UE Coverage Enhancement Mode Adaptation in Wireless Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication systems, Machine Type Communication (MTC) devices experience significant penetration losses in extreme coverage scenarios due to their location in shielded environments, leading to inefficient resource usage and power consumption when always configured for coverage enhancement, and there is a lack of clear methods for determining when to apply coverage enhancement operations during handovers.
Innovation Solution
A method where User Equipments (UEs) in wireless communication systems determine their enhanced coverage mode by analyzing the number of repetitions in downlink transmissions, allowing them to adaptively perform uplink transmissions with or without repetitions, and notify the eNodeB accordingly, thereby optimizing resource usage and power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If UEs are always configured for coverage enhancement operations, then coverage reliability is improved, but power consumption and resource occupation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by enabling UEs to transition between coverage enhancement modes (first and second modes) based on real-time signal quality assessment. The UE dynamically adjusts whether to use repetition-based coverage enhancement or normal transmission operations, optimizing the balance between coverage reliability and power consumption according to actual channel conditions rather than being fixed in one mode.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the UE by configuring different transmission modes with distinct characteristics. In the first mode, the UE uses repetition operations with specific parameters (e.g., repetition count, timing) while in the second mode it uses normal transmission parameters. This parameter switching allows the system to adapt coverage enhancement intensity based on signal conditions.
2Reliability
If UEs always use coverage enhancement operations, then signal transmission reliability is improved, but radio resources are occupied unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically allocates radio resources by having UEs switch between coverage enhancement modes based on signal quality. When signal conditions are poor, the UE enters the first mode and consumes additional radio resources for repetitions. When signal conditions improve, the UE transitions to the second mode, releasing those additional resources for other UEs, thus optimizing resource utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the UE continuously assesses downlink signal quality and uses this feedback to determine whether to use coverage enhancement operations. The eNodeB also provides feedback through handover commands that include coverage enhancement configuration, enabling adaptive resource allocation based on real-time channel conditions.
3Reliability
If coverage enhancement operations are applied during handover, then handover reliability is improved, but handover speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring coverage enhancement parameters in handover commands before the actual handover execution. The eNodeB includes coverage enhancement configuration (such as repetition counts and timing) in the handover command, so that when the UE executes the handover, it already has the necessary parameters ready, reducing the time needed to establish reliable coverage during the transition.
Solution Approach 2:
During handover, the system dynamically determines whether coverage enhancement is needed based on the target cell's signal conditions. The UE assesses the downlink signal quality in the target cell and decides whether to use the first or second transmission mode, allowing the handover to be optimized for both reliability and speed based on real-time conditions rather than applying a fixed approach.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of handling coverage enhancement for a UE of a wireless communication system comprises determining whether the UE is in an enhanced coverage mode according to the number of repetitions of a downlink transmission based on which the UE successfully decodes a system information block (SIB); and performing an uplink transmission with repetitions or without repetitions based on whether the UE is in the enhanced coverage mode.