ProSe-Enabled PLMN Selection for D2D Communication

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication systems, device-to-device (D2D) communication devices face challenges in selecting the correct Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) to ensure continuous proximity services, as incorrect selection can disrupt D2D communication.

Innovation Solution

A communication device is configured to detect PLMNs that do or do not provide proximity services (ProSe) during a search and selectively camp on a PLMN that offers ProSe, ensuring service continuity by prioritizing PLMNs listed as ProSe-allowed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the UE selects a PLMN arbitrarily during PLMN search, then the device can quickly camp on a PLMN, but the D2D communication may be disrupted if the selected PLMN does not provide proximity service

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveD2D communication continuityVSAvoidPLMN selection time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the UE with a list of PLMNs that are known to support proximity services (ProSe-allowed PLMNs) before the actual PLMN selection process. This allows the UE to prioritize and select from pre-identified suitable PLMNs, avoiding the need to test all available PLMNs and ensuring faster, more reliable D2D communication setup.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the UE reports detected PLMNs and their ProSe capabilities back to the network side. This feedback loop allows the network to provide guidance on suitable PLMN selections, and enables the UE to learn from previous selection outcomes to optimize future PLMN choices, thereby improving both speed and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If the UE searches for multiple PLMNs to ensure ProSe support, then the D2D communication reliability is improved, but the PLMN search time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovePLMN selection accuracyVSAvoidPLMN search process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the PLMN search process into multiple stages: first searching for PLMNs in a predefined ProSe-allowed list, then performing supplementary searches only if necessary. This segmentation divides the complex task of verifying ProSe support into manageable phases, reducing overall complexity while maintaining high reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by requiring the UE to search only a subset of PLMNs (those in the ProSe-allowed list) before concluding the search process. This partial search approach is sufficient to ensure reliable D2D communication without requiring exhaustive search of all possible PLMNs, thereby reducing complexity while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS10873901B2Device of handling selection of public land mobile network for device-to-device communication

Publication Date: 2020.12.22 HTC CORP

AI summary

A communication device for handling a selection of a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) for a device-to-device (D2D) communication comprises a storage unit for storing instructions and a processing means coupled to the storage unit. The processing means is configured to execute the instructions stored in the storage unit. The instructions comprise detecting a first PLMN and a second PLMN when performing at least one PLMN search, wherein the first PLMN does not provide a proximity service (ProSe) and the second PLMN provides the ProSe; and selecting the second PLMN to camp on the second PLMN.