Wireless Device Priority Information Overflow Handling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current priority-based reselection algorithms in wireless networks face complexity and inconsistency when handling different radio access technologies (RATs), leading to issues such as link failures, inconsistent priority behavior, and storage limitations, particularly during inter-RAT handovers.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves setting limits on the number and format of priority information that user equipment (UE) can handle across different RATs, updating the PRIORITY_INFO_LIST variable, and defining behaviors when priority information exceeds these limits, ensuring consistent priority handling during cell reselection across various radio access technologies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If measurements are made for multiple candidate cells across different RATs, then reselection accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereselection accuracyVSAvoidalgorithm complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the reselection process into two distinct phases: priority-based filtering (evaluating candidate cells against stored priority information) and measurement-based ranking (comparing signal measurements only among cells that passed filtering). This segmentation reduces complexity by avoiding direct comparison across different RATs while maintaining accuracy through sequential evaluation stages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing priority-based filtering before measurement-based ranking. Candidate cells are pre-screened using stored priority information to eliminate unsuitable cells, so that subsequent measurements are only performed on a reduced set of viable candidates. This preliminary filtering step reduces the overall measurement and comparison burden.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If dedicated priority information is stored for multiple RATs, then reselection adaptability is improved, but storage requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereselection adaptabilityVSAvoidstorage requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal priority storage structure where a single PRIORITY_INFO_LIST variable is used to store priority information for multiple RATs (GERAN, UTRAN, E-UTRAN). This universal approach allows the same data structure to serve multiple purposes across different radio access technologies, reducing overall storage requirements while maintaining adaptability.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges priority information for different RATs into a unified PRIORITY_INFO_LIST structure rather than maintaining separate storage for each RAT. By combining priority data for GERAN, UTRAN, and E-UTRAN into a single consolidated list, the patent reduces total storage requirements while enabling comprehensive multi-RAT reselection capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Stability of the object's composition

If priority information is inherited across RATs, then reselection consistency is improved, but link reliability deteriorates due to information overflow

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepriority consistencyVSAvoidlink reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of priority information representation by using a standardized PRIORITY_INFO_LIST structure with defined capacity limits. When inherited priority information from one RAT exceeds the storage capacity when combined with existing priorities, the system automatically triggers an overflow handling mechanism that clears the list and re-populates it with current priorities, preventing data corruption and maintaining link reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements beforehand cushioning by establishing predefined overflow handling rules that are activated before actual data corruption can occur. When the PRIORITY_INFO_LIST reaches its storage capacity during inter-RAT priority inheritance, the system proactively clears and re-populates the list according to specified rules, preventing information overflow and maintaining both consistency and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentEP3337236B1Apparatus and method for processing priority information in a wireless device
Publication Date: 2020.10.07 BLACKBERRY LTD
  • EP3337236B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3337236B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3337236B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A User Equipment, UE, is disclosed. The UE comprises a controller configured to perform reselection according to a priority-based reselection algorithm between cells using priority information; a transceiver circuitry configured to receive an incoming message including priority information; and a memory configured to store the received priority information. The controller is further configured to, when the UE moves to a cell of a different RAT and in response to a determination that the received priority information comprises defined limits in excess of defined numbers of frequencies, (i) delete the stored received priority information; or (ii) delete priority information for any frequencies in excess of said limits.