FORM 2
HE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970) PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
TITLE OF THE INVENTION
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANAGING UE SELECTION DURING EUTRA SCHEDULED
ANR PROCEDURES
APPLICANT
of Office-101, Saffron, Nr C JIO PLATFORMS LIMITED„-__
380006, Gujarat, India; Nationality: India
following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed

RESERVATION OF RIGHTS
[001] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material,
which is subject to intellectual property rights such as, but are not limited to, copyright, design, trademark, Integrated Circuit (IC) layout design, and/or trade 5 dress protection, belonging to Jio Platforms Limited (JPL) or its affiliates (herein after referred as owner). The owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all rights whatsoever. All rights to such intellectual property are fully reserved by the owner.
10 TECHNICAL FIELD
[002] The present disclosure relates to wireless communications, and
specifically to a system and a method for optimizing a User Equipment (UE) selection during an Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (EUTRA) Scheduled Automatic Neighbour Relations (ANR) procedure to save battery life of 15 the UE.
DEFINITION
[003] As used in the present disclosure, the following terms are generally intended to have the meaning as set forth below, except to the extent that the context in which they are used to indicate otherwise.
20 [004] The expression ‘Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-
UTRA)’ used hereinafter in the specification refers to a wireless communication technology that provides a high data rate, and a low latency communication link between User Equipments (UEs) (e.g., mobile phones) and base stations.
[005] The expression ‘Automatic Neighbour Relations (ANR)’ used
25 hereinafter in the specification refers to a self-organizing network (SON) feature that automatically generates relations between radio network entities for enabling many features such as, an active-mode mobility, and a load balancing and dual connectivity.
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[006] The expression ‘Element Management System (EMS)’ used
hereinafter in the specification refers to a system designed to manage network elements (NEs) or devices in a wireless network. It is responsible for configuring, monitoring, and controlling the NEs, as well as performing other management 5 tasks.
[007] The expression “EUTRA capable UEs” used hereinafter in the
specification refers to UEs that are capable of operating on an EUTRA frequencies.
[008] The expression “EUTRA scheduled ANR procedure” used
hereinafter in the specification refers to a mechanism within the wireless network 10 (in i.e., a Long-Term Evolution (LTE), and Fifth Generation (5G) networks) designed to continuously monitor and optimize neighbour cells relations for efficient handover management and network performance.
[009] The expression “EUTRA Absolute Radio Frequency Channel
Numbers (ARFCNs)” used hereinafter in the specification refers to identifiers used 15 in the wireless network to represent specific radio frequencies within designated network bands. These identifiers are essential for defining and configuring radio channels for communication between the UEs and the base stations.
[0010] The expression “Physical Cell Identifier (PCI) measurement” used
hereinafter in the specification refers to a process by which a UE in the wireless 20 network determines a PCI of neighbouring cells to facilitate efficient handover decisions, an interference management, and a network planning in the wireless network.
[0011] The expression “a known PCI” used hereinafter in the specification
refers to a PCI of neighbouring cell. This PCI is already known to a radio access 25 network (i.e., the wireless network) and are typically included in EUTRA PCI measurement reports.
[0012] The expression “an unknown PCI” used hereinafter in the
specification refers to a PCIs of neighbouring cell. This PCI is (not known to the radio access network to which the UE is connected) included in the EUTRA PCI
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measurement reports when the UE identifies new neighbouring cells or when there are changes in the wireless network environment.
[0013] The expression “EUTRA network Cell Global Identifier (ECGI)
used hereinafter in the specification refers to a unique identifier assigned to each 5 neighbour cell in the wireless network (e.g., LTE). The ECGI is crucial for mobility management, handover procedures, and network optimization tasks.
[0014] The expression “a discontinuous reception (DRX)” used hereinafter
in the specification refers to a technique used in the wireless networks where a UE
periodically turn off its receiver during idle periods, and periodically wakes up the
10 receiver to check for incoming data or paging messages from the wireless network.
[0015] The expression “bearer” refers to a data connection or a channel
established between a UE and an Evolved Packet Core (EPC) in a network architecture.
[0016] These definitions are in addition to those expressed in the art.
15 BACKGROUND
[0017] 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 20 to enhance the understanding of the reader with respect to the present disclosure, and not as admissions of prior art.
[0018] In a field of wireless communications, particularly within a context
of Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (EUTRA) networks, an Automatic Neighbour Relations (ANR) algorithm plays a critical role in maintaining up-to-25 date neighbour cell information, which is essential for seamless handover and an optimal radio resource management. During the execution of an EUTRA scheduled ANR algorithm, User Equipments (UEs) are required to report measurements of neighbouring cells to assist in construction and maintenance of a Neighbour Relation Table (NRT).
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[0019] However, it has been observed from field logs that a current
execution of the EUTRA scheduled ANR algorithm often results in generation of multiple duplicate measurement reports from the UEs. This redundancy not only leads to unnecessary consumption of network resources, such as a bandwidth and a 5 processing power, but also contributes to a draining of the UE's battery life. Further, excessive signalling due to duplicate measurement reports increases a load on a radio access network and can degrade a performance of both the radio access network and the UE.
[0020] Furthermore, the generation of duplicate measurement reports is
10 typically a consequence of multiple UEs independently reporting measurements for a same EUTRA Physical Cell Identity (PCI) or when the EUTRA scheduled ANR algorithm redundantly configures the UEs to report on neighbouring cells that are already well-represented in the NRT. This inefficiency in an EUTRA scheduled ANR process can lead to a suboptimal experience for end-users, characterized by 15 faster battery depletion and potential service degradation during handover scenarios.
[0021] Therefore, there exists a need in the art to refine the EUTRA
scheduled ANR algorithm and the associated UE measurement reporting process to avoid the generation of multiple duplicate measurement reports.
20 OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE
[0022] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a User Equipment
(UE) selection mechanism during execution of an Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (EUTRA) scheduled Automatic Neighbour Relations (ANR) procedure to save battery life of the UE, by configuring optimal ANR specific 25 measurement corresponding to the UE.
[0023] It is an object of the present disclosure to enable optimized selection
of the UEs during execution of the EUTRA scheduled ANR procedure to detect new neighbour cells in a scheduled interval by an Element Management System (EMS). In the scheduled interval, the ANR procedure may be repeated in multiple
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small intervals and each iteration may select EUTRA capable UEs to configure EUTRA measurement to detect new neighbour cells.
[0024] It is an object of the present disclosure to quickly build a Neighbour
Relation Table (NRT) with an optimal UE selection to improve a handover success 5 rate leading to less dropped connections due to missing neighbour cells relations.
[0025] It is an object of the present disclosure to configure at least a single
measurement entity corresponding to the UE and a maximum of three UEs per E-UTRA Absolute Radio Frequency Channel Numbers (ARFCNs) to avoid generation of duplicate measurement reports (i.e., EUTRA Physical Cell Identity 10 (PCI) reports) and improvement in the UE battery life.
SUMMARY
[0026] The present disclosure envisages a system for managing a User
Equipment (UE) selection during an Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (EUTRA) Scheduled Automatic Neighbour Relations (ANR) procedure. The
15 system includes a processing engine, and a memory communicatively coupled to the processing engine. The memory stores instructions that, when executed by the processing engine, cause the processing engine to receive a list of EUTRA capable UEs configured for the EUTRA scheduled ANR procedure. The processing engine is configured to configure each UE in the list of EUTRA capable UEs for reporting
20 a corresponding EUTRA Physical Cell Identity (PCI) measurement for a respective EUTRA Absolute Radio Frequency Channel Numbers (ARFCNs). The configuring includes limiting a number of UEs corresponding to each of the respective EUTRA ARFCNs to a pre-defined limit. The processing engine is configured to receive an EUTRA PCI measurement report from each of the number of UEs, in response to
25 configuring. The processing engine is configured to process the EUTRA PCI measurement report to determine whether a PCI corresponding to each of the number of UEs is a known PCI or an unknown PCI. The processing engine is configured to configure an EUTRA network Cell Global Identifier (ECGI) reporting of the unknown PCI to each of the one or more UEs, upon determining
30 the unknown PCI corresponding to one or more UEs of the number of UEs. The
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processing engine is configured to receive an ECGI report from each of the one or more UEs in response to configuring. The processing engine is configured to admit one or more new neighbour cells from each or the one or more UEs configured for the EUTRA scheduled ANR procedure, upon receiving the ECGI report.
5 [0027] In an embodiment, to receive the list of EUTRA capable UEs, the
processing engine is further configured to send a request corresponding to the list of EUTRA capable UEs to a Resource Manager (RM).
[0028] In an embodiment, the processing engine is further configured to
select each UE eligible for the EUTRA scheduled ANR procedure, from a plurality 10 of UEs, based on a pre-defined eligibility criteria using a selection process. The processing engine is further configured to generate the list of EUTRA capable UEs upon identifying each UE eligible for the EUTRA scheduled ANR procedure.
[0029] In an embodiment, the pre-defined eligibility criteria include a
configuration of a UE supporting ECGI reporting, a configuration of the UE 15 supporting a discontinuous reception (DRX), and a state of bearer.
[0030] In an embodiment, the processing engine is further configured to
reset a selected status of each UE in the list of EUTRA capable UEs to a not selected status upon completion of the EUTRA scheduled ANR procedure, allowing each UE to be eligible for subsequent EUTRA scheduled ANR procedures.
20 [0031] In an embodiment, the processing engine (110) is further configured
to prevent selection each UE from being reselected for configuring within a scheduled interval.
[0032] The present disclosure also envisages a method for managing a User
Equipment (UE) selection during an Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access 25 (EUTRA) Scheduled Automatic Neighbour Relations (ANR) procedure. The method includes receiving a list of EUTRA capable UEs configured for the EUTRA scheduled ANR procedure. The method includes configuring each UE in the list of EUTRA capable UEs for reporting a corresponding EUTRA Physical Cell Identity (PCI) measurement for a respective EUTRA Absolute Radio Frequency Channel
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Numbers (ARFCNs). The configuring includes limiting a number of UEs corresponding to each of the respective EUTRA ARFCNs to a pre-defined limit. The method includes receiving an EUTRA PCI measurement report from each of the number of UEs, in response to configuring. The method includes processing the 5 EUTRA PCI measurement report to determine whether a PCI corresponding to each of the number of UEs is a known PCI or an unknown PCI. The method includes configuring an EUTRA network Cell Global Identifier (ECGI) reporting of the unknown PCI to each of the one or more UEs, upon determining the unknown PCI corresponding to one or more UEs of the number of UEs. The method includes 10 receiving, by the processing engine (110), an ECGI report from each of the one or more UEs in response to configuring The method includes admitting one or more new neighbouring cells from each or the one or more UEs configured for the EUTRA scheduled ANR procedure, upon receiving the ECGI report.
[0033] In an embodiment, the method further includes sending a request
15 corresponding to the list of EUTRA capable UEs to a Resource Manager (RM).
[0034] In an embodiment, the method further includes selecting each UE
eligible for the EUTRA scheduled ANR procedure, from a plurality of UEs, based on a pre-defined eligibility criteria using a selection process. The method further includes generating the list of EUTRA capable UEs upon identifying each UE 20 eligible for the EUTRA scheduled ANR procedure.
[0035] In an embodiment, the pre-defined eligibility criteria include a
configuration of a UE supporting ECGI reporting, a configuration of the UE supporting a discontinuous reception (DRX), and a state of bearer.
[0036] In an embodiment, the method further includes resetting a selected
25 status of each UE in the list of EUTRA capable UEs to a not selected status upon completion of the EUTRA scheduled ANR procedure, allowing each UE to be eligible for subsequent EUTRA scheduled ANR procedures.
[0037] In an embodiment, the method further includes preventing selection
of each UE from being selected for configuring within a scheduled interval.
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[0038] The present disclosure also envisages a User Equipment (UE)
communicatively coupled to a system, configured to receive a request for reporting a corresponding EUTRA Physical Cell Identity (PCI) measurement for a respective EUTRA Absolute Radio Frequency Channel Numbers (ARFCNs). The UE is 5 configured to send an EUTRA PCI measurement report to the system (102) in response to receiving the request. The UE is configured to receive an EUTRA network Cell Global Identifier (ECGI) reporting configuration corresponding to an unknown PCI associated with the UE. The UE is configured to send an ECGI report in response to receiving the EUTRA PCI report from the UE corresponding to the 10 unknown PCI.
[0039] Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more
apparent from the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
15 [0040] 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
20 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 the disclosure of electrical components, electronic components or circuitry commonly used to implement such components.
25 [0041] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a system for managing a User
Equipment (UE) selection during an Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (EUTRA) scheduled Automatic Neighbour Relations (ANR) procedure, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
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[0042] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary process flow depicting a UE
selection algorithm for an EUTRA scheduled ANR procedure, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0043] FIG. 3 illustrates a detailed flow diagram of a method for managing
5 a UE selection during an EUTRA scheduled ANR procedure, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0044] FIG. 4 illustrates a flow chart of an exemplary process of selecting a
UE based on a pre-defined eligibility criteria, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
10 [0045] FIG. 5 illustrates a flow diagram of a method for managing a UE
selection during an EUTRA scheduled ANR procedure, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0046] FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a computer system
in which or with which embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented.
15 [0047] The foregoing shall be more apparent from the following more
detailed description of the disclosure.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
102 – System
104 – Processor(s) 20 106 – Memory
108 – Interface(s)
110 – Processing engine
112 – Database
200 – Exemplary process flow 25 202 – Distributed Self Organising Network (DSON)
204 - Measurement
206 – Resource Manager (RM)
610 - External storage device
620 - Bus
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630 - Main memory 640 - Read-only memory 650 - Mass storage device 660 - Communication port(s) 5 670 – Processor
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0048] 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
10 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 any of the problems discussed above or might address only some of the problems discussed above. Some of the problems discussed above might not be
15 fully addressed by any of the features described herein. Example embodiments of the present disclosure are described below, as illustrated in various drawings in which like reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the different drawings.
[0049] The ensuing description provides exemplary embodiments only, and
20 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 25 of the disclosure as set forth.
[0050] 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 30 components may be shown as components in block diagram form in order not to
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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.
[0051] Also, it is noted that individual embodiments may be described as a
5 process that 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 10 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.
[0052] The word “exemplary” and/or “demonstrative” is used herein to
15 mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. For the avoidance of doubt, the subject matter disclosed herein is not limited by such examples. In addition, any aspect or design described herein as “exemplary” and/or “demonstrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs, nor is it meant to preclude equivalent exemplary structures and techniques 20 known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms “includes,” “has,” “contains,” and other similar words are used in either the detailed description or the claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive like the term “comprising” as an open transition word without precluding any additional or other elements.
25 [0053] Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an
embodiment” or “an instance” or “one instance” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Thus, the appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout
30 this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.
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Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.
[0054] The terminology used herein is to describe particular embodiments
only and is not intended to be limiting the disclosure. As used herein, the singular 5 forms “a”, “an”, and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other
10 features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It should be noted that the terms “mobile device”, “user equipment”, “user device”, “communication device”, “device” and similar terms are used interchangeably for the purpose of describing the invention. These terms
15 are not intended to limit the scope of the invention or imply any specific functionality or limitations on the described embodiments. The use of these terms is solely for convenience and clarity of description. The invention is not limited to any particular type of device or equipment, and it should be understood that other equivalent terms or variations thereof may be used interchangeably without
20 departing from the scope of the invention as defined herein.
[0055] As used herein, an “electronic device”, or “portable electronic
device”, or “user device” or “communication device” or “user equipment” or “device” refers to any electrical, electronic, electromechanical, and computing device. The user device is capable of receiving and/or transmitting one or
25 parameters, performing function/s, communicating with other user devices, and transmitting data to the other user devices. The user equipment 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 user equipment may be capable of operating on any radio access technology including but not limited to IP-enabled communication, Zig Bee,
30 Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy, Near Field Communication, Z-Wave, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi direct, etc. For instance, the user equipment may include, but not limited to, a mobile phone, smartphone, virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR)
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devices, laptop, a general-purpose computer, desktop, personal digital assistant, tablet computer, mainframe computer, or any other device as may be obvious to a person skilled in the art for implementation of the features of the present disclosure.
[0056] Further, the user device may also comprise a “processor” or
5 “processing unit” includes processing unit, wherein processor refers to any logic circuitry for processing instructions. The 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 10 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 is a hardware processor.
15 [0057] As portable electronic devices and wireless technologies continue to
improve and grow in popularity, the advancing wireless technologies for data transfer are also expected to evolve and replace older generations of wireless technologies. In a field of wireless data communications, a dynamic advancement of various generations of cellular technology are also seen. The development, in
20 this respect, has been incremental in an order of a second generation (2G), a third generation (3G), a fourth generation (4G), and now a fifth generation (5G), and more such generations are expected to continue in the forthcoming time.
[0058] While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the
components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be
25 appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing
30 descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation.
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[0059] The present disclosure addresses the technical problem of excessive
battery consumption in a User Equipment (UE) and an inefficiency of network resources due to a generation of multiple duplicate measurement reports during an execution of an Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (EUTRA) scheduled 5 Automatic Neighbour Relations (ANR) procedure. This problem is particularly acute when UEs are required to detect new neighbour cells within intervals scheduled by an Element Management System (EMS). Conventional ANR procedures often result in a selection of same UEs for subsequent measurement iterations within a same scheduled interval, leading to redundant measurements and 10 unnecessary depletion of battery life of the UEs.
[0060] A solution provided by the present disclosure involves a system and
a method that manage the selection of UEs during the EUTRA scheduled ANR procedure. The system includes a processor configured to execute instructions to select UEs in a manner that prevents the same UE from being selected for
15 subsequent measurement iterations within the same scheduled interval. This is achieved by configuring each UE in a list of EUTRA capable UEs for reporting a corresponding EUTRA Physical Cell Identity (PCI) measurement and limiting the configuration to up to three UEs per EUTRA Absolute Radio Frequency Channel Numbers (ARFCNs), thereby reducing the likelihood of duplicate measurement
20 reports. Furthermore, the processor is responsible for building and updating a Neighbour Relation Table (NRT) based on the received measurement reports (i.e., EUTRA PCI measurement reports), which facilitates a quicker and more efficient handover process, ultimately leading to an improved handover success rate and a reduction in dropped connections due to missing neighbour relations. The system
25 and the method thereby provide a technical solution to the aforementioned problems by optimizing the UE battery life and enhancing an efficiency of network resource utilization. The disclosed system would not only improve the battery life of the UE by reducing unnecessary measurement activities but also enhance an overall efficiency of the network resource utilization. By optimizing the measurement
30 reports process, a network (e.g., a wireless network, such as a Fourth Generation (4G) network, a Fifth Generation (5G) network, a Sixth Generation (6G) network, etc) can ensure that only essential reports are generated and processed, thereby
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conserving both the UE battery life and the network resources (e.g., servers, routers, switches, firewalls, load balancers, Wireless Access Points (WAPs), etc.).
[0061] The various embodiments throughout the disclosure will be
explained in more detail with reference to FIG. 1- FIG. 6.
5 [0062] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram (100) of a system (102) for
managing a User Equipment (UE) selection during an EUTRA scheduled ANR procedure, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0063] The system (102) is configured to configure each UE in a list of
EUTRA capable UEs for the EUTRA scheduled ANR procedures. As already
10 known to the person skilled in art, the EUTRA is a technical name for a radio access network standard of a Long-Term Evolution (LTE) cellular network technology. In other words, EUTRA is a wireless communication technology that provides a high data rate, and a low latency communication link between UEs (e.g., mobile phones) and base stations. Further, the ANR is a feature in cellular networks, particularly in
15 LTE and 5G networks, designed to automate a process of managing and optimizing neighbour cells relationships between base stations. In particular, a self-organizing network (SON) feature that automatically generates relations between radio network entities for enabling many features such as, an active-mode mobility, and a load balancing and dual connectivity.
20 [0064] As shown in FIG. 1, the system (102) may include one or more
processor(s) (104). The one or more processor(s) (104) may be implemented as one or more microprocessors, microcomputers, microcontrollers, edge or fog microcontrollers, digital signal processors, central processing units, logic circuitries, and/or any devices that process data based on operational instructions.
25 Among other capabilities, one or more processor(s) (104) may be configured to fetch and execute computer-readable instructions stored in a memory (106) of the system (102). The memory (106) may be configured to store one or more computer-readable instructions or routines in a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, which may be fetched and executed to create or share data (i.e., data
30 packets) over a network service. The memory (106) may comprise any non-16

transitory storage device including, for example, a volatile memory such as a
Random-Access Memory (RAM), or a non-volatile memory such as an Erasable
Programmable Read-Only Memory (EPROM), a flash memory, and the like.
[0065] In an embodiment, the system (102) may include an interface(s)
5 (108). The interface(s) (108) may include a variety of interfaces, for example,
interfaces for data input and output devices, referred to as I/O devices, storage
devices, and the like. The interface(s) (108) may facilitate communication of the
system (102). The interface(s) (108) may also provide a communication pathway
for one or more components of the system (102). Examples of such components
10 include, but are not limited to, processing unit/engine (110) and a database (112).
[0066] The processing engine (110) may be implemented as a combination
of hardware and programming (for example, programmable instructions) to implement one or more functionalities of the processing engine (110). In examples described herein, such combinations of hardware and programming may be 15 implemented in several different ways. For example, the programming for the processing engine (110) may be processor-executable instructions stored on a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium and the hardware for the processing engine (110) may include a processing resource (for example, one or more processors), to execute such instructions. In the present examples, the machine-20 readable storage medium may store instructions that, when executed by the processing resource, implement the processing engine (110). In such examples, the system (102) may include the machine-readable storage medium storing the instructions and the processing resource to execute the instructions, or the machine-readable storage medium may be separate but accessible to the system (102) and 25 the processing resource. In other examples, the processing engine (110) may be implemented by an electronic circuitry.
[0067] In an embodiment, the database (112) may include data that may be
either stored or generated as a result of functionalities implemented by any of the components of the processor(s) (104), the processing engine (110), or the system 30 (102).
[0068] In an embodiment, a plurality of UEs (e.g., computing devices) (not
shown) is connected to the system (102) via a network. A person of ordinary skill
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in the art will understand that the plurality of UEs may be collectively referred as UEs and individually referred as a UE. One or more users may provide one or more requests to the system (102). Examples of the UE may include but are not limited to, a mobile phone, a tablet, a laptop, a desktop, and the like. Further, examples of 5 the computing device may include one or more in-built or externally coupled accessories including, but not limited to, a visual aid device such as a camera, an audio aid, a microphone, a keyboard, etc. Furthermore, the computing device may include a mobile phone, a smartphone, virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR) devices, a laptop, a general-purpose computer, a desktop, a personal 10 digital assistant, a tablet computer, and a mainframe computer.
[0069] In an embodiment, the network may include, by way of example but
not limitation, at least a portion of one or more networks having one or more nodes that transmit, receive, forward, generate, buffer, store, route, switch, process, or a combination thereof, etc. one or more messages, packets, signals, waves, voltage or
15 current levels, some combination thereof, or so forth. The network may also include, by way of example but not limitation, one or more of a wireless network, a wired network, an internet, an intranet, a public network, a private network, a packet-switched network, a circuit-switched network, an ad hoc network, an infrastructure network, a Public-Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), a cable
20 network, a cellular network, a satellite network, a fiber optic network, or some combination thereof.
[0070] In some embodiment, a communication port (not shown) is
configured to facilitate data exchange between the system (102) and the plurality of UEs. In an example, the communication port is a slot accounting system (SAS) 25 serial port. In another example, the communication port is a serial gigabit media independent interface port.
[0071] The processing engine (110) is configured to receive a list of
EUTRA capable UEs that are configured for the EUTRA scheduled ANR. In order to receive the list of EUTRA capable UEs, the processing engine (110) is configured 30 to send a request corresponding to the list of EUTRA capable UEs. In an embodiment, the request is sent to a Resource Manager (RM) integrated into a base
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station. The RM selects each UE eligible for the EUTRA scheduled ANR procedure, from a plurality of UEs, based on a pre-defined eligibility criteria using a selection process. The selection process for example, may be a round robin selection process. The RM generates the list of EUTRA capable UEs upon 5 identifying each UE eligible for the EUTRA scheduled ANR procedure. Further, the RM sends the list of EUTRA capable UEs to the processing engine (110). The pre-defined eligibility criteria include a configuration of a UE supporting ECGI reporting, a configuration of the UE supporting a discontinuous reception (DRX), and a state of bearer. In particular, the configuration of UE supporting the ECGI
10 reporting includes measurement configuration, RRC configurations, network specific parameters (e.g., neighbour cells, servicing cells, measurement object identity, reporting periodicity, etc.), and the like. These configuration helps network operators to track UE movements and optimize the network resources. The configuration of the UE supporting the DRX includes a DRX cycle length, a DRX
15 active time, a short DRX cycle, a long DRX cycle, etc. These configurations ensure that the UE can effectively manage its power consumption by periodically entering sleep mode while remaining responsive to network paging messages and maintaining seamless connectivity in the network. Further, the state of bearer includes conditions or status of a bearer (data connection), e.g., an active state (in
20 use), an idle state (established but currently not transmitting data), etc.
[0072] Further, the processing engine (110) is configured to configure each
UE in the list of EUTRA capable UEs. Each UE is configured to report a corresponding EUTRA Physical Cell Identity (PCI) measurement for a respective EUTRA Absolute Radio Frequency Channel Numbers (ARFCNs). In an 25 embodiment, in order to configure the UE, the processing engine (110) is configured to limit a number of UEs corresponding to each of the respective EUTRA ARFCNs to a pre-defined limit (i.e., a maximum of three UEs). In response to configuring, the processing engine (110) receives an EUTRA PCI measurement report from each of the number of UEs.
30 [0073] Further, the processing engine (110) processes the EUTRA PCI
measurement report to determine whether a PCI corresponding to each of the number of UEs is a known PCI or an unknown PCI. Upon determining the unknown
19

PCI corresponding to one or more UEs of the number of UEs, the processing engine (110) reports the unknown PCI to each of the one or more UEs. In particular, the processing engine (110) reports ANR measurements corresponding to the unknown PCI to each of the one or more UEs. In response to configuring the processing 5 engine (110) receives an EUTRA network Cell Global Identifier (ECGI) report from each of the one or more UEs. Further, upon receiving the ECGI report, the processing engine (110) admits one or more new neighbour cells from each or the one or more UEs configured for the EUTRA scheduled ANR procedure. In particular, the processing engine (110) admits new neighbouring cells in the 10 EUTRA scheduled ANR procedure. In some embodiments, the processing engine (110) is configured to build and update a Neighbour Relation Table (NRT). The processing engine (110) initiates a handover procedure based on the updated NRT. The NRT is configured to maintain a list of surrounding base stations based on operation and maintenance settings and UE measurement reports.
15 [0074] In an aspect, the processing engine (110) is further configured to
execute instructions to prevent selection of each UE from being reselected for subsequent ANR measurement iterations within a scheduled interval. The processing engine (110) is further configured to execute instructions to reset a selected status of each UE in the list of EUTRA capable UEs to a not selected status,
20 upon completion of the EUTRA scheduled ANR procedure to make each UE eligible for subsequent EUTRA scheduled ANR procedures.
[0075] The system (102) provides an optimized selection of the list of
EUTRA capable UEs during EUTRA scheduled ANR procedure to detect new neighbour cells in an interval scheduled by the EMS. In a scheduled interval, the
25 EUTRA scheduled ANR procedure is repeated in multiple small intervals. For each iteration, the processing engine (110) selects the list of EUTRA capable UEs to configure EUTRA measurement to detect new neighbour cells. In an embodiment, the scheduled interval refers to a predefined time period (e.g., 60 minutes) or window during which the EUTRA scheduled ANR procedure is executed
30 repeatedly in smaller intervals. The scheduled interval typically refers to a duration set by the EMS for conducting the EUTRA scheduled ANR procedure.
20

[0076] The Neighbour Relation Table (NRT) is helpful in selecting the new
neighbour cells in a quick manner with an optimal UE selection to improve handover success rate. This may increase a number of successful handovers and may lead to less dropped connections due to missing neighbour cells relations. It 5 may be appreciated that once the UE is selected in a particular iteration, the processing engine (110) may not pick the same UE again in further iteration in the same scheduled interval.
[0077] A maximum of three UEs may be configured to each EUTRA
ARFCNs so as to avoid generation of duplicate measurement reports (i.e., the 10 EUTRA PCI measurement reports) from the UE and improve its battery life. It may be appreciated that a maximum of the three UEs per EUTRA ARFCNs are considered because sometimes the UE may send an empty ECGI report. So, to receive a valid ECGI in the ECGI report, a maximum of three UEs are to be configured.
15 [0078] The system (102) enables a selection of each UE during the EUTRA
scheduled ANR procedure. Further, a less measurement configuration for the EUTRA scheduled ANR procedure may be provided to increase UE battery life. In addition, the system (102) is configured to provide an accurate UE selection to consider all the UEs in a 5G Cell. Further, the disclosed system (102) and the
20 method is configured to increase handover success rate by building the NRT table.
[0079] In an embodiment, the selection of the list of UEs may happen in the
round robin selection process per EUTRA ARFCNs. The round robin selection process is an arrangement of choosing all elements (i.e., the list of EUTRA capable UEs) in a group equally in some rational order, usually from a top to a bottom of a
25 list (i.e., the plurality of UEs) and then starting again at the top of the list and so on. Each of the EUTRA ARFCNs may have the maximum of three UEs configured with ANR measurement. When the UE may send an ANR measurement report including ANR measurement for the EUTRA PCI measurement report, gNodeB (gNB) may configure ECGI configuration corresponding to the UE which reported
30 unknown PCI leading to reduction in load.
21

[0080] In the disclosed system (102), two distinct scenarios are recognized
that can influence a performance and an efficiency of an ANR functionality. The first case arises when a 5G Node starts with an empty EUTRA NRT, necessitating the use of ANR measurement to construct the NRT from scratch. The second 5 scenario involves an ANR's role in a discovery of the new neighbouring cells, requiring a selection of UE for configuring the ANR measurement. It is observed that when a majority of connected UEs are engaged in the ANR measurement across all potential configurations, there may be a suboptimal use of the UE's battery power. Addressing these two scenarios, the system (102) aims to conserve battery 10 life by configuring measurements on the UE in an optimal manner that prevents unnecessary power consumption.
[0081] The purpose of the disclosed system (102) and the method is to
improve detection of new neighbour cells with optimal usage of UE selections. Use cases for the UE selection are discussed in subsequent paragraphs.
15 [0082] In an embodiment, two scenarios are provided to understand flow.
In each of the below two scenarios, the UE selection may be followed as per flows explained in subsequent embodiments.
[0083] In an embodiment is discussed, a scheduled ANR timer expiry.
Selection of the list of EUTRA capable UEs may be performed as part of the 20 scheduled interval, for example in a maintenance window. A scheduled ANR timer may be configured to expire every day at midnight. Further, a periodic UE selection timer may run for a configured number (say, 5) of times within a duration of the scheduled ANR timer. The list of EUTRA capable UEs may be selected which fulfil the predefined eligibility criteria to perform the EUTRA scheduled ANR procedure.
25 [0084] In an embodiment is disclosed, a periodic UE selection timer expiry.
Here, a maximum number of the list of EUTRA capable UEs to be selected for the EUTRA scheduled ANR procedure may be calculated based on UE search rate configured through the EMS. A periodic UE selection timer is a timer to periodically select the list of EUTRA capable UEs not exceeding a maximum
22

number of the UEs as per a UE search rate. As may be appreciated, this timer may be started up on scheduled ANR timer expiry event.
[0085] By way of an example, if the scheduled interval (configured through
the EMS) is configured as a timer (T) = 15 minutes duration, then as part of each 5 periodic expiry occurrence, this procedure may first check for selecting all eligible UEs for the EUTRA scheduled ANR procedure. Second, if the number of UEs to be selected reaches the maximum as per UE search rate in any periodic occurrence, no more UEs may be selected for that occurrence.
[0086] One of the main objectives of the disclosed system (102) and method
10 is to resolve problems and challenges that arise with current used procedures and may be resolved while following a sequence as mentioned in subsequent embodiments. It is to be noted that when the gNB comes up and a first cell is radiating, the scheduled ANR timer may start, and schedule the EUTRA scheduled ANR procedure on a timer expiry.
15 [0087] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary process flow (200) depicting a UE
selection algorithm for an EUTRA Scheduled ANR procedure, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is explained in conjunction with FIG. 1.
[0088] FIG. 2 depicts a communication between a Distributed Self
20 Organising Network (DSON) (202), a measurement module (204), and a resource manager (RM) (206) via the process flow (200). As already known to a person skilled in art, the DSON (202) refers to a network management concept within cellular telecommunications, particularly in LTE and 5G networks. The DSON (202) aims to automate network optimization tasks such as neighbour relations 25 management, handover parameter adjustments (e.g., a signal strength, a cell load and congestion, etc.), interference mitigation, and load balancing. The DSON (202) operates autonomously based on real-time network conditions (e.g., a traffic load, congestion levels, etc.) and performance metrics. As will be appreciated, the DSON (202) is implemented within the system (102).
23

[0089] In FIG. 2, at step (208), a timer with a duration and a periodicity is
configured for the EUTRA scheduled ANR procedure to take place. On every scheduled ANR timer expiry as mentioned via step (208), at step (210) a periodic UE selection timer starts and expires for a configured number of times. At step 5 (212), the DSON (202) send the request corresponding to the list of EUTRA capable UEs to the RM (206) for each iteration of a periodic UE selection timer. The request is sent based on a UE search rate. At step (214), the RM (206) selects each UE of the plurality of UEs based on the pre-defined eligibility criteria using the selection process (i.e., the round robin selection process). In addition to the pre-defined 10 eligibility criteria, each UE is selected based on the UE search rate. The UE search rate is a configured parameter which specifies a percentage (e.g., 5%) of a total number of the UEs, i.e., the plurality of UEs that are supported in a cell.
[0090] In an embodiment, each UE should satisfy a pre-defined eligibility
criteria for the EUTRA scheduled ANR procedure to get selected. In a particular
15 embodiment, each UE is configured for measurement tasks as part of the EUTRA scheduled ANR procedure. Once each UE is selected, the RM (206) may mark them as selected for the EUTRA scheduled ANR procedure to make sure that different UEs are picked in each iteration of the periodic UE selection timer expiry. Further, at step (216), the RM (206) may send the list of the EUTRA capable UEs for the
20 EUTRA scheduled ANR procedure.
[0091] Further, upon receiving the list of EUTRA capable UEs, at step
(218), each UE in the list of EUTRA capable UEs reports corresponding EUTRA PCI measurement for a respective EUTRA ARFCNs. In particular, here is a limitation placed on a number of UEs that can be configured for certain reporting
25 tasks to optimize network efficiency and network resources (e.g., the servers, the routers, the switches, the firewalls, etc.) utilization. Specifically, no more than three UEs may be assigned to report the EUTRA PCI for any a given EUTRA ARFCNs. Similarly, for the purposes of an ECGI reporting, the configuration of each UE is restricted to the maximum of three UEs for each distinct EUTRA PCI. In other
30 words, at step (220), each UE in the list of EUTRA capable UEs, the DSON (202) loops through ARFCNs. Further, at step (222), the DSON (202) checks if each ARFCN is the EUTRA ARFCN. In addition, the DSON (202) checks if the EUTRA
24

ARFCN is not configured for the maximum of three UEs. In this case, the DSON (202) configure report EUTRA PCI measurement configuration for the maximum of three UEs.
[0092] For example, each UE (for example, UE 1) in the list of EUTRA
5 capable UEs, the DSON (202) may loop through available the ARFCNs. If the ARFCNs (for example, the ARFCN A) is an EUTRA, and less than 3 UEs are configured for the EUTRA ARFCN A, then the UE 1 is configured to report the EUTRA PCI measurement of the EUTRA ARFCN A.
[0093] Further, at step (224), the DSON (202) send the ANR measurement
10 for EUTRA PCI configuration to the measurement module (204). The measurement
module (204) may be associated with each UE. In addition to the ANR
measurement, a Radio Resource Control (RRC) reconfiguration may be sent to the
UE, which includes the ANR measurement. For example, a UE is instructed via the
RRC reconfiguration to start measuring the signal strength of neighboring cells that
15 have signal quality greater than a pre-defined threshold (e.g., 70 decibel milliwatt
(dBm)), so that NRT can be built. Moreover, the signal strength of neighboring cells
is measured to prepare for a potential handover due to deteriorating signal quality
from a current serving cell. Further, on receiving the RRC reconfiguration complete
from the UE, the RRC reconfiguration complete may be sent to the measurement
20 module (204). Then, at step (226), the EUTRA PCI measurement report may be
sent from the measurement module (204) to the DSON (202) (e.g., a gNB).
[0094] Upon receipt of the EUTRA PCI measurement report, the DSON
(202) undertakes following processing steps: If the EUTRA PCI measurement report enumerates only a single PCI (or a known PCI), such as PCI P1 is known, as
25 depicted via step (228), i.e., all PCI in the EUTRA PCI measurement report. Then, the DSON (202) takes action based on a familiarity of the known PCI. When the PCI is already known to the system (102), the DSON (202) ignores the EUTRA PCI measurement report as mentioned via step (230). Further, the DSON (202) proceeds to step (232), by sending a command to the measurement module (204)
30 initiating a removal of the EUTRA PCI configuration from the UE (e.g., the UE 1). Conversely, if the PCI is not recognized or the unknown PCI is detected as
25

mentioned via step (234), at step (236), the DSON (202) uses a logic of configuring the maximum of three UEs for ECGI report. Further, at step (238), the DSON (202) conducts a check; if fewer than three UEs are currently configured for ECGI reporting of this unknown PCI, then at step (240), UE 1 is instructed to remove the 5 EUTRA PCI configuration and is subsequently configured to report the ECGI report of the unknown PCI (e.g., the PCI P1). If, however, there are already three UEs configured for the ECGI reporting of the unknown PCI, where UE 1 is directed to remove the EUTRA PCI configuration. Further, the UE 1 which is configured to send the ECGI report will send the ECGI report (also referred as ECGI 10 measurement report) as mentioned via step (242).
[0095] In scenarios where the EUTRA PCI measurement report includes
multiple EUTRA PCIs, such as PCIs P1, P2, and P3, the DSON (202) generates a response which is contingent on whether these PCIs are identified or not. If all listed PCIs are known to the network, the UE 1 is directed to execute the EUTRA PCI 15 configuration removal. If the EUTRA PCI measurement report contains the unknown PCI, for instance, the PCI P1, and less than three UEs are configured for its ECGI reporting, the DSON (202) instructs UE 1 to both remove the EUTRA PCI configuration and set up the ECGI configuration to report the ECGI of the EUTRA PCI P1.
20 [0096] Upon a successful transmission of the RRC reconfiguration to the
measurement module (204), and a subsequent acknowledgment of the RRC reconfiguration completion in the ECGI report corresponding to the UE is expected to be received by the DSON (202). Upon reception of the ECGI report by the DSON (202), the DSON (202) triggers a series of processing steps. Initially, at step (244),
25 the DSON (202) is responsible for admitting new neighbour cells into the network, indicating an expansion of a known network topology. Subsequently, a command for the removal of the ECGI configuration corresponding to the UE (i.e., the UE 1) is communicated to the measurement module (204), serving to update the UE 1 measurement configuration in line with a latest network topology. In instances
30 where UE 1 had previously reported an EUTRA PCI measurement report containing multiple PCIs, at step (246), the DSON (202) proceeds to process the remaining EUTRA PCI as indicated within that the EUTRA PCI measurement
26

report, ensuring that all new and relevant cell relationships are accurately recognized and integrated into the network's operational parameters (e.g., frequency bands, carrier aggregation, packet delay budgets, etc.).
[0097] Further, at step (248), on every expiry of the periodic UE selection
5 timer, the EUTRA PCI configuration removal may be sent for all UEs which are configured for the EUTRA PCI reporting in a previous iteration but had not sent the EUTRA PCI measurement report. Further, on completion of the EUTRA scheduled ANR procedure, at step (250), the measurement module (204) may send a signal to the RM (206) to reset the selected status of the selected UEs to the not 10 selected for the EUTRA scheduled ANR procedure, so that they may be picked up for procedure on next EUTRA scheduled ANR procedure on timer expiry associated with the EUTRA scheduled ANR procedure (i.e., an ongoing EUTRA scheduled ANR procedure).
[0098] FIG. 3 illustrates a detailed flow diagram of a method (300) for
15 managing a UE selection during an EUTRA scheduled ANR procedure, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is explained in conjunctions with FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0099] In other words, the detailed flow diagram describes the method (300)
for managing the UE selection during the EUTRA scheduled ANR procedure 20 within the wireless network (e.g., the 4G network, the 5G network, the 6G network, and the like). Initially, upon the expiry of the scheduled ANR timer, at step (302A), the periodic UE selection timer is triggered. This periodic UE selection timer defines intervals for selecting and configuring the UEs during the scheduled interval of the EUTRA scheduled ANR procedure.
25 [00100] Further, at step (302B), if the periodic UE selection timer expires,
the method (300) proceeds to check whether an iteration count for configuring the UEs for the EUTRA PCI reporting in a current scheduled interval is less than a predetermined number (e.g., 2 iterations).
[00101] At step (304), for the UEs that were configured for the EUTRA PCI
30 reporting in a previous iteration but did not send the EUTRA PCI measurement
27

report, the EUTRA PCI configuration is removed to avoid redundant UE configuration in subsequent iterations.
[00102] Next, at step (306), the method (300) determines whether the
EUTRA scheduled ANR procedure is complete for the scheduled interval. If the 5 procedure is not complete, at step (308), it continues with the selection and the configuration of the UEs. In other words, the EUTRA scheduled ANR procedure is done for the scheduled interval.
[00103] The method (300) then moves to step (310, where the periodic UE
selection timer is initiated, marking the beginning of a UE selection phase within 10 the EUTRA scheduled ANR procedure.
[00104] Further, at step (312), the list of EUTRA capable UEs capable of
EUTRA that meet specific eligibility criteria for the EUTRA scheduled ANR procedure is received based on the pre-defined eligibility criteria. The pre-defined eligibility criteria include configuration of the UE supporting ECGI reporting, the 15 configuration of the UE supporting the DRX, and the state of bearer (e.g., an attached state, an idle state, a connected state, a disconnected, and the like). Further, at step (312), for each UE that satisfies these pre-defined criteria, the method (300) loops through available ARFCNs.
[00105] For each ARFCN, as detailed in step (314), the method (300)
20 assesses whether it is an EUTRA (also referred as the EUTRA ARFCN). In addition, the method (300) assesses whether for the EUTRA ARFCN, less than three UEs are configured. If the ARFCN does not meet these conditions, as indicated in step (316), no action is taken.
[00106] If the ARFCN is eligible, i.e., the ARFCN is determined to be the
25 EUTRA ARFCN, and for the EUTRA ARFCN, less than three UEs are configured, at step (318), the EUTRA PCI measurement configuration are reported to a corresponding UE. Subsequently, at step (320), the configured UE sends the EUTRA PCI measurement report back to the system (102).
28

[00107] Upon receipt of the EUTRA PCI measurement report, at step (322),
a check is performed to determine whether all EUTRA PCIs are the known PCI. If all the EUTRA PCIs are known, as in step (324), the report is ignored, and the EUTRA PCI measurement configuration is removed from the UE.
5 [00108] If an unknown PCI is present in the EUTRA PCI measurement
report, as determined at step (326), then at step (328) the EUTRA PCI measurement configuration (also referred as EUTRA PCI configuration) is removed from the UE.
[00109] At step (330), the method (300) evaluates if fewer than three UEs
are configured for the ECGI reporting for the unknown PCI. If the count is three or 10 more, at step (332), other unknown PCIs if present are processed, otherwise, no action is taken. Further, based on the evaluation, at step (334), the UE is configured with a report ECGI measurement configuration for the unknown PCI.
[00110] Thereafter, at step (336), the ECGI measurement report is received
from the UE. Further, upon receiving the ECGI measurement report at step (338), 15 the new neighbour cell is admitted into the network. Subsequently, at step (340), the ECGI configuration is removed from the UE.
[00111] Further, if the UE has reported more than one unknown PCI, as
checked at step (342), any additional unknown PCIs are processed. If there are no additional unknown PCIs to process, as concluded at step (344), the method (300) 20 ends a current scheduled ANR without further action.
[00112] This structured approach ensures that the EUTRA scheduled ANR
procedure is efficiently managed by selecting the UEs based on the pre-defined eligibility criteria, configuring them appropriately, and updating network’s parameters (e.g., the frequency bands, cell parameters, etc.) to reflect a discovery 25 of the new neighbour cells while conserving the network resources and the UE battery life.
[00113] In an embodiment, the selection of the UEs may happen using the
round robin selection process as per the EUTRA ARFCNs. Each of the EUTRA ARFCNs may have the maximum of three UEs configured with the ANR
29

measurement. When the UE sends the ANR measurement for the EUTRA PCI, the gNB, i.e., the DSON (202) may configure the ECGI configuration to the UE, which reported unknown EUTRA PCI. Using this approach, measurement load is reduced.
[00114] The disclosed system (102) and method (300) enable utilization of
5 configuring optimal measurement configurations to detect new neighbour cells. The UE may be equipped to measure the ANR measurement. Since only a single measurement configuration is configured, this may help in increasing battery life of the UE. Further, once the sufficient NRT is established, it may improve a success rate of handover because the handover may be performed quickly as neighbour cells 10 are already known and connected.
[00115] It may be appreciated, that when a static neighbour cell is not
available for the gNB to bring up, it is essential to run the EUTRA scheduled ANR procedure and build the NRT to improve the handover. In addition, the UE selection algorithm may help in building the NRT with a limited number of measurement 15 configurations, and battery life of the UE shall increase.
[00116] FIG. 4 illustrates a flow chart of an exemplary process (400) of
selecting the UE based on the pre-defined eligibility criteria, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is explained in conjunction with FIGS. 1 – 3.
20 [00117] As is illustrated, the UE may be selected only once during the
scheduled interval. i.e. the same UE may not be selected twice for performing the EUTRA scheduled ANR procedure within the scheduled interval. Further, upon reaching end of the scheduled interval, any pending UEs may be flushed out from the list of EUTRA capable UEs.
25 [00118] As seen in FIG. 4, the process (400) begins with a start condition that
triggers in each iteration of the periodic UE selection timer during the EUTRA scheduled ANR procedure as shown as at 402.
[00119] The process (400) starts at step (404) with selecting the UEs (i.e., the
list of EUTRA capable UEs) for EUTRA scheduled ANR procedure from the
30

plurality of UEs. In other words, each UE from the plurality of UEs that are capable of operating on an EUTRA frequencies. This selection process ensures that each chosen UE is prepared to report the EUTRA PCI measurement accurately.
[00120] At step (406), a check is performed to determine if the UE has
5 already been selected for the EUTRA scheduled ANR procedure. In other words, the check is done to verify whether the UE has already been chosen to participate in the EUTRA scheduled ANR procedure. If yes, the process (400) loops back to the step (404), if no, it proceeds to step (408).
[00121] At step (408), the UE is checked for support of the ECGI reporting.
10 In other words, the UE undergoes a verification process to confirm its capability for the ECGI reporting. This involves checking whether the UE is equipped and configured to transmit ECGI information to the DSON (202). If not supported, the process (400) loops back to the step (404), if supported, the process (400) proceeds with step (410).
15 [00122] At step (410), the UE is evaluated for a DRX support. In other words,
the UE is assessed to determine if it supports DRX. This evaluation verifies whether the UE is capable of entering sleep states during idle states to conserve battery power while maintaining responsiveness to network communications. If the DRX is not supported, the process (400) loops back to the step (404); if supported, the
20 process (400) proceeds with step (412).
[00123] At step (412), a check is performed to determine if the UE is in a
bearer established state (i.e., the state of bearer). In other words, the check is done to verify whether the UE has an active state, indicating an establishment of a data connection between the UE and the wireless network (i.e., the radio access 25 network). This check ensures that the UE is capable of transmitting and receiving data for various applications such as web browsing or video streaming. If not, the process (400) loops back to the step (404), Further, if the UE is in the bearer established state, the process (400) proceeds with step (414).
[00124] At step (414), the UE is checked to see if it has a Voice over New
30 Radio (VONR) or a Video over New Radio (VINR) bearers established. In other
31

words, the UE is examined to determine if it currently has an active VoNR or an active ViNR bearers established. This examination verifies whether the UE is engaged in a real-time voice or video communications over a latest radio access technology, ensuring efficient data transmission and optimal user experience for 5 multimedia application. If yes, the process (400) loops back to the step (404), if no, the process (400) proceeds with step (416).
[00125] At step (416), a verification is done to check if there is any bearer
establishment, modification, or release in progress for the UE. In other words, the verification is conducted to determine whether there are any ongoing activities 10 related to the establishment, modification, or release of bearer for the UE. Monitoring bearer establishment, modification, or release activities helps in optimizing network resources and ensuring efficient handling of data traffic according to the UE's current operational requirements. If there is, the process loops back to the step (404), if not, the process (400) proceeds with step (418).
15 [00126] At step (418), a check is performed to determine if an Evolved
Packet System (EPS) fallback has been triggered for the UE. In other words, verification is carried out to ascertain whether the EPS fallback has been initiated for the UE. This involves checking if the UE has switched from an advanced network, e.g., the LTE network to a fallback network, such as a Third Generation
20 (3G) network or a Second Generation (2G) network, due to factors like network congestion or coverage limitations If yes, the process loops back to the step (404), if not, the process (400) proceeds with step (420).
[00127] At step (420), the UE is selected and marked as such for the EUTRA
scheduled ANR procedure. Further, a number of UEs selected is incremented. In 25 other words, once the UE is selected it is flagged for participation in the EUTRA scheduled ANR procedure. Additionally, a count of selected UEs is incremented to track a number of UEs selected for the EUTRA scheduled ANR procedure.
[00128] At step (422), a check is performed to determine if the number of
UEs selected is greater than or equal to a maximum number based on the UE search
30 rate. In other words, the check is conducted to assess whether a current count of
32

selected UEs meets or exceeds the UE search rate (e.g., 50 UEs search rate). If not, more UEs can be selected, and the step (404) is executed. If the number of UEs selected is greater than or equal to the maximum number, at step (424) the UE selection process is stopped. In other words, when no more UEs are to be selected, 5 the process (400) ends, and the list of EUTRA capable UEs that are selected is send to the DSON (202).
[00129] FIG. 5 illustrates a flow diagram of a method (500) for managing the
UE selection during the EUTRA scheduled ANR procedure, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is explained in conjunction with 10 FIGS. 1 – 4.
[00130] Initially, at step (502), the list of EUTRA capable UEs configured
for the EUTRA scheduled ANR procedure. In order to receive the list of EUTRA capable UEs, the request corresponding to the list of EUTRA capable UEs is send. Further, each UE eligible for the EUTRA scheduled ANR procedure, from the
15 plurality of UEs are selected. Each UE is selected based on the pre-defined eligibility criteria using the selection process (i.e., the round robin selection process). The pre-defined eligibility criteria include the configuration of a UE supporting the ECGI reporting, the configuration of the UE supporting the DRX, and the state of bearer. In addition to the pre-defined criteria, each UE is selected
20 based on the UE search rate. Further, the list of EUTRA capable UEs is generated upon identifying each UE eligible for the EUTRA scheduled ANR procedure.
[00131] Further, at step (504), each UE in the list of EUTRA capable UEs
for reporting the corresponding EUTRA PCI measurement for the respective EUTRA ARFCNs. Further, configuring each UE includes limiting a number of UEs 25 corresponding to each of the respective EUTRA ARFCNs to the pre-defined limit (i.e., the maximum of three UEs).
1. At step (506), the EUTRA PCI measurement report from each of the
number of UEs, in response to configuring. Further, at step (508), the EUTRA PCI
measurement report is processed to determine whether the PCI corresponding to
30 each of the number of UEs is the known PCI or the unknown PCI. Based on the
33

processing, at step (510), the ECGI reporting of the unknown PCI to each of the one or more UEs is configured, upon determining the unknown PCI corresponding to one or more UEs of the number of UEs. Further, at step (512), the ECGI report is received from each of the one or more UEs in response to configuring At step 5 (514), one or more new neighbour cells from each or the one or more UEs are configured for the EUTRA scheduled ANR procedure, upon receiving the ECGI report. In other words, the new neighbouring cells corresponding to each or the one or more UEs are admitted via the EUTRA scheduled ANR procedure. In an embodiment, the selection each UE is prevented from being reselected for 10 configuring within the scheduled interval.
[00132] In addition, the selected status of each UE in the list of EUTRA
capable UEs is reset to the not selected status upon completion of the EUTRA scheduled ANR procedure. This allows each UE to be eligible for subsequent (i.e., next) EUTRA scheduled ANR procedures. This complete method has been already 15 explained in detail in conjunction with FIGS. 2, 3, and 4.
[00133] The present invention provides the system (102) and the method
(500) for managing the UE selection during the EUTRA scheduled ANR procedure. The present invention aims to enhance the efficiency of the EUTRA scheduled ANR procedure by reducing the number of duplicate EUTRA PCI measurement 20 reports, conserving the UE battery life, and improving the success rate of the handover in the wireless network.
[00134] The selection of each UE is based on the pre-defined eligibility
criteria, ensuring that each UE is not selected more than once within the same scheduled interval and that they are capable of performing a required EUTRA 25 measurements. In addition, the pre-defined eligibility criteria may include certain factors such as the UE's battery life, radio conditions, and a previous selection history.
[00135] The method (500) further includes configuring the maximum of
three UEs to report on the respective EUTRA ARFCNs to avoid generating multiple
30 duplicate EUTRA PCI measurement reports. This configuration is designed to
34

ensure that a valid EUTRA PCI is received in the EUTRA PCI measurement report by limiting the number of UEs reports on the same EUTRA ARFCNs.
[00136] Upon receiving the EUTRA PCI measurement reports from each UE
of the list of EUTRA capable UEs, the method updates the NRT. The update process 5 includes admitting new neighbour cells into the NRT based on the ECGI reports and removing the ECGI configuration from each UE. This step is crucial for maintaining an accurate and up-to-date NRT, which is essential for efficient handover procedures.
[00137] The system (102) and the method (500) disclosed herein provide
10 several advantages. By selecting the UEs based on the predefined eligibility criteria and configuring a limited number of UEs per EUTRA ARFCNs, the invention reduces the likelihood of duplicate EUTRA PCI measurement reports, thereby conserving the network resources and the UE battery life. Additionally, the invention allows for the quick building of the NRT, which can lead to an increased 15 number of successful handovers and fewer dropped connections due to missing neighbour cells relations.
[00138] It will be appreciated that the disclosed system (102) and method
(500) enable the selection of the UEs during the EUTRA scheduled ANR procedure in a manner that is both efficient and effective, ensuring that the EUTRA scheduled 20 ANR procedure is conducted with minimal impact on the UE battery life and the network resources while maintaining a high-quality handover performance.
[00139] The method (500) and system (102) of the present disclosure may be
implemented in a number of ways. For example, the methods and systems of the present disclosure may be implemented by software, hardware, firmware, or any
25 combination of software, hardware, and firmware. The above-described order for the steps of the method is for illustration only, and the steps of the method of the present disclosure are not limited to the order specifically described above unless specifically stated otherwise. Further, in some embodiments, the present disclosure may also be embodied as programs recorded in a recording medium, the programs
30 including machine-readable instructions for implementing the methods according
35

to the present disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure also covers a recording medium storing a program for executing the method according to the present disclosure.
[00140] FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary computer system (600) in which or
5 with which embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented. As shown in FIG. 6, the computer system (600) may include an external storage device (610), a bus (620), a main memory (630), a read-only memory (640), a mass storage device (650), communication port(s) (660), and a processor (670). A person skilled in the art will appreciate that the computer system (600) may include more than one
10 processor and communication ports. The processor (670) may include various modules associated with embodiments of the present disclosure. The communication port(s) (660) may be any of an RS-232 port for use with a modem-based dialup connection, a 10/100 Ethernet port, a Gigabit or 10 Gigabit port using a copper or a fiber, a serial port, a parallel port, or other existing or future ports. The
15 communication port(s) (660) may be chosen depending on a network, such a Local Area Network (LAN), a Wide Area Network (WAN), or any network to which the computer system (600) connects.
[00141] The main memory (630) may be a random-access memory (RAM),
or any other dynamic storage device commonly known in the art. The read-only
20 memory (640 may be any static storage device(s) e.g., but not limited to, a Programmable Read Only Memory (PROM) chips for storing static information e.g., start-up or Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) instructions for the processor (670). The mass storage device (650) may be any current or future mass storage solution, which can be used to store information and/or instructions. The mass
25 storage device (650) includes, but is not limited to, a Parallel Advanced Technology Attachment (PATA) or Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) hard disk drives or solid-state drives (internal or external, e.g., having a Universal Serial Bus (USB) and/or Firewire interfaces), one or more optical discs, Redundant Array of Independent Disks (RAID) storage, e.g. an array of disks.
30 [00142] The bus (620) communicatively couples the processor (670) with the
other memory, storage, and communication blocks. The bus (620) may be, e.g. a
36

Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI)/ a PCI Extended (PCI-X) bus, a Small Computer System Interface (SCSI), a Universal Serial Bus (USB), or the like, for connecting expansion cards, drives, and other subsystems as well as other buses, such a front side bus (FSB), which connects the processor (670) to the computer 5 system (600).
[00143] Optionally, operator and administrative interfaces, e.g. a display, a
keyboard, a joystick, and a cursor control device, may also be coupled to the bus (620) to support direct operator interaction with the computer system. Other operator and administrative interfaces can be provided through network 10 connections connected through the communication port(s) (660). Components described above are meant only to exemplify various possibilities. In no way should the aforementioned exemplary computer system (600) limit the scope of the present disclosure.
[00144] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the
15 invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and 20 knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.
[00145] The present disclosure provides technical advancement related to UE
selection during the EUTRA scheduled ANR procedure. This advancement addresses the limitations of existing solutions by admitting the new neighbour cells in the scheduled interval. The disclosure involves configuring each UE in the list of 25 EUTRA capable UEs, which offer significant improvements in configuring the limited number of UEs per EUTRA ARFCNs, improving the UE battery life, maintaining high handover performance by improving the handover success rate leading to less dropped connections due to missing neighbour cells relations, etc.
37

ADVANTAGES OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE
[00146] The present disclosure facilitates to provide a User Equipment (UE)
selection mechanism during an Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (EUTRA) scheduled Automatic Neighbour Relations (ANR) procedure to save a 5 battery life of the UE by configuring optimal ANR specific measurement corresponding to the UE.
[00147] The present disclosure facilitates optimized selection of the UEs
during execution of the EUTRA scheduled ANR procedure to detect new neighbour cells in a scheduled interval by an Element Management System (EMS). In the 10 scheduled interval, the ANR procedure may be repeated in multiple small intervals and each iteration may select EUTRA capable UEs to configure EUTRA measurement to detect new neighbour cells.
[00148] The present disclosure facilitates to quickly build a Neighbour
Relation Table (NRT) with an optimal UE selection to improve a handover success 15 rate leading to less dropped connections due to missing neighbour cells relations.
[00149] The present disclosure facilitates to configure at least a single
measurement entity corresponding to the UE and a maximum of three UEs per E-UTRA Absolute Radio Frequency Channel Numbers (ARFCNs) to avoid generation of duplicate measurement reports (i.e., EUTRA Physical Cell Identity 20 (PCI) reports) leading to improvement in battery life of the UE.
[00150] The present disclosure facilitates to improve handover success rate
when a sufficient Neighbour Relation Table (NRT) is established, as the handover is faster when neighbour cells are already known and connected.
38

We Claim:
1. A system (102) for managing a User Equipment (UE) selection during an
Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (EUTRA) scheduled Automatic
Neighbour Relations (ANR) procedure, the system (102) comprising:
5 a processing engine (110);
a memory (106) communicatively coupled to the processing engine (110), wherein the memory (106) stores instructions that, when executed by the processing engine (110), cause the processing engine (110) to:
receive (502) a list of EUTRA capable UEs configured for the
10 EUTRA scheduled ANR procedure;
configure (504) each UE in the list of EUTRA capable UEs for
reporting a corresponding EUTRA Physical Cell Identity (PCI)
measurement for a respective EUTRA Absolute Radio Frequency Channel
Numbers (ARFCNs), wherein configuring comprises limiting a number of
15 UEs corresponding to each of the respective EUTRA ARFCNs to a pre-
defined limit;
receive (506) an EUTRA PCI measurement report from each of the number of UEs, in response to configuring;
process (508) the EUTRA PCI measurement report to determine
20 whether a PCI corresponding to each of the number of UEs is a known PCI
or an unknown PCI; and
upon determining the unknown PCI corresponding to one or more
UEs of the number of UEs, configure (510) an EUTRA network Cell Global
Identifier (ECGI) reporting of the unknown PCI to each of the one or more
25 UEs;
receive (512) an ECGI report from each of the one or more UEs in response to configuring; and
admit (514) one or more new neighbour cells from each or the one
or more UEs configured for the EUTRA scheduled ANR procedure, upon
30 receiving the ECGI report.
39

2. The system (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein, to receive the list of
EUTRA capable UEs, the processing engine (110) is further configured to send a
request corresponding to the list of EUTRA capable UEs to a Resource Manager
(RM).
5
3. The system (102) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the processing engine (110)
is further configured to:
select each UE eligible for the EUTRA scheduled ANR procedure, from a plurality of UEs, based on a pre-defined eligibility criteria using a selection process; 10 and
generate the list of EUTRA capable UEs upon identifying each UE eligible for the EUTRA scheduled ANR procedure.
4. The system (102) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the pre-defined eligibility
15 criteria comprise a configuration of a UE supporting ECGI reporting, a
configuration of the UE supporting a discontinuous reception (DRX), and a state of bearer.
5. The system (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processing engine (110)
20 is further configured to reset a selected status of each UE in the list of EUTRA
capable UEs to a not selected status upon completion of the EUTRA scheduled ANR procedure, allowing each UE to be eligible for subsequent EUTRA scheduled ANR procedures.
25 6. The system (102) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the processing engine (110) is further configured to prevent selection each UE from being reselected for configuring within a scheduled interval.
30 7. A method (500) for managing a User Equipment (UE) selection during an
Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (EUTRA) Scheduled Automatic Neighbour Relations (ANR) procedure, the method comprising:
40

receiving (502), by a processing engine (110) a list of EUTRA capable UEs configured for the EUTRA scheduled ANR procedure;
configuring (504), by the processing engine (110), each UE in the list of
EUTRA capable UEs for reporting a corresponding EUTRA Physical Cell Identity
5 (PCI) measurement for a respective EUTRA Absolute Radio Frequency Channel
Numbers (ARFCNs), wherein configuring comprises limiting a number of UEs
corresponding to each of the respective EUTRA ARFCNs to a pre-defined limit;
receiving (506), by the processing engine (110), an EUTRA PCI
measurement report from each of the number of UEs, in response to configuring;
10 processing (508), by the processing engine (110), the EUTRA PCI
measurement report to determine whether a PCI corresponding to each of the number of UEs is a known PCI or an unknown PCI; and
upon determining the unknown PCI corresponding to one or more UEs of the number of UEs, configuring (510), by the processing engine (110), an EUTRA 15 network Cell Global Identifier (ECGI) reporting of the unknown PCI to each of the one or more UEs;
receiving (512), by the processing engine (110), an ECGI report from each of the one or more UEs in response to configuring; and
admitting (514), by the processing engine (110), one or more new neighbour 20 cells from each or the one or more UEs configured for the EUTRA scheduled ANR procedure, upon receiving the ECGI report.
8. The method (500) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the receiving comprises: sending, by the processing engine (110), a request corresponding to the list 25 of EUTRA capable UEs to a Resource Manager (RM).
9. The method (500) as claimed in claim 8, further comprising:
selecting, by the processing engine (110), each UE eligible for the EUTRA
scheduled ANR procedure, from a plurality of UEs, based on a pre-defined 30 eligibility criteria using a selection process; and
generating, by the processing engine (110), the list of EUTRA capable UEs
upon identifying each UE eligible for the EUTRA scheduled ANR procedure.

10. The method (500) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the pre-defined eligibility
criteria comprise a configuration of a UE supporting ECGI reporting, a
configuration of the UE supporting a discontinuous reception (DRX), and a state of
5 bearer.
11. The method (500) as claimed in claim 7, further comprising:
resetting, by the processing engine (110), a selected status of each UE in the list of EUTRA capable UEs to a not selected status upon completion of the EUTRA 10 scheduled ANR procedure, allowing each UE to be eligible for subsequent EUTRA scheduled ANR procedures.
12. The method (500) as claimed in claim 9, further comprising preventing, by
the processing engine (110), selection of each UE from being selected for
configuring within a scheduled interval.
13. A User Equipment communicatively coupled to a system (102), configured
to:
receive a request for reporting a corresponding EUTRA Physical Cell 20 Identity (PCI) measurement for a respective EUTRA Absolute Radio Frequency Channel Numbers (ARFCNs);
send an EUTRA PCI measurement report to the system (102) in response to receiving the request;
receive an EUTRA network Cell Global Identifier (ECGI) reporting 25 configuration corresponding to an unknown PCI associated with the UE; and
send an ECGI report in response to receiving the EUTRA PCI report from the UE corresponding to the unknown PCI. Dated this 25 day of July 2024