Scaling Mobility State Estimates for DRX Configurations

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current mobility state estimation methods in wireless communication systems, such as UMTS and LTE, do not effectively account for the impact of Discontinuous Reception (DRX) configurations on user equipment (UE) mobility measurements, leading to inaccurate mobility state indications and increased signaling load.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves scaling the mobility state estimate based on the DRX cycle, either by adjusting count weights or adapting thresholds, to account for the reduced number of cell changes caused by DRX, ensuring synchronized operation between the network and UE, and providing improved mobility indications for optimized configuration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If DRX configuration is applied to reduce power consumption, then energy efficiency is improved, but mobility state estimation accuracy deteriorates due to reduced cell change measurements

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveUE power consumptionVSAvoidmobility state estimation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting the mobility state estimation based on DRX cycle parameters. Specifically, it scales the handover count threshold or applies weighting factors to account for the reduced measurement frequency during DRX periods, thereby maintaining estimation accuracy while preserving the energy-saving benefits of DRX operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary compensation mechanism that mediates between the DRX operation and mobility estimation. By introducing scaling factors or weighting parameters that compensate for the reduced measurements during DRX, the system maintains accurate mobility state estimation without requiring continuous measurements that would negate the power-saving benefits of DRX

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Use of energy by moving object

If DRX cycle reduces measurement frequency, then power consumption is reduced, but cell change detection capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveUE power consumptionVSAvoidcell change detection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies detection parameters by adjusting thresholds and weighting factors in the mobility state estimation algorithm to account for the reduced measurement frequency during DRX cycles, maintaining reliable cell change detection despite fewer measurements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the network receives mobility state indications from the UE and can adjust DRX parameters or estimation parameters accordingly, creating a closed-loop system that maintains detection reliability while optimizing power consumption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Device complexity

If handover count threshold is used for mobility estimation, then estimation simplicity is improved, but accuracy deteriorates in DRX environments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveestimation algorithm complexityVSAvoidmobility state estimation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enhances the simple handover count threshold method by introducing scaling factors or weighting parameters that adjust for DRX effects. This maintains the simplicity of the threshold-based approach while improving accuracy through parameter adaptation rather than complex algorithmic changes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2944113B1Improved mobility estimation
Publication Date: 2019.05.08 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • EP2944113B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP2944113B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP2944113B1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

An apparatus, method, and computer program product for mobility estimation are provided. One method may include estimating a mobility state of a user equipment, and scaling the estimate of the mobility state according to certain factors. The factors may include, for example, a DRX cycle applied during the period of estimation of the mobility state and the number of cell changes of the user equipment.