UE Cell Selection via Load Balancing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless network technologies, such as LTE, face overloading issues when multiple user equipment (UE) transition from idle to connected mode simultaneously, as they often select and join the same cell with the highest priority frequency and best channel condition, leading to network congestion.

Innovation Solution

Implementing load balancing circuitry in UE and eNBs to select wireless cells based on criteria that include channel condition and frequency priority, allowing for the selection of cells with sufficient capacity, thereby reducing the likelihood of multiple UEs joining the same cell at the same time, and using network signaling for load-based cell selection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If UEs select and join the cell with the highest priority frequency and best channel condition, then the channel quality is improved, but the cell becomes overloaded

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechannel qualityVSAvoidnumber of UEs in the cell
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the cell selection parameters by introducing load balancing considerations alongside traditional metrics like channel quality and frequency priority. The network provides load information to UEs, and UEs modify their selection criteria to include cell load status, transforming the selection process from purely quality-based to a balanced approach that prevents overload while maintaining adequate connection quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Speed

If multiple UEs join the same cell simultaneously, then the connection establishment speed is improved, but the network congestion increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection establishment speedVSAvoidnetwork congestion
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The network performs preliminary actions by broadcasting load information about candidate cells to UEs before the UEs make their selection decisions. This advance information allows UEs to distribute themselves across multiple cells proactively, preventing congestion before it occurs, while still enabling rapid connection establishment as UEs can make immediate selection decisions based on the provided load data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2901770B1Selective joinder of user equipment with wireless cell
Publication Date: 2021.05.05 APPLE INC
  • EP2901770B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2901770B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2901770B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Embodiments are described herein for selective joinder, by a user equipment ("UE"), to a wireless cell of a plurality of wireless cells. In various embodiments, this may include transitioning, by the UE, from an idle mode to a connected mode, and contemporaneously with the transition of the UE from the idle mode to the connected mode, measuring, by the UE, signals of a first plurality of cells. In various embodiments, the UE may identify, from within the first plurality of cells, a second plurality of cells having measured signals that satisfy a channel condition criterion and frequency priorities that satisfy a priority criterion. In various embodiments, the UE may be configured to select and join a cell of the second plurality of cells, randomly or based on respective loads of the second plurality of cells.