Virtual Cell Information for Random Access Latency Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

In ultra-dense networks, user mobility management is severely impacted by frequent cell selection and handover issues, leading to channel interference and latency in data transmission, as existing methods require terminals to obtain system information from physical cells, causing strain on resources and increasing access latency.

Innovation Solution

A random access method where terminals receive virtual cell information at a virtual frequency, allowing them to determine and pre-access a target physical cell based on capability and service characteristics, reducing latency by fully utilizing idle virtual frequency resources and optimizing resource allocation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If terminals obtain system information from physical cells, then access can be performed, but access latency increases and resources are strained

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess latencyVSAvoidresource strain
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-obtaining system information about physical cells through virtual cell information before actual access is needed. The terminal receives virtual cell information that includes system information of multiple physical cells in advance, so when access is required, the terminal can immediately use this pre-fetched information without causing access latency or resource strain.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If terminals perform cell selection and reselection frequently in idle state, then network coverage is maintained, but user mobility management becomes severe and channel interference increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork coverageVSAvoidmobility management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by using virtual cell information that serves multiple physical cells simultaneously. The terminal camps on a virtual cell that provides system information for multiple physical cells, allowing the terminal to perform cell reselection among multiple physical cells without needing to separately camp on each one, thus reducing mobility management complexity while maintaining network coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces virtual cell information as an intermediary between the terminal and multiple physical cells. Instead of the terminal directly interacting with multiple physical cells for system information, the virtual cell information acts as a mediator that consolidates this information, simplifying the terminal's mobility management while ensuring reliable network coverage across multiple physical cells.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If terminals perform frequent handover in connected state, then optimal connection is maintained, but channel interference increases and data transmission latency increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection qualityVSAvoiddata transmission latency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-obtaining system information about multiple physical cells through virtual cell information before handover is needed. This allows the terminal to perform handover more efficiently with reduced latency, as the necessary access information is already available from the virtual cell information received in advance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3346742B1Random access method and apparatus
Publication Date: 2021.06.16 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3346742B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3346742B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3346742B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A random access method and apparatus are provided. The random access method includes: receiving, by a terminal, virtual cell information at a virtual frequency, where the virtual cell information includes information about at least one physical cell indicated by the virtual cell; determining, by the terminal according to the information about the at least one physical cell, a target physical cell to be pre-accessed; and accessing, by the terminal, the target physical cell by using information about the target physical cell. According to embodiments of the present invention, information about a physical cell can be received and transmitted at a virtual frequency, so that an idle virtual frequency resource is fully utilized, and a latency is reduced.