Proximity Services Discovery in Public Land Mobile Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Proximity discovery in public land mobile networks consumes excessive battery power and causes interference as user equipment continuously scans and transmits signals, even when no other devices are in proximity, leading to reduced service levels.
Innovation Solution
A method where user equipment announces activated proximity services to a base transceiver station, which broadcasts information to enable discovery signals only when another device with similar interests is detected, reducing unnecessary transmissions and interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If user equipment continuously transmits proximity discovery signals to detect other users in geographical proximity, then proximity service discovery capability is improved, but battery power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The base transceiver station acts as an intermediary that receives proximity discovery information from user equipment and broadcasts it to other user equipments. This eliminates the need for continuous direct peer-to-peer signal transmission between user equipments, significantly reducing their battery power consumption while maintaining proximity discovery capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of continuous transmission, user equipment transmits proximity discovery information periodically to the base transceiver station, which then broadcasts it to other user equipments in the geographic area. This periodic action reduces energy consumption compared to continuous direct transmission.
2Reliability
If user equipment continuously transmits proximity discovery signals to indicate presence and interest in proximity services, then proximity service discovery capability is improved, but interference within the vicinity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The base transceiver station serves as a mediator that consolidates proximity discovery information from multiple user equipments and broadcasts it centrally. This coordinated approach reduces random collisions and interference between simultaneous direct transmissions from multiple user equipments.
Solution Approach 2:
The base transceiver station combines proximity discovery information from multiple user equipments into a single broadcast message, reducing the total number of individual transmission signals in the vicinity and thereby reducing overall radio frequency interference.
3Reliability
If user equipment transmits proximity discovery signals even when no other devices are in proximity, then readiness for proximity service is maintained, but energy is wasted on unnecessary transmissions
Solution Approach 1:
The base transceiver station provides feedback to user equipments by broadcasting proximity discovery information received from other user equipments. User equipments can adjust their transmission behavior based on this feedback, reducing unnecessary transmissions when no other devices are actively seeking proximity services.
Solution Approach 2:
User equipments monitor the broadcasted proximity discovery information to determine if other devices are present and active. This self-service mechanism allows them to reduce or stop their own transmissions when unnecessary, conserving energy while maintaining service readiness.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for enhancing the use of proximity services in a public land mobile network, wherein the public land mobile network comprises an access network, the access network having a base transceiver station for a geographic area, wherein a plurality of user equipments within the geographic area receive control signals from the base transceiver station, wherein the plurality of user equipment are proximity services enabled user equipments, wherein – in case of an activated proximity services functionality of a user equipment – a proximity services activation information is either stored in the public land mobile network or sent by that user equipment, wherein – in case of an activated proximity services functionality of a user equipment – that user equipment emits a proximity services discovery signal, wherein the method comprises the following steps: -- in a first step, the base transceiver station receives a first proximity services activation information related to a first user equipment of the plurality of user equipments, -- in a second step, the base transceiver station receives a second proximity services activation information related to a second user equipment of the plurality of user equipments, -- in a third step, a proximity services broadcast information is sent from the base transceiver station to the plurality of user equipments within the geographic area, -- in a fourth step, the first user equipment starts to emit a first proximity services discovery signal and the second user equipment starts to emit a second proximity services discovery signal.