Early Idle State MDT Reporting for 5G Network Coverage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current 5G communication systems face challenges in minimizing drive tests (MDT) due to the need for extensive field measurements, which can be costly and inconvenient, especially in dual connectivity situations, where user equipment (UE) measurement capabilities are limited and coordination between master and secondary nodes is complex.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced where user equipment (UE) performs early measurements in an idle or inactive state and reports them upon transitioning to a connected state, providing location information, and the network configures immediate MDT (iMDT) by renegotiating resource allocation and using separate coordination fields to manage UE measurement capabilities effectively in dual connectivity scenarios.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If UE performs measurements in connected state only, then measurement accuracy is improved, but measurement time and battery consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by enabling UEs to perform early measurements during idle or inactive states before transitioning to connected state. These measurements are taken in advance and reported upon connection establishment, eliminating the need to wait until connected state for measurement collection, thus reducing overall measurement time while maintaining accuracy through pre-captured signal conditions.
2Loss of time
If UE performs measurements in idle state, then measurement time is reduced, but measurement capability and accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables UEs to perform preliminary measurements during idle state before connection establishment. These early measurements capture radio conditions, cell signals, and interference levels in advance, which are then reported to the network upon transitioning to connected state, allowing the network to make informed decisions without waiting for post-connection measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service by enabling UEs to autonomously perform measurements and store measurement results during idle state without requiring network coordination or resource allocation. The UE independently captures measurement data and makes it available for network retrieval, reducing network overhead while maintaining measurement capability.
3Measurement precision
If extensive MDT measurements are performed, then network coverage analysis is improved, but battery consumption and UE resource usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by collecting measurement data during idle state when the UE is not actively communicating. This allows the network to accumulate coverage analysis data from multiple UEs without requiring them to remain in connected state, reducing the energy burden on individual UEs while improving overall network coverage analysis through aggregated early measurements.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication method and a system for converging a 5th-Generation (5G) communication system or networks beyond 5G communication system for supporting higher data rates beyond a 4th-Generation (4G) system with a technology for internet of things (IoT) are provided. The disclosure may be applied to intelligent services based on the 5G communication technology and the IoT-related technology, such as a smart home, a smart building, a smart city, a smart car, a connected car, health care, digital education, a smart retail, security and safety services. A method of performing minimisation of drive tests (MDT), in a mobile telecommunication network is provided. The method includes providing an MDT measurement relating to a result of an early measurement, wherein the early measurement is a measurement performed in an idle state or an inactive state, and wherein the mobile telecommunication network configures a user equipment (UE) to report to the mobile telecommunication network upon transition to a connected state.