Mobile Network Device Selective MDT Collection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current drive testing methods for mobile radio communications networks are inefficient and costly, producing varying results over time and generating environmental emissions, while existing Minimization of Drive Testing (MDT) solutions face challenges in distinguishing between Machine-Type Communications (MTC) and non-MTC devices, leading to unnecessary data collection and signaling overhead.
Innovation Solution
A mobile radio communications network device that selectively chooses devices for network performance measurements based on specified parameters, excluding MTC devices with characteristics like low mobility, low power consumption, or insufficient memory, to reduce signaling overhead and focus on human-controlled devices for network optimization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If MDT measurements are collected from all UE devices including MTC devices, then comprehensive network coverage data is obtained, but signaling overhead and data collection burden increase unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the selection parameter from inclusive (all UE devices) to exclusive (excluding MTC devices with specific characteristics). The network device evaluates UE characteristics such as mobility patterns, device type, and usage behavior to identify and exclude MTC devices from MDT measurements, thereby reducing signaling overhead while maintaining measurement quality from relevant human-controlled devices
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different measurement collection strategies to different UE types. Human-controlled devices are selected for MDT measurements due to their representative mobility patterns and usage behaviors, while MTC devices are excluded. This localized quality approach ensures that measurements are collected from devices that provide meaningful network optimization insights without the overhead of collecting data from all device types
2Reliability
If drive tests are performed frequently to capture network behavior at different loads, then network performance prediction improves, but environmental emissions and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical drive tests with automated MDT measurements collected from stationary or mobile UE devices. Instead of physically transporting test equipment to different locations, the system utilizes existing UE devices that naturally move through the network and collect measurements, thereby eliminating vehicle emissions while maintaining the ability to capture network behavior under different load conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables UE devices to autonomously perform measurements and report data without requiring external coordination or physical transport. Each UE device self-selects to participate in MDT based on its characteristics and naturally collects network performance data during its normal operation, eliminating the need for organized drive test campaigns and their associated environmental costs
3Adaptability or versatility
If MTC devices are included in MDT processes, then device diversity in measurements is increased, but data relevance for human communications optimization decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the selection criterion from diverse inclusion to targeted exclusion based on device characteristics. By evaluating parameters such as mobility patterns, device type, and usage behavior, the system identifies MTC devices that lack representative characteristics for human communications and excludes them, thereby maintaining measurement relevance while achieving diversity through selective inclusion of human-controlled devices
Data Source
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AI summary
There is provided a mobile radio communications network device (402) operative to collect network performance measurements and to select at least one mobile radio communications device (400) from which network performance measurements are to be collected if at least one parameter of the at least one mobile radio communication device (400) corresponds to at least one specified selection parameter. The at least one specified selection parameter is data identifying at least one mobile radio communication device characteristic. There are also provided a signal to be employed by such a network device, a mobile radio communications device operative for configuration by such a network device, related methods of such devices, and a related mobile radio communications system.