Terminal Neighbor Cell List Filtering for Inter-RAT Handover

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current mobile communication systems face interoperability issues between 2nd-generation GSM/GPRS and 3rd-generation UMTS networks, leading to inaccurate neighbor cell information and wasteful use of network resources due to duplicated and unnecessary data transmission.

Innovation Solution

A method for receiving network configuration information that generates a neighbor cell list by filtering out duplicated data and using specific parameters like EARFCN, E-UTRAN Priority, and reception power thresholds to provide accurate neighbor cell information, allowing terminals to perform efficient cell reselection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If base stations of different RATs transmit neighbor cell information in different formats, then each RAT can provide optimized information for its specific requirements, but terminals cannot acquire accurate neighbor cell information for inter-RAT handover

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveRAT-specific information optimizationVSAvoidneighbor cell information accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal neighbor cell information structure that can accommodate multiple RAT types (GERAN, UTRAN, E-UTRAN) with a common format. The NeighbourCellInfo container uses a unified parameter structure with RAT-specific fields that can be selectively populated, allowing the same message format to serve multiple RATs while maintaining accuracy for inter-RAT handover.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The neighbor cell information is segmented into common parameters (applicable to all RATs) and RAT-specific parameters. The common parameters include basic cell identification and frequency information, while RAT-specific parameters are organized in separate containers (e.g., UTRA-NeighbourCellInfo, GERAN-NeighbourCellInfo) that are conditionally included based on the target RAT type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If neighbor cell information messages include all possible cell data, then comprehensive coverage is provided, but network resources are wasted due to duplicated and unnecessary information transmission

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation completenessVSAvoidnetwork resource wastage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential neighbor cell information parameters that are universally needed for handover operations. Unnecessary and duplicated parameters are removed from the message structure. The information is further extracted and organized into RAT-specific containers, so that only relevant information for the target RAT is transmitted, reducing overall message size and network resource consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of transmitting complete neighbor cell information for all possible RATs, the patent implements partial action by including only the necessary RAT-specific information containers in each message. The terminal receives a base set of common parameters plus selective RAT-specific parameters based on current handover needs, avoiding the excessive transmission of all possible information variants.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP2396999B1Method for receiving information on network configuration and corresponding terminal
Publication Date: 2016.08.17 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP2396999B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2396999B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2396999B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present invention provides a method for receiving information on a network configuration. The present invention is to allow a terminal to acquire accurate information on a neighbor cell. Furthermore, the present invention is to remove duplicated information from the information message on a neighbor cell, for instance, Neighboring Cell Information, thereby allowing an effective configuration thereof and preventing from using network resources wastefully.