Base Station Type Identification via ECGI Bit Patterns

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current LTE systems inaccurately identify base station types due to treating newly discovered neighbor cells as macro base stations by default, leading to errors in eNB ID identification.

Innovation Solution

A method where network devices and terminals determine and transmit base station identities using E-UTRAN Cell Global Identifiers, with specific bit positions indicating base station types, ensuring accurate recognition by filling remaining bits with '1' for home base stations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the base station controlling a newly discovered neighbor cell is treated as a macro base station by default, then the identification process is simplified, but the base station type identification accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveidentification process simplicityVSAvoidbase station type identification accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses bit pattern changes in the ECGI to indicate base station type. Specifically, when the last 8 bits of the ECGI are all '1's, it indicates a home base station; otherwise, it indicates a macro base station. This binary distinction allows the network device to accurately identify base station type without complex classification logic, resolving the contradiction between identification simplicity and accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

2Loss of information

If the eNB ID occupies integral 28 bits for home base stations, then the base station identity representation is complete, but the bit position alignment with macro base stations deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebase station identity completenessVSAvoidbit position alignment
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the base station type indication from the traditional eNB ID structure by using the pattern of the last 8 bits of the ECGI. Instead of modifying the eNB ID field itself, the solution extracts type information from the cell ID portion, specifically when all last 8 bits are '1's. This extraction approach maintains bit position alignment while preserving complete base station identity information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Measurement precision

If the last 8 bits of ECGI are used for home base station identification, then the base station type differentiation is achieved, but the traditional ECGI structure is modified

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebase station type differentiation accuracyVSAvoidECGI structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the last 8 bits of the ECGI serve dual purposes: they function as part of the cell ID for macro base stations and as a base station type indicator for home base stations when all bits are '1's. This multi-functional use of the same bit field achieves accurate base station type differentiation without adding separate identification fields, thereby avoiding increased ECGI structure complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2723119B1Transmitting and receiving method and device
Publication Date: 2019.10.09 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP2723119B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2723119B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2723119B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A transmitting and a receiving method and a device are provided in the present invention. The method includes: determining, by a terminal, a base station type of a base station controlling a neighboring cell of a serving cell; and transmitting, by the terminal, information indicating the base station type to a network device, so that the network device determines the base station type according to the information indicating the base station type. According to embodiments of the present invention, the accurate recognization of the base station type is realized