RAT Variant Compatibility Check for 5G Network Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless communication systems face issues with network selection when user equipment (UE) and base stations implement incompatible variants of radio access technology (RAT), leading to service degradation, failed connections, and delays due to incompatibilities between different standards compliant versions of 5G NR access technology.
Innovation Solution
The system and method for managing connections between UE and base stations based on compatibility, where UE determines the variant of RAT implemented by the base station through indicia such as system information broadcast messages or RRC messages, and refrains from establishing connections with incompatible variants, allowing for selection of compatible networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If UE attempts to connect to base stations without checking RAT variant compatibility, then connection speed is faster, but connection reliability deteriorates due to incompatible variants causing failed connections
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by checking RAT variant compatibility through indicia in system information broadcast messages or RRC messages before the UE attempts to establish a connection. This advance verification prevents incompatible connection attempts, ensuring reliability without significant time loss as the check occurs during initial network scanning phase
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (indicia checking of RAT variant compatibility) that mediates between the UE and base station connection process. This intermediary layer verifies compatibility before connection establishment, resolving the contradiction by filtering out incompatible targets while maintaining fast connection speed for compatible ones
2Reliability
If UE checks RAT variant compatibility before connection, then connection reliability improves, but device complexity increases due to additional compatibility verification procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The base station provides self-service by broadcasting indicia in system information messages that clearly indicate its RAT variant configuration. The UE simply reads and matches these indicia against its own capabilities, performing a straightforward comparison rather than complex compatibility analysis, thus maintaining low UE complexity while ensuring reliable connections
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the complex compatibility verification problem into a simple parameter matching task by using indicia (parameters) that directly represent RAT variant characteristics. The UE only needs to compare these parameter values against its supported variants, dramatically reducing computational complexity while maintaining connection reliability
3Adaptability or versatility
If UE connects to incompatible RAT variants, then network coverage is expanded, but service quality deteriorates due to service degradation from incompatibilities
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary compatibility verification through indicia checking before the UE establishes connections with base stations of different RAT variants. This advance check ensures that the UE only connects to compatible networks, maintaining service quality while still enabling broad network coverage by allowing connections across multiple supported variants
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the UE uses broadcast indicia from base stations to determine compatibility and make informed connection decisions. This feedback loop ensures that the UE adapts to available networks while maintaining service quality by avoiding incompatible connections, thus balancing coverage expansion with reliable service
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer-readable media, for determining whether a user equipment (UE) and a base station of a radio access network (RAN) configured to operate according to compatible variants of a standardized radio access technology (RAT). In some cases, a standard development organization for a geographic territory may modify a standardized RAT in a way that creates a new variant (also referred to as a forked deviation) of the RAT. Depending on what changes are made, the new variant may be compatible or incompatible with the original standardized RAT. This disclosure enables the UE to determine according to which variant of the RAT the RAN is configured to operate and manage connections to the RAN based whether the UE and the RAN are configured to operate according to compatible variants of the RAT.