LTE Neighboring Cell List Update via UE Reporting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current 5G systems face challenges in maintaining accurate neighboring cell lists, particularly in distinguishing between standalone (SA) and non-standalone (NSA) 5G cells, which affects handover success rates and interworking modes between LTE and NR networks.

Innovation Solution

User Equipment (UE) reports missing neighboring cells with SA or NSA indications and identification information to the network side, enabling the LTE system to update neighboring cell lists and improve handover success rates and interworking configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the LTE neighboring cell list is maintained using current methods, then the existing neighbor relationships are preserved, but 5G system cells (both NSA and SA) are missing from the list and cannot be properly distinguished

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of neighboring cell listVSAvoidmissing 5G cell information
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The UE provides feedback to the network device by reporting measurement results that include identification information of detected 5G cells and their NSA/SA attributes. This feedback mechanism enables the network device to update the neighboring cell list with accurate 5G cell information that was previously missing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The UE autonomously detects 5G cells, determines whether they are NSA or SA cells based on received signals, and reports this information to the network device. This self-service capability allows the system to automatically maintain up-to-date neighboring cell information without manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If the UE reports all detected 5G cells, then the neighboring cell list becomes complete, but the complexity of information processing and reporting increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompleteness of neighboring cell listVSAvoidcomplexity of reporting mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The reporting mechanism is segmented by cell type (NSA vs. SA). The UE identifies and reports 5G cells based on their specific attributes, allowing the network device to process and categorize the information systematically. This segmentation reduces the complexity of handling heterogeneous cell information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The UE changes the reporting parameters based on the detected cell type, reporting specific identification information and NSA/SA attributes for 5G cells. This parameter-based reporting approach allows efficient differentiation and processing of various cell types without requiring complex reporting structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the network device manually updates the neighboring cell list, then accuracy can be maintained, but the time and resources required for maintenance increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of neighbor relationshipVSAvoidtime for list maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables automated self-updating of the neighboring cell list through UE measurements and reports. The UE continuously monitors for 5G cells and automatically reports new detections to the network device, which then updates the list without manual intervention. This eliminates the time-consuming manual maintenance process while maintaining high accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The UE performs continuous measurements and reporting of 5G cell information, ensuring the neighboring cell list is continuously updated with the latest data. This continuous action maintains the accuracy and currency of the neighbor relationship information without requiring periodic manual updates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentEP3731558B1Method for configuring neighbouring cell, network device and user equipment
Publication Date: 2022.03.30 GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP LTD
  • EP3731558B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP3731558B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

Disclosed are a method for configuring a neighboring cell, a network device, a user equipment and a computer storage medium. The method comprises: receiving reporting information, sent by a user equipment (UE), of a target cell corresponding to a measurement frequency point, the reporting information of the target cell at least containing identity information and attribute information of an NSA cell and/or an SA cell, the NSA cell and/or the SA cell both being cells not in a neighbouring cell list of an LTE cell, the LTE cell being a cell managed by a network device; on the basis of the report information, adding the corresponding identity information and attribute information of the NSA cell and/or the SA cell to the neighboring cell list.