Idle Mode UE Coverage Reporting for Wireless Network Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current GSM wireless communication networks face challenges in identifying coverage holes for mobile phones in idle mode, leading to inefficiencies in power usage and coverage optimization, as operators lack accurate information about signal strength in this mode and struggle to detect when mobile devices lose or regain coverage.
Innovation Solution
A method and device configuration that enables user equipment in idle mode to detect loss of radio coverage and transmit a return-to-coverage indication to the base station, allowing for the compilation of statistics on coverage issues, which can be used to adjust transmission power and improve network planning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If BCCH power is reduced to save energy, then power consumption decreases, but coverage quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by having mobile stations report coverage status in advance before actually losing service. The network receives indications of impending coverage loss and can proactively adjust BCCH power or add capacity in affected areas, preventing complete service degradation while optimizing overall network power consumption.
2Loss of energy
If mobile phones in idle mode lose coverage, then power savings are achieved, but network reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements a feedback mechanism where mobile stations in idle mode transmit return-to-coverage indications when regaining signal. This feedback loop allows the network to continuously monitor actual coverage conditions and adjust power levels dynamically, ensuring reliability is maintained only where necessary while achieving power savings in adequately covered areas.
3Device complexity
If operators lack information about coverage holes, then network complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Mobile stations perform self-service by autonomously detecting their own coverage status and generating return-to-coverage indications without requiring complex network-side measurement infrastructure. This distributes the measurement function to the edge devices, achieving precise coverage mapping while keeping network complexity low.
Data Source
AI summary
A user equipment method and a user equipment in idle mode, for enabling the compilation of information concerning the radio coverage within a cell of a base station. The user equipment is configured to communicate with the base station. The method comprises the actions of detecting a loss of coverage and transmitting coverage information, to be received by the base station. A network node receives the coverage information from the idle mode user equipment. The received coverage information is identified as information related to the occurrence of lost coverage for the user equipment. Thereafter is the received coverage information logged and usable for adjusting the transmission power of the base station and/or for network planning purposes.