IoT Coverage Extension Authorization via Subscriber Profile Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cellular radio technologies for low-end Internet of Things (IoT) devices face challenges in power consumption, cost, and coverage, requiring optimized solutions for extended battery life and reduced infrastructure costs, especially in deep indoor environments.

Innovation Solution

The method involves controlling access to multiple coverage extension levels within a mobile communication network for IoT devices, allowing for tailored coverage solutions by restricting or barring the use of higher coverage levels based on subscriber profiles, thereby optimizing network resource usage and air interface resources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the second coverage extension level is made available to all IoT devices, then coverage is improved, but network resource usage increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecoverageVSAvoidnetwork resource usage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by differentiating access rights to the second coverage extension level based on subscriber profiles. Only specific IoT devices with authorized profiles can access the second coverage extension level, while other devices are restricted to the first level. This selective authorization ensures that enhanced coverage resources are allocated locally to specific users rather than universally, thereby improving coverage for authorized devices without causing network resource exhaustion from universal access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Quantity of substance

If the second coverage extension level is restricted to specific subscriber profiles, then network resource usage is controlled, but coverage availability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork resource usageVSAvoidcoverage availability
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamics by allowing flexible configuration of subscriber profiles to dynamically control access to the second coverage extension level. The network can adaptively assign or revoke access rights based on changing requirements, device types, service levels, or coverage conditions. This dynamic authorization mechanism ensures that coverage availability is optimized for specific scenarios while maintaining controlled network resource usage, rather than using static universal restriction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If higher coverage levels are always available, then deep indoor deployment is improved, but battery consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeep indoor deploymentVSAvoidbattery consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by providing the second coverage extension level only to specific IoT devices with authorized subscriber profiles, rather than making it universally available. For authorized devices in deep indoor scenarios, the enhanced coverage is provided when needed. For other devices, the first coverage extension level suffices. This selective partial deployment of higher coverage capabilities ensures that battery-consuming enhanced coverage features are activated only where truly necessary, optimizing the balance between deep indoor deployment performance and battery consumption across the IoT device population.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP3536033B1Authorization of coverage extension for an internet-of-things communication device
Publication Date: 2020.09.30 DEUTSCHE TELEKOM AG
  • EP3536033B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

Enhanced communication of at least one internet-of-things communication device (21) in a mobile communication network (100), wherein at least a first coverage extension level and a second coverage extension level is able to be applied, wherein the at least one device (21) has a subscriber profile within the mobile communication network (100) such that it is either configured to use both the first and the second coverage extension level or to use the first coverage extension level while the use of the second coverage extension level being barred or restricted. In case that the coverage extension subscription information indicates that the device (21) is subscribed to use the first coverage extension level and the use of the second coverage extension level being barred or restricted, and furthermore in case that the device (21) is in a coverage situation necessitating the use of the second coverage extension level, a communication request, of the device (21), to transmit payload and/or control communication data is either rejected or delayed by the base station entity (111) or avoided by the device (21).