Radio Configuration Time Trace for MTC Signaling Overhead
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Solution Overview
Problem
Machine-Type-Communication (MTC) devices in 5G networks face significant signaling overhead and energy consumption due to frequent synchronization and decoding of radio access parameters, which reduces radio coverage and battery life, especially for devices with low data rate requirements and infrequent transmissions.
Innovation Solution
A method where a base station generates and signals a radio configuration time trace parameter to user equipment, defining a sequence of future, time-limited radio configurations, allowing the equipment to determine when to trigger uplink radio access based on threshold comparisons, thereby reducing unnecessary signaling and energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If MTC UEs frequently synchronize, listen, and decode radio access parameters to maintain connectivity, then radio access reliability is improved, but battery life and radio coverage are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The network pre-configures MTC UEs with radio access parameters and configuration information before the UEs need to access the network. This preliminary configuration allows UEs to operate with stored parameters for extended periods without frequently listening to broadcast channels, thereby extending battery life while maintaining reliable access when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of continuous or frequent monitoring of radio access parameters, the system implements periodic updates where the network broadcasts configuration information at predetermined intervals. MTC UEs can enter low-power states between these periodic updates, significantly reducing energy consumption while maintaining the ability to access the network reliably when required.
2Reliability
If MTC UEs frequently synchronize, listen, and decode radio access parameters, then radio access reliability is improved, but radio coverage is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By pre-configuring UEs with radio access parameters and system information before they need to access the network, the system enables UEs in coverage-challenged areas to maintain connectivity using stored configuration data. This preliminary action allows UEs to operate reliably even when signal strength is weak, effectively extending the usable radio coverage area.
3Reliability
If traditional RRC configuration and scheduling signals are used for MTC, then radio access control is improved, but signaling overhead is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and separates critical radio access configuration information from frequent RRC signaling exchanges. By identifying and pre-configuring the essential parameters that do not change frequently, the system removes the need for continuous RRC configuration signaling, thereby reducing signaling overhead while maintaining effective radio access control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates universal configuration information that serves multiple MTC UEs simultaneously through broadcast channels. Instead of dedicating individual RRC configuration signals to each UE, a single broadcast message can configure multiple UEs, reducing the overall signaling overhead while maintaining effective access control for all devices.
Data Source
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AI summary
Various communication systems may benefit from an improved signaling protocol. For example, machine type communications may benefit from improved scheduling signaling. A method includes receiving at a user equipment a signal comprising a radio configuration time trace from a base station. The radio configuration time trace parameter defines future, time-limited radio configuration options for a user equipment. The method also includes determining at the user equipment a radio access action based on the received radio configuration options. In addition, the method includes using the radio configuration options to carry out the determined radio access action.