IoT Cell Interference Detection and Device Location

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Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing load and interference in IoT cells of radio access networks due to defective IoT devices, which can cause unreliable node function and are difficult to detect and isolate, especially when they affect adjacent cells due to small frequency spacings.

Innovation Solution

A method that monitors multiple adjacent IoT cells to detect interference patterns, correlates node identifiers and timestamps to identify interfering devices, and uses triangulation to locate them, potentially aided by IMSI identification and noise power measurements to determine the precise position of the interfering device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the number of IoT devices in a cell is increased to accommodate more devices, then the coverage and service capacity are improved, but the interference and communication load on nodes increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of IoT devicesVSAvoidinterference
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the monitoring task by dividing the network into multiple cells, each monitored independently. By monitoring multiple adjacent cells separately and comparing their interference patterns, the system can identify whether interference is localized to one cell or affects multiple cells, thereby resolving the contradiction between accommodating more devices and managing interference through granular monitoring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If monitoring of multiple adjacent cells is performed to identify interfering devices, then the precision of locating interfering devices is improved, but the complexity and resource consumption of the monitoring system increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocation precision of interfering devicesVSAvoidmonitoring system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The monitoring system is segmented into multiple independent cell monitoring units, each handling one cell. This modular approach improves location precision by enabling cross-cell comparison while managing complexity through standardization and independence of each monitoring unit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of monitoring the entire network simultaneously, the system performs partial monitoring by focusing on multiple adjacent cells at a time. This selective approach improves location precision for interfering devices while reducing overall system complexity and resource consumption compared to full-network monitoring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Duration of action of stationary object

If defective IoT devices continue to up-link regularly due to incorrect power control implementation, then the battery lifetime is extended, but the interference and unreliable node function increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery lifetimeVSAvoidnode function reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the monitoring system detects interference patterns and identifies defective devices. By providing feedback information about device status and interference contribution, the system enables network operators to take corrective actions, thus resolving the contradiction between extended battery lifetime and maintained reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3783380A1Locating an interfering IoT device
Publication Date: 2021.02.24 DEUTSCHE TELEKOM AG
  • EP3783380A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3783380A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3783380A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Method for monitoring an IoT (Internet of Things) cell of a radio access network, the method comprising the steps of monitoring an IoT node, the monitored IoT node servicing an IoT cell of a radio access network and having a known position, and detecting an interference of the IoT cell serviced by the monitored IoT node, and computer program product for monitoring an IoT cell of a radio access network.