On-Demand System Information Acquisition in Wireless Terminals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems waste valuable radio resources due to the periodic broadcast of all System Information Blocks (SIBs) in small cell deployments, where only some SIBs are necessary for system access, leading to inefficient use of resources.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for wireless terminals and radio access nodes that allow for on-demand SI message acquisition, where the wireless terminal requests specific SIBs and the access node transmits them only when requested, using a processor to manage the SI message acquisition process and include an offset value for timing adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all SIBs are periodically broadcast to ensure system access for all UEs, then system accessibility and reliability are improved, but radio resource waste increases in small cell deployments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic SI delivery mode selection that adapts between broadcast and on-demand modes based on UE requirements and network conditions. The access node determines delivery modes per SI message, enabling flexible resource allocation that maintains reliability while reducing waste in small cell environments
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different delivery modes to different SI messages based on their specific requirements. Critical SIBs for system access are broadcasted to ensure reliability, while non-critical SIBs are delivered on-demand to reduce radio resource waste, creating localized optimization for each SI message type
2Productivity
If on-demand SI message delivery is implemented to reduce radio resource usage, then resource efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases due to request management and timing coordination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies pre-configured offset values that define the time duration between SI request messages and SI message transmissions. This preliminary timing setup simplifies the on-demand process by establishing predetermined schedules, reducing the complexity of real-time coordination while maintaining resource efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements an acknowledgment mechanism where the access node sends acknowledgments for SI request messages, and UEs provide feedback regarding SI message reception. This structured feedback loop manages complexity by providing clear communication protocols and confirmation mechanisms
3Reliability
If UEs wait for offset value duration after SI request acknowledgment before acquiring SI messages, then timing coordination and resource allocation are improved, but acquisition time delay increases
Solution Approach 1:
The offset value is pre-configured and specified in advance in the SI message, allowing UEs to plan their acquisition timing. This preliminary timing arrangement improves coordination reliability by ensuring UEs know exactly when to expect SI messages, while the delay is optimized to be the minimum necessary for proper resource allocation
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless terminal communicates over a radio interface with a radio access node of a radio access network (RAN). The wireless terminal comprises receiver circuitry, transmitter circuitry, and processor circuitry. The receiver circuitry is configured to receive first type system information (SI) from the radio access node. The first type SI comprises: availability of second type SI messages, a second type SI message comprising at least one system information block (SIB) and an indication of a delivery mode for each of the second type SI messages, the delivery mode being either broadcast or on-demand basis. The transmitter circuitry is configured to transmit an SI request message to request at least one second type SI message indicated as on-demand delivery in a case where the delivery mode of the second type SI message is on-demand. The processor circuitry is configured to, after receiving from the radio access node an acknowledgement for the SI request message and before performing an SI message acquisition process, wait for a time duration specified by an offset value; and perform an SI message acquisition process. In another of its example aspects the technology disclosed herein concerns method of operating such wireless terminal.