Network Search Information for Wireless Network Discovery
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication systems, user equipment (UE) face inefficiencies in searching for and acquiring radio access networks due to the need to scan multiple radio frequency spectrum bands and radio access technologies, leading to increased time and power consumption, battery life degradation, and performance issues.
Innovation Solution
The UE receives network search information from a centralized entity or base station, which includes sector-sweep timing information and indicates specific frequencies to scan, allowing it to focus its search operations on available bands and reduce resource expenditure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the UE scans all supported radio frequency spectrum bands and radio access technologies to ensure comprehensive network discovery, then the reliability of network acquisition is improved, but the time and power consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The network pre-determines and provides sector-sweep timing information to the UE before the UE performs network scanning. This allows the UE to know in advance when directional transmissions will occur, enabling it to scan only at appropriate times rather than continuously scanning all bands, thus reducing search time while maintaining reliable network acquisition
Solution Approach 2:
The solution focuses scanning efforts on specific frequencies and time intervals where networks are actually present and active, rather than uniformly scanning all supported bands. The network provides location-based information to guide the UE to scan only relevant frequency ranges, concentrating resources on areas with actual network presence
2Reliability
If the UE scans all supported radio frequency spectrum bands and radio access technologies to ensure comprehensive network discovery, then the reliability of network acquisition is improved, but the power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The network provides sector-sweep timing information in advance, allowing the UE to schedule its scanning operations only during intervals when networks are actively transmitting. This prevents the UE from continuously scanning all bands, significantly reducing power consumption while ensuring reliable network acquisition when networks are actually present
Solution Approach 2:
The solution directs the UE to scan only specific frequency ranges and time intervals where networks are known to be active, based on location information provided by the network. This concentrated scanning approach reduces power consumption compared to exhaustive scanning of all supported bands
3Productivity
If the UE performs comprehensive scanning across multiple frequencies to ensure complete network discovery, then the productivity of network acquisition is improved, but the time required for scanning increases
Solution Approach 1:
The network pre-provides sector-sweep timing information that enables the UE to efficiently target its scanning operations. This preliminary information allows the UE to skip unnecessary frequency ranges and time intervals, improving acquisition efficiency without requiring exhaustive scanning of all bands
Solution Approach 2:
The solution dynamically adjusts the scanning parameters (frequency ranges, time intervals) based on location information and network-provided sector-sweep timing. This adaptive parameter adjustment optimizes the scanning process to focus on relevant frequencies only, improving productivity while reducing scanning time
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communication are described. A user equipment (UE) may receive network search information related to the accessible bands. In some examples, the UE may receive network search information from a server that has access to the network search information. The UE may receive the network search information directly from the server or through another wireless device. In other examples, a base station may broadcast network search information on an anchor carrier. The UE may tune to a carrier of a first radio access network to receive the network search information and use the network search information to assist connecting to a second radio access network. The network search information may include, for example, a network name or network ID, a technology type, band or channel information, security information or credentials.