MTC Device CE Level Determination via Path Loss Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in accurately determining the appropriate coverage enhancement (CE) level for Machine Type Communication (MTC) devices, leading to potential transmission failures and excessive battery consumption due to erroneous CE level selection.

Innovation Solution

MTC devices employ a method to test-decode broadcast signals using a selected CE level, iteratively adjusting the CE level based on successful decoding attempts, and measuring downlink signal path loss to determine the optimal CE level for reliable communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a higher CE level is selected to ensure reliable communication, then communication reliability is improved, but battery consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidbattery consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by measuring downlink signal path loss before selecting the CE level. This advance measurement allows the device to determine the appropriate CE level proactively, avoiding the need to use higher CE levels unnecessarily, thus preventing excessive battery consumption while ensuring reliable communication from the outset

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring communication quality and adjusting the CE level accordingly. The device measures downlink signal path loss and uses this feedback to dynamically select the optimal CE level, ensuring reliable communication while minimizing battery consumption by avoiding unnecessarily high CE levels

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Use of energy by moving object

If a lower CE level is selected to reduce battery consumption, then power efficiency is improved, but transmission reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower efficiencyVSAvoidtransmission reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary measurement of downlink signal path loss before CE level selection. This advance action enables the device to accurately determine the minimum necessary CE level that ensures transmission reliability, avoiding both excessive power consumption from overly conservative selections and reliability failures from overly aggressive power saving

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the CE level parameter dynamically based on measured downlink signal path loss. By adjusting this key parameter according to actual channel conditions, the system achieves optimal balance between power efficiency and transmission reliability, selecting the lowest CE level that still ensures reliable communication

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If erroneous CE level selection occurs, then system complexity is reduced, but transmission failures increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveCE level selection complexityVSAvoidtransmission success rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces complex trial-and-error or heuristic-based CE level selection mechanisms with a direct measurement-based approach. By substituting the mechanical/algorithmic complexity of multiple testing scenarios with a straightforward downlink signal path loss measurement and corresponding lookup table, the system reduces implementation complexity while improving transmission success rate through accurate CE level determination

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3311613B1Coverage enhancement level determination
Publication Date: 2019.07.24 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3311613B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3311613B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3311613B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A wireless device may determine a coverage enhancement (CE) level (or coverage extension) by attempting to decode a received broadcast signal. The wireless device may attempt to decode a portion of the broadcast signal using a CE level that is less than the CE level of the broadcast. If the decoding attempt is successfully, the CE level may be declared as an operating CE level. If decoding is unsuccessful, the CE level may be increased decoding retried. The wireless device may continue to test-decode the broadcast signal at new (e.g., increasing) CE levels until a CE level is sufficient for a decode and is declared the operating CE level of the wireless device. In some cases, the wireless device test-decodes a broadcast channel after selecting a CE level based on a path loss measurement of a downlink signal (e.g., reference signal).