User Equipment Dynamic Mode Switching for IoT Power Optimization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing user equipment devices, such as sensors and wearable devices, face challenges in prolonging battery life and reducing radio access network loads due to inefficient switching between different cellular radio access techniques like GSM, WCDMA, and LTE, which consume significant power and increase network loads.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a dynamic mode switching mechanism between Machine Type Communications (MTC) and Cellular Internet of Things (CIoT) networks, specifically using eMTC and NB-IoT, allowing devices to autonomously or base-station-controlled switch between these modes based on data transmission amounts, intervals, and mobility, optimizing power consumption and network resource usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If user equipment switches between multiple legacy cellular RATs (GSM, WCDMA, LTE), then network availability is improved, but power consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork availabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the cellular network operation into distinct modes (legacy RAT mode and NB-IoT mode) with different power consumption characteristics. The UE can selectively activate only the necessary radio interface for the current operation type, avoiding simultaneous operation of multiple radio interfaces and thus reducing power consumption while maintaining network availability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic mode switching between legacy RAT and NB-IoT based on real-time criteria such as data transmission requirements, mobility state, and network conditions. This dynamic adaptation allows the UE to optimize power consumption by selecting the most energy-efficient mode for the current operational context while maintaining versatility across different network scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If user equipment performs complex transitions between multiple RATs, then network coverage is improved, but radio access network loads increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork coverageVSAvoidradio access network loads

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the complex RAT switching functionality and replaces it with a simplified NB-IoT mode for specific use cases (low data rate, infrequent transmissions). By taking out the need for complex inter-RAT transitions and providing a dedicated optimized mode, the patent reduces signaling overhead and radio access network loads while maintaining adequate network coverage for IoT applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces NB-IoT as a lightweight, simplified radio access technology designed specifically for IoT applications with low data requirements. This 'simpler version' reduces the complexity of network transitions and associated signaling loads on the radio access network, while still providing adequate coverage through enhanced signal repetition and coverage extension features.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Speed

If user equipment uses legacy cellular RATs for data transmission, then data rate requirements are met, but battery lifetime is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata rateVSAvoidbattery lifetime

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the operational parameters by introducing NB-IoT mode with specifically optimized parameters for low power consumption (narrower bandwidth, reduced transmission frequency, simplified signaling). This parameter change allows the system to trade peak data rate for dramatically improved battery lifetime, which is acceptable for IoT applications where data transmission is infrequent and small in volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11463951B2User equipment, communication system, and method of controlling a user equipment

Publication Date: 2022.10.04 SONY GROUP CORP

AI summary

A user equipment (10) is operable in a first mode in which the user equipment (10) is configured for communication with a first cellular network (30) and a second mode in which the user equipment (10) is configured for communication with a second cellular network (40). Mode switching between the modes is performed autonomously by the user equipment (10) or under the control of a cellular network node. The user equipment (10) has a first power consumption when operating in the first mode and a second power consumption when operating in the second mode, the second power consumption being different from the first power consumption.