Network device based control of a coverage enhancement mode

A device may detect a trigger to configure a coverage enhancement mode for a wireless device. The wireless device may be associated with a particular coverage area. The device may determine information associated with one or more wireless devices connected to a network. The network may be associated with the particular coverage area. The information may be associated with a level of network traffic of the network. The device may determine a level of coverage enhancement for the wireless device based on the information associated with the one or more wireless devices connected to the network. The device may transmit an instruction to cause the wireless device to utilize the level of coverage enhancement for the coverage enhancement mode.

BACKGROUND

An access point of a network may provide network coverage to allow one or more wireless devices to communicate via the network. For example, a wireless device (e.g., an Internet of Things device or a user device) may communicate with a destination device (e.g., a server, a control device, or a monitoring device) via the network. The wireless device may determine that a signal strength associated with the network fails to satisfy a threshold, and may duplicate a portion of a transmission to reduce a likelihood that the portion of the transmission will fail to be received by a base station as a result of poor network coverage associated with the signal strength failing to satisfy the threshold. For example, the wireless device may transmit multiple copies of a packet to increase a likelihood that at least one copy of the packet is received by the base station and provided to the destination device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A signal strength associated with a network may vary based on a location of a wireless device relative to an access point (e.g., a base station). For example, a signal strength associated with a network may be relatively strong (e.g., the signal strength may satisfy a threshold) near a base station and relatively weak (e.g., the signal strength may fail to satisfy the threshold) farther from the base station. Similarly, the network may be associated with a relatively weak signal strength at a remote location, inside a building, or the like. The wireless device may experience dropped calls, lost packets, or ineffective attempts to connect to the network when utilizing a network for which network coverage is poor, such as a network for which the signal strength is relatively weak, a network to which a threshold quantity of wireless devices are connected, a network associated with a congestion condition, or the like. For example, when the wireless device is being utilized at a remote location, the wireless device may transmit network traffic to the base station, but the base station may fail to receive the network traffic. Similarly, when the wireless device is being utilized at a particular location, such as a stadium, and a threshold quantity of other wireless devices are also being utilized at the particular location, packets transmitted by the wireless device may be dropped.

When the wireless device determines that the network coverage is poor, such as when a signal strength associated with the network fails to satisfy a threshold, the wireless device may utilize a coverage enhancement mode. For example, the wireless device may cause one or more duplicates of a transmission to be transmitted. In this case, the wireless device may transmit multiple copies of each packet of a set of packets of the transmission. In this way, the wireless device may increase a likelihood that at least one copy of each packet of the set of packets of the transmission is received relative to when the wireless device is not utilizing a coverage enhancement mode. However, when multiple wireless devices each transmit multiple copies of multiple transmissions, the network may enter a congestion condition or may have a congestion condition exacerbated. Moreover, a particular wireless device may utilize excess network resources of the network, thereby negatively impacting user experience, wireless device performance, network performance, or the like for one or more other wireless devices connected to the network or attempting to connect to the network. Furthermore, a base station may be required to utilize excess processing resources to process the multiple copies of the multiple transmissions.

Implementations, described herein, may perform network device based control of the coverage enhancement mode. Based on centralizing control of the coverage enhancement mode, the network device reduces a likelihood that an excess quantity of wireless devices utilize the coverage enhancement mode and cause excess network traffic relative to permitting each wireless device to separately determine to use the coverage enhancement mode regardless of overall network conditions. Moreover, the network device may utilize prioritization information regarding a set of wireless devices connected to a network, thereby increasing a likelihood that a high priority wireless device, such as a wireless device utilized by emergency management personnel, is able to transmit information via the network. As a result, the wireless device improves network performance relative to permitting distributed control of the coverage enhancement mode by each wireless device of the network. Furthermore, the network device reduces a utilization of processing resources by the base station to process the network traffic relative to permitting excess quantities of duplicate packets to be transmitted to the base station for processing.

FIG. 1is a diagram of an overview of an example implementation100described herein. As shown inFIG. 1, example implementation100may include one or more wireless devices, a base station, and a network device.

As further shown inFIG. 1, and by reference number110, the network device may determine a level of coverage enhancement for a coverage enhancement mode based on information associated with the one or more wireless devices. For example, based on receiving a request to enter the coverage enhancement mode from the one or more wireless devices, the network device may determine a class of service for the one or more wireless devices, and may determine a particular level of coverage enhancement for the one or more wireless devices based on the class of service. In this case, the network device may determine a relatively high level of coverage enhancement (e.g., a relatively large quantity of duplicates of a transmission) for a first wireless device with a relatively high class of service (e.g., a network-connected smoke detector) and a relatively low level of coverage enhancement (e.g., a relatively small quantity of duplicates of a transmission) for a second wireless device with a relatively low level class of service (e.g., a network-connected parking meter). In another example, the network device may determine that a third wireless device is not to utilize the coverage enhancement mode based on the third wireless device being associated with a class of service lower than the class of service of the second wireless device.

Additionally, or alternatively, the network device may determine the level of coverage enhancement for the one or more wireless devices based on determining a network measurement associated with the one or more wireless devices. For example, the network device may receive information identifying a set of measurements associated with the one or more wireless devices, such as a set of signal strength measurements, a set of reference signal received power (RSRP) measurements, a set of reference signal received quality (RSRQ) measurements, a set of received signal code power (RSCP) measurement, a set of bit error rate (BER) measurements, or the like. In this case, the network device may determine the level of coverage enhancement for each wireless device based on the set of measurements.

Additionally, or alternatively, the network device may determine the level of coverage enhancement for the one or more wireless devices based on another metric, such as a quantity of wireless devices connected to the base station, an amount of network traffic being received by the base station, or the like. For example, when the amount of network traffic satisfies a congestion threshold, the network device may determine a relatively low level of coverage enhancement to reduce a utilization of processing resources by the base station (e.g., to process duplicate packets transmitted by the one or more wireless devices), thereby avoiding overloading the base station. Similarly, when the amount of network traffic does not satisfy the congestion threshold, the network device may determine a relatively high level of coverage enhancement to reduce a likelihood that a transmission fails to be correctly received by the base station.

As shown by reference number120, based on determining the level of coverage enhancement for the coverage enhancement mode for the one or more wireless devices, the network device may provide information, to the one or more wireless devices, identifying the level of coverage enhancement for the coverage enhancement mode. For example, the network device may transmit information identifying a coverage enhancement parameter to cause the one or more wireless devices to utilize one or more determined levels of coverage enhancement. In this case, the coverage enhancement parameter may indicate a level of coverage enhancement, which may correspond to a particular quantity of duplicate packets to be transmitted.

As shown by reference number130, based on receiving information identifying the level of coverage enhancement (e.g., the coverage enhancement parameter), the one or more wireless devices may activate the coverage enhancement mode and/or may utilize the level of coverage enhancement when transmitting network traffic. For example, a first wireless device may activate the coverage enhancement mode and transmit a relatively large quantity of copies of a packet (e.g., 10 copies, 100 copies, or 1000 copies) when utilizing a relatively high level of coverage enhancement. Similarly, a second wireless device may activate the coverage enhancement mode and may transmit a relatively small quantity of copies of a packet (e.g., 2 copies, 3 copies, or 4 copies) when utilizing a relatively low level of coverage enhancement.

As shown by reference number140, the base station and/or network device may receive network traffic from the one or more wireless devices based on the one or more wireless devices utilizing the coverage enhancement mode. For example, the base station may receive multiple copies of a packet from a wireless device, and may cause a particular copy to be directed toward a destination device.

In this way, by centralizing the level of coverage enhancement for the one or more wireless devices rather than permitting the one or more wireless devices to perform a distributed determination of the level of coverage enhancement, the network device selectively prioritizes the network traffic, thereby improving the management of network traffic. Moreover, the wireless device reduces a likelihood of excess network congestion being caused and/or excess processing resources of the base station being utilized relative to permitting the one or more wireless devices to determine the level of coverage enhancement. Furthermore, the network device permits network resources to be allocated to the one or more wireless devices in the coverage area based on a prioritization of the one or more wireless devices, thereby improving network performance, wireless device performance, user experience, or the like relative to another technique for determining a level of coverage enhancement that does not account for the prioritization of the one or more wireless devices.

FIG. 2is a diagram of an example environment200in which systems and/or methods, described herein, may be implemented. As shown inFIG. 2, environment200may include one or more wireless devices205-1through205-N (N≥1) (hereinafter referred to collectively as “wireless devices205,” and individually as “wireless device205”); a base station210; a mobility management entity device (MME)215; a serving gateway (SGW)220; a packet data network gateway (PGW)225; a network device230; a home subscriber server (HSS)235; and an authentication, authorization, and accounting server (AAA)240. Devices of environment200may interconnect via wired connections, wireless connections, or a combination of wired and wireless connections.

Some implementations are described herein as being performed within a long term evolution (LTE) network for explanatory purposes. Some implementations may be performed within an LTE network or another type of network, such as a third generation (3G) network, a fourth generation (4G) network, a fifth generation (5G) network, or the like.

Environment200may include an evolved packet system (EPS) that includes an LTE network and/or an evolved packet core (EPC) that operate based on a third generation partnership project (3GPP) wireless communication standard. The LTE network may include a radio access network (RAN) that includes one or more base stations210that take the form of evolved Node Bs (eNBs) via which wireless device205communicates with the EPC. The EPC may include MME215, SGW220, PGW225, and/or network device230that enable wireless device205to communicate with the network and/or an Internet protocol (IP) multimedia subsystem (IMS) core. The IMS core may include HSS235and/or AAA240, and may manage device registration and authentication, session initiation, etc., associated with wireless devices205. HSS235and/or AAA240may reside in the EPC and/or the IMS core.

Wireless devices205includes one or more devices capable of communicating with base station210and/or a network. For example, wireless device205may include a wireless communication device, a radiotelephone, a personal communications system (PCS) terminal (e.g., that may combine a cellular radiotelephone with data processing and data communications capabilities), a smart phone, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a personal gaming system, and/or a similar device. Additionally, or alternatively, wireless device205may include an Internet of Things (IoT) device, a machine device, a sensor device, a control device, or the like. Wireless device205may send traffic to and/or receive traffic from the network (e.g., via base station210, SGW220, and/or PGW225). In some implementations, wireless device205may operate in one or more modes, such as a non-coverage enhancement mode (e.g., a mode where wireless device205is configured to transmit a single copy of each packet), a coverage enhancement mode (e.g., a mode where wireless device205is configured to transmit multiple copies of a set of packets), or the like.

Base station210includes one or more devices capable of transferring traffic, such as audio, video, text, and/or other traffic, destined for and/or received from wireless device205. In some implementations, base station210may include an eNB associated with the LTE network that receives traffic from and/or sends traffic to the network via SGW220and/or PGW225. Additionally, or alternatively, one or more base stations210may be associated with a RAN that is not associated with the LTE network. Base station210may send traffic to and/or receive traffic from wireless device205via an air interface. In some implementations, base station210may include a small cell base station, such as a base station of a microcell, a picocell, and/or a femtocell.

MME215includes one or more devices, such as one or more server devices, capable of managing authentication, activation, deactivation, and/or mobility functions associated with wireless device205. In some implementations, MME215may perform operations relating to authentication of wireless device205. Additionally, or alternatively, MME215may facilitate the selection of a particular SGW220and/or a particular PGW225to serve traffic to and/or from wireless device205. MME215may perform operations associated with handing off wireless device205from a first base station210to a second base station210when wireless device205is transitioning from a first cell associated with the first base station210to a second cell associated with the second base station210. Additionally, or alternatively, MME215may determine another MME (not pictured), to which wireless device205should be handed off (e.g., when wireless device205moves out of range of MME215).

SGW220includes one or more devices capable of routing packets. For example, SGW220may include one or more data processing and/or traffic transfer devices, such as a gateway, a router, a modem, a switch, a firewall, a network interface card (NIC), a hub, a bridge, a server device, an optical add/drop multiplexer (OADM), or any other type of device that processes and/or transfers traffic. In some implementations, SGW220may aggregate traffic received from one or more base stations210associated with the LTE network, and may send the aggregated traffic to the network (e.g., via PGW225) and/or other network devices associated with the EPC and/or the IMS core. SGW220may also receive traffic from the network and/or other network devices, and may send the received traffic to wireless device205via base station210. Additionally, or alternatively, SGW220may perform operations associated with handing off wireless device205to and/or from an LTE network.

PGW225includes one or more devices capable of providing connectivity for wireless device205to external packet data networks (e.g., other than the depicted EPC and/or LTE network). For example, PGW225may include one or more data processing and/or traffic transfer devices, such as a gateway, a router, a modem, a switch, a firewall, a NIC, a hub, a bridge, a server device, an OADM, or any other type of device that processes and/or transfers traffic. In some implementations, PGW225may aggregate traffic received from one or more SGWs220, and may send the aggregated traffic to the network. Additionally, or alternatively, PGW225may receive traffic from the network, and may send the traffic to wireless device205via SGW220and base station210. PGW225may record data usage information (e.g., byte usage), and may provide the data usage information to AAA240.

Network device230includes one or more devices capable of receiving, generating, storing, processing, and/or providing information associated with a coverage enhancement mode of wireless device205. For example, network device230may include a server device that determines a level of coverage enhancement for wireless device205and causes wireless devices205to utilize the level of coverage enhancement. In some implementations, network device230may provide credential information associated with configuring the level of coverage enhancement (e.g., a device identifier, a user identifier, or the like). While shown as being implemented within the EPC, in some implementations, network device230may be implemented external to the EPC. For example, network device230may be implemented with the LTE network (e.g., within base station210) and/or within the IMS core. Additionally, or alternatively, network device230may be implemented within one or more other devices shown inFIG. 2, such as base station210, MME215, SGW220, PGW225, HSS235, and/or AAA240.

HSS235includes one or more devices, such as one or more server devices, capable of managing (e.g., receiving, generating, storing, processing, and/or providing) information associated with wireless device205. For example, HSS235may manage subscription information associated with wireless device205, such as information that identifies a subscriber profile of a user associated with wireless device205, information that identifies services and/or applications that are accessible to wireless device205, location information associated with wireless device205, a network identifier (e.g., a network address) that identifies wireless device205, information that identifies a treatment of wireless device205(e.g., quality of service information, a quantity of minutes allowed per time period, a quantity of data consumption allowed per time period, etc.), and/or similar information. HSS235may provide this information to one or more other devices of environment200to support the operations performed by those devices.

AAA240includes one or more devices, such as one or more server devices, that perform authentication, authorization, and/or accounting operations for communication sessions associated with wireless device205. For example, AAA240may perform authentication operations for wireless device205and/or a user of wireless device205(e.g., using one or more credentials), may control access, by wireless device205, to a service and/or an application (e.g., based on one or more restrictions, such as time-of-day restrictions, location restrictions, single or multiple access restrictions, read/write restrictions, etc.), may track resources consumed by wireless device205(e.g., a quantity of voice minutes consumed, a quantity of data consumed, etc.), and/or may perform similar operations.

FIG. 3is a diagram of example components of a device300. Device300may correspond to wireless device205, base station210, MME215, SGW220, PGW225, network device230, HSS235, and/or AAA240. In some implementations, wireless device205, base station210, MME215, SGW220, PGW225, network device230, HSS235, and/or AAA240may include one or more devices300and/or one or more components of device300. As shown inFIG. 3, device300may include a bus310, a processor320, a memory330, a storage component340, an input component350, an output component360, and a communication interface370.

Bus310includes a component that permits communication among the components of device300. Processor320is implemented in hardware, firmware, or a combination of hardware and software. Processor320includes a processor (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), and/or an accelerated processing unit (APU)), a microprocessor, a microcontroller, and/or any processing component (e.g., a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) and/or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC)) that interprets and/or executes instructions. In some implementations, processor320includes one or more processors capable of being programmed to perform a function. Memory330includes a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), and/or another type of dynamic or static storage device (e.g., a flash memory, a magnetic memory, and/or an optical memory) that stores information and/or instructions for use by processor320.

FIG. 4is a flow chart of an example process400for configuring a coverage enhancement mode for a wireless device. In some implementations, one or more process blocks ofFIG. 4may be performed by network device230. In some implementations, one or more process blocks ofFIG. 4may be performed by another device or a group of devices separate from or including network device230, such as base station210, MME215, SGW220, PGW225, HSS235, and/or AAA240.

As shown inFIG. 4, process400may include detecting a trigger to configure a coverage enhancement mode for a wireless device (block410). For example, network device230may detect the trigger to configure the coverage enhancement mode. In some implementations, network device230may detect the trigger to configure the coverage enhancement mode based on receiving information indicating that transmitted network traffic was not properly received. For example, network device230may receive information from wireless device205, base station210, or the like indicating that one or more transmitted packets were not received, and may determine that a level of coverage enhancement is to be determined for wireless device205. For example, network device230may receive an indication that base station210failed to receive a threshold quantity of packets transmitted by wireless device205, and/or that wireless device205failed to receive a threshold quantity of packets transmitted by base station210.

In some implementations, network device230may detect the trigger to configure the coverage enhancement mode based on detecting a threshold amount of network traffic associated with base station210. For example, when network device230detects that the quantity of network traffic satisfies a threshold, network device230may configure the coverage enhancement mode of one or more wireless devices205in a coverage area of base station210to reduce the quantity of transmitted packet duplicates. In this way, network device230may reduce network congestion, may reduce a utilization of computing resources by base station210, or the like. Additionally, or alternatively, network device230may be triggered to configure the coverage enhancement mode based on determining that a threshold quantity of wireless devices205are associated with the coverage area of base station210(e.g., that a threshold quantity of wireless devices205are within the coverage area, are served by base station210, or the like).

In some implementations, network device230may detect the trigger to configure the coverage enhancement mode based on information identifying a network measurement received from and/or measured by wireless device205. For example, when network device230receives information indicating that a signal strength, measured by wireless device205, satisfies a threshold (e.g., a detected received signal strength or a determined transmission signal strength), network device230may determine to configure the coverage enhancement mode. Additionally, or alternatively, network device230may configure the coverage enhancement mode based on receiving information indicating a threshold quantity of ineffective attempts for connectivity between wireless device205and network device230.

In some implementations, network device230may detect the trigger to configure the coverage enhancement mode based on detecting user input provided to network device230. For example, when network device230detects the user input, such as input that indicates a natural disaster in one or more coverage areas, an abnormal network traffic event in one or more coverage areas (e.g., a sports event or a parade), or the like, network device230may be triggered to configure the coverage enhancement mode for the one or more coverage areas.

In some implementations, network device230may detect the trigger to configure the coverage enhancement mode based on determining that wireless device205has connected to a network associated with network device230. For example, when network device230determines that wireless device205has entered a coverage area of base station210, network device230may be triggered to configure the coverage enhancement mode for wireless device205.

In some implementations, network device230may detect the trigger to configure the coverage enhancement mode based on determining that wireless device205has transferred from a first coverage area to a second coverage area. For example, network device230may determine that wireless device205has transferred from a first coverage area associated with a first base station210to a second coverage area associated with a second base station210. In this case, network device230may configure the coverage enhancement mode to alter the level of coverage enhancement of wireless device205from a first level of coverage enhancement associated with the first coverage area to a second level of coverage enhancement associated with the second coverage area.

As further shown inFIG. 4, process400may include determining priority information associated with one or more wireless devices205connected to a network based on detecting the trigger to configure the coverage enhancement mode (block420). For example, network device230may determine priority information, associated with one or more wireless devices205connected to the network, based on detecting the trigger to configure the coverage enhancement mode for the one or more wireless devices205. The priority information may include, for example, information identifying a class of service for the one or more wireless devices205, a set of network measurements associated with the one or more wireless devices205, or the like.

In some implementations, network device230may determine the class of service for the one or more wireless devices205based on detecting the trigger to configure the coverage enhancement mode for the one or more wireless devices205. For example, based on detecting the trigger, network device230may request subscriber information regarding the one or more wireless devices205(e.g., from HSS235), and may receive information identifying the subscriber information for the one or more wireless devices205. The subscriber information may indicate a class of server for wireless device205. Additionally, or alternatively, network device230may obtain stored subscriber information from a data structure of network device230, based on querying the one or more wireless devices205, or the like.

In some implementations, network device230may determine a set of network measurements regarding the one or more wireless devices205based on detecting the trigger to configure the coverage enhancement mode for the one or more wireless devices. For example, network device230may transmit, to the one or more wireless devices205, a network measurement request, and may receive information identifying a signal strength measurement, an RSRP measurement, an RSRQ measurement, a BER measurement, or the like from the one or more wireless devices205. In this case, network device230may cause wireless device205to perform a new measurement, to obtain stored information identifying a previously performed measurement, or the like.

As further shown inFIG. 4, process400may include determining a level of coverage enhancement based on determining the priority information (block430). For example, network device230may determine the level of coverage enhancement for the one or more wireless devices205based on determining the priority information associated with the one or more wireless devices205connected to the network.

In some implementations, network device230may determine the level of coverage enhancement based on subscriber information for the one or more wireless devices205. For example, network device230may determine one or more levels of coverage enhancement, which correspond to one or more classes of service assigned to the one or more wireless devices205, for one or more wireless devices205.

In some implementations, network device230may determine the level of coverage enhancement based on determining one or more network measurements associated with the one or more wireless devices205. For example, network device230may receive information indicating a first threshold signal strength for a first wireless device205and a second threshold signal strength for a second wireless device205. In this case, network device230may determine a first level of coverage enhancement for the first wireless device205and a second level of coverage enhancement for the second wireless device205.

In some implementations, network device230may determine the level of coverage enhancement based on one or more other metrics associated with the network. For example, network device230may determine the level of coverage enhancement based on a quantity of wireless devices205connected to the network. In this case, when the quantity of wireless devices205satisfies a threshold, network device230may determine a relatively low level of coverage enhancement to reduce network congestion and utilization of computing resources by base station210. Conversely, network device230may determine a relatively high level of coverage enhancement to increase a likelihood of a successful transmission when the quantity of wireless devices205connected to the network fails to satisfy a threshold. Similarly, network device230may determine the level of coverage enhancement based on a level of network congestion, an amount of network traffic, a utilization of processing resources of base station210, or the like.

In some implementations, network device230may determine the level of coverage enhancement based on the prioritization of the one or more wireless devices205. For example, when a level of network traffic satisfies a congestion threshold and a signal strength reported by one or more wireless devices205satisfies a signal strength threshold, network device230may provide a high level of coverage enhancement to wireless devices205with a high class of service (e.g., emergency management devices) and a relatively low level of coverage enhancement to other wireless devices205(e.g., non-emergency related devices). In this case, network device230reduces a likelihood that the packets of data from the one or more wireless devices205that are associated with responding to an emergency will fail to be received. Moreover, network device230selectively prioritizes the network traffic, improving the management of network traffic, and reduces a likelihood of excess network congestion relative to permitting each wireless device205to independently determine a high level of coverage enhancement based on a relatively poor signal strength. In some implementations, network device230may allocate a set of network resources based on a prioritization of the one or more wireless devices205.

In some implementations, network device230may determine the level of coverage enhancement based on an available battery capacity of one or more wireless devices205. For example, based on receiving information indicating that a particular wireless device205is associated with a battery capacity failing to satisfy a threshold, network device230may select a level of coverage enhancement for one or or more wireless devices205to reduce a utilization of battery resources of the particular wireless device205. In this way, network device230reduces a likelihood that wireless device205will shut down as a result of a lack of battery resources relative to another technique where coverage enhancement is not selected to maximize battery resources.

Although implementations are described herein in terms of relatively low coverage enhancement levels and relatively high coverage enhancement levels, other levels of coverage enhancement are possible, such as a continuous set of coverage enhancement levels, a discrete set of coverage enhancement levels, or the like.

As further shown inFIG. 4, process400may include providing information to cause the level of coverage enhancement to be implemented (block440). For example, network device230may provide information, to a particular wireless device205, to cause the level of coverage enhancement to be implemented by the particular wireless device205. In this case, network device230causes wireless device205to transmit subsequent network traffic utilizing the level of coverage enhancement (e.g., a particular quantity of copies of one or more packets that are transmitted).

In some implementations, network device230may transmit information (e.g., an instruction) to cause wireless device205to activate the coverage enhancement mode and utilize a particular level of coverage enhancement. For example, when wireless device205is operating in a connected mode, a non-coverage enhancement mode, an idle mode, or the like, network device230may cause wireless device205to activate the coverage enhancement mode, and transmit network traffic using the coverage enhancement mode. In some implementations, network device230may transmit information to cause the coverage enhancement mode to remain at a static level. For example, wireless device205may perform a signal strength measurement and may determine that the signal strength measurement satisfies a threshold associated with a different level of coverage enhancement than the level of coverage enhancement identified by network device230. In this case, wireless device205may be caused to utilize the level of coverage enhancement identified by network device230rather than the different level of coverage enhancement corresponding to the signal strength measurement. In this way, network device230ensures that wireless device205utilizes a level of coverage enhancement that does not cause excess network traffic.

In some implementations, network device230may store information identifying the level of coverage enhancement to cause wireless device205to utilize the level of coverage enhancement. For example, network device230may store information via a subscriber profile, associated with wireless device205, that identifies the level of coverage enhancement. In this case, wireless device205may be caused to utilize the level of coverage enhancement identified by the information stored via the subscriber profile stored by network device230or another device. Additionally, or alternatively, based on obtaining information identifying a group of wireless devices205in a particular coverage area, network device230may store information via a group of corresponding subscriber profiles for the group of wireless devices205to cause the group of wireless devices205to utilize the determined level of coverage enhancement. Additionally, or alternatively, network device230may store information via a set of subscriber profiles to set a level of coverage enhancement for a set of wireless devices205associated with multiple coverage areas.

In this way, by centralizing the level of coverage enhancement for one or more wireless devices205rather than permitting the one or more wireless devices205to perform a distributed determination of the level of coverage enhancement, network device230improves the management of network traffic. Moreover, wireless device205reduces a likelihood of excess network congestion being caused and/or excess processing resources of base station210being utilized relative to permitting one or more wireless devices205to determine the level of coverage enhancement. Furthermore, network device230permits network resources to be allocated to one or more wireless devices205in the coverage area based on a prioritization of one or more wireless devices205, thereby improving network performance, wireless device performance, user experience, or the like relative to another technique for determining a level of coverage enhancement that does not account for the prioritization of one or more wireless devices205.

FIGS. 5A-5Care diagrams of an example implementation500relating to example process400shown inFIG. 4.FIGS. 5A-5Cshow an example of configuring a coverage enhancement mode for a wireless device.

As shown inFIG. 5A, base station210receives a location report510from wireless device205(e.g., a location sensor). For example, based on wireless device205performing a location determination, wireless device205may transmit information associated with the location determination (e.g., a single packet encapsulating location report510) to a destination device via base station210. As shown by reference number520, after transmitting the packet, network device230detects a trigger to configure a coverage enhancement mode. For example, network device230may receive information indicating that a threshold quantity of wireless devices205are connected to base station210, which may trigger network device230to configure the coverage enhancement mode.

As shown inFIG. 5B, and by reference number530, based on detecting the trigger to configure the coverage enhancement mode, network device230transmits a network measurement request to wireless device205. The network measurement request causes wireless device205to perform a signal strength measurement. As shown by reference number540, network device230receives, from wireless device205, information indicating that wireless device205measured a relatively poor signal strength from base station210.

As shown inFIG. 5C, and by reference number550, network device230determines a level of coverage enhancement based on the network measurement. For example, based on receiving information indicating that wireless device205has relatively poor signal strength, and based on a quantity of wireless devices205connected to base station210, network device230may determine that wireless device205is to utilize a relatively high level of coverage enhancement (e.g., assigning wireless device205a coverage enhancement parameter value of 3/3 on a particular scale). As shown by reference560, network device230transmits, to wireless device205, information indicating that wireless device205is to utilize the relatively high level of coverage enhancement. As shown by reference number570, based on wireless device205implementing a relatively high level of coverage enhancement, wireless device205transmits multiple copies of a location report570, thereby reducing a likelihood that the location report will fail to be received by base station210.

As indicated above,FIGS. 5A-5Care provided merely as an example. Other examples are possible and may differ from what was described with regard toFIGS. 5A-5C.

FIGS. 6A-6Care diagrams of an example implementation600relating to example process400shown inFIG. 4.FIGS. 6A-6Cshow an example of configuring a coverage enhancement mode for a wireless device205.

As shown inFIG. 6A, base station210receives multiple copies of location report610(e.g., one or more packets) from wireless device205. As shown by reference number620, after location report610is transmitted, network device230detects a trigger to configure a coverage enhancement mode, such as by determining that a level of network traffic satisfies a threshold, determining that an RSRP measurement associated with the network satisfies an RSRP measurement threshold, or the like.

As shown inFIG. 6B, and by reference number630, based on detecting the trigger to configure the coverage enhancement mode, network device230transmits a subscriber information request, regarding wireless device205, to HSS235. The subscriber information request may include information identifying wireless device205(e.g., Device AAA123) and a user identifier (e.g., J. Doe) associated with wireless device205. As shown by reference number640, network device230receives information identifying the class of service for wireless device205(e.g., a class of service of silver on a particular scale indicating a relatively low class of service). As shown by reference number650, network device230determines information identifying one or more other metrics regarding the network, such as a quantity of wireless devices205utilizing the network, a signal quality associated with the network, a set of classes of service for a set of other wireless device205, or the like.

As shown inFIG. 6C, and by reference number660, network device230determines a level of coverage enhancement based on the class of service and the one or more other metrics regarding the network. For example, based on receiving information indicating that the class of service associated with wireless device205is relatively low and based on the one or more other metrics indicating that an amount of network traffic satisfies a threshold, network device230may determine that wireless device205is to utilize a relatively low level of coverage enhancement. As shown by reference670, network device230transmits an instruction to wireless device205indicating that wireless device205is to utilize the relatively low level of coverage enhancement.

As further shown inFIG. 6C, based on wireless device205implementing a relatively low level of coverage enhancement, wireless device205transmits fewer copies of location report680relative to a quantity of copies of location report570provided by wireless device205when utilizing a relatively high level of coverage enhancement, as shown inFIG. 5C. In this way, network device230reduces an amount of network congestion relative to permitting wireless device205to utilize a higher level of coverage enhancement, thereby improving network performance.

As indicated above,FIGS. 6A-6Care provided merely as an example. Other examples are possible and may differ from what was described with regard toFIGS. 6A-6C.

In this way, by centralizing the level of coverage enhancement for one or more wireless devices205rather than permitting the one or more wireless devices205to perform a distributed determination of the level of coverage enhancement, network device230improves the management of network traffic. Moreover, wireless device205reduces a likelihood of excess network congestion being caused and/or excess processing resources of base station210being utilized relative to permitting one or more wireless devices205to determine the level of coverage enhancement. Furthermore, network device230permits network resources to be allocated to one or more wireless devices205in the coverage area based on a prioritization of one or more wireless devices205, thereby improving network performance, wireless device performance, user experience, or the like relative to another technique for determining a level of coverage enhancement that does not account for the prioritization of one or more wireless devices205.