PLMN Switching Control via Dynamic Handover Restriction List
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless communication networks face inefficiencies in serving user devices over multiple Public Land Mobile Networks (PLMNs, leading to excessive switching that consumes network resources and delays service delivery.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method to detect excessive PLMN switching in user equipment (UE) and directing it to use a subset of PLMNs, thereby inhibiting excessive switching by temporarily removing higher-priority PLMNs from the Handover Restriction List (HRL) until the UE returns from idle mode.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the wireless communication network allows the UE to use multiple PLMNs with different priorities, then the UE can maintain service continuity and select optimal networks, but excessive PLMN switching occurs which consumes network resources and delays service delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The network controller pre-configures the Handover Restriction List (HRL) with prioritized PLMNs before the UE needs to switch networks. By establishing this ordered list in advance, the system enables flexible PLMN selection while preventing excessive switching through the predefined restriction list, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and service delivery speed.
2Reliability
If the network allows frequent PLMN switching to adapt to varying radio coverage, then the UE can maintain adequate signal strength, but network resources are consumed and service delivery is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The network controller continuously monitors PLMN switching behavior and uses this feedback to dynamically manage the HRL. When excessive switching is detected, the controller adjusts the restriction list to limit further switching, thereby maintaining signal reliability while reducing network resource consumption through intelligent feedback-based control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of PLMN selection by dynamically updating the HRL based on switching frequency thresholds. This parameter modification allows the network to adapt between strict PLMN following (for reliability) and switching limitation (for resource conservation), resolving the contradiction between signal maintenance and energy consumption.
3Productivity
If the network temporarily removes higher-priority PLMNs from the HRL to inhibit excessive switching, then service delivery speed improves, but the UE may be restricted from using optimal PLMNs during the restriction period
Solution Approach 1:
The HRL is made dynamic rather than static, allowing the network to temporarily adjust PLMN priorities based on real-time switching behavior. This dynamic modification enables the system to speed up service delivery by limiting excessive switching while automatically restoring full PLMN selection freedom when the restriction period expires, thus balancing productivity and adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless communication network exchanges user data with a User Equipment (UE) over a set of Public Mobile Land Networks (PLMNs). The wireless communication network detects excessive PLMN switching by the UE among the set of the PLMNs, and in response, directs the UE to use a subset of the PLMNs to inhibit the excessive PLMN switching. The wireless communication network exchanges subsequent data with the UE over the subset of the PLMNs.