Idle UE Signal Sampling for 5G Path Loss Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Challenges arise in positioning wireless devices for service due to the ease of blocking new frequency bands with narrower beams, necessitating improved methods for measuring signal propagation and path loss in networked systems.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing idle user equipment to collect and transmit signal propagation information, integrating it into existing network messages, and combining data from both idle and active modes to enhance network footprint coverage and resource allocation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If new shorter wavelength frequency bands are used to provide faster broadband connections, then connection speed is improved, but signal blocking increases and beam positioning becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary signal propagation measurements using idle user equipment before actual data transmission begins. By collecting path loss measurements and signal strength data in advance during idle mode, the network can pre-determine optimal beam directions and frequencies, ensuring reliable high-speed connections when users transition to active mode.
Solution Approach 2:
Idle user equipment automatically performs signal propagation measurements and reports findings to the network without requiring dedicated measurement resources. The idle devices serve the network's measurement needs while maintaining their own idle state, effectively making the system self-measuring using available resources.
2Measurement precision
If signal propagation measurements are performed frequently to maintain accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but network overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic signal propagation measurements at predetermined intervals rather than continuously. Idle user equipment performs measurements based on timing configurations received from the network, updating path loss data only when necessary. This periodic approach maintains measurement accuracy while significantly reducing network overhead compared to continuous monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs measurements only when signal conditions change beyond a threshold or when periodic updates are due, rather than continuously monitoring all parameters. This partial measurement approach captures sufficient propagation information to maintain precision while minimizing the energy and overhead required for measurements.
Data Source
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.