Idle Mode Assisted Discovery for Wireless Cell Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems face challenges in energy efficiency and effective data offloading due to independent operation of femtocells and WLANs, leading to increased energy consumption and potential quality of service degradation, especially during cell reselection procedures.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a dual mode HNB/WLAN access point that allows devices to gather discovery information of secondary RATs by listening to a single primary RAT in idle mode, optimizing network discovery and operation through assisted network discovery, and broadcasting discovery information to reduce energy expenditure and ensure successful HNB discovery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If devices independently scan for secondary RATs (WLAN/HNB) during idle mode, then discovery information can be obtained, but energy consumption increases and discovery time is extended

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediscovery information acquisitionVSAvoiddevice energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the primary RAT and secondary RAT operations by allowing the primary RAT to broadcast discovery information of secondary RATs (WLAN and HNB). This combines multiple discovery functions into a single broadcast mechanism, eliminating the need for devices to independently scan multiple RATs and thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining reliable discovery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The primary RAT broadcasts discovery information about secondary RATs in advance, before devices need to connect to them. This preliminary action provides devices with necessary discovery information proactively, eliminating the need for energy-consuming post-hoc scanning and reducing both energy consumption and discovery time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If devices independently scan for secondary RATs, then discovery can occur, but the time required for cell reselection increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveHNB discovery successVSAvoidcell reselection time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The primary RAT broadcasts discovery information about secondary RATs in advance, providing devices with necessary information before they need to perform cell reselection. This preliminary provision of discovery information significantly reduces the time required for devices to locate and connect to HNBs during idle mode reselection procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If femtocells and WLANs operate independently, then each technology can function autonomously, but energy efficiency decreases and QoS may degrade

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetechnology autonomyVSAvoidnetwork energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the operational frameworks of femtocells and WLANs by implementing a unified broadcast mechanism where the primary RAT announces the availability of secondary RATs. This integration maintains the autonomy of each technology while coordinating their operations through a single broadcast channel, thereby improving overall network energy efficiency without sacrificing technological versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUSRE47913E1Idle mode access through assisted discovery

Publication Date: 2020.03.17 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY

AI summary

One embodiment is directed to a method of cell selection/reselection. The method includes gathering discovery information of a secondary radio access technology (RAT) by listening to a single primary radio access technology (RAT). The method may further include performing cell selection/reselection using the discovery information.