Mobile UE Frequency Search Triggered by MCC Change
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile devices face prolonged delays in detecting new cell services when crossing geographical borders due to infrequent frequency searches, which increase power consumption and delay service discovery in areas with different frequency bands.
Innovation Solution
A mobile UE initiates a full frequency search upon detecting a change in the Mobile Country Code (MCC) and waits a predetermined duration before conducting another search, even if the MCC changes, to balance power conservation with timely service detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the mobile UE performs full frequency searches frequently to detect new cells quickly, then the service detection speed is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of search triggering from time-based periodic searching to event-based searching triggered by MCC changes. The UE monitors MCC parameters from broadcast channels and initiates full frequency searches only when MCC changes are detected, thereby adapting the search behavior to actual geographical location changes rather than following a fixed time schedule.
Solution Approach 2:
The UE uses its own received MCC information as the trigger signal for initiating frequency searches. By monitoring its own MCC parameter changes, the device autonomously determines when to perform searches without requiring external scheduling or continuous periodic searching, thus serving its own service detection needs efficiently.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the mobile UE waits for scheduled routine frequency searches to conserve power, then the power consumption is reduced, but the service detection delay increases when crossing borders
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the triggering parameter from fixed time intervals to dynamic event-based triggers (MCC changes). This allows the search frequency to adapt to actual user movement and geographical location changes, performing searches only when necessary rather than following a rigid schedule.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring MCC parameters from broadcast channels and using this information to trigger appropriate actions. When MCC changes are detected, the UE immediately initiates a full frequency search, creating a closed-loop system where received information directly controls subsequent search behavior.
3Loss of time
If the mobile UE performs full frequency searches upon every MCC change, then the service detection speed is improved, but the power consumption increases due to excessive searching near borders
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a preliminary action by implementing a cooldown period or flag mechanism that prevents immediate successive full frequency searches. After initiating a search due to MCC change, the UE sets a flag or timer that blocks subsequent searches for a predetermined duration, even if additional MCC changes occur, thereby avoiding redundant searches in border regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides beforehand cushioning by preparing a mechanism (flag or timer) in advance that cushions against excessive searching. This preliminary protective measure ensures that even if multiple MCC changes occur in quick succession near borders, the UE will not perform excessive full frequency searches, thus preventing unnecessary power consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile UE initiates a full search of all supported frequencies upon detecting a change in the Mobile Country Code (MCC) transmitted by a PLMN. The change in MCC indicates the user had crossed a political border, and the spectrum allocated for wireless communication may be different. In one embodiment, the mobile UE stores the current MCC. Upon obtaining an updated MCC, it is compared to the stored MCC. If the updated MCC is different from the stored MCC, the full frequency search is initiated. To prevent excessive searching, with concomitant power consumption, while traveling near a border, the UE waits a predetermined duration after an MCC-initiated full scan before conducting a subsequent full scan, even if the MCC changes within that duration.