Radio Resource Configuration Conversion for MTC Signaling Overhead

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Solution Overview

Problem

Base stations face challenges in efficiently transmitting multiple radio resource configurations for various coverage enhancement levels to Machine-Type Communication (MTC) User Equipments (UEs), leading to increased data size and signaling overhead.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves using a conversion factor to derive radio resource configuration values for higher coverage enhancement levels from a base value, reducing the need for explicit transmission of these values and minimizing data size.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If base stations explicitly transmit multiple radio resource configurations for different coverage enhancement levels, then MTC UEs can access appropriate configurations, but the data size and signaling overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradio resource configuration adaptabilityVSAvoiddata size

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential base value and conversion factor from the complete set of radio resource configurations, transmitting minimal information while enabling UEs to derive full configurations through calculation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The conversion factor acts as an intermediary element that bridges the base value and derived configurations for different coverage enhancement levels, enabling indirect configuration transmission rather than direct explicit signaling of all parameters

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If base stations transmit complete radio resource configurations for each coverage enhancement level, then configuration accuracy is ensured, but signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration accuracyVSAvoidsignaling overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates derived configurations by copying and transforming the base value through mathematical operations using conversion factors, rather than transmitting independent complete configurations for each coverage enhancement level

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP4391698B1Base station, radio terminal, and methods therein

Publication Date: 2025.04.09 NEC CORP

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AI summary

A radio terminal (1) receives from a base station (2) a first value (601) of a first radio resource configuration information element. The first value (601) is associated with normal coverage or with a first coverage enhancement level. The radio terminal (1) derives a second value (604) of the first radio resource configuration information element by converting (603) the first value (601) using a value of a conversion factor (602). The second value (604) is associated with a second coverage enhancement level. It is thus, for example, possible to contribute to reduction of data size necessary for the base station to notify the radio terminal of a plurality of radio resource configurations for a plurality of coverage enhancement levels.