call performance.

Innovation Solution

The dynamic adaptation of the pilot acquisition timeline based on current and historical channel conditions, including altering the duration and search parameters, allows for reduced power consumption in good conditions while ensuring improved call performance in poor conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If a fixed pilot acquisition timeline is used regardless of channel conditions, then the acquisition process is simple to implement, but power consumption increases in good channel conditions and call performance deteriorates in poor channel conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidcall performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic adaptation of the pilot acquisition timeline by adjusting the number of pilot acquisitions and time resources allocated based on measured channel conditions. When channel conditions are good, the terminal reduces the number of acquisitions needed, saving power. When conditions are poor, the terminal increases acquisitions to ensure reliable call performance. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between power consumption and call performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes key parameters of the pilot acquisition process based on channel conditions, including the number of pilot acquisitions, time resources allocated, and search parameters. These parameter adjustments allow the system to optimize power consumption in good conditions while maintaining call performance in poor conditions, resolving the technical contradiction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the pilot acquisition timeline is extended to ensure call performance in poor conditions, then call performance improves, but power consumption increases unnecessarily in good conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecall performanceVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the pilot acquisition timeline duration and number of acquisitions based on real-time channel condition measurements. In poor conditions, the timeline is extended to ensure call performance. In good conditions, the timeline is shortened to reduce power consumption, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and energy use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where the terminal measures channel conditions and uses this information to adjust the pilot acquisition timeline. This feedback loop ensures that the system extends the timeline only when necessary for call performance, avoiding unnecessary power consumption in good conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If the receiver is turned on frequently to ensure timely pilot acquisition, then call performance improves, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecall performanceVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic control of receiver activation by adjusting the pilot acquisition timeline and number of acquisitions based on channel conditions. This allows the receiver to be activated only as frequently as necessary to maintain call performance, reducing power consumption compared to frequent fixed-interval activation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2798883B1Apparatus and method for dynamic pilot acquisition in a wireless communication system
Publication Date: 2020.05.06 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP2798883B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2798883B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2798883B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An access terminal configured for use in a wireless communication system utilizing discontinuous reception (DRx). To reduce power consumption, a pilot acquisition timeline may be reduced when channel conditions are favorable; and to improve call quality, the pilot acquisition timeline may be increased when channel conditions are poor. Other aspects, embodiments, and features are also claimed and described.