Network-Based Multiple Radio Link Setup for 5G

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current 5G wireless systems using millimeter wave (MMW) frequencies face challenges with high radio resource consumption and energy inefficiency due to the need for extensive paging mechanisms and continuous operation of MMW base stations, especially when the location of mobile stations is unknown and beamforming gains are limited.

Innovation Solution

A network-based method that allows mobile stations to transmit capability information for using MMW radio links, enabling the network to determine and set up MMW connections only when necessary, thereby avoiding dedicated paging mechanisms and optimizing energy usage by switching radio equipment between active and sleep modes based on demand.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If paging mechanisms are used to locate mobile stations in MMW radio cells, then mobile stations can be reached, but radio resource consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemobile station reachabilityVSAvoidradio resource consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The network determines and stores capability information indicating whether a mobile station is capable of using MMW radio links in advance, before paging is needed. This preliminary knowledge allows the network to avoid paging MMW cells for mobile stations that cannot use MMW links, thereby reducing radio resource consumption while maintaining reliable reachability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If MMW base stations are permanently active to provide coverage, then continuous service is available, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice availabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables dynamic switching of MMW radio equipment between active and sleep modes based on actual service demand. By using capability information to determine when MMW links are needed, the system can activate MMW base stations only when serving mobile stations that support MMW, and switch them to sleep mode when not needed, thus maintaining service availability while reducing energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If mobile stations continuously scan for MMW radio cells, then MMW connections can be established, but energy consumption at mobile station increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveMMW connection capabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption at mobile station
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile station transmits its capability information indicating MMW radio link capability in advance during initial network access or registration. The network stores this information and uses it to determine whether to set up MMW radio links and send paging messages. This eliminates the need for mobile stations to continuously scan for MMW cells, as the network already knows their capability and can proactively establish connections when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Productivity

If MMW radio links are set up for all mobile stations, then high data rates are available, but radio resources are wasted on stations that cannot use MMW

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata rate capabilityVSAvoidradio resource waste
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different radio link configurations to different mobile stations based on their individual capabilities. Mobile stations with MMW capability receive MMW radio link setup information and can utilize high data rates, while those without MMW capability continue to use conventional LTE radio links. This localized adaptation ensures that radio resources are efficiently allocated according to each station's actual capabilities, avoiding waste while enabling high productivity where possible.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3016440B1Methods for setting up multiple radio links in a radio communication system, network-based sub-system, mobile station and computer program thereof
Publication Date: 2020.08.26 ALCATEL LUCENT SA
  • EP3016440B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3016440B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3016440B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The embodiments of the invention relate to a network-based method for setting up multiple radio links in a radio communication system. The network-based method contains receiving from a mobile station (MS) via a first radio link (IMT-RL) operated in a first predefined wavelength range capability information (MMW-B-CAP-INFO) for being capable to use a second radio link operable in a second predefined wavelength range, determining to serve the mobile station (MS) by the second radio link based on the capability information (MMW-B-CAP-INFO), and transmitting to the mobile station (MS) via the first radio link (IMT-RL) set up information (INS-MMW-SETUP) for setting up the second radio link (MMW-RL). The embodiments further relate to a mobile station based method for setting up multiple radio links in a radio communication system. The mobile station based method contains transmitting to a network module (IMT-MME) of the radio communication system via a first radio link (IMT-RL) operated in a first predefined wavelength range capability information (MMW-B-CAP-INFO) for being capable to use a second radio link operable in a second predefined wavelength range, receiving from the network module (IMT-MME) via the first radio link (IMT-RL) set up information (INS-MMW-SETUP) for setting up the second radio link, and setting up a connection to the radio communication system via the second radio link based on the set up information (INS-MMW-SETUP). The embodiments even further relate to a network-based sub-system, to a mobile station (MS) and to a computer program for setting up multiple radio links in a radio communication system.