HNB Parameterization for Signaling Overhead Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

The integration of restricted access (RA) and general access (GA) base stations in wireless networks leads to complexity due to un-planned deployments, dense installations, and difficulty in distinguishing between RA and GA BSs, resulting in inefficient cell selection and increased signaling overhead, especially in urban areas.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of Femto public land mobile network (PLMN) identifiers and parameterization techniques to direct user terminals (UTs) to preferentially search for and access either RA or GA BSs based on their capabilities and location, reducing signaling overhead and improving access reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If UTs search for and access both RA and GA BSs without distinction, then access coverage is improved, but signaling overhead increases and access efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess coverageVSAvoidsignaling overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the base station population into distinct categories (RA BSs and GA BSs) with different access characteristics. UTs are provided with segmented search strategies that differentiate between these types, allowing targeted access attempts rather than uniform searching of all BSs, thereby reducing unnecessary signaling overhead while maintaining comprehensive access coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of BS identification by introducing PLMN ID as a distinguishing parameter. By using PLMN ID to identify and categorize BS types, the system enables UTs to adjust their search and access parameters dynamically, reducing signaling overhead by avoiding unnecessary attempts at incompatible BS types while maintaining access to suitable ones.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If UTs attempt to access all available BSs, then network access reliability is improved, but access time increases and mobility efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork access reliabilityVSAvoidaccess time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by providing UTs with advance information about BS types and access characteristics before actual access attempts. Through PLMN ID-based identification and pre-configured access parameters, UTs can pre-determine which BSs are suitable for access, eliminating the need to attempt connection to incompatible BSs and thereby reducing access time while maintaining reliability through targeted attempts at suitable BSs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If dense deployments of RA and GA BSs are implemented, then network capacity is improved, but system complexity increases and detection difficulty worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork capacityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces PLMN ID as an intermediary parameter that mediates between the complex dense deployment of multiple BS types and the UT's need for simple identification and selection. This intermediary enables UTs to navigate complex networks by using a straightforward identification mechanism (PLMN ID) that categorizes BSs without requiring UTs to understand or manage the underlying system complexity, thereby supporting dense deployments while maintaining operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Speed

If UTs continuously monitor and search for BSs, then mobility support is improved, but battery consumption increases and processing power usage worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemobility supportVSAvoidbattery consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by having UTs perform monitoring and searching only on a selective basis rather than continuously. By using PLMN ID to identify suitable BS types and configuring UTs to search only for matching BS types, the system reduces the frequency and intensity of monitoring activities while maintaining adequate mobility support, thereby reducing battery consumption and processing power usage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS9125139B2Mobile access in a diverse access point network

Publication Date: 2015.09.01 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

Facilitating user terminal (UT) access to wireless networks having base stations (BSs) of disparate access types is described herein. In some aspects, BS parameterization is provided to facilitate search and/or access to distinct types of network BSs. For instance, parameters can modify a likelihood of identifying or remaining coupled to restricted access (RA) BSs in a home Node B (HNB) deployment. In other aspects of the subject disclosure, a PLMN ID reserved for HNBs is provided comprising multiple region IDs. Where a UT identifies a home region, HNBs can be given preference over macro BSs. Additionally, the UT can keep track of HNBs and HNB regions that reject access to the UT, and implement a delay time to mitigate rapid signaling to foreign HNBs in a dense HNB deployment. Accordingly, the subject disclosure provides for more efficient UT access in heterogeneous access type networks.