Uplink Degradation Detection for Inter-RAT Reselection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless communication devices face service degradation when uplink channel conditions are disturbed, even if downlink channel conditions are within acceptable ranges, leading to poor service provision due to the lack of consideration for thermal and imbalance conditions between uplink and downlink communication links.

Innovation Solution

A method for wireless communication devices to monitor uplink communication conditions by executing attempts and detecting unsuccessful attempts, setting parameters indicating degradation, and initiating inter-RAT reselection when uplink threshold values are not met, while also considering temperature changes and power reductions to ensure seamless communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the UE relies solely on downlink measurements for reselection decisions, then the decision-making process remains simple and based on standard procedures, but the service quality deteriorates when uplink channel conditions are disturbed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereselection decision simplicityVSAvoidservice quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by monitoring uplink communication attempts and using the results to adjust reselection decisions. The UE monitors whether uplink attempts are successful or unsuccessful, and this feedback information triggers inter-RAT reselection when uplink conditions deteriorate, thereby resolving the contradiction between simple decision-making and reliable service quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If the UE monitors uplink communication conditions through multiple unsuccessful attempts, then the detection of uplink degradation becomes more reliable, but the response time to switch networks is delayed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuplink degradation detection accuracyVSAvoidnetwork switching time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the UE with thresholds for unsuccessful uplink attempts. When the number of unsuccessful attempts reaches this predetermined threshold, the UE immediately initiates inter-RAT reselection without further delay. This approach balances measurement precision with response time by establishing advance criteria for triggering the network switch.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If the UE continues to operate on the current network node despite uplink degradation, then the device complexity remains low, but the communication reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication monitoring complexityVSAvoidcommunication reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service by enabling the UE to autonomously monitor its own uplink communication conditions and independently decide when to initiate inter-RAT reselection. The UE performs self-diagnosis of uplink degradation through monitoring unsuccessful communication attempts and automatically triggers network reselection without requiring external network control, thus maintaining low device complexity while improving communication reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3036941B1Method for inter-rat reselection decision based on unbalanced radio conditions and device for executing said method
Publication Date: 2018.12.19 GEMALTO M2M GMBH
  • EP3036941B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3036941B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3036941B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a wireless communication device (UE) configured to be operating in a wireless cellular network supporting a wireless technology standard. For solving the problem of blockage of the UE in regards with one cellular network the UE makes a comparison of communication conditions in downlink and in uplink in order to detect unbalanced communication conditions between downlink and uplink channels and,in case downlink communication conditions are acceptable, but uplink communication conditions show a degradation, initiate aninter-RAT reselection.