NB-IoT Power Class Based CE Level Selection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current NB-IOT technologies fail to optimize random access procedures effectively, leading to increased failure rates and inefficient battery consumption due to the lack of consideration for the power class of user equipment in PRACH resource selection for CE level determination.

Innovation Solution

The method involves taking the power class of user equipment into account when selecting PRACH resources, adjusting RSRP thresholds based on the power class parameter to optimize CE level determination, thereby improving network access procedures in NB-IOT systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If RSRP thresholds are adjusted based on power class parameter, then random access failure rate is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverandom access failure rateVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adjusts RSRP thresholds dynamically based on the power class parameter of the user equipment. Different power classes (e.g., 14dBm, 20dBm, 23dBm) have different RSRP threshold values applied, allowing the system to adapt to varying device capabilities and reduce random access failures without requiring complex hardware changes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The user equipment autonomously determines its own power class parameter and selects appropriate PRACH resources based on adjusted RSRP thresholds. This self-service mechanism reduces the need for complex network-side control and minimizes signaling overhead while improving access reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Use of energy by moving object

If power class parameter is considered in PRACH resource selection, then battery consumption is optimized, but measurement precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery consumptionVSAvoidmeasurement precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different RSRP threshold adjustments locally tailored to each power class. Devices with lower power classes (e.g., 14dBm) receive more aggressive threshold adjustments and coverage enhancement configurations compared to higher power classes (e.g., 23dBm), optimizing battery consumption for each device category without requiring ultra-precise measurements across all devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies partial adjustments to RSRP thresholds based on power class, rather than requiring perfect precision. The adjustment mechanism uses discrete power class categories and corresponding threshold offsets, providing sufficient optimization for battery consumption without demanding extreme measurement precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP3494714B1Power class based coverage enhancement level selection

Publication Date: 2022.01.26 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3

AI summary

In accordance with the exemplary embodiments of the invention there is at least a method and apparatus to perform receiving, by a user equipment, signaling including at least one of a plurality of reference signal received power (RSRP) threshold levels; determining, by the user equipment, a power class parameter associated with the user equipment; and selecting, based on at least the at least one of the plurality of reference signal received power threshold levels and said power class parameter, a resource set of one or more resource sets to perform a network access procedure with a communication network.