FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 OF 1970)
AND
THE PATENT RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See section 10 and rule 13)
“METHOD AND SYSTEM OF SWITCHING FROM CAT-1 TO CAT-NARROW BAND (NB)”
We, RELIANCE JIO INFOCOMM LIMITED, an Indian National, of, 3rd Floor, Maker Chamber-IV, 222, Nariman Point, Mumbai- 400021, Maharashtra, India.
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to wireless networks and user equipment, and more particularly, to a switching mechanism between CAT 1 (Category 1) to CAT- Narrow Band- Internet of Things (NB-IOT) cell/channel.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The following description of related art is intended to provide background information pertaining to the field of the disclosure. This section may include certain aspects of the art that may be related to various features of the present disclosure. However, it should be appreciated that this section be used only to enhance the understanding of the reader with respect to the present disclosure, and not as admissions of prior art.
The Internet of Things (IoT) is a network of devices, vehicles, home appliances, and other items embedded with electronics, software, sensors, actuators, and connectivity which can be readable, recognizable, locatable, addressable, and controllable via an IoT communications network that enables these things to connect and exchange data, creating opportunities for more direct integration of the physical world into computer-based systems, resulting in efficiency improvements, economic benefits, and reduced human exertions. The “Internet of things” (IoT) concept is getting more and more popular, and devices, such as sensors, actuators and everyday objects including the coffee makers, washing machines, headphones, lamps and wearable devices, etc. are being increasingly looked upon as potential IoT devices. IoT involves extending Internet connectivity beyond standard devices, such as desktops, laptops, smartphones and tablets, to any range of traditionally dumb or non-internet-enabled physical devices and everyday objects. Embedded with technology, these devices can communicate and interact over the Internet, and they can be remotely monitored and controlled. The term "Enterprise IoT" refers to devices used in business and corporate settings in a network of physical objects that contain embedded technology to communicate and sense or interact with their internal states or the

external environment. Here, IoT refers to Internet-connected physical devices, in many cases everyday objects (things) that can communicate their status, respond to events, or even act autonomously. This enables communication among those things, closing the gap between the real and the virtual world and creating smarter processes and structures that can support us without needing our attention. IoT has evolved from the convergence of wireless technologies, micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS), and the Internet. An IOT device is generally provisioned with an IP address to provide it with the capability of transferring data and receive control signals over an IP network using the standard Internet protocols such as TCP/IP which is being exclusively used in the Internet.
Recently, 3GPP has introduced a new technology NB-IoT in release 13. The low end IoT applications can be met with this technology. This technology has better performance than Low Power Wide Area Networks (LPWAN). It has taken efforts to address IoT markets with completion of standardization on NB-IoT. The NB-IoT technology has been implemented in licensed bands of LTE, which are used for exploiting this technology. This technology makes use of a minimum system bandwidth of 180 KHz i.e. one PRB (Physical Resource Block) is allocated for this technology. The NB-IOT can be seen as a separate RAT (Radio Access Technology). The NB-IOT can be deployed in 3 modes: “in-band”, “guard band” and “standalone”. In the “in-band” operation, resource blocks present within LTE carrier are used. The inner resource blocks are not used as they are allotted for synchronization of LTE signals. In “guard band” operation, resource blocks between LTE carriers that are not utilized by any operator are used. In “standalone” operation, GSM frequencies are used or possibly unused LTE bands are used. Release 13 contains important refinements like extended or enhanced discontinuous reception (eDRX) and power save mode (PSM). The PSM ensures battery longevity in release 12 and is completed by eDRX for devices that need to receive data more frequently.

The NB-IoT technology focuses on devices like meter reading of water and electricity consumption that are stationery. Some of the use cases are: facility management services, fire alarms for home and commercial properties, tracking of persons and objects. The industries where NB-IoT services can add value are: Smart city, smart home, Safety and security, agriculture, health care and Energy.
Another example for IoT industry includes logistic tracking. The tracking devices on shipping containers send huge volumes of sensor data that are collected and taken for analysis in order to make sure that real-time tracing of shipment locations can be made possible. The output display units are used for receiving alerts and optimized with service recommendations.
The NB-IoT technology addresses some of the key IoT requirements:
• Battery lifetime of the devices increases.
• Improved network coverage.
• Cost of the devices is reduced.
• Multiplexing of devices met for capacity requirements.
• Support massive number of devices.
The NB-IoT technology support low power consumption, use of low cost devices and provides excellent coverage.
In a NB-IOT deployment, the NB-IOT cells have a 20db gain over other categories like CAT-1 cells. As such, the NB-IOT Carrier can support much larger areas when compared to a CAT-1 base station or channel. Typically in NB-IOT scenario, the same base station provides the NB-IOT channels for a device. The same or a different base station can provide a channel for a CAT-1 or a CAT-4 operation due to the difference in the NB-IOT and other category cell coverage areas.

As huge number of IoT devices are connected and as businesses use applications to parse IoT data, connectivity becomes a real concern for both the CAT 1 and the CAT NB-IoT. When it comes to IoT ecosystem development, limited network bandwidth could be the weak link in the chain as latency stifles progress. The current 3GPP specification Release 13 specifies a method for IoT Devices to select the other RAT when the current NB- IoT RAT coverage is lost. However, the specification does not define any solution on how the IoT UE will switch back to NB RAT when the same is available. There is primarily a challenge for switching back and this is necessary as the NB- IoT channel helps to provide efficient way of connectivity to billions of devices that has to be managed efficiently to handle the high traffic of the IoT. Also as the numbers grows for the IoT devices in future there needs to be an efficient architecture to switch back to the NB-IoT RAT since NB-IoT consumes less power and provides improved coverage.
Another existing problem in the current system is that CAT-1 cell does not have NB neighbour cell information and hence the device needs to perform a full band scan for camping on a NB cell which takes longer time of approximately 2 to 3 minutes.
Therefore, there is a need to alleviate problems existing in the prior art and develop a more efficient solution for providing a switching mechanism from CAT-1 to Narrow Band- IoT (NB-IoT) channel/cell.
SUMMARY
This section is provided to introduce certain objects and aspects of the present disclosure in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify the key features or the scope of the claimed subject matter.

In order to overcome at least a few problems associated with the known solutions as provided in the previous section, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a method and system of switching from CAT-1 to CAT-NB channel/ cell. It is another object of the invention to address the issue of connectivity of NB IoT devices. It is also an object of the invention to enable and improve connectivity in the NB-IoT system. It is yet another object of the invention to save on power of IoT devices. It is also an object of the present invention to prevent signaling drop in the network due to no connectivity to NB-IOT channels/cells from CAT-1/4 cells.
In order to achieve the afore-mentioned objectives, the present disclosure provides a method and system of switching from CAT-1 to CAT- NB.
One aspect of the present invention relates to a method of switching a user equipment from CAT-1 to CAT- NB, said user equipment being currently connected to said CAT-1 channel. The said method comprises, storing, a mode preference of said wireless network by the user equipment, wherein said mode is one of a guard-band, in-band and standalone. The user equipment also stores, a list comprising at least one NB supported frequency and a NB PRB index corresponding to each of said NB supported frequency, wherein the list is based on said mode preference. Thereafter, the method comprises performing, a scan of said stored list by the user equipment, to identify the NB-IOT channel. Further the method leads to switching, by the user equipment, from the CAT-1 channel to the identified NB-IOT channel.
Another aspect of the present disclosure encompasses a method for switching a user equipment from a CAT-1 channel to a NB-IOT channel in a IOT network, said user equipment being currently connected to said CAT-1 channel, the method comprising: receiving, by the user equipment, a system information broadcast message, from a network entity, said system information broadcast message comprising at least one NB neighbor cell details; processing, by the user equipment, the system information broadcast message to identify the NB-IOT channel corresponding to the received at

least one NB neighbor cell details; and switching, by the user equipment, from the CAT-1 channel to the identified NB-IOT channel.
Yet another aspect of the present disclosure encompasses a user equipment comprising: a memory configured to store a mode preference of said wireless network, wherein said mode is one of a guard-band, in-band and standalone, and store a list comprising at least one NB supported frequency and a NB PRB index corresponding to each of said NB supported frequency, wherein the list is based on said mode preference; an IoT application module coupled to said memory, said IoT application module configured to perform a scan of said stored list to identify the NB-IOT channel; and a processor coupled to said memory and said IoT application module, wherein the processor is configured to switch the user equipment from the CAT-1 channel to the identified NB-IOT channel.
Another aspect of the present disclosure encompasses a system of switching a user equipment from a CAT-1 channel to a NB-IOT channel in a wireless network, the system comprising: a NB-IOT radio interface configured to receive, a system information broadcast message, from a network entity; a processing unit coupled to said NB-IOT radio interface, said processing unit is configured to: process the system information broadcast message to identify the NB-IOT channel corresponding to the received at least one NB neighbor cell details, and switch the user equipment from the CAT-1 channel to the identified NB-IOT channel.
Yet another aspect of the present disclosure encompasses a method of switching a user equipment from a CAT-1 channel to a NB-IOT channel in a wireless network, said user equipment being currently connected to said CAT-1 channel, the method comprising: transmitting, from the wireless network to the user equipment, a RRC connection reconfiguration message, wherein said reconfiguration message comprises at least one NB neighbor cell information with one of a event based and periodical measurement configuration; preparing, by the user equipment, at least one

measurement report comprising a list of at least one NB neighbor cell and one or more parameters associated with each of said NB neighbor cells; transmitting, by the user equipment to the wireless network, said measurement report; identifying, by the wireless network, an optimum NB cell based on the received measurement report; receiving, at the user equipment from the wireless network, a RRC connection release message, said RRC connection release message comprising at least said optimum NB IOT channel information; and switching by the user equipment, from the CAT-1 channel to the identified optimum NB-IOT channel based on the RRC connection release message.
Another aspect of the present disclosure encompasses a system for switching a user equipment from a CAT-1 channel to a NB-IOT channel, said user equipment being currently connected to said CAT-1 channel, the system comprising: a network entity configured to transmit a RRC connection reconfiguration message, wherein said reconfiguration message comprises at least one NB neighbor cell information with one of a event based and periodical measurement configuration; and the user equipment connected to said network entity, wherein the user equipment is configured to prepare at least one measurement report comprising a list of at least one NB neighbor cell and one or more parameters associated with each of said NB neighbor cell, and transmit said measurement report periodically or on an event basis to the wireless network; wherein the network entity is further configured to identifying an optimum NB cell based on the received measurement report, and wherein the user equipment is further configured to receive, from the wireless network, a RRC connection release message, said RRC connection release message comprising said optimum NB IOT channel information, and switch from the CAT-1 channel to the identified optimum NB-IOT channel based on the RRC connection release message.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein, and constitute a part of this disclosure, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the disclosed methods and systems in which like reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the different drawings. Components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present disclosure. Some drawings may indicate the components using block diagrams and may not represent the internal circuitry of each component. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that disclosure of such drawings includes disclosure of electrical components, electronic components or circuitry commonly used to implement such components.
FIG.1 illustrates a general overview of the network environment [100] in which the present invention is implemented, in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
FIG.2 illustrates a block diagram of user equipment [102], in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
FIG.3 illustrates an exemplary diagram of the network entity [104], in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary method flow diagram [400] depicting a first aspect of a method for switching a user equipment from a CAT-1 channel to a NB-IOT channel in a wireless network.
FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary method flow diagram [500] depicting a second aspect of a method for switching a user equipment from a CAT-1 channel to a NB-IOT channel in a wireless network.
FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary method flow diagram [600] depicting a third aspect of

a method for switching a user equipment from a CAT-1 channel to a NB-IOT channel in a wireless network.
FIG. 7 illustrates a flow diagram [700] depicting an exemplary method for implementation of optimised periodic NB search to enable switching of a user equipment from a CAT-1 channel to a NB-IOT channel in a wireless network.
FIG. 8 illustrates a flow diagram [800] depicting an exemplary method for implementation of broadcasting neighbouring list of NB cells to enable switching of a user equipment from a CAT-1 channel to a NB-IOT channel in a wireless network.
FIG. 9 illustrates a flow diagram [900] depicting an exemplary method for implementation of event based measurements of neighbouring list to enable switching of a user equipment from a CAT-1 channel to a NB-IOT channel in a wireless network.
FIG. 10 illustrates a flow diagram [1000] depicting an exemplary method for implementation of periodic measurement of neighbouring list to enable switching of a user equipment from a CAT-1 channel to a NB-IOT channel in a wireless network.
The foregoing shall be more apparent from the following more detailed description of the disclosure.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, various specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent, however, that embodiments of the present disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. Several features described hereafter can each be used independently of one another or with any combination of

other features. An individual feature may not address all of the problems discussed above or might address only some of the problems discussed above. Some of the problems discussed above might not be fully addressed by any of the features described herein.
The ensuing description provides exemplary embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the disclosure. Rather, the ensuing description of the exemplary embodiments will provide those skilled in the art with an enabling description for implementing an exemplary embodiment. It should be understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth.
Specific details are given in the following description to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. For example, circuits, systems, networks, processes, and other components may be shown as components in block diagram form in order not to obscure the embodiments in unnecessary detail. In other instances, well-known circuits, processes, algorithms, structures, and techniques may be shown without unnecessary detail in order to avoid obscuring the embodiments. Also, it is noted that individual embodiments may be described as a process which is depicted as a flowchart, a flow diagram, a data flow diagram, a structure diagram, or a block diagram. Although a flowchart may describe the operations as a sequential process, many of the operations can be performed in parallel or concurrently. In addition, the order of the operations may be re-arranged. A process is terminated when its operations are completed, but could have additional steps not included in a figure. A process may correspond to a method, a function, a procedure, a subroutine, a subprogram, etc. When a process corresponds to a function, its termination can correspond to a return of the function to the calling function or the main function.

As used herein, the “IoT device” or "user equipment“, refers to any electrical, electronic, electromechanical and computing device. The IoT device is capable of receiving and/or transmitting one or parameters, performing function/s, communicating with other IoT devices as well as non-IoT devices and transmitting data to the devices. The IoT device may have a processor, a display, a memory, a battery and an input means such as a hard keypad and/or a soft keypad. The at least one IoT device may include, but is not limited to, a thermostat, an electric switch, a washing machine, a computing device, a coffee maker, a refrigerator, a headphone, a lamp, a room sensor, a microwave, a fan, a light and any such device that is obvious to a person skilled in the art. IoT devices may be capable of operating on any radio access technology including but not limited to IP-enabled communication, Zig Bee, Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy, Near Field Communication, Z-Wave, etc.
As used herein, a “processor” or “processing unit” includes one or more processors, wherein processor refers to any logic circuitry for processing instructions. A processor may be a general-purpose processor, a special-purpose processor, a conventional processor, a digital signal processor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in association with a DSP core, a controller, a microcontroller, Application Specific Integrated Circuits, Field Programmable Gate Array circuits, any other type of integrated circuits, etc. The processor may perform signal coding data processing, input/output processing, and/or any other functionality that enables the working of the system according to the present disclosure. More specifically, the processor or processing unit is a hardware processor.
As used herein, a “controller” or “control unit” includes one or more controllers, wherein the controller refers to any logic circuitry for processing instructions. A controller may be a general-purpose controller, a special-purpose controller, a conventional controller, a digital signal controller, a plurality of microcontrollers, one or more microcontrollers in association with a DSP core, a microcontroller, Application Specific Integrated Circuits, Field Programmable Gate Array circuits, any other type of

integrated circuits, etc. The controller may perform signal coding, data processing, input/output processing, and/or any other functionality that enables the working of the system according to the present disclosure. More specifically, the controller or control unit is a hardware processor.
As used herein, “memory unit” refers to a machine or computer-readable medium including any mechanism for storing information in a form readable by a computer or similar machine. For example, a computer-readable medium includes read-only memory (“ROM”), random access memory (“RAM”), magnetic disk storage media, optical storage media, flash memory devices or other types of machine-accessible storage media.
Systems depicted in some of the figures may be provided in various configurations. In some embodiments, the systems may be configured as a distributed system where one or more components of the system are distributed across one or more networks in a cloud computing system.
The present invention facilitates switching of a user equipment from a CAT-1 channel to a NB-IOT channel in a wireless network, wherein the user equipment may be operating in at least one of the idle mode or connected mode.
The present invention encompasses a mechanism to support switching of a user equipment from CAT 1 to NB-IoT channels in a wireless network, where the user equipment is operating in idle mode. The user equipment is configured to store a mode preference of said wireless network, wherein the said mode preference is one of a guard-band, in-band and standalone. The said user equipment is also configured to periodically store list of NB cell search along with the NB full band scan, wherein the said stored list further comprises at least one information related to NB supported frequencies and NB-PRB indices obtained during periodic scanning of NB cell search and the said stored list is in accordance with the said mode preference. Further the

user equipment performs scanning of said stored list to identify at least one NB-IOT channel/cell associated with said mode preference and thereafter switches to identified NB-IOT channel from the CAT-1 channel. The user equipment if not able to identify at least one of the said NB-IOT channel during said scanning of said stored list, the user equipment then further configured to perform a full band scan.
In an another instance, in order to support a user equipment operating in idle mode, to switch from CAT 1 to NB-IoT channels in a wireless network, the present invention comprises receiving on said user equipment, a system broadcast message from at least one network entity, wherein said system broadcast message further comprises at least one NB neighbor cell detail. The user equipment further comprises, processing of said system information broadcast message to identify the NB-IOT channel/cell corresponding to the received at least one NB neighbour cell detail. Further upon identification of said at least one NB-IOT channel the user equipment further switches from the CAT-1 channel to the identified NB-IOT channel.
In order to support a user equipment operating in connected mode, to switch from CAT 1 to NB-IoT channels in a wireless network, the present invention comprises receiving a RRC connection reconfiguration message on user equipment from at least one network entity in said wireless network, wherein said reconfiguration message comprises at least one NB neighbor cell measurement with NB neighbor cell information and new events for NB. The user equipment further configured to prepare and thereafter to transmit, at least one measurement report of NB event to the said wireless network. The said wireless network on receipt of said measurement report of NB event, further identifies at least one NB-IOT cell/channel and thereafter triggers RRC connection release message. Further the user equipment switches from the CAT-1 channel to the identified optimum NB-IOT channel based on the RRC connection release message.

In an another instance, the present invention comprises, a mechanism to support switching of a user equipment from CAT 1 to NB-IoT channels in a wireless network, where the user equipment is operating in connected mode. The user equipment is configured to receive a RRC connection reconfiguration message from at least one network entity in said wireless network, wherein said reconfiguration message comprises at least one periodic NB neighbor cell measurement with NB neighbor cell information. The user equipment further configured to prepare and thereafter to transmit, at least one periodic measurement of neighboring list of NB cell to the said wireless network. Thereafter said wireless network on receipt of said periodically measured list of neighboring NB cells, triggers RRC connection release message to user equipment with a re-direction indication from CAT-1 to NB cell. Further the user equipment attempts to acquire and camp on the redirected NB cell and perform registration with network on successful camping on NB cell.
Thus the user equipment as stated in present invention efficiently switches from a CAT-1 channel to a NB-IOT channel in a wireless network.
As used herein, the wireless network may include, but not limited to any private or public wireless LTE network that may be presently implemented or deployed, and any wireless LTE network that may be deployed in the future. The wireless network may also be a later or newer technology of wireless LTE network for example LTE, LTE-A, LTE-B, LTE-C , voice over LTE etc. or any other such wireless LTE network technology obvious to a person skilled in the art.
As used herein, the network entity is an entity that serves a cellular network for providing voice services (calls) and the data services to the user equipment. The network entity may include, but not limited to, a base station controller, a base transceiver station, a cell site, a Node B, an eNodeB, a radio network controller, and any such entity obvious to a person skilled in the art.

Referring to FIG. 1, that illustrates a general overview of the network environment [100] in which the present invention is implemented, in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 1, the user equipment [102A], [102B], [102C]….. [102N] (Collectively referred to as user equipment [102]) may be connected to at least one network entity [104]. Further the said network entity [104] comprises at least one transceiver unit [106], at least one processing system [108] and at least one interface [110]. The network entity [104] may provide network access to the one or more user equipment [102A – 102N] connected to the network entity [104] and thereby, the one or more user equipment [102A – 102N] may avail voice and data services using said network. The network entity [104] is also capable of provisioning and supporting NB-IoT RAT to the user equipment [102] via one or more access points such as an IoT gateway.
The network entity [104] may be one or more cellular network entities in a wireless LTE network that serves a network for providing voice services (calls) and the data services to the user equipment. The network entity [104] may include, but not limited to, a base station controller, a base transceiver station, a cell site, a Node B, an eNodeB, a radio network controller, etc.
Further the said user equipment [102] may be an NB-IoT device and may include, but not limited to, a mobile phone, a tablet, a phablet, a laptop, a desktop computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a consumer electronics device such as meter, television etc. and said user equipment [102] may be configured to receive at least one of a data or voice service from the said network entity [104].
The processing system [108] may be configured to execute functions/operations performed by each module/component of the network entity [104]. The processing system [108] as used herein may include, but not limited to, a processor or set of processors such as a microprocessor, a multicore microprocessor, a digital signal

processor, a collection of electronic circuits, or a combination thereof and may be configured to perform operations /functions as described herein.
Further the transceiver unit [106] coupled to said processor system [108] may include at least one transmission unit and at least one receiving unit and the said transceiver unit [106] may be configured to transmit or receive the communication signals/data via network entity [104] to user equipment [102] or vice versa.
The interface [110] may be coupled to the transceiver unit [106] and processing system [108] and the said interface [110] may be configured for backhaul and to further reach out to an on-boarding server for information exchange.
Although a limited number of user equipments [102] are shown in Fig. 1, however, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention encompasses use of multiple such user equipments [102].
As illustrated in FIG. 2, the present invention illustrates an exemplary user equipment [102] deployed in the wireless network. The user equipment [102] comprises at least one NB-IOT Radio Interface [210], at least one antenna [212], at least one IOT application module [202], at least one memory unit [206], at least one on-boarding client module [208] and at least one processing unit [204], said components being connected to each other.
The NB-IOT Radio Interface [210] of the said user equipment [102] is coupled to the said antenna [212], IoT application module [202], on-boarding client module [208] and processing unit [204]. The NB-IoT Radio Interface [210] may be configured to perform periodic cell search to identify at least one supported NB-IoT cells/channel, wherein said NB-IoT cells/channel is further associated with at least one NB supported frequency. Further, the said periodic NB-IoT cell search is associated with at least one of the mode preference of said user equipment [102]. For instance, the user

equipment [102] is currently in idle mode and may be deployed in at least one of a preferred mode, wherein said preferred mode may be a guard band, in band or standalone. The said periodic cell search is then in accordance with said one of a preferred mode i.e. guard band, in band or standalone. The said NB-IoT Radio Interface [210] may also configured to receive a system information broadcast message from at least one network entity [104].
Further, the NB-IOT Radio Interface [210] is also configured to perform a full band scan to identify at least one supported NB-IOT cell/channel. Further, the NB-IOT Radio Interface [210] is also configured to communicate with the processing unit [204] to execute the desired functions.
The memory unit [206] is coupled to said IOT application module [202], on-boarding client module [208] and processing unit [204]. The memory unit [206] is configured to store a mode preference of said wireless network, wherein said mode is one of a guard-band, in-band and standalone. Further, the memory unit [206] is also configured to receive from NB-IOT Radio Interface [210], and store a list comprising at least one NB supported frequency associated with at least one NB-IoT cell/channel and a NB PRB index corresponding to each of said NB supported frequency, wherein the list is based on said mode preference.
The IoT application module [202] is coupled to said NB-IOT Radio Interface [210], memory unit [206], on-boarding client module [208] and processing unit [204]. The IOT application module [202] may be configured to implement IoT functionality in combination with multiple hardware and software components. The said IoT application module [202] is further configured to perform a scan of said stored list in the memory unit [206] to identify the NB-IOT channel.
The on-boarding client module [208] is coupled to said NB-IOT Radio Interface [210], one memory unit [206], IoT application module [202] and processing unit [204]. The

on-boarding client module [208] may be configured to communicate to an on-boarding server via the NB-IOT Radio Interface [210] while being in charge of device specific on-boarding function.
Further, the processing unit [204] of user equipment [102] is coupled to said, IoT Application module [202], NB-IOT Radio Interface [210], one memory unit [206], on-boarding client module [208]. The processing unit [204] may be configured to execute the functions of all modules present in the user equipment [102]. The processing unit [204], may be configured to process the system information broadcast message comprising at least one NB neighbor cell detail, to identify the NB-IoT channel corresponding to said received NB neighbor cell details. The processing unit [204] is also configured to switch the user equipment [102], from the CAT-1 channel to the identified at least one NB-IoT channel.
Referring to FIG. 3, the present invention illustrates an exemplary diagram of the network entity [104], in accordance with exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 3, the network entity [104] comprises at least one antenna [310], at least one transceiver unit [106], at least one processing system [108] and at least one interface [110]. The said processing system [108] further comprises at least one processor [302] and at least one memory [304].
The antenna [310] coupled with the transceiver unit [106], is configured to transmit or receive the radio signals via said transceiver unit [106]. Further said transceiver unit [106] may include at least one transmission unit and at least one receiving unit (not shown in figure) and the said transceiver unit [106] may be configured to transmit or receive the communication signals/data via network entity [104] to user equipment [102] or vice versa. In an example, the transceiver unit [106] of network entity [104] may be configured to transmit a RRC connection reconfiguration message to the user equipment [102], wherein said reconfiguration message comprises at least one NB neighbor cell information associated with at least one NB-IoT cell/channel.

The processing system [108] further comprises at least one processor [302] and at least one memory [304]. The said processing system [108] may be configured to execute functions/operations performed by each module/component of the network entity [104]. The processing system [108] as used herein may include, but not limited to, a processor or set of processors such as a microprocessor, a multicore microprocessor, a digital signal processor, a collection of electronic circuits, or a combination thereof and may be configured to perform operations /functions as described herein. The processor [302] is configured to identify an optimum NB cell based on the received measurement report of at least one NB-IoT cell/channel report via user equipment [102].
Further, the memory [304] is configured to store information related to at least one of a NB-IoT cell channel in a wireless network, wherein the said information may include but not limited to at least one of a NB cell measurement and NB cell/channel frequency in a wireless network.
The interface [110] may be coupled to the processing system [108], wherein said interface [110] may be configured for backhaul and to further reach out to an on-boarding server for information exchange.
Referring to FIG.4, an exemplary method flow diagram [400] depicting a first aspect of a method for switching a user equipment from a CAT-1 channel to a NB-IOT channel in a wireless network, is shown.
The method begins at step [402]. The user equipment [102] may currently be operating in an idle mode. As used herein, the user equipment is said to be idle mode when the user is not using the user equipment for communication. In the idle mode, the user equipment itself undertakes mobility management, i.e. cell selection and re-selection is done by the user equipment when a handover is required or better

connection is available. In this state, the user equipment does not transfer or receive any data.
Thereafter, at step [404], the method comprises, storing, by the user equipment [102], a mode preference of said wireless network, wherein said mode is one of a guard-band, in-band and standalone. In NB-IOT systems, these three modes of operation are possible on which the user equipment communicates with the network. The preferred mode of operation, amongst these three modes, is typically set during network planning by the network operator.
At step [406], the said method comprises, storing by the user equipment [102] at the memory unit [206], a list comprising at least one NB supported frequency and a NB-PRB index corresponding to each of said NB supported frequency, wherein the list is based on said mode preference. For each mode of operation, i.e. in-band, guard band and standalone, there are different frequencies that support the NB-IOT technology, herein referred to as NB supported frequency. For instance, for the in-band mode, the following list of NB supported frequencies and associated NB-PRB indices, may be stored at the user equipment:

EARFCN LTE System Bandwidth PRB indices for NB-IoT synchronization
EARFCN-1 3 MHz 2, 12
EARFCN-1 5 MHz 2, 7, 17, 22
EARFCN-1 10 MHz 4, 9, 14, 19, 30, 35, 40 , 45
EARFCN-1 15 MHz 2, 7, 12, 17, 22, 27, 32, 42, 47, 52, 57, 62, 67, 72
EARFCN-1 20 MHz 4, 9, 14, 19, 24, 29, 34, 39, 44, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95

Thereafter, the method at step [408], further with the help of at least one IoT application module [202], performs a scan of said stored list to identify the NB-IOT channel, wherein the said identification of the said NB-IoT cell is based on at least one of the preferred mode. If the user equipment [102] was previously camped on to a NB-IoT channel but is currently camped onto the CAT-1 channel due to NB coverage loss, the user equipment [102] performs this scan of the stored NB supported frequencies. The invention encompasses that this scan is performed periodically when the user equipment [102] is connected to the CAT-1 channel.
Thereafter, the method leads to step [410]. At step [410], the said method comprises, switching, by the user equipment [102], from the CAT-1 channel to the identified NB-IOT channel. Thereafter, the method terminates at step [412].
In an instance, if the user equipment [102], fails to identify at least one NB-IoT cell/channel in said preferred mode, the said user equipment further configured to perform a full band scan.
Referring to FIG.5, an exemplary method flow diagram [500] depicting a second aspect of a method for switching a user equipment from a CAT-1 channel to a NB-IOT channel in a wireless network is shown.
The invention encompasses that the method begins at step [502]. In an example, the user equipment [102] may be configured to operate in idle mode and the method with respect to the present invention begins when said user equipment [102] fails to switch from a CAT-1 channel to a NB-IoT channel in a wireless network and the NB cell coverage is lost in said user equipment [102].
At step [504], the method comprises, receiving, by the user equipment [102], a system information broadcast message, from at least one network entity [104], said system information broadcast message comprising at least one NB neighbor cell details. The

said system information broadcast message is received by the NB-IOT Radio Interface [210] of the user equipment [102] from a network entity [104] in a wireless network. The CAT-1 cell has a bandwidth of up to 20 MHz and therefore has enough space for new contents (i.e. neighbour NB cell details) to be included in the system information message.
In an example the said received system information broadcast message may be as follows:
SystemInformationBlockTypeX ::= SEQUENCE {
Intra-interFreqCarrierNBFreqList-vX FreqCarrierNBFreqList-vX,
...,
}
Intra-InterFreqCarrierNBFreqList-vX::=SEQUENCE(SIZE(1..maxFreq))OF
Intra-InterFreqNBCarrierFreqInfo-vX
Intra-InterFreqCarrierFreqInfo-vX ::= SEQUENCE {
dl-CarrierFreq ARFCN-ValueEUTRA,
q-RxLevMin Q-RxLevMin,
p-Max P-Max OPTIONAL, -- Need OP
threshX-High ReselectionThreshold,
threshX-Low ReselectionThreshold,
q-OffsetFreq Q-OffsetRange DEFAULT dB0,
intra-interFreqNeighCellList Intra-InterFreqNeighCellList OPTIONAL, -- Need OR
...,
}
Intra-InterFreqNeighCellList ::= SEQUENCE (SIZE (1..maxCellIntra-Inter)) OF
Intra-InterFreqNeighCellInfo
Intra-InterFreqNeighCellInfo ::= SEQUENCE {
physCellId PhysCellId,
q-OffsetCell Q-OffsetRange
}

Further after receiving the said system information broadcast message on NB-IoT Radio Interface [210] of said user equipment [102], the method further leads to the step [506]. At step [506], the user equipment [102] processes the system information broadcast message to identify the NB-IOT channel/cell corresponding to the received at least one NB neighbour cell details. The said processing to identify the NB-IOT channel/cell corresponding to the received at least one NB neighbour cell details, is performed by the IoT application module [202] of the said user equipment [102].
The method further at step [508] further comprises, switching, by the user equipment [102], from the CAT-1 channel to the identified NB-IOT channel. The said switching is performed by the processing unit [204] of the said user equipment [102]. Thereafter upon switching of the user equipment [102] from the CAT-1 channel to the identified NB-IOT channel, the method further terminates at step [510].
Referring to FIG. 6, an exemplary method flow diagram [600] depicting a third aspect of a method for switching a user equipment from a CAT-1 channel to a NB-IOT channel in a wireless network, is shown.
The method begins at step [602]. In an example, the user equipment [102] may be configured to operate in connected mode. As used herein, the user equipment [102] is said to be in connected mode when RRC signalling connection is established between the user equipment [102] and the network entity [104]. In this mode, the radio interface [210] of the user equipment [102] is in active mode and data is being transmitted between the user equipment [102] and the network entity [104]. The mobility management in this state is done by the network and is based on measurement reports sent by the user equipment [102].
At step [604], the said method comprises, transmitting, from the network entity [104] to the user equipment [102], a RRC connection reconfiguration message, wherein said reconfiguration message comprises at least a NB neighbor cell information. The said

neighbor cell information includes NB neighbor cell frequency and the like data associated with NB neighbor cell or NB-IoT Cell/channel.
Further, the method at step [606] comprises, preparing, by the user equipment [102], at least one measurement report comprising a list of at least one NB neighbour cell and one or more parameters associated with each of said NB neighbour cell. The measurement report may be prepares periodically by the user equipment [102] or in response to an event received in the RRC connection reconfiguration message. Thereafter, the user equipment [102] transmits this measurement report to the wireless network.
Thereafter, the network at step [610] identifies an optimum NB cell based on said received measurement report. The identification of the optimum NB cell includes, ranking the NB neighbour cells list received from the user equipment [102], by the network entity [104] based on the associated parameters of the NB cells such as signal strength information. The highest ranked cell may then be selected as the optimum NB neighbour cell.
The said method after identifying said optimum NB cell based on said received measurement report further at step [612] comprises, receiving via the wireless network, a RRC connection release message at the user equipment [102], said RRC connection release message comprising said at least the optimum NB IOT channel information amongst other information.
Further the method at step [614] comprises, switching by the user equipment [102], from the CAT-1 channel to the identified optimum NB-IoT channel based on the RRC connection release message.
Thereafter upon switching of the user equipment [102] from the CAT-1 channel to the identified NB-IOT channel, the method further terminates at step [616].

Referring to FIG. 7, a flow diagram [700] depicting an exemplary method for implementation of optimised periodic NB search to enable switching of a user equipment from a CAT-1 channel to a NB-IOT channel in a wireless network, is shown.
The invention encompasses that the method begins at step [702]. In an example, the user equipment [102] may be configured to operate in idle mode and the method with respect to the present invention begins when said user equipment [102] fails to switch from a CAT-1 channel to a NB-IoT channel. At step [704], the user equipment [102] may be configured to CAMP on CAT-1 Cell, wherein the NB cell coverage for the said user equipment [102] is lost.
At step [704] a periodic timer is started to find at least one NB cell. In an instance the said identification of at least one NB cell is based on at least one preferred mode, wherein the said preferred mode may be one of an in band, guard band or standalone. The method thereafter at step [706] is configured to check the periodic timer expire status. If the said duration of the periodic timer is expired the method may lead to step [708], whereas if the timer is not expired at step [706], the said method will lead to step [704] again and starts the periodic timer to find NB cell.
Further the method at step [708], verifies if the stored frequency channel list of NB RAT is available at the user equipment [102]. If the said stored frequency channel list of NB RAT is available, the method may leads to step [710], else to step [712].
At step [710] the user equipment [102] performs an NB stored list search and then the said method further leads to the step [714].
At step [712] a full band scan is performed and the said full band scan further comprises supported preferred mode (in-band/ guard band) and searching of NB

supported frequencies / PRB indices table. Thereafter, the method further leads to step [716] from step [712].
The method at step [714] is configured to check the identification status of the NB cell. If the said NB cell is identified the method will further lead to step [716], in other case if no NB cell is identified/found the said method will lead back to step [712].
Lastly, at step [716], the user equipment [102] camps on identified CAT-NB cell. Thereafter the said method terminates at step [718], upon switching of a user equipment [102] from a CAT-1 channel to a NB-IOT channel by camping on to CAT-NB cell.
Referring to FIG. 8, a flow diagram [800] depicting an exemplary method for implementation of broadcasting neighbouring list of NB cells to enable switching of a user equipment from a CAT-1 channel to a NB-IOT channel in a wireless network, is shown.
The invention encompasses that the method begins at step [802]. The user equipment [102] may be configured to operate in idle mode and the method with respect to the present invention begins when said user equipment [102] fails to switch from a CAT-1 channel to a NB-IoT channel.
At step [804], the user equipment [102] may be configured to CAMP on CAT-1 Cell, wherein the NB cell coverage for the said user equipment [102] is lost. The method further at step [806] configured to check for NB cell information received in a System information Broadcast Message. The said System information Broadcast Message is transmitted from the network entity [104] to the user equipment [102]. The NB-IoT radio interface [210] of the user equipment is configured to receive the said System information Broadcast Message, wherein the said System information Broadcast

Message further comprises information related to at least one of the neighbour NB cell in the wireless network.
Further at step [806] if the NB cell information is received in System Information Broadcast Message, the said method at step [806] will further leads to the step [808]. In any other event if the said NB cell information is not received in System Information Broadcast Message, the said method at step [806] leads back to the step [804]. Thereafter the said method at step [808], comprises CAMPING on the user equipment [102] on CAT-NB cell. Further the said method terminates at step [810], upon switching of a user equipment [102] from a CAT-1 channel to a NB-IOT channel by camping on to CAT-NB cell.
Referring to FIG. 9, a flow diagram [900] depicting an exemplary method for implementation of event based measurements of neighbouring list to enable switching of a user equipment from a CAT-1 channel to a NB-IOT channel in a wireless network, is shown.
The invention encompasses that the method begins at step [902]. In an example, the user equipment [102] may be configured to operate in connected mode and the method with respect to the present invention begins when said user equipment [102] fails to switch from a CAT-1 channel to a NB-IoT channel.
At step [904], the user equipment [102] may be configured to CAMP on CAT-1 Cell, wherein the NB cell coverage for the said user equipment [102] is lost. Further at step [906], the user equipment [102] may be configured to check whether the user equipment [102] is connected with the network entity [104]. The method at step [906] will further leads to the step [908] if the user equipment [102] is in connected state and if the user equipment is not in the connected state the method leads back to the step [904].

The said method at step [908] comprises receiving on the user equipment [102] a RRC Configuration with an EVENT to measure neighbour NB cell information from network entity [104]/wireless network. In an example the said received system information broadcast message may be provided as herein below: LTE RRC OTA Packet -- DL_DCCH / RRCConnectionReconfiguration Radio Bearer ID = 1, Physical Cell ID = 412 Freq = xxxxx
value DL-DCCH-Message ::= { message c1 : rrcConnectionReconfiguration : { rrc-TransactionIdentifier 1,
criticalExtensions c1 : rrcConnectionReconfiguration-r8 : { measConfig { measObjectToAddModList { { measObjectId 2,
measObject measObjectEUTRA : { carrierFreq xxxxx, allowedMeasBandwidth mbw15,
presenceAntennaPort1 TRUE, neighCellConfig '00'B, offsetFreq dB0, cellsToAddModList { {

cellIndex 1, physCellId 448, cellIndividualOffset dB-3 }, ....
reportConfigToAddModList { { reportConfig reportConfigEUTRA : { triggerType event : { eventId eventA1_NB : {
a1-Threshold threshold-RSRP : 50 }, hysteresis 0, timeToTrigger ms480 }, triggerQuantity rsrp, reportQuantity both, reportInterval ms480, ....
quantityConfig { quantityConfigEUTRA {
filterCoefficientRSRP fc4, }

Thereafter, in an event if the RRC Configuration with an EVENT to measure neighbor NB cell information is received and identified by the user equipment [102], the said method from step [908] further leads to step [910], in another event if the RRC Configuration with an EVENT to measure neighbor NB cell information is not identified/received by the user equipment [102], the said method from step [908] leads back to step [906].
At step [910] a measurement report with NB cells detected is sent from the user equipment [102] to the network entity [104]. Thereafter, at step [910] RRC connection release message is received at the user equipment [102] with redirection to user equipment [102] with NB Cell information.
Thereafter the method leads to step [912] which comprises CAMPING on the user equipment [102] on CAT-NB cell. Further the said method terminates at step [914], upon switching of a user equipment [102] from a CAT-1 channel to a NB-IOT channel by camping on to CAT-NB cell.
Referring to FIG. 10, a flow diagram [1000] depicting an exemplary method for implementation of periodic measurement of neighbouring list to enable switching of a user equipment from a CAT-1 channel to a NB-IOT channel in a wireless network, is shown.
The method begins at step [1002]. In an example, the user equipment [102] may be configured to operate in connected mode and the method with respect to the present invention begins when said user equipment [102] fails to switch from a CAT-1 channel to a NB-IoT channel.
At step [1004], the user equipment [102] may be configured to CAMP on CAT-1 Cell, wherein the NB cell coverage for the said user equipment [102] is lost. Further at step [1006], the user equipment [102] may be configured to check whether the user

equipment [102] is connected with the network entity [104]. In one instance, the method at step [1006] further leads to the step [1008] if the user equipment [102] is in connected state and in another instance, if the user equipment is not in the connected state the method will leads back to the step [1004].
The said method at step [1008] comprises receiving on the user equipment [102] a RRC Configuration with periodic measurement of neighbor NB cell information via network entity [104]/wireless network. Thereafter, in an event if the RRC Configuration with periodic measurement of neighbor NB cell information is identified/received by the user equipment [102], the said method from step [1008] further leads to step [1010], in another event if the RRC Configuration with periodic measurement of neighbor NB cell information is not identified/received by the user equipment [102], the said method from step [1008] leads back to step [1006].
The method further at step [1010] comprises sending the measurement report with NB cells detected from the user equipment [102] to the network entity [104], and receiving the RRC connection release with redirection to user equipment [102] with NB Cell information via network entity [104]. Thereafter the method leads to step [1012] which comprises CAMPING on the user equipment [102] on CAT-NB cell. Further the said method terminates at step [1014], upon switching of a user equipment [102] from a CAT-1 channel to a NB-IOT channel by camping on to CAT-NB cell.

We Claim:
1. A method of switching a user equipment [102] from a Category -1 (CAT-1)
channel to a Narrow Band-Internet of Things (NB-IOT) channel in a wireless
network, said user equipment [102] being currently connected to said CAT-1
channel, the method comprising:
- storing, by the user equipment [102], a mode preference of said wireless network, wherein said mode is one of a guard-band, in-band and standalone;
- storing by the user equipment [102], a list comprising at least one Narrow Band (NB) supported frequency and a Narrow Band-Physical Resource Block (NB-PRB) index corresponding to each of said NB supported frequency, wherein the list is based on said mode preference;
- performing, by the user equipment [102], a scan of said stored list to identify the NB-IOT channel; and
- switching, by the user equipment [102], from the CAT-1 channel to the identified NB-IOT channel.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising periodically performing a NB cell search to identify said at least one NB supported frequency.
3. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the user equipment [102] is operating in an idle mode.
4. A method of switching a user equipment [102] from a Category-1 (CAT-1) channel to a Narrow Band-Internet of Things (NB-IOT) channel in a wireless network, said user equipment [102] being currently connected to said CAT-1 channel, the method comprising:
- receiving, by the user equipment [102], a system information broadcast
message, from a network entity [104], said system information broadcast
message comprising at least one NB neighbor cell details;

- processing, by the user equipment [102], the system information broadcast message to identify the NB-IOT channel corresponding to the received at least one NB neighbor cell details; and
- switching, by the user equipment [102], from the CAT-1 channel to the identified NB-IOT channel.

5. The method as claimed in claim 4 wherein the user equipment is operating in an idle mode.
6. A user equipment [102] being currently connected to a Category -1 (CAT-1) channel, said user equipment [102] comprising:
- a memory [206] configured to
store a mode preference of said wireless network, wherein said mode is one of a guard-band, in-band and standalone, and
store a list comprising at least one NB supported frequency and a Narrow Band-Physical Resource Block (NB-PRB) index corresponding to each of said NB supported frequency, wherein the list is based on said mode preference;
- an IoT application module [202] coupled to said memory [206], said IoT application module [202] configured to perform a scan of said stored list to identify the NB-IOT channel; and
- a processor [204] coupled to said memory [206] and said IoT application module [202], wherein the processor [204] is configured to switch the user equipment [102] from the CAT-1 channel to the identified NB-IOT channel.

7. The user equipment [102] as claimed in claim 6 further comprising a NB-IOT radio interface [210] coupled to at least one on-boarding client module [208], said IoT application module [202] and said processor [204], wherein the NB-IOT radio interface [210] is configured to perform periodic cell search to identify said at least one NB supported frequency.
8. The user equipment [102] as claimed in claim 6 wherein the user equipment [102] is operating in an idle mode.
9. A user equipment [102] comprising:

- A NB-IOT radio interface [210] configured to receive, a system information broadcast message, from a network entity [104];
- A processor [204] coupled to said NB-IOT radio interface [210], said processor [204] is configured to:
process the system information broadcast message to identify the NB-IOT channel corresponding to the received at least one NB neighbor cell details, and
switch the user equipment [102] from the CAT-1 channel to the identified NB-IOT channel.
10. The user equipment [102] as claimed in claim 9 wherein the user equipment [102] is operating in an idle mode.
11. A method of switching a user equipment [102] from a Category -1 (CAT-1) channel to a Narrow Band- Internet of Things (NB-IOT) channel in a wireless network, said user equipment [102] being currently connected to said CAT-1 channel, the method comprising:

- transmitting, from the network entity [104] to the user equipment [102], a RRC connection reconfiguration message, wherein said reconfiguration message comprises at least one NB neighbor cell information;
- preparing, by the user equipment [102], at least one measurement report comprising a list of at least one NB neighbor cell and one or more parameters associates with each of said NB neighbor cell;
- transmitting, by the user equipment [102] to the network entity [104], said measurement report;
- identifying, by the network entity [106], an optimum NB channel based on the received measurement report;
- receiving, at the user equipment [102] from the network entity [104], a RRC connection release message, said RRC connection release message comprising said optimum NB IOT channel information; and

- switching by the user equipment [102], from the CAT-1 channel to the
identified optimum NB-IOT channel based on the RRC connection release
message.
12. The method as claimed in claim 9 wherein the transmitting, by the user equipment [102] to the network entity [104], said measurement report is based on one of a periodic transmission and an event-based transmission.
13. The method as claimed in claim 9 wherein the User equipment [102] is operating in a connected mode.
14. A system for switching a user equipment [102] from a Category -1 (CAT-1) channel to a Narrow Band-Internet of Things (NB-IOT) channel, said user equipment [102] being currently connected to said CAT-1 channel, the system comprising:

- a network entity [106] configured to transmit a RRC connection reconfiguration message, wherein said reconfiguration message comprises at least one NB neighbor cell information; and
- the user equipment [102] connected to said network entity [106], wherein the User equipment [102] is configured to
prepare at least one measurement report comprising a list of at least one NB neighbor cell and one or more parameters associates with each of said NB neighbor cell, and
transmit said measurement report to the wireless network; wherein the network entity [106] is further configured to identifying an optimum NB cell based on the received measurement report, and wherein the user equipment [102] is further configured to
receive, from the wireless network, a RRC connection release message, said RRC connection release message comprising said optimum NB IOT channel information, and
switch from the CAT-1 channel to the identified optimum NB-IOT channel based on the RRC connection release message.

15. The system as claimed in claim 12 wherein the user equipment [102] is operating in a connected mode.