Frequency Grid Energy Sorting for Wireless Access Search

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for User Equipment (UE) to search for access frequencies and modes in wireless communications are inefficient, requiring repeated frequency measurements and lengthy synchronization processes due to multiple modes operating within the same frequency band, leading to prolonged search times and increased workload.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that involve obtaining signal energy across all frequency grids, calculating and sorting energy on the smallest bandwidth for each mode, and accessing the highest energy frequencies and modes to quickly determine the appropriate access mode, thereby reducing search time and improving access success rates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If repeated frequency measurements are conducted for each mode (GSM, LTE, WCDMA) in each available frequency range, then measurement precision is improved, but measurement time increases and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefrequency measurement accuracyVSAvoidsearch time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the frequency band into multiple frequency grids, where each grid corresponds to a specific frequency point. By measuring signal energy at each grid point and comparing it against threshold values, the system can quickly identify candidate frequencies without conducting repeated comprehensive measurements for each mode, thus reducing search time while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary energy measurement across all frequency grids before mode-specific synchronization. By pre-identifying frequency points with signal energy above certain thresholds, the system prepares a shortened list of candidate frequencies, avoiding the need for repeated measurements during the actual mode search process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple modes are searched in each frequency band, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemulti-mode compatibilityVSAvoidsearch process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal frequency detection mechanism that can identify multiple access modes (GSM, LTE, WCDMA) using the same frequency grid structure and energy measurement approach. The system uses mode-specific threshold comparisons to determine which modes are present at each frequency grid, allowing one system to handle multiple modes without proportionally increasing complexity.

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

3Reliability

If frequency synchronization checks are performed sequentially for each mode, then reliability is improved, but search time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesynchronization accuracyVSAvoidaccess speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary energy measurement and threshold comparison across all frequency grids before initiating mode-specific synchronization. By pre-identifying candidate frequencies that meet energy thresholds for each mode, the system reduces the number of synchronization checks needed, thereby maintaining reliability while improving access speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2237635B1Method and device for searching mode and frequency point
Publication Date: 2014.01.22 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP2237635B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2237635B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2237635B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention discloses a method and an apparatus for searching for modes and frequencies. The method includes: obtaining signal energy of all frequency grids within a frequency range; obtaining energy of each mode on a smallest bandwidth according to the signal energy of the grids; sorting the energy on the smallest bandwidths of all modes; and accessing a specified number of frequencies and modes of the highest energy in the sorting result. With the present invention, energy on the smallest bandwidths of all modes at a frequency band is obtained and sorted and then an access mode is determined according to the sorting result. Thus the access mode to use for a specified frequency can be quickly determined so as to improve the access success rate of a terminal in the subsequent access process.