Wireless Device Extended Coverage Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Low-cost wireless devices with limited hardware capabilities, such as those operating in 2G standards, are unable to fully support extended coverage mode, leading to inefficient communication in areas with poor reception conditions.
Innovation Solution
A method for wireless devices to determine their extended coverage support level and select a base node that matches their capabilities, allowing them to operate in extended coverage mode by receiving and transmitting signals using appropriate uplink transport coding schemes, even if they cannot fully support the mode.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If extended coverage mode is implemented for low-cost wireless devices with limited hardware capabilities, then communication reliability in poor reception areas is improved, but device complexity and resource consumption increase beyond what the device can support
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of coverage enhancement by introducing a coverage enhancement level indicator that allows the network to adapt the number of repetitions and resource allocation based on the device's actual capabilities. Instead of forcing full extended coverage mode on all devices, the system dynamically adjusts parameters (repetition count, resource blocks) to match each device's hardware limits, thereby improving reliability without exceeding device complexity constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic adaptation where the coverage enhancement level is not fixed but can be adjusted based on device capabilities and network conditions. The network node determines the appropriate coverage enhancement level for each device individually, allowing the system to optimize between reliability and device complexity dynamically rather than using a static one-size-fits-all approach.
2Reliability
If full extended coverage mode is enforced on all wireless devices, then coverage depth is improved, but resource consumption at the base node increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a coverage enhancement level indicator that enables the network to adjust parameters such as the number of repetitions and resource allocation based on actual device capabilities. This prevents wasteful allocation of maximum resources to devices that cannot utilize them, thereby improving coverage depth for devices that need it while reducing resource consumption for devices with limited capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by allowing devices to operate at their maximum supported coverage enhancement level rather than forcing full extended coverage mode on all devices. The network determines the appropriate level for each device, applying only the necessary coverage enhancement resources needed for reliable communication without exceeding device capabilities, thus avoiding excessive resource consumption.
3Measurement precision
If extended coverage mode is supported with higher repetition counts, then reception sensitivity is improved, but memory requirements for signal averaging exceed device capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a coverage enhancement level indicator that allows the network to adapt the number of repetitions and resource allocation based on the device's actual memory capabilities. Devices with limited memory can operate at lower coverage enhancement levels with fewer repetitions, while devices with more memory can support higher levels, thereby improving reception sensitivity for capable devices without exceeding memory constraints of limited devices.
4Reliability
If the network allocates maximum resources for coverage enhancement, then coverage enhancement depth is improved, but network capacity for other users decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a coverage enhancement level indicator that enables dynamic resource allocation based on device capabilities and network conditions. The network can allocate maximum resources to devices that need and can utilize extended coverage, while allocating fewer resources to devices with lower requirements, thereby maintaining coverage enhancement depth for vulnerable devices while preserving network capacity for other users.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic resource allocation where the coverage enhancement level is adjusted based on individual device capabilities and current network load. This allows the network to optimize the balance between providing coverage enhancement depth and maintaining overall network capacity, rather than allocating fixed maximum resources to all devices.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for operating a wireless device, said wireless device being adapted for communicating with a cellular network by means of a serving base node, being the one of a plurality of base nodes of the cellular network the wireless device is currently camping on, configured to support extended coverage mode, the method comprising for the wireless device the steps of: -determining an extended coverage support level, relating to the capability of the wireless device for operating in extended coverage mode, -receiving extended coverage maximum support level broadcasted by a plurality of base nodes, -selecting one of the plurality of base nodes for registration as serving base node, -providing upon registration with the selected base node its extended coverage support level towards the base node.