Idle-Mode Signal Propagation Mapping for 5G Path Loss Estimation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in accurately measuring signal propagation and path loss for user equipment in idle mode, leading to UE attach failures and delays due to inadequate network footprint coverage and inefficient resource allocation.

Innovation Solution

Collecting and analyzing signal propagation information from idle user equipment using modified tracking area update messages, combining data from both idle and active modes to enhance network coverage and resource management, and preemptively adjusting energy beams to accommodate potential transitions to active mode.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If user equipment operates in idle mode with traditional network monitoring, then power consumption is reduced and device autonomy is improved, but signal propagation measurement accuracy deteriorates and network footprint coverage becomes inadequate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidsignal propagation measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary signal propagation measurements while the UE is in idle mode, before the UE needs to transition to active mode. The network equipment collects signal information and estimates path loss in advance, so that when the UE becomes active, the measurements are already available and can be used immediately for resource allocation and handover decisions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces network equipment (gNB) as an intermediary that acts on behalf of the idle UE to perform signal propagation measurements. The gNB transmits reference signals and processes the received signals to estimate path loss, effectively mediating the measurement process between the idle UE and the network, allowing accurate measurements without requiring the UE to be in active mode.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If network equipment collects signal information from idle user equipment, then network footprint coverage and resource allocation improve, but message overhead and processing complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork footprint coverageVSAvoidmessage overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the tracking area update message multi-functional by adding signal information collection capability to its existing functions. The same message that the UE sends to update its location information is also used to carry signal propagation measurements, eliminating the need for separate measurement reporting messages and reducing overall message overhead.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple functions into a single message transmission. The tracking area update message is merged with signal information reporting, so that location updating and propagation measurement reporting occur simultaneously in one message exchange, reducing the number of separate signaling procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Measurement precision

If traditional active mode measurement procedures are used, then measurement accuracy is maintained, but UE attach failures increase and connection delays occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepath loss measurement accuracyVSAvoidUE attach delay

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs path loss measurements in advance while the UE is still in idle mode, before the attach procedure is initiated. This preliminary measurement action ensures that when the UE needs to attach to the network, the path loss information is already available, eliminating the delay that would otherwise occur during the attach process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent prepares measurement data in advance to cushion against potential attach failures. By having path loss information ready before the attach procedure, the network can make informed resource allocation decisions immediately, preventing attach failures that would occur due to insufficient or unavailable measurement data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS20260089527A1Estimating signal propagation based on sampling by user equipment in idle mode

Publication Date: 2026.03.26 AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I L P

AI summary

The technologies described herein are generally directed to mapping signal propagation using idle mode user equipment in a fifth generation (5G) network or other next generation networks. An example method can include, facilitating receiving, a message from a user equipment, with the message including signal information describing detection of a signal of a carrier of base station equipment while the user equipment was in an idle mode at a first location. The method can further include identifying a second location of the base station equipment corresponding to a time when the signal was transmitted, wherein the second location is different from the first location. Further, the method can include based on the first location, the second location, and the signal information, estimating a path loss of the carrier at the first location.