Limited Network Access for Emergency Communications
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current LTE 3GPP networks do not allow user equipment (UE) to access the network unless it meets certain minimum cell selection criteria, which restricts emergency communications such as E911 services even when the UE is synchronized with the cell.
Innovation Solution
A method that determines if the UE does not meet the camping thresholds for a cell, but is synchronized with it, allowing for limited network communication, such as text-only or emergency communications, even if the criteria are not met.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If minimum cell selection criteria (qRXlevmin and qQualmin) are enforced for network access, then network quality and reliability are improved, but emergency communications capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating different access modes with different criteria requirements. Normal access mode requires meeting both qRXlevmin and qQualmin thresholds, while emergency access mode allows access when only synchronization is achieved, even without meeting the minimum camping thresholds. This localized differentiation of access requirements enables emergency communications to function in suboptimal conditions while maintaining quality standards for normal operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by allowing the network access criteria to change based on the operational mode. The system dynamically switches between normal access mode (with strict thresholds) and emergency access mode (with relaxed thresholds), where the mobile device can attempt network access without meeting minimum camping criteria when operating in emergency mode, thereby adapting the access requirements to the specific operational context.
2Reliability
If strict camping thresholds are required for network access, then network resource quality is improved, but access flexibility for limited communications deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments network access into distinct modes: normal access mode requiring full compliance with camping thresholds (qRXlevmin and qQualmin) for high-quality communications, and emergency access mode allowing access with only synchronization for limited communications. This segmentation enables the system to maintain strict quality control for normal operations while providing flexible access for emergency scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the access criteria parameters based on the operational mode. In emergency mode, the system changes the effective threshold parameters from requiring both qRXlevmin≥0 and qQualmin≥0 to allowing access when synchronization is achieved regardless of these threshold values, thereby adjusting the access flexibility while maintaining quality for normal operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile device includes a processor and memory storing instructions that cause the processor to effectuate operations. The operations include determining that the mobile device does not meet a camping threshold for a cell of a network, determining that the mobile device is synchronized with the cell, and permitting a limited network communication between the mobile device and the network via the cell. The limited network communication may be limited to text-only communications, emergency communications, or the like.