User Equipment Frequency Scan Scope Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless devices, especially lower power devices, face inefficiencies in scanning frequency bands for cellular service due to resource burdens and RF impairments, leading to frequent system scans and reduced battery life when losing service at cell edges.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method where user equipment (UE) devices determine the time period since last service acquisition to limit frequency scans to specific sets of frequencies, using local and assisted databases, and progressively expanding the scan scope based on the recency of camped cell information, prioritizing home PLMN frequencies and location-assisted databases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the UE performs full frequency band scans to ensure comprehensive cellular service acquisition, then service reliability is improved, but device energy consumption increases and battery life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The frequency scan process is segmented into multiple stages: initial scan using only local ACQ-DB, intermediate scan adding assisted ACQ-DB, and full scan incorporating all databases. This segmentation allows the device to perform comprehensive scans only when necessary, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining service acquisition reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The UE performs preliminary frequency scans using locally stored ACQ-DB information before attempting to access assisted ACQ-DB or performing full band scans. This preliminary action reduces the need for exhaustive scanning by first exploiting previously acquired frequency information, thereby conserving device energy.
2Reliability
If the UE frequently scans all frequency bands to recover cellular service at cell edges, then service recovery capability is improved, but device resources are burdened and battery life is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The scan scope is made dynamic and adaptive based on service conditions. When the UE experiences service degradation or loses connectivity, it progressively expands the scan scope from local ACQ-DB to assisted ACQ-DB and finally to full frequency bands. This dynamic approach ensures service recovery capability while optimizing device resource efficiency by avoiding unnecessary full scans when not needed.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the UE limits frequency scans to reduce energy consumption, then battery life is improved, but service acquisition reliability may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The UE performs preliminary scans using locally stored ACQ-DB information, which contains previously acquired frequency data. This preliminary action enables the device to attempt service acquisition with minimal energy expenditure before escalating to more comprehensive scans if initial attempts fail, thus balancing battery life with service acquisition reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where scan results and service status are continuously monitored. If limited scans using local ACQ-DB fail to achieve service, the UE receives feedback indicating the need for expanded scanning, automatically progressing to assisted ACQ-DB and full band scans. This feedback-driven approach maintains service acquisition reliability while minimizing unnecessary energy consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses, systems, and methods for user equipment (UE) devices to perform more efficient frequency scans for potential base stations. According to techniques described herein, the UE may determine that it does not have cellular service and determine first information based on a last camped cell. A time period during which the first information was acquired may be determined and one or more frequency scans may be performed. The frequency scans may be limited to a set of frequencies based in part on the time period. Thus, if the time period is less than a first value, the set of frequencies may include a first set of frequencies and if the time period is greater than the first value but less than a second value, the set of frequencies may include the first set of frequencies and a second set of frequencies.