Communications Device MDT Reporting for Inaccessible Cell Coverage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless communications networks face challenges in managing non-public network parts, particularly when their geographical coverage overlaps with public networks, as existing minimization of drive tests (MDT) methods exclude cells that communications devices are not permitted to access, leading to incomplete network coverage surveys and potential interference issues.
Innovation Solution
A communications device is configured to measure and report MDT results for cells it is not permitted to access, using blacklist and MDT configuration indications to enable comprehensive network coverage assessment, including location information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If MDT measurements are excluded for cells that communications devices are not permitted to access, then access restrictions are maintained, but network coverage survey completeness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the MDT measurement process into two distinct parts: (1) measurements of cells that the communications device is permitted to access, and (2) measurements of cells that the communications device is not permitted to access. This segmentation allows both types of measurements to be performed and reported separately, resolving the contradiction by enabling complete coverage information collection while maintaining access restriction enforcement through selective reporting configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a configuration message from the network as an intermediary that controls and regulates the MDT measurement behavior. This configuration message acts as a mediator between the access restriction requirements and the measurement completeness needs, allowing the network to specify which cells should be measured and reported without compromising security or access control policies.
2Loss of information
If MDT measurements include cells that communications devices are not permitted to access, then network coverage survey completeness improves, but access security deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of MDT measurement behavior through network-configured parameters. The communications device dynamically adjusts its measurement and reporting behavior based on received configuration messages that specify which cells should be measured. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt measurement scope according to security requirements while maintaining the ability to collect comprehensive coverage information when permitted.
3Measurement precision
If communications devices report MDT results for all measured cells, then network coverage assessment accuracy improves, but device complexity and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameters controlling MDT reporting behavior through network configuration messages. These configuration parameters specify which cells should be included in MDT reports, allowing the network to optimize the balance between assessment accuracy and device complexity based on operational requirements. The communications device adjusts its reporting behavior according to these parameter changes without requiring complex local decision-making logic.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of operating a communications device in a wireless communications network, the method comprising: measuring received signals transmitted in a first cell at a first location to generate a measurement result, wherein the communications device is not permitted to access the first cell, and transmitting in a second cell a minimization of drive tests (MDT) report based on the measurement result, the report comprising an indication of the first location.