Location-Based Mobile Network Selection Using GPS and Spatial Database
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobile station system selection techniques, such as those using Preferred Roaming Lists (PRL) or Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) lists, are time-consuming and consume excessive battery power, and may result in mobile stations idling on invalid channels outside their intended coverage area, leading to dropped calls or failed call attempts due to improper network border configurations.
Innovation Solution
A mobile station equipped with a location determination device, such as a GPS receiver, and a spatial database that allows it to determine its geographic location and select the preferred mobile network system without communicating with the mobile network, using a microprocessor to compare its location with geographic positions stored in the database to identify the optimal network for communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a full PRL or PLMN search is performed to ensure proper network selection, then network selection accuracy is improved, but search time and battery power consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-dividing the coverage area into geographic zones and pre-associating each zone with specific network identifiers (SID/NID for CDMA2000 or PLMN for GSM/UMTS). When the mobile station enters a zone, it can immediately select the appropriate network without performing a full search, thus maintaining accuracy while reducing search time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the large PRL/PLMN search space into smaller geographic zones. Each zone contains a subset of network identifiers relevant to that location. This segmentation allows the mobile station to search only within the current zone rather than the entire PRL/PLMN, significantly reducing search time while maintaining network selection accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If a full PRL or PLMN search is performed to ensure proper network selection, then network selection accuracy is improved, but battery power consumption increases excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring geographic zones with their associated network identifiers before the mobile station operates. This allows the device to skip extensive searches and directly select networks based on its current zone, significantly reducing battery power consumption while maintaining accurate network selection.
Solution Approach 2:
By segmenting the network search space into geographic zones, the patent reduces the number of networks the mobile station must evaluate. This segmentation decreases the computational and radio frequency scanning workload, thereby reducing battery power consumption while preserving network selection accuracy.
3Device complexity
If conventional network selection methods are used without location awareness, then device complexity is reduced, but mobile stations may idle on invalid channels outside their intended coverage area leading to dropped calls
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces geographic zones as an intermediary between the mobile station and network selection. The zones act as a mediator that provides location-based context, enabling the mobile station to select appropriate networks based on its geographic position rather than blindly searching or relying solely on signal strength, thus improving call continuity without significantly increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining geographic zones and their associated valid networks before operation. This allows the mobile station to make reliable network selections based on its current zone without complex real-time calculations, improving call continuity while keeping the device complexity manageable.
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile network system includes a number of mobile network base stations and a mobile station. The mobile station includes a mobile station antenna and a location determination device for identifying a geographic location of the mobile station. A mobile transceiver is also included and is configured to transmit and receive mobile communication signals from the mobile network base stations via the antenna. A microprocessor controls the transmission and reception of the mobile communication signals and communicates with the location determination device. Further, a spatial database identifies geographic positions related to the mobile networks. The microprocessor compares the geographical location of the mobile station with the geographic positions of the mobile networks to determine a preferred mobile network system.