When small cell systems meet signal optimization, even minor changes can redefine how devices manage network discovery. EP3016464B1 is one such patent, now under scrutiny in a revocation counterclaim between Xiaomi and Advanced Standard Communication LLC, a non-practicing entity.
This European patent, originally filed by ZTE, describes a method for configuring how user equipment (UE) measures discovery signals. By tailoring measurement patterns to either detect presence or signal intensity, the system improves spectral efficiency and shortens inter-frequency measurement gaps.
To locate related innovations, we turn to the Global Patent Search (GPS) platform. GPS enables quick identification of patents with similar structural designs or functional elements across mobile communication systems.
Whether you are an R&D expert, portfolio strategist, or tracking signal management advances, this GPS-based exploration offers a sharper view into the technology behind EP3016464B1.
Understanding Patent EP3016464B1
EP3016464B1 describes a method for measuring discovery signals in small cell wireless systems. The method enables a base station to configure measurement patterns that match different types of detection requirements, such as presence or intensity. These patterns help optimize how terminals (UEs) measure signals from both active and dormant cells. The patent also addresses how to reduce interference and improve spectral efficiency, especially during inter-frequency detection scenarios.
Source: Google Patents
Its Four Key Features Are
#1. Base station determines measurement patterns: Patterns are defined based on how discovery signals are transmitted across one or more cells.
#2. UE-specific pattern configuration: Terminals are configured with patterns tailored to their detection type, whether presence/absence or signal intensity.
#3. Staggered measurement for inter-frequency detection: Patterns are designed to avoid simultaneous data transmission halts across multiple UEs, preserving spectrum usage.
#4. Subset alignment with transmission patterns: UE measurement patterns are full sets or subsets of the base station’s transmission patterns, ensuring accurate detection.
The patent enables efficient signal measurement in dense network environments. It supports dynamic, need-based configuration of measurement activity across different network conditions. A similar approach to optimizing signal performance is explored in EP2564403B1, an inductive charging patent, which also addresses efficiency in complex network environments.
Related Read: Small cells deliver their full potential when fragmented spectrum is stitched into wider lanes. EP2525515B1 and 5 Related Patents in Carrier Aggregation Systems showcase CA schemes that boost throughput without breaking single-carrier integrity.
Similar Patents As EP3016464B1
To explore the innovation landscape surrounding EP3016464B1, we ran the patent through the Global Patent Search tool. Below is a quick glimpse of the GPS tool in action:
Source: Global Patent Search
This analysis surfaced a list of related patents that share technical similarities in discovery signal configuration, adaptive measurement, and small cell coordination. Below, we highlight five of these references that reflect comparable ideas in managing signal detection and measurement across dynamic wireless systems. These examples provide insight into how similar challenges have been addressed in evolving mobile networks.
#1. US2015358094A1
This U.S. patent, US2015358094A1, published in 2015, introduces a system for adapting signal measurements based on cell activity and network configuration. It focuses on defining restricted measurement patterns and enabling UEs to switch between reference signals depending on cell state and signal type.
Source: GPS
What This Patent Introduces To The Landscape
- Restricted subframe allocation – Assigns specific subframes for measurement to improve accuracy in both active and dormant cells.
- Reference signal adaptation – Enables measurements using CRS, CSI-RS, or MRS, depending on configuration and cell state.
- Discovery signal scheduling – Proposes periodic transmission and muting schemes for discovery signals across multiple cells.
- Carrier type differentiation – Introduces distinct strategies for legacy carriers versus new carrier types lacking traditional control signals.
- Measurement clustering – Coordinates measurement and reporting across small cell clusters to support synchronized discovery.
How It Connects To EP3016464B1
- Focuses on configuring different measurement behaviors based on transmission patterns.
- Enhances measurement flexibility under varying network conditions.
- Improves spectrum efficiency in dense deployments.
- Aligns with per-UE measurement configurations to manage energy use.
Why This Matters
US2015358094A1 addresses the growing need for more intelligent signal detection in networks where cells can dynamically change states. Its emphasis on controlled measurement intervals and adaptive signal use aligns with EP3016464B1’s vision for optimized discovery in next-generation mobile systems.
#2. US2015146595A1
This U.S. patent, US2015146595A1, published in 2015, discloses a method for reducing battery drain in user equipment during inter-frequency cell detection. It introduces a relaxed detection approach that allows UEs to delay or selectively skip scanning cycles based on network-configured parameters.
Source: GPS
What This Patent Introduces To The Landscape
- Relaxed cell detection indication – Enables the serving cell to inform the UE when relaxed detection conditions apply for a given frequency.
- Discrete measurement parameters – Defines measurement intervals and periods that schedule when scanning should occur.
- Discarded measurement gaps – Allows UEs to skip selected scanning cycles to preserve battery power.
- Configurable detection delay – Extends the acceptable detection time for new cells based on network criteria.
- Measurement bandwidth adjustment – Offers the option to use a larger bandwidth during detection for better sampling efficiency.
How It Connects To EP3016464B1
- Both patents aim to achieve more efficient measurement processes in LTE and heterogeneous networks.
- While EP3016464B1 focuses on adaptive reporting and multi-cell coordination, this patent contributes a power-saving mechanism during scanning.
- Their combined approaches help networks balance performance, efficiency, and UE energy consumption.
Why This Matters
The design supports energy-conscious mobility handling in HetNet environments by adapting when and how UEs search for new cells. It enables more sustainable deployment of inter-frequency small cells without penalizing UE battery life.
Dense small-cell layers thrive when UEs measure beams efficiently. Our blog EP3469722B1 and 5 Patents That Keep Your Phone Connected to Stronger Signals details UE-specific sets that reduce discovery delay in busy grids.
#3. CA2919354C
This Canadian patent, CA2919354C, published in 2019, proposes a method for configuring how user terminals measure discovery signals in small cell systems. It enables dynamic measurement pattern assignments based on signal type and network conditions.
Source: GPS
What This Patent Introduces To The Landscape
- Adaptive measurement configuration – Enables base stations to assign measurement patterns based on the qualitative or quantitative signal detection requirements.
- Terminal-specific measurement patterns – Supports configuring unique detection schedules per UE to avoid simultaneous scanning.
- Flexible transmission cycles – Defines transmission gaps, bursts, and subframe layouts to support varying levels of discovery signal intensity.
- Frequency-domain pattern variation – Enables different cells to occupy distinct frequency ranges when transmitting discovery signals.
- Inter-frequency efficiency optimization – Reduces spectrum inefficiencies by staggering detection intervals across terminals.
How It Connects To EP3016464B1
- Both patents address the challenge of optimizing discovery signal measurement in small cell deployments.
- This patent focuses on tailoring measurement granularity and timing based on UE and network-specific conditions.
- It enhances flexibility by enabling per-UE pattern assignments, complementing EP3016464B1’s configurable measurement structure.
- Both promote selective detection aligned with signal characteristics and network roles (activated vs. dormant cells).
Why This Matters
CA2919354C offers a practical framework for coordinating discovery signal measurement without overloading the UE or network. Its focus on customizable measurement cycles and staggered configurations strengthens support for dense, power-sensitive mobile environments. For another example of testing network resilience through adaptive detection, see US7523497B2 stress testing.
#4. GB2513870A
This UK patent, GB2513870A, published in 2014, outlines a communication system optimized for dense small cell environments. It introduces enhanced discovery signals with flexible periodicity and embedded identifiers to improve synchronization and measurement in LTE networks.
Source: GPS
What This Patent Introduces To The Landscape
- Cluster-based cell identity encoding – Groups small cells under a shared identifier while enabling unique differentiation for each transmission point.
- Flexible discovery signal periodicity – Allows small cells to transmit discovery signals at independently configurable intervals to reduce collisions and power use.
- Enhanced signal structure – Adds multiple synchronization components to reduce search windows and improve cell detection accuracy.
- Frequency and time domain configuration – Supports discovery signal alignment across both domains for better timing and frequency tracking.
- Measurement-optimized signaling – Embeds reference data in discovery signals to enable direct quality measurement (RSRP/RSRQ) without separate signaling overhead.
How It Connects To EP3016464B1
- Both inventions tackle challenges of small cell discovery and synchronization in dense network environments.
- This patent emphasizes discovery signal design, while EP3016464B1 focuses on configuring UE-specific measurement patterns.
- Each supports improved measurement accuracy by aligning signal timing and structure with UE detection needs.
- Together, they highlight complementary strategies for managing inter-cell interference and enabling adaptive signal detection.
Why This Matters
GB2513870A advances signal-level solutions for small cell discovery, particularly in HetNet deployments. Its configurable and measurement-ready design complements broader strategies that assign tailored measurement tasks to UEs, as seen in EP3016464B1.
#5. CN104982073B
This Chinese patent, CN104982073B, published in 2020, proposes a method for detecting small cells using discovery signals, with enhancements for load-aware transmission and signal scheduling in dense deployments.
Source: GPS
What This Patent Introduces To The Landscape
- Load-aware signal transmission – Discovery signals are dynamically enabled or suppressed based on small cell load, reducing interference and improving energy efficiency.
- Configurable discovery parameters – Timing, PRB mapping, and signal structure are flexibly assigned per small cell or cluster to suit network demands.
- Neighboring signal sharing – Serving cells (macro or small) provide discovery signal configuration of neighboring small cells to assist UEs in faster detection.
- Cluster-level detection and measurement – UEs can use a single discovery signal to perform measurements across all small cells within a cluster.
- Access-type-based configuration – Discovery signal parameters are tailored based on the UE’s access capabilities, dual connectivity status, or supported features.
How It Connects To EP3016464B1
- Both patents address efficient discovery and measurement in dense small cell networks.
- EP3016464B1 emphasizes UE-specific measurement patterns, while CN104982073B introduces adaptive signaling based on network conditions and UE capabilities.
- Each solution optimizes detection latency and measurement reliability by intelligently configuring signal transmission patterns.
- Together, they support scalable small cell deployment through flexible control of discovery signals and measurement procedures.
Why This Matters
CN104982073B supports smart control over discovery signaling in heterogeneous networks. It complements approaches like EP3016464B1 by enabling responsive, load-driven discovery processes that align with UE detection strategies. Similar load-sensitive detection strategies are examined in EP4344633B1 stress testing.
How to Find Related Patents Using Global Patent Search
Understanding the evolving patent landscape is essential when addressing small cell discovery, signal synchronization, or cluster-based detection strategies. The Global Patent Search tool streamlines this process, helping users identify inventions that reflect similar signaling techniques, timing configurations, or load-aware detection mechanisms.
1. Enter the patent number into GPS: Start by entering a patent number like CN104982073B into the GPS tool. The platform converts it into a concept-driven query, which can be refined using keywords such as discovery signal periodicity, clustered small cell detection, or load-dependent transmission.
2. Explore conceptual snippets: Rather than comparing claim language, GPS offers targeted text snippets. These highlight how other systems handle signal configuration, assist UE synchronization, or manage detection under high-density deployments.
3. Identify related inventions: The tool surfaces patents that focus on neighboring signal coordination, adaptive transmission timing, and cluster-based small cell signaling, revealing how similar challenges have been approached in varying network contexts.
4. Compare systems, not legal claims: GPS emphasizes behavior-level comparisons, showing how signaling structures differ or overlap across implementations. This allows users to trace practical design parallels without wading through legal jargon.
5. Accelerate cross-domain insights: Whether working on RRM design, UE discovery algorithms, or dense HetNet deployment, GPS enables discovery of relevant ideas across domains, such as LTE, 5G NR, or even D2D communications, that might otherwise remain siloed.
The shift toward compact, space-efficient infrastructure extends across industries, from telecom hardware to fire suppression valves like those in US10391344B2 and similar patents on Sprinkler Air Venting Systems.
By focusing on core technical ideas, Global Patent Search makes it easier to spot patterns in how systems handle small cell detection and signal discovery. It helps teams find useful approaches from across the industry, making it a practical tool for guiding future work in this space.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. The related patent references mentioned are preliminary results from the Global Patent Search tool and do not guarantee legal significance. For a comprehensive related patent analysis, we recommend conducting a detailed search using GPS or consulting a patent attorney.
