Autonomous UE Presence Indication for Wireless Network Resource Management

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems, such as those compliant with LTE and LTE-A standards, lack flexibility in managing the presence of user equipment (UE) within the network, leading to inefficient use of resources and interference, as UEs cannot autonomously indicate their presence to the network without an RRC connection and rely on fixed associations with transmission points.

Innovation Solution

A method where user equipment (UE) can autonomously indicate its presence to the network by transmitting a presence indication signal based on characteristics of broadcast signals from multiple transmission points, allowing the network to adjust its coverage and resource allocation dynamically.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If UEs cannot autonomously indicate their presence without RRC connection, then network control is simplified, but resource efficiency deteriorates due to unnecessary transmissions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork control complexityVSAvoidresource efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The UE autonomously indicates its presence to the network by transmitting a signal on uplink resources without requiring RRC connection establishment. This self-service mechanism allows the UE to independently inform the network of its presence and received signal characteristics, eliminating the need for complex RRC connection procedures while improving resource efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The UE performs presence indication before establishing RRC connection, allowing the network to prepare appropriate resources and configuration in advance. This preliminary action enables the network to optimize resource allocation based on UE presence information, reducing unnecessary transmissions and improving overall system efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

If UEs rely on fixed associations with transmission points, then network configuration is simplified, but adaptability deteriorates when UE distributions change

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork configuration complexityVSAvoidnetwork flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from fixed UE-transmission point associations to dynamic associations based on real-time signal conditions. The UE measures broadcast signals from multiple transmission points and autonomously selects appropriate uplink resources based on received signal characteristics, enabling the network to adapt dynamically to changing UE distributions and environmental conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The UE provides feedback to the network about received signal characteristics from different transmission points. This feedback mechanism enables the network to understand UE locations and signal conditions, allowing dynamic adjustment of broadcast channels and reference signals to optimize network performance according to actual UE distributions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If broadcast channels are transmitted continuously from all transmission points, then coverage is ensured, but transmission overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage assuranceVSAvoidtransmission overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The network transmits broadcast channels and reference signals with local quality adjustment based on UE presence information. When UEs are detected in specific areas, the network enhances broadcast signal transmission in those local regions while reducing or eliminating transmissions in areas without UEs, thereby maintaining coverage reliability where needed while reducing overall transmission overhead.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3242414B1Presence indication in a wireless communication system
Publication Date: 2018.06.06 FUJITSU LTD
  • EP3242414B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3242414B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3242414B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Embodiments of the present invention provide a new way for a UE to autonomously indicate to the network from which transmission points (TPs) it is able to receive certain broadcast signals. As an example, by receiving in a broadcast signal in the form of a synchronization sequence, the physical identity of a particular TP, a UE infers when it should, if it wishes, send on an UL an indication of its ability to receive the broadcast signal from that TP - i.e., an indication of its presence in the coverage of the TP. The network is then able to take suitable action in response to this, such as adjusting network coverage, enabling or disabling other broadcast channels and controlling paging.