Mobile Device Neighbor RAN Discovery via Frequency Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
In mobile communications systems, especially in LTE and 5G-NR networks, mobile network operators face challenges in discovering and managing neighbor radio access systems, particularly those using shared or unlicensed spectrum, as they are unaware of the specific frequencies allocated by third-party systems like CBRS, leading to operational inefficiencies and potential misuse of licensed spectrum.
Innovation Solution
User mobile communications devices are configured to scan frequency ranges based on scan frequency criteria that include a group of EARFCNs, frequency bands, and PLMN IDs, allowing them to discover neighbor radio access systems and report back to the serving RAN, enabling the system to determine available frequencies and prioritize handovers or resource allocation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If user mobile communications devices are configured to scan frequency ranges based on scan frequency criteria including a group of EARFCNs, frequency bands, and PLMN IDs, then the ability to discover neighbor radio access systems is improved, but the device complexity and measurement precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The scan frequency criteria is segmented into multiple independent components including a group of EARFCNs, frequency bands, and PLMN IDs. This segmentation allows the device to systematically search through divided frequency spaces rather than treating it as a single complex search problem, improving discoverability while managing complexity through structured configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement configuration is designed to be universal by supporting multiple types of scan criteria (EARFCN groups, frequency bands, PLMN IDs) that can apply to different neighbor radio access systems. This multi-functional approach enables a single configuration framework to handle diverse discovery scenarios across licensed and unlicensed spectrum systems.
2Loss of information
If user mobile communications devices perform comprehensive frequency scanning to discover neighbor radio access systems, then the completeness of system discovery is improved, but the measurement time and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The network side performs preliminary configuration by pre-defining scan frequency criteria including groups of EARFCNs, frequency bands, and PLMN IDs before the actual discovery process. This preliminary action prepares the measurement configuration in advance, allowing the device to execute efficient scans without real-time decision-making, thus reducing measurement time while maintaining discovery completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The scan frequency criteria uses groups of EARFCNs and frequency bands that may cover more frequencies than strictly necessary, ensuring that no potential neighbor system is missed. This partial/excessive scanning approach prioritizes complete discovery over minimal scanning, accepting increased measurement time as a trade-off for comprehensive system detection.
3Loss of information
If the serving RAN receives measurement reports from user mobile communications devices containing discovered neighbor systems, then the network's awareness of available frequencies is improved, but the signaling overhead and processing load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement report extracts only the essential discovered information (detected neighbor systems and their frequencies) from the comprehensive scan results and sends it back to the serving RAN. This extraction approach provides the network with necessary awareness of available frequencies while avoiding transmission of redundant data, thus reducing signaling overhead compared to sending complete measurement datasets.
4Measurement precision
If traditional single EARFCN measurement configuration is used, then the measurement precision is maintained, but the ability to discover systems on unknown frequencies deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single EARFCN value, the configuration segments the frequency search into groups of EARFCNs. Each group maintains precise frequency targeting capabilities while collectively covering a broader frequency range, thus preserving measurement precision at individual frequency points while enhancing overall discovery capability across multiple frequencies.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement configuration transitions from a one-dimensional single-frequency approach to a multi-dimensional framework incorporating groups of EARFCNs, frequency bands, and PLMN IDs. This dimensional expansion allows the system to maintain precise measurements at each frequency point while simultaneously searching across multiple frequency dimensions, greatly enhancing discovery capability for neighbor systems on unknown frequencies.
Data Source
AI summary
Discovery of a neighbor radio access system by a user mobile communications device serviced in a radio access network (RAN) for reporting to a serving system in the RAN. User mobile communications device serviced by a RAN is configured to scan one or more frequency ranges (e.g., bands) to discover other neighbor radio access systems. This is opposed to, for example, the user mobile communications device only searching for transmitted communications signals at specific center frequency (e.g., an EARFCN). There may be other radio access systems that operate neighbor cells and in other frequency bands in proximity the RAN serving the user mobile communications device. Discovered neighboring radio access systems can be reported by the user mobile communications device to its serving RAN in a measurement report, which can then be used by the serving RAN for other functionalities, such as trigger handovers of user mobile communications device for example.