UE Base Station Selection via Relative Prioritization
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication networks transitioning from 4G to 5G, there is a challenge in effectively segregating user equipment (UEs) among base stations based on their capabilities, leading to undesired connectivity issues when using coverage-strength thresholds to prioritize EN-DC-capable UEs over 4G-only UEs, resulting in potential loss of connectivity for 4G-only UEs.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a mechanism where base stations prioritize UE types and convey this prioritization to UEs, allowing them to select the base station that gives higher priority, even if stronger coverage is detected from another base station, ensuring EN-DC-capable UEs connect to EN-DC-capable base stations and 4G-only UEs connect to 4G-only base stations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If coverage-strength thresholds are used to prioritize EN-DC-capable UEs over 4G-only UEs, then network capacity for 5G services is improved, but connectivity reliability for 4G-only UEs deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the base station population into two distinct groups: EN-DC-capable base stations and 4G-only base stations. This segmentation allows the network to direct EN-DC-capable UEs to EN-DC-capable base stations for enhanced 5G services while directing 4G-only UEs to 4G-only base stations, ensuring each UE type connects to appropriately capable infrastructure and preventing connectivity loss for 4G-only devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by providing different prioritization treatments to different UE types based on their capabilities. EN-DC-capable UEs receive prioritized access to EN-DC-capable base stations, while 4G-only UEs are ensured connectivity to 4G-only base stations. This differentiated approach ensures that each UE type receives the appropriate level of service quality matched to its capabilities.
2Productivity
If base stations prioritize serving EN-DC-capable UEs, then network efficiency is improved, but service coverage for 4G-only UEs deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments both base stations and UEs into capability-based groups, creating dedicated service paths. EN-DC-capable base stations are designated to serve EN-DC-capable UEs, while 4G-only base stations serve 4G-only UEs. This segmentation ensures efficient resource utilization for 5G services while maintaining universal coverage for 4G devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains universality by ensuring that both EN-DC-capable base stations and 4G-only base stations remain operational and available for their respective UE types. The network as a whole provides multi-functional service capability, supporting both EN-DC and traditional 4G services through different base station subsets, thereby maintaining broad service coverage.
3Ease of operation
If UE selects base station based on coverage strength only, then connection establishment is simplified, but UE-type/base station-type matching deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having base stations pre-indicate their prioritization status and capability information to UEs before connection establishment. UEs use this advance information to filter and select appropriate base stations based on both coverage strength and capability compatibility, ensuring proper UE-type/base station-type matching while maintaining simplified connection procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
In an wireless communication system, base stations will be set to prioritize serving one type of user equipment device (UE) over another type of UE, and each base station's respective prioritization will be conveyed to UEs to facilitate base station selection. That way, when a UE faces a choice of whether to connect with one base station or another, the UE could determine which base station gives higher priority to the UE's type and could connect with that base station, even if the UE detects stronger coverage of the other base station. And if the UE finds itself in coverage of a base station that gives lower priority to the UE's type than to another UE type, the UE could still connect with that base station unless the UE finds another base station that gives higher priority to the UE's type.