Time-of-Arrival Range Filter for 5G Resource Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current mechanisms for handling scenarios like mass events, smart attacks, and cell capacity management in 5G networks are inadequate, particularly in isolating high radio-resource demand groups, managing cell capacity, and minimizing radio resource consumption.

Innovation Solution

A time-of-arrival range filter method that allows user equipment (UE) to determine its distance to a network node using reference signal transmission and reception times, enabling configuration-based actions for efficient resource allocation and filtering.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If range-based filtering is implemented to isolate high radio-resource demand groups, then resource management efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional time-of-arrival measurements and distance calculations required at the UE

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource management efficiencyVSAvoidUE processing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The UE autonomously performs time-of-arrival measurements, distance calculations, and range filter evaluations using locally stored configuration parameters. The UE self-determines whether it falls within the restricted range and self-applies the appropriate configuration without requiring network node verification or additional signaling, thereby improving resource management efficiency while avoiding excessive complexity through autonomous decision-making

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The network node pre-configures the UE with time-of-arrival filter parameters, distance ranges, and applicable configurations before the UE needs to make filtering decisions. This preliminary provision of configuration data enables the UE to perform efficient local evaluations without requiring complex real-time network coordination, resolving the contradiction between improved resource management and reduced device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Area of stationary object

If time-of-arrival based distance calculation is performed to enable range-based filtering, then coverage management is improved, but radio resource consumption increases due to additional reference signal processing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidradio resource consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The reference signals are designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: they enable standard channel estimation and demodulation, and also provide the time-of-arrival measurements needed for distance calculation and range-based filtering. By making the reference signals multi-functional, the patent improves coverage management through accurate distance measurement without requiring additional dedicated signaling resources, thus avoiding increased radio resource consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Loss of information

If UE autonomously determines distance and applies range filters, then signaling overhead is reduced, but measurement precision requirements increase to ensure accurate distance calculation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignaling overheadVSAvoidtime-of-arrival measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The network node provides feedback in the form of pre-configured parameters including reference signal transmission times, filter distance ranges, and applicable configuration identifiers. The UE uses this feedback information to guide its autonomous measurements and decisions, ensuring that measurements are performed with appropriate precision thresholds and that the autonomous operation does not compromise measurement accuracy while still reducing signaling overhead

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This method enhances resource management, reduces radio resource consumption, and improves coverage by allowing UE to differentiate handling based on distance, reducing the impact of high-demand areas and smart attacks without additional signaling.

Implementation Method 1

determining a time difference between the reference signal physical reception time and the reference signal physical transmission time; calculating a distance to the network node based on the time difference

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTime of Flight: Time of Flight

Data Source

PatentUS11802950B2Time-of-arrival-based method for range-based filtering

Publication Date: 2023.10.31 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY

AI summary

A disclosed method includes receiving a time-of-arrival range filter configuration and a reference signal physical transmission time from a network node at a reference signal physical reception time. The time-of-arrival range filter configuration includes at least one of a time-of-arrival filter status, a time-of-arrival filter distance range, and a time-of-arrival configuration. A time difference between the reference signal physical reception time and the reference signal physical transmission time is determined, and a distance to the network node based on the time difference is calculated. Whether the distance is within the time-of-arrival filter distance range is determined, and the time-of-arrival filter status is determined. Based on the time-of-arrival filter status, actions are performed in accordance with the time-of-arrival configuration applicable for the distance.