Location Server Assisted Inter-RAT Selection for NB-IoT Power Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current NB-IoT devices consume excessive power during inter-RAT cell reselection due to the simultaneous use of two radios, which is inefficient and rapidly drains the battery, as they need to tune to another frequency for measurements.

Innovation Solution

A method where a wireless communication device, such as an NB-IoT device, obtains inter-RAT assistance from a location server, which determines the most power-efficient RAT based on parameters like traffic profile, capabilities, and battery life requirements, allowing the device to decide on RAT reselection without significant battery consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the WCD uses simultaneous use of two radios for inter-RAT measurement, then the WCD can perform inter-RAT cell reselection, but the power consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinter-RAT cell reselection capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The location server acts as an intermediary that provides assistance data to the WCD for inter-RAT measurement. Instead of the WCD independently performing measurements using two simultaneous radios, the location server supplies pre-processed measurement data and RAT information, enabling the WCD to make reselection decisions without activating additional radios, thus resolving the contradiction between inter-RAT capability and power consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the WCD tunes to another frequency for inter-RAT measurement, then the WCD can discover target RAT, but the battery consumption increases rapidly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetarget RAT discoveryVSAvoidbattery consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The location server performs preliminary actions by pre-processing and providing assistance data that includes measurement results and RAT information before the WCD needs to make reselection decisions. This eliminates the need for the WCD to tune to other frequencies and perform real-time measurements, thereby discovering target RATs without rapid battery consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the WCD performs frequent inter-RAT measurements, then the WCD can optimize RAT selection, but the power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveRAT selection optimizationVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The location server provides feedback in the form of assistance data that includes measurement results and RAT information, enabling the WCD to optimize RAT selection without performing frequent independent measurements. The feedback mechanism allows the WCD to make informed reselection decisions based on pre-computed data, reducing the frequency and power consumption of measurements while maintaining optimization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS11700572B2Location server assisted mobility evaluation for power limited wireless communication devices

Publication Date: 2023.07.11 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

AI summary

A system in which a wireless communication device (e.g. a NB-IoT device) can obtain assistance information from a location server which can help the WCD select the right target RAT. A method performed by a wireless communication device, the method comprising: receiving inter-Radio Access Technology (inter-RAT) assistance information; determining a RAT based on the received inter-RAT assistance information; and utilizing the determined RAT.