Serving Cell Assistance for Neighbor Cell Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Communication systems face inefficiencies in user equipment (UE) cell detection processes, particularly in detecting neighbor cells, which can lead to increased energy consumption and delays in handovers or re-establishment of connections due to inefficient timing and resource allocation.

Innovation Solution

The method involves a serving cell transmitting assistance information to UE, including frequency location, periodicity, and number of signal repetitions for neighbor cell detection, allowing UE to determine the optimal time for detection and reducing unnecessary energy expenditure by providing specific conditions for triggering the detection process based on hardware and software configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If user equipment performs neighbour cell detection without assistance information, then the detection process can be initiated, but the energy consumption increases and detection timing becomes inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery power consumptionVSAvoiddetection timing efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The serving cell transmits assistance information to the UE in advance, including neighbor cell frequency locations, signal periodicity, and detection timing indications. This preliminary provision of detection parameters allows the UE to efficiently initiate neighbor cell detection at optimal times without performing exhaustive searches, thereby reducing both energy consumption and detection delays.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If user equipment continuously monitors for neighbour cell signals, then detection reliability improves, but energy consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection reliabilityVSAvoidbattery power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The assistance information includes indications of neighbor cell signal periodicity and suggested detection intervals. The UE can perform neighbor cell detection at these periodic intervals rather than continuously monitoring, maintaining detection reliability while significantly reducing energy consumption by keeping the receiver off between detection opportunities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Measurement precision

If user equipment processes multiple repetitions of neighbour cell signals, then detection accuracy improves, but the time required for detection increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoiddetection time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The assistance information provides the UE with the expected number of signal repetitions for each neighbor cell and the periodicity of these signals. The UE can adjust its processing parameters based on this information, knowing when to expect signal repetitions and how many to process, thereby achieving accurate detection without unnecessary waiting time or excessive processing of redundant signals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20240196296A1Method and apparatus for use in communication systems involving detection of cells

Publication Date: 2024.06.13 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY

AI summary

A technique comprising transmitting, via a serving cell, information for assisting a neighbour cell detection operation at a user equipment served by the serving cell.