Extended Broadcast Period for MTC System Information Decoding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless cellular networks face challenges in transmitting system information to enhanced coverage user equipment (UEs) due to high latency and power consumption, particularly for machine-type communication devices, which struggle to decode SIB1 within the broadcast channel modification period, leading to inefficient operations and battery drain.

Innovation Solution

The method involves increasing the minimum broadcast channel modification period for limited-bandwidth devices to at least 10.24 seconds and introducing a new, compact System Information Block (M-SIB1) with a broadcast channel change notification tag and barring indication flag, allowing enhanced coverage devices to read all system information blocks within the period and reducing unnecessary reading efforts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the broadcast channel modification period is kept short for normal devices, then network responsiveness is improved, but enhanced coverage devices cannot decode all SIBs within the period

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork responsivenessVSAvoidSIB decoding completeness
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments system information into different categories: SIB1-SIB13 for normal devices and M-SIB1-M-SIB14 for enhanced coverage devices. This segmentation allows each device type to receive appropriately sized information blocks that can be decoded within their respective time constraints, resolving the contradiction between fast network responsiveness and complete SIB decoding for enhanced coverage devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by providing different broadcast channel modification periods for different device types: a shorter period for normal devices to maintain network responsiveness, and a longer period (at least 10.24 seconds) for enhanced coverage devices to ensure they can decode all M-SIBs completely. This localized optimization resolves the contradiction by tailoring the parameter to each device category's specific needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If enhanced coverage devices repeatedly read SIBs to ensure decoding, then decoding reliability is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedecoding reliabilityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by providing M-SIBs that contain complete system information for enhanced coverage devices in advance, within a single extended broadcast channel modification period. This eliminates the need for repeated reading attempts, as devices can decode all necessary information in one go, thereby improving decoding reliability while reducing power consumption by avoiding redundant transmissions and receptions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables self-service by designing M-SIBs with self-contained system information that allows enhanced coverage devices to autonomously decode complete information without needing to repeatedly attempt reading or request additional transmissions. The extended broadcast period provides sufficient time for these devices to complete decoding independently, reducing both reliability issues and power consumption from repeated operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If M-SIBs are transmitted with extended broadcast period, then enhanced coverage devices can decode all SIBs, but latency for receiving system information increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomplete SIB receptionVSAvoidreception latency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments system information reception into two parallel paths: normal devices continue using the existing shorter broadcast period for SIB1-SIB13, while enhanced coverage devices use the extended period for M-SIB1-M-SIB14. This segmentation allows each device type to experience latency optimized for their specific requirements, resolving the contradiction between complete SIB reception and minimized latency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by implementing different broadcast channel modification periods for different device categories. Normal devices experience the original shorter period maintaining low latency, while enhanced coverage devices benefit from the extended period (at least 10.24 seconds) that ensures complete M-SIB decoding. This localized parameter optimization resolves the contradiction by tailoring the time parameter to each device type's capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Productivity

If SIB1 reading is attempted during short broadcast period, then network efficiency is maintained, but reading may be incomplete leading to vain operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork efficiencyVSAvoidSIB1 reading completion
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the SIB1 reading function into two separate information blocks: SIB1 for normal devices with short broadcast periods, and M-SIB1 for enhanced coverage devices with extended broadcast periods. This segmentation ensures that each device type reads appropriately sized information blocks that can be completely decoded within their respective time constraints, eliminating vain reading operations while maintaining network efficiency for both device categories.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by providing different broadcast channel modification periods tailored to each device type's reading capabilities. Normal devices use the shorter period that maintains network efficiency, while enhanced coverage devices use the extended period (at least 10.24 seconds) that guarantees complete M-SIB1 reading. This localized optimization resolves the contradiction by matching the time parameter to each device category's specific reading requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3281420B1Method for transfer of information in a wireless cellular network with LC-MTC devices
Publication Date: 2020.12.02 THALES DIS AIS DEUT GMBH
  • EP3281420B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3281420B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3281420B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for transmitting system information from a base station to a user equipment, the user equipment being a limited-bandwidth device, camping on the base station, wherein the system information is divided in a plurality of system information blocks (M-SIB), which are at least once transmitted during one broadcast channel modification period (3), wherein the minimum broadcast channel modification period (3) for limited- bandwidth devices lasts at least 10,24 seconds.