eNodeB 5G Leg Feasibility Assessment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 5G support in 4G-LTE infrastructure faces challenges such as unnecessary signaling, network failures, and poor user experience due to the lack of proactive assessment of 5G leg feasibility, particularly in terms of cell range and device capabilities during initial access procedures.
Innovation Solution
A system and method where an eNodeB in a 4G-LTE network computes parameters like timing advance, cell distance, and power level during initial access to conditionally allow the addition of a 5G leg, ensuring feasibility and reducing signaling wastage by preventing unusable 5G leg additions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If 5G leg is added to 4G-LTE network during initial access, then 5G network capability is enabled, but unnecessary signaling and network failures occur due to lack of feasibility assessment
Solution Approach 1:
The eNodeB performs preliminary computation of parameters (timing advance, cell distance, power level) during the initial access procedure on the 4G leg, before the 5G leg is added. This preliminary assessment determines whether the device is suitable for 5G leg addition, preventing unnecessary signaling and network failures by identifying infeasible cases in advance.
2Device complexity
If 5G leg addition is allowed without parameter computation, then device complexity is reduced, but signaling resources are wasted on unusable connections
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary parameter computation and feasibility assessment during initial access on the 4G leg, determining device suitability for 5G before actual 5G leg addition. This prevents wastage of signaling resources on devices that would not support 5G connections, while maintaining simple connection management through automated parameter-based decisions.
3Reliability
If parameter computation is performed during initial access, then 5G leg feasibility is ensured, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The eNodeB merges the computation of parameters (timing advance, cell distance, power level) with the existing initial access procedure on the 4G leg. By performing these computations during the already-necessary initial access phase rather than as a separate step, the system ensures 5G leg feasibility without adding significant processing time to the overall connection establishment.
Data Source
AI summary
As described herein, a system, method, and computer program are provided for proactive 5G leg estimation. During an initial access procedure by a user equipment on a 4G leg of a 4G-LTE network, an eNodeB of the 4G-LTE network computes a parameter for the user equipment. Further, the eNodeB of the 4G-LTE network conditionally allows an addition of a 5G leg to the 4G-LTE network for the user equipment, based on the parameter computed for the user equipment.