Prioritized Scanning for 5G System Acquisition
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Solution Overview
Problem
The deployment of 5G networks is hindered by prolonged system acquisition times due to the need for user equipment (UE) to scan wide frequency bands, especially in areas with sparse 5G coverage, leading to inefficient and battery-consuming initial service discovery and re-acquisition processes.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a prioritized scanning approach where 4G base stations broadcast information about neighboring 5G base stations, allowing UEs to efficiently search for 5G frequencies by narrowing the scanning range, and prioritizing 5G connectivity over 4G when 5G coverage is available, using System Information Block 24 (SIB 24) to expedite the search for 5G base stations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If UE scans wide frequency bands to acquire 5G networks, then 5G connectivity is achieved, but system acquisition time is prolonged
Solution Approach 1:
4G base stations perform preliminary action by broadcasting information about neighboring 5G base stations in System Information Block 24 before the UE needs to scan for 5G networks. This advance disclosure of 5G frequency and cell information allows the UE to skip unnecessary scanning steps and directly connect to 5G networks when available, thereby reducing system acquisition time while maintaining reliable 5G connectivity.
2Reliability
If UE scans wide frequency bands for 5G networks, then network acquisition is achieved, but battery energy is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The 4G base station performs preliminary action by pre-broadcasting 5G network information in System Information Block 24. This eliminates the need for the UE to perform energy-intensive wide frequency band scanning, as the required 5G frequency and cell information is already provided by the 4G network. The UE can directly transition to 5G connectivity without consuming excessive battery energy on unnecessary scans.
3Productivity
If UE prioritizes scanning 5G bands, then 5G service is accessed, but scanning range is excessive in areas with sparse 5G coverage
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by providing 5G network information selectively through 4G base stations based on local coverage conditions. When a 4G base station has knowledge of neighboring 5G cells (indicating local 5G availability), it broadcasts this information in System Information Block 24. This localized information delivery ensures the UE only scans within relevant local areas rather than performing excessive wide-area scanning, thereby improving 5G service access efficiency while reducing unnecessary scanning range.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for prioritizing scanning to improve system acquisition includes scanning, by a user equipment device (UE), for base stations associated with a first radio access technology (RAT); establishing, by the UE, a first wireless channel between the UE and a first base station based on the first RAT; determining, by the UE, whether information associated with a second RAT was received via the first wireless channel; scanning, by the UE, for base stations associated with the second RAT in response to receiving the information via the first wireless channel, where the scanning is based on the received information; determining, by the UE, whether a second wireless channel based on the second RAT is established between the UE and a second base station; and camping, by the UE, on the second base station associated with the second RAT in response to determining that the second wireless channel was established.