Proximity Indication Reporting Control in Small Cell Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

In complex small cell network environments, existing methods for Proximity Indication (PI) reporting are inefficient, leading to excessive information reporting and resource waste on the air interface, particularly in densely deployed small cell scenarios, which hampers accurate handover judgments and network performance.

Innovation Solution

A method and system where User Equipment (UE) receives PI information requests from the network side, allowing for controlled reporting of PI information, reducing unnecessary reporting by using specified RAT/frequency point, cell type, and geographical position information, enabling more accurate and effective PI information reporting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If UE autonomously triggers PI reporting based on stored historical information of small cells, then handover timing is improved, but excessive PI information is reported causing air interface resource waste

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandover timingVSAvoidair interface resource waste
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The network side pre-configures PI reporting control indication information and measurement control commands in RRC connection reconfiguration messages before handover scenarios occur. This preliminary configuration enables the UE to report PI information only when specific conditions are met, avoiding unnecessary reporting and reducing air interface resource waste while ensuring timely handover.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The network side receives PI information from UE and provides feedback by transmitting measurement control commands based on the reported PI data. This feedback mechanism allows the network to control and optimize PI reporting dynamically, reducing excessive reporting while maintaining accurate handover judgment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Device complexity

If network side uses simple PI reporting control indication, then system complexity is reduced, but PI information reporting accuracy deteriorates in dense small cell scenarios

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol mechanism complexityVSAvoidPI information reporting accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The PI reporting control mechanism is segmented into multiple components: PI reporting control indication information for basic control, measurement control commands for detailed measurement configuration, and PI information requests for specific data retrieval. This segmentation allows the network to achieve precise control over PI reporting accuracy in dense small cell scenarios while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular control elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3032886B1PI reporting method, UE, network device and computer storage medium
Publication Date: 2017.06.14 ZTE CORP
  • EP3032886B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3032886B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP3032886B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

Disclosed are a method and a system for reporting a Proximity Indication (PI), User Equipment (UE) and network equipment. The method includes that: UE receives a PI information request from a network side; and the UE reports PI information according to the PI information request. Based on this solution, the embodiments of the present disclosure may implement pertinent reporting of the PI information for multiple cell types under control of the network side in a complex small cell network environment, reduce unnecessary information reporting and resource waste on an air interface and enable the network side to effectively implement small cell discovery, handover judgment optimization processing and the like by virtue of the PI information reported by the UE, thereby achieving higher accuracy and effectiveness of PI information reporting and facilitating improvement in network performance.