UE BPLMN Search During Connected Mode DRX

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems face inefficiencies in performing better PLMN searches and inter-technology handovers due to resource-intensive processes, especially when multimode user equipment operates in connected mode discontinuous reception (CDRX).

Innovation Solution

The user equipment (UE) detects a trigger for a better PLMN search during CDRX and determines if it is configured for a manual search, performing the search if the CDRX duration is greater than or equal to the minimum required time, allowing for manual BPLMN searches to be completed within the connected mode.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the UE performs BPLMN search during connected mode CDRX, then the search efficiency is improved and handover latency is reduced, but the device complexity and resource consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveBPLMN search efficiencyVSAvoidsearch process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the BPLMN search process adaptive to the CDRX cycle characteristics. The search is dynamically scheduled within the CDRX on-duration window, and the search parameters are adjusted based on the remaining CDRX duration and minimum search time requirements. This dynamic adaptation allows the search to be performed during connected mode without requiring system changes, resolving the contradiction between search efficiency and device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing the BPLMN search during the CDRX on-duration window before the UE transitions to idle mode. By initiating and completing the search while still in connected mode, the UE prepares for potential handover in advance, reducing handover latency and improving search efficiency without adding significant complexity to the overall system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the UE transitions to idle state to perform BPLMN search, then the search can be completed with sufficient resources, but the handover latency increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesearch completion reliabilityVSAvoidhandover latency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies continuity of useful action by maintaining the BPLMN search process within the connected mode CDRX cycle rather than interrupting connectivity to perform idle mode search. The search is continuously performed during the on-duration window, ensuring both reliable search completion and minimal handover latency by avoiding state transitions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Use of energy by moving object

If the CDRX duration is shortened to reduce power consumption, then energy efficiency is improved, but the time available for manual BPLMN search decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidsearch time availability
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting the BPLMN search parameters based on the CDRX duration. When CDRX duration is short, the search is performed with optimized parameters within the available on-duration window. The minimum search time requirement is used as a threshold parameter to determine whether the search can be completed, allowing the system to adapt to different CDRX configurations while maintaining energy efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2974460B1Method and apparatuses for performing better PLMN search during connected mode drx
Publication Date: 2019.12.11 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP2974460B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2974460B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2974460B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed are methods and apparatus for performing a better PLMN (BPLMN) search during connected mode DRX. In one aspect, a user equipment (UE) detects a trigger to begin a BPLMN search while in connected mode discontinuous reception (CDRX); determines whether it is configured for a manual BPLMN search; determine whether the CDRX duration is greater than or equal to the minimum amount of time required to perform the manual BPLMN search; and when determined that the CDRX duration is greater than or equal to the minimum amount of time required for the BPLMN search, performs the manual BPLMN search while in the CDRX.