Immediate MDT Configuration Transfer in Inter-PLMN Handover

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Solution Overview

Problem

In current wireless communication systems, during an inter-PLMN handover, immediate MDT configuration information is deactivated, preventing UE from performing immediate MDT measurements, even when handed over to an E-UTRAN network supporting signaling-based MDT, due to lack of corresponding configuration.

Innovation Solution

A method and network device for transferring signaling-based immediate MDT configuration information during inter-PLMN handovers, where the source network device transmits immediate MDT configuration information to the target network device if the target PLMN is in the UE's allowable list, ensuring continuous MDT measurement reporting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If immediate MDT configuration information is deactivated during inter-PLMN handover, then handover between different PLMNs can be completed, but the UE cannot perform immediate MDT measurements in the target network even when the target network supports signaling-based MDT

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveMDT measurement continuityVSAvoidInter-PLMN handover compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The source network device transmits the immediate MDT configuration information to the target network device before the handover is completed. This preliminary action ensures that the target network device already has the necessary configuration information when the UE arrives, allowing continuous MDT measurements without interruption during the handover process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The network device acts as an intermediary to transfer the immediate MDT configuration information from the source network to the target network during handover. This intermediary action ensures that the configuration information is properly transmitted and received, maintaining MDT measurement continuity across different PLMNs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If immediate MDT configuration information is transmitted during inter-PLMN handover, then continuous MDT measurement reporting can be maintained, but signaling overhead and processing complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveMDT measurement continuityVSAvoidHandover processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The immediate MDT configuration information is merged with the existing handover signaling messages and transmitted together during the handover process. This combining approach avoids additional separate signaling transmissions, reducing overall signaling overhead while ensuring configuration information is delivered to the target network device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2760230B1Signaling based method and network apparatus for transferring instant MDT configuration information
Publication Date: 2018.05.23 ZTE CORP
  • EP2760230B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2760230B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2760230B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A method and a network device for transferring signaling based immediate Minimization of Drive Test (MDT) configuration information are provided. The method is applied in an inter-Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) handover process in a scenario of multiple PLMNs, and includes: during a handover process of a user equipment, if it is determined that a target PLMN selected for the user equipment is the same as one PLMN in an MDT-allowable PLMN list of the user equipment, a source network device transmitting the immediate MDT configuration information of the user equipment to a target network device. After the handover is completed, the UE may continue reporting an immediate MDT measurement report in a target network device that meets a condition, thereby implementing the expectation of carriers that the MDT processing in a plurality of PLMNs allowing MDT measurement can be equivalent to the processing in the main PLMN, so as to fully implement the MDT measurement and collection functions performed by the UE and increase the processing efficiency for network optimization.