Terminal Transmission Gap Utilization for Cell Measurements

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Asynchronous operation between GSM and UMTS networks complicates cell measurements, necessitating efficient techniques to quickly and accurately identify better cells for handover in wireless communication networks.

Innovation Solution

A terminal operates in a compressed mode, utilizing multiple transmission gap pattern sequences (GAP1, GAP2, GAP3) to efficiently make cell measurements by alternating between received signal strength indicator (RSSI) measurements, base transceiver station identity code (BSIC) identification, and BSIC re-confirmation, allowing for flexible use of transmission gaps based on specific criteria.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the terminal uses separate transmission gap patterns for RSSI measurements, BSIC identification, and BSIC re-confirmation, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecell measurement precisionVSAvoidtransmission gap pattern complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes transmission gaps multi-functional by allowing a single transmission gap to serve different purposes (RSSI measurement, BSIC identification, or BSIC re-confirmation) based on dynamic criteria. The transmission gap is used for its designated purpose or for an alternate purpose depending on whether specific criteria are satisfied, enabling one resource to fulfill multiple measurement functions and reducing the need for separate dedicated gaps for each measurement type.

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

2Reliability

If the terminal completes cell measurements quickly, then handover reliability is improved, but measurement precision may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandover reliabilityVSAvoidcell measurement precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary actions by conducting RSSI measurements first to identify candidate cells, then performing BSIC identification and re-confirmation only on those candidates. This staged approach allows quick initial screening followed by precise verification only when needed, enabling fast handover decisions while maintaining measurement accuracy for the final handover target.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by performing complete measurement sequences (RSSI + BSIC identification + BSIC re-confirmation) only for cells that meet certain criteria, rather than performing all measurements on all cells. The terminal determines whether to perform alternate purpose measurements based on criteria such as signal strength thresholds or measurement results from previous gaps, thereby reducing overall measurement time while maintaining precision for promising candidates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Measurement precision

If the terminal uses transmission gaps for their designated purposes only, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoidcell measurement productivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic adaptability by allowing the function of transmission gaps to change based on real-time criteria evaluation. The terminal assesses whether criteria are satisfied at each opportunity and dynamically switches between using the gap for its designated purpose or for an alternate purpose. This dynamic approach maximizes measurement throughput by flexibly utilizing available gaps while maintaining measurement quality through criterion-based decision-making.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP1994781B1Efficient utilization of transmission gaps for cell measurements
Publication Date: 2019.11.13 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP1994781B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1994781B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1994781B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A terminal communicates with a first wireless network and obtains a list of cells in a second wireless network to measure. The terminal operates in a compressed mode and receives multiple transmission gap pattern sequences for different measurement purposes, e.g., RSSI measurements, BSIC identification, and BSIC re-confirmation. The terminal utilizes each transmission gap for its designated purpose or an alternate purpose. For each transmission gap, the designated purpose for the transmission gap is ascertained, and whether the transmission gap is usable for an alternate purpose is also determined based on at least one criterion. The transmission gap is used for the alternate purpose if the at least one criterion is satisfied and is used for the designated purpose otherwise. For example, a transmission gap designated for RSSI measurement may be used for BSIC identification, a transmission gap designed for BSIC identification or BSIC re-confirmation may be used for RSSI measurement, and so on.