MDT PLMN List for Efficient Multi-PLMN Measurement Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for Minimization of Drive Test (MDT) in multiple Public Land Mobile Networks (PLMNs) are inefficient, leading to increased costs and time in radio network optimization and maintenance.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that allow a terminal to perform MDT operations efficiently by receiving an MDT PLMN list from the base station, which is a subset of the equivalent PLMN list, enabling the terminal to log and report measurements only in specified PLMNs, thereby optimizing resource usage and reducing unnecessary data transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the terminal performs MDT operations in all equivalent PLMNs, then the radio environment analysis coverage is improved, but the resource consumption and time required increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveMDT measurement coverageVSAvoidMDT operation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the necessary PLMNs from the full equivalent PLMN list by introducing the MDT PLMN list, which contains a subset of PLMN identities where MDT operations should be performed. This selective extraction reduces the scope of MDT operations from all equivalent PLMNs to only those specified in the MDT PLMN list, thereby reducing time consumption while maintaining necessary measurement coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the terminal performs MDT operations in all equivalent PLMNs, then the radio environment analysis coverage is improved, but the resource consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveMDT measurement coverageVSAvoidterminal resource consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the necessary PLMNs from the full equivalent PLMN list by introducing the MDT PLMN list, which contains a subset of PLMN identities where MDT operations should be performed. This selective extraction reduces the scope of MDT operations from all equivalent PLMNs to only those specified in the MDT PLMN list, thereby reducing resource consumption while maintaining necessary measurement coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Loss of information

If the terminal logs and reports MDT measurements in multiple PLMNs without selection, then the measurement data completeness is improved, but the data transmission burden increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement data completenessVSAvoiddata transmission volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the necessary PLMNs from the full equivalent PLMN list by introducing the MDT PLMN list, which contains a subset of PLMN identities where MDT operations should be performed. This selective extraction reduces the scope of MDT operations from all equivalent PLMNs to only those specified in the MDT PLMN list, thereby reducing data transmission volume while maintaining necessary measurement data completeness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP2717614B1Method and apparatus for efficiently controlling an MDT in a plurality of plmns
Publication Date: 2020.05.06 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP2717614B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2717614B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2717614B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for efficiently controlling a minimization of drive test (MDT) in a plurality of public land mobile networks (PLMNs). The method for controlling an MDT of a terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises the steps of: performing a tracking-area update; receiving a logged measurement configuration message; determining whether or not the received logged measurement configuration message comprises an MDT PLMN list; and a applying, if the MDT PLMN is comprised, the MDT PLMN list to the MDT. The method and apparatus according to the present invention may efficiently control an MDT in a plurality of PLMNs.