LTE MDT Location Option Control via Signal Prioritization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current 3GPP systems lack an efficient control interface for Minimization of Drive Test (MDT) location options, with entities unaware of UE location capabilities, leading to inefficient location selection and increased manual testing needs.

Innovation Solution

A method for providing location option control in LTE systems, where UE or eNB receives an MDT location request with configuration options, prioritizing them based on signal strength and quality of cellular LTE and WLAN signals to determine the best positioning procedure under specific objectives like response time, accuracy, and power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual drive testing is conducted to verify radio network deployment, then network operation verification accuracy is improved, but operational costs and time consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork operation verification accuracyVSAvoidtesting time consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses virtual drive test environments that replicate real network conditions through software simulations, creating virtual copies of physical testing scenarios. This allows comprehensive network verification without physical drive testing, reducing time consumption while maintaining verification accuracy through repeated virtual simulations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical drive testing with automated software-based testing systems. The mechanical process of physically driving through network areas is substituted with automated signal generation, data collection, and analysis software that can rapidly simulate and evaluate network performance across multiple scenarios simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If multiple positioning methods are supported for MDT, then positioning accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidpositioning system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic positioning method selection where the system automatically chooses among multiple positioning methods (GPS, OTDOA, E-CID, WiFi) based on real-time conditions such as signal availability, accuracy requirements, and power constraints. This dynamic adaptation provides high positioning accuracy when needed while simplifying operation through automated method selection, resolving the complexity-accuracy tradeoff.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2786623B1Location option control for minimization of drive test in LTE systems
Publication Date: 2018.08.15 HFI INNOVATION INC
  • EP2786623B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2786623B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2786623B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A method of providing location option control for Minimization of Drive Test (MDT) in LTE systems is provided. In one embodiment, a UE or an eNB receives an MDT location request that comprises an MDT location option configuration having one or more location options. The UE or eNB determines a first location option based on the MDT location option configuration and initiates positioning for MDT measurements, reporting, and logging according to the first location option. In one novel aspect, each location option is associated with a priority. In addition to MDT measurements, reporting, and logging, a UE determines the best positioning procedure from a list of available location options. In one novel aspect, under a specific positioning objective, the UE prioritizes the list of available location options based on the signal strength and/or quality of cellular and WLAN signals.