Mobility Design for eMTC Coverage Enhancement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently managing mobility and coverage for machine-type communication (MTC) devices, particularly in LTE networks, where MTC UEs have limited resources and capabilities, leading to suboptimal performance in coexistence with legacy UEs.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves identifying a level of coverage enhancement (CE) for user equipment (UE) to communicate on narrowband regions within a wider system bandwidth, allowing for adjustments in mobility procedures based on CE levels, enabling efficient communication and mobility management for MTC UEs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If MTC UEs use narrowband regions within wider system bandwidth, then coexistence with legacy UEs is enabled, but mobility management complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoexistence capabilityVSAvoidmobility management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system bandwidth is segmented into multiple narrowband regions, each capable of being independently configured and managed. MTC UEs are assigned specific narrowband regions (e.g., center narrowband, edge narrowband) within the wider system bandwidth, allowing them to operate independently from legacy UEs while maintaining overall system coordination through the network side.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If coverage enhancement levels are implemented, then signal coverage is improved, but measurement and signaling procedures increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal coverageVSAvoidmeasurement and signaling procedures

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of implementing full coverage enhancement procedures for all UEs, the system applies coverage enhancement only to MTC UEs that require it, and only to the extent necessary (e.g., up to 15 dB enhancement). The network configures appropriate CE levels (CE Level 0, 1, or 2) based on UE capabilities and coverage needs, avoiding unnecessary measurement and signaling for UEs that do not require enhanced coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Use of energy by moving object

If mobility procedures are optimized for MTC UEs, then battery life is extended, but mobility performance may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery lifeVSAvoidmobility performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The mobility management system dynamically adapts its behavior based on UE type and coverage enhancement level. For MTC UEs with CE levels, the system implements simplified mobility procedures that reduce measurement frequency and signaling overhead, extending battery life. The network side dynamically adjusts mobility parameters and measurement configurations according to the specific CE level and narrowband region assigned to each MTC UE, maintaining mobility performance while optimizing energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11700555B2Mobility design for eMTC

Publication Date: 2023.07.11 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

Aspects of the present disclosure provided techniques for wireless communications by a user equipment (UE). An exemplary method, performed by the UE, generally includes identifying a level of coverage enhancement (CE) for the UE to communicate on at least one narrowband region within a wider system bandwidth in which the UE communicates with a base station (BS) and taking one or more actions to alter one or more procedures related to mobility of the UE, based on the level of CE.