Cellular Network Connection via Geofence-Based Scanning
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Battery-powered electronic devices that frequently move across borders of countries or regions with different radio access technologies and frequency bands face rapid battery drainage due to conventional full band scanning methods, which are energy-intensive and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
The method involves obtaining the current position of the device to determine a subset of available cellular networks, performing a limited scan using geofence data, and intermittently connecting to establish a wireless connection, reducing energy consumption by scanning only the available networks at the device's location.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If full band scanning is performed to identify available cellular networks, then the device can establish connection to any network, but energy consumption increases rapidly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the full band scan into multiple priority levels or groups. Instead of scanning all supported frequency bands and radio access technologies uniformly, the device divides them into segments (e.g., home network bands, roaming partner bands, other bands) and scans them in a prioritized sequence, reducing the total scanning time and energy consumption while maintaining connection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by using available information (such as SIM card data, previous connection history, or location data) to pre-determine which frequency bands and radio access technologies are most likely to be available. This allows the device to prioritize scanning those bands first, avoiding the need to scan all bands equally, thus reducing energy consumption while ensuring connection establishment.
2Loss of time
If prioritized band scan order is used based on location data, then scanning time is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer (such as a network information database or pre-configured network profiles) that stores information about available networks, frequency bands, and radio access technologies for different locations. Instead of implementing complex real-time analysis of location data and network availability, the device queries this intermediary database to obtain pre-processed scanning priorities, reducing both scanning time and device complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If comprehensive network scanning is performed across all supported technologies, then network selection flexibility is maximized, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the scanning behavior adaptive rather than static. The device dynamically adjusts its scanning strategy based on current conditions such as location, available network information, and connection requirements. For example, if the device is in a known location with pre-configured network profiles, it performs a limited scan; if in an unknown location, it expands the scan scope, thus balancing flexibility with energy conservation.
Data Source
AI summary
A method performed in an electronic device for establishing, in an energy-efficient way, a wireless connection to a cellular network, where the electronic device is configured to support wireless connection to a plurality of cellular networks. The method includes obtaining a current position of the electronic device; determining, as a function of the current position, a set of available cellular networks, said set being a subset of the plurality of cellular networks that are supported by the electronic device; and scanning the set of available cellular networks.