MDT Log Control Indicators for Idle Mode UE Resource Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current MDT log tracing techniques lack the ability to control and manage MDT procedures for User Equipment (UE) in RRC_IDLE state, leading to resource wastage and inefficient reporting, as they require the UE to be in RRC_CONNECTED state for control instructions, and do not allow for flexible stopping, resuming, or aggregating of logs.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that enable control indicators to be sent from a base station to a UE in idle state, allowing for starting, stopping, resuming, aggregating, and reporting of MDT logs, using indicators like start, stop, clear, resume, and aggregate, which can be transmitted via System Information Block or dedicated signaling, enabling control even when the UE is not in RRC_CONNECTED state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If MDT log tracing is performed for UE in RRC_IDLE state, then measurement collection capability is improved, but UE resource consumption (battery, memory, processing) increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of MDT logging by introducing multiple control indicators (start, stop, clear, resume, aggregate, report) that allow the network to flexibly adjust logging behavior based on current conditions. The logging can be dynamically started, stopped, and resumed without requiring UE to transition between RRC states, enabling adaptive resource management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control mechanism parameters by introducing a comprehensive set of control indicators that modify the logging behavior. These indicators allow the network to control various aspects of MDT logging (start, stop, clear, resume, aggregate, report) independently, enabling fine-grained parameter adjustment to balance measurement collection needs with UE resource consumption.
2Reliability
If MDT control instructions are sent only when UE is in RRC_CONNECTED state, then control reliability is improved, but control flexibility and responsiveness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control functionality into multiple independent control indicators (start, stop, clear, resume, aggregate, report) that can be individually transmitted and executed. This segmentation allows the network to send specific control instructions without requiring the UE to be in a particular RRC state, improving both flexibility and responsiveness while maintaining reliability through the use of established signaling channels.
3Measurement precision
If multiple MDT logs are maintained separately, then measurement detail and precision are improved, but signaling overhead and reporting complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an aggregate indicator that enables merging of multiple MDT logs into a single consolidated report. When the aggregate indicator is activated, the UE combines measurements from multiple separate logs and submits them together, reducing the number of individual signaling messages while preserving all measurement details. This resolving the contradiction between maintaining detailed measurements and reducing signaling overhead.
4Extent of automation
If MDT logging continues without network control in idle state, then autonomous measurement capability is improved, but network resource efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the network sends control indicators to the UE based on observed network conditions and measurement needs. The UE autonomously executes these control instructions (start, stop, clear, resume, aggregate, report), creating a closed-loop system that maintains autonomous measurement capability while ensuring network resource efficiency through centralized control based on actual network needs.
Data Source
AI summary
A technique for controlling Minimizing of Drive Tests, MDT, log tracing, is disclosed. In a method aspect, the method is performed by a base station and comprises sending, from the base station to at least one user equipment being in an idle state, control information comprising control indicators to trigger controlling of MDT log tracing. The control indicators comprise at least two of the following: a first start indicator to instruct starting a log of a new MDT trace, a second stop indicator to instruct stopping a log of an existing MDT trace to be resumed later, a third clear indicator to instruct clearing a log of an existing MDT trace, a fourth resume indicator to instruct resuming a log of a previously stopped MDT trace, a fifth aggregate indicator to instruct aggregating, over a predetermined number of test runs, each log per test run of an existing MDT trace, and a sixth report indicator to instruct immediate reporting of a log of an existing MDT trace.