UE MDT Continuity Across Equivalent PLMNs
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the current Evolved Packet System (EPS), User Equipment (UE) does not perform the Minimization of Drive Test (MDT) process if it moves to a different Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) area, and does not report the collected MDT results, making it difficult for mobile communication service operators with multiple PLMN IDs to use the MDT scheme effectively.
Innovation Solution
The UE receives an equivalent MDT PLMN list from the Mobility Management Entity (MME) or enhanced Node B (eNB) and continuously performs the MDT process across equivalent PLMNs, ensuring that the MDT results are reported to the appropriate PLMN, even when the UE moves between different PLMNs with equivalent IDs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the UE performs MDT process only in the registered MDT_PLMN, then the MDT process can be managed by a single PLMN, but the MDT process cannot be continuously performed when the UE moves between equivalent PLMNs with different PLMN IDs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by enabling the MDT process to function across multiple equivalent PLMNs. The UE is configured with a list of equivalent PLMN IDs, and the MDT process is designed to be performed not only in the registered MDT_PLMN but also in other PLMNs whose IDs match the equivalent PLMN list. This multi-functionality allows continuous MDT data collection regardless of which equivalent PLMN the UE currently accesses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of PLMN identification from a single registered PLMN to a list of equivalent PLMN IDs. By modifying the MDT configuration to include multiple PLMN identifiers and comparing the current PLMN ID against this list, the system enables flexible adaptation to different PLMN environments while maintaining continuous MDT operation.
2Productivity
If the UE cancels MDT process when moving to a non-MDT_PLMN, then the PLMN management remains simple, but the MDT testing coverage is limited and cannot capture radio network deployment state across multiple PLMNs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the UE with a list of equivalent PLMN IDs before the UE moves between PLMNs. The network side (MME or eNB) provides the equivalent MDT PLMN list in advance, and the UE stores this list for future comparison. This preliminary configuration enables the UE to automatically continue MDT operations when accessing equivalent PLMNs without requiring complex real-time decision-making or additional signaling.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple mobile communication service operators interwork with multiple PLMN IDs, then service coverage is expanded, but the current MDT scheme cannot be effectively used due to PLMN identification limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables multi-operator interwork by making the MDT process universal across different operators' PLMNs. When operators interwork and provide unified service using multiple PLMN IDs, the UE can perform MDT process in any of these equivalent PLMNs by matching the current PLMN ID against the configured equivalent PLMN list, ensuring reliable MDT operation in multi-operator environments.
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus and method for performing a radio network deployment state test process in a mobile communication system are provided. In the method, a User Equipment (UE) receives an equivalent Minimization of Drive Test (MDT)_Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) list from a Mobility Management Entity (MME) or an enhanced Node B (eNB), wherein a PLMN of the MME is an MDT_PLMN of the UE, the MDT_PLMN is a PLMN in which the UE performs an MDT process as a radio network deployment state test process using an MDT scheme, the equivalent MDT_PLMNs are equivalent PLMNs of the MDT_PLMN, and the equivalent MDT_PLMN Identifiers (IDs) represent PLMN IDs of equivalent PLMNs of the PLMN of the MME.