Non-Anchor Carrier Utilization for NB-IoT Load Balancing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In NB-IoT systems, the existing methods for distributing UEs for random access and paging procedures across anchor and non-anchor carriers face challenges in load balancing and performance disparities, leading to inefficiencies and suboptimal resource utilization.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves configuring random access and paging resources across both anchor and non-anchor carriers based on Enhanced Coverage (EC) levels, with load balancing mechanisms that ensure equal collision rates across carriers, and signaling mechanisms to optimize UE carrier selection, allowing for flexible distribution of UEs and resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If non-anchor carriers are used for random access and paging procedures, then overall system capacity is increased, but load balancing and performance disparities across carriers become more complex to manage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by configuring different carriers with different capabilities - some carriers support random access while others only support paging, and some support both. This allows the system to optimize resource allocation by matching UE procedures to appropriate carriers based on their specific capabilities, thereby increasing overall system capacity while managing complexity through differentiated carrier roles
2Productivity
If random access resources are configured on multiple carriers, then random access capacity is increased, but collision rates become harder to balance across carriers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes parameters by configuring random access resources differently on each carrier based on their capabilities and load conditions. The network can adjust the number of random access opportunities, resource allocations, and carrier selection parameters dynamically to maintain balanced collision rates across multiple carriers while increasing overall random access capacity
3Productivity
If paging resources are distributed across multiple carriers, then paging capacity is increased, but signaling overhead for UE carrier selection increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments paging functionality by designating specific carriers as paging-capable and configuring UEs with targeted paging resource information. Instead of providing complete paging resource information for all carriers, the network divides paging responsibilities across carriers and provides selective configuration to UEs, thereby increasing paging capacity while minimizing signaling overhead
4Ease of operation
If all carriers are made equivalent for random access, then resource utilization is simplified, but performance disparities due to power boost and other factors cannot be optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by allowing different carriers to have different resource allocation strategies based on their performance characteristics. Carriers with power boost or better propagation conditions can be configured with higher capacity random access resources, while other carriers use standard configurations, thereby optimizing overall system performance while maintaining operational simplicity through rule-based differentiation
Data Source
AI summary
Methods are provided for assisting a UE to select a carrier for paging monitoring or for use in a random access request from a set of carriers comprise an anchor carrier and at least one non-anchor carrier. In one example, a carrier is selected based on a probability value associated with at least one of the carriers of the set.