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PATENT LANDSCAPE OF LTE(4G) TECHNOLOGY

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Patent Landscape of LTE

Patent landscape’ is a competitive view of a technology area as seen through the lens of patent ownership and patent coverage or scope. Clients can use an effectively constructed patent landscape to identify risks and opportunities posed by IP-based issues, and to formulate responsive business strategies early in the innovation cycle.

A patent landscape has four common features: • It organises technology in a particular area; • It maps patent assets (e.g., granted patents, published applications and unpublished applications) to the organisation so that the client can identify areas of interest; • It correlates patent data with non-patent data to provide context; and • It provides some factual basis for a client to choose a business course of action

Patent landscape reports describe the patent situation for a specific technology in a given country, region or on the global level. They usually start with a state-of-the-art search for the technology of interest in suitable patent databases. The results of the search are then analysed to answer specific questions, e.g. to identify certain patterns of patenting activity (Who is doing what? What is filed where?), or patterns of innovation. (Innovation trends, diversity of solutions for a technical problem, collaborations). An essential component of each patent landscape report is the visualization of these results in order to facilitate their understanding, and certain conclusions or recommendations based on the empirical evidence provided by the search and analysis.

Patent landscapes can therefore be useful for policy discussions, strategic research planning or technology transfer. However, they provide only a snapshot of the patenting situation at a certain point in time. In a wider sense, some patent landscapes reports may analyse the validity of patents by referring to legal status data, and thereby form a basis, e.g., for freedom to operate analysis.

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Bibliographic Data Analysis of LTE Technology

Table 1 Inventor and No. of Patents

Figure 1

On the grounds of above figure, Bengt Lindoff is at first postion with 42 patents in this technology, he is a key person of Telefonaktiebolaget. Followed by Mehmet Yavuz having 18 patent applications, he is a key person for Qualcomm. Frank has 17 patent applications and he works for Nokia Siemens and Nokia Corporation. Zhijun has 16 patent applications and he works for Research In Motion Ltd, but this company doesn’t count in top 10 applicants. Mostly, No. of Patents, lies within the range of 18 to 12

LINDOFF, BENGT YAVUZ, MEHMET FREDERIKSEN, FRANK CAI, ZHIJUN IWAMURA MIKIO KAZMI, MUHAMMAD BALASUBRAMANIAN, SRINIVASAN LEE, YOUNG-DAE MEYLAN, ARNAUD PALANKI, RAVI

4218 17161615

14

14

13

13

Inventor's Name No. of patents

0

5

1015

2025

3035

4045

LINDOFF,

BENGT

YAVUZ, MEHMET

FRED

ERIKSEN

, FRANKCAI, Z

HIJUN

IWAMURA M

IKIO

KAZMI, MUHAMMAD

BALASU

BRAMANIA

N,

SRIN

IVASAN

LEE,

YOUNG-D

AE MEY

LAN, A

RNAUD

PALA

NKI, RA

VI

Analysis of Inventor

50

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Applicant Name

449

No Of Patent

TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET L M ERICSSON

QUALCOMM INCORPORATED

LG ELECTRONICS INC.

NOKIA SIEMENS NETWORKS OY

NOKIA CORPORATION

ALCATEL LUCENT

SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.

NTT DOCOMO INC

INTERDIGITAL PATENT HOLDINGS, INC.

FUJITSU LTD

435

309

172

145

90

88

76

62

59

0

50

100150

200250

300350

400450500

TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET L M ....

QUALCOMM IN

CORPORATED

NOKIA SI

EMEN

S NET

WORKS .

........

.

NOKIA C

ORPORATION

ALCAT

EL LU

CENT

SAM

SUNG EL

ECTRONIC

S CO., L

TD.

NTT DOCOM

O INC

INTE

RDIGITA

L PAT

ENT H

OLDIN

GS, IN

C.

LG EL

ECTRONIC

S INC.

FUJIT

SU LT

D

On the basis of above data, Telefonaktiebolaget has highest no of patents applied i.e. 449. It is a subsidiary of Ericsson; they are currently making efforts in LTE equipment production. It is followed by, Qualcomm, one of the leading LTE chip manufacturer with 435 patent applications. LG Electronics, NSN, Nokia with 309,172,145 patents applied. Nokia Siemens Network is emerging as top company in manufacturing LTE equipment. It had multiple contracts with other companies even in partnership with Ericsson. Alcatel Lucent collaborated with Verizonand AT&T to step into LTE.

Figure 2

Analysis of Applicant

Table 2: Applicant and No. of Patents

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Analysis of Priority Country Priority Centre

1883

No Of Patents

WO

EP

IL

828

1

0

200

400600

8001000

12001400160018002000

WO EP IL

Highest number of patents was filed at WO which is 1883, thus getting priority in the contracting countries of PCT, followed by 828 patent applications filed at EP in year 2009 which again benefits of filing patent simultaneously in contracting countries of EPC, thus securing their inventions around the globe.

Figure 3

Table 3 Priority Centre and No. of Patents

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Analysis of Priority year of Application

Priority year No Of Patents

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

88

2

1

1

110

1178

1269

13

0

200

400600

8001000

12001400

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Highest number of patent application was filed in 2008 when LTE was introduced which is 1269, 1178 applications were filed in year 2007 signify the Research in this technology prior introduction.

Figure 4

Table 4 Priority Year and No. of Patents

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Figure 5

Analysis of Expiry Year of Patent

Expiry year No Of Patents

2022

2023

2024

2025

2026

2027

2028

2029

88

2

1

1

110

1178

1269

13

0

200

400600

8001000

12001400

2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029

In 2028 around 1269 patents will expire, and 1178 patents will expire in 2028, this is analysed on the basis of application published in year 2009.

Table 5 Expiry year and No. of Patents

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Analysis of publication Year2721 patent application were published in year 2009 at WIPO.

Analysis of IPC Code

H04L 811

IPC No Of Patent

H04W 1043

H04L 811

H04B 406

H04Q 117

G06F 68

H04J 48

H04M 38

H03M 29

H04N 22

G06Q 20

H04B 406H04W 1043

H04J 48

G06F 68

H04Q 117 H

04M 38

H03M

29 H

04N 22

G06Q

20

H04L 811

Figure 6

1043 patent application was fall under IPC classification H04W which states the wireless Services, it also states the method of interference, reselection and many more. Today’s trend is of keeping mobile; therefore wired communication apparatus have been replaced. Thus, there is highest number of patent applications falls under this IPC. Followed by, H04L and H04B with 811 and 406 patent applications respectively

Table 6 IPC and No. of Patents

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Technical Data Analysis

Figure 7

Analysis of Type of Patent

Type of Patent No Of Patents

Process

Product & Process

Product

1338

995

378

1338 patent applications are Process type, as technology involves mechanism for forwarding, continuity etc. Followed by 995 patent applications as Product & Process type, it provides device or apparatus for the process, as without any architecture or platform, communication services cannot prevails. .

0

200

400600

8001000

12001400

Process Product & Process

Product

Table 7 Type of Patent and No. of Patents

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Technical Data Analysis Most commonly known as the process of looking at technical data and summing up the data with the purpose to extract any available useful technical information and then use that information to draw conclusions. This data analysis process is closely related to the data mining applications.

Classification of LTE

LONG TERM EVOLUTION (LTE)

TECHNOLOGY OFFERED

RADIO COMMUNICATION

MOBILE COMMUNICATION

Apparatus & Device

NETWORK SERVICES

MULTIPLE

COMMUNICATION

INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION

LTE can be classified into many; here it has been divided into technology offered mainly multiple platforms and division frequency to lower down the traffic. Mode of communication which involves radio, mobile and multiple, And Services, hence it is a technology to provide high speed internet access with less buffering time and many other advantage, therefore Primary Classification is important with Apparatus and devices suggested for many other services.

Figure 8

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Figure 9

LTE Technology is primarily classified as shown in table:

No Of Patent

Apparatus & device 903

Mobile 293

Services 169

Multiple communication 132

Technology 115

Radio 40

0

100200300400500600700800

Apparatus & device

Mobile

Services

Multiple

communication

Technology

Radio

From the above data and graph, it is concluded that the main classification is Apparatus and Device with 903 patent applications filed. It includes many Apparatus and device to remove the faults of previous technology and even suggest improved devices to carry on various services.

Table 8 Primary Classification and No. of Patents

900

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No Of Patent

MIMO 52

LTE 28

SAE 4

Filter 2

OFDM 46

0

102030405060

MIMO O FDM LTE

Secondary Classification of Each Primary Classification

Technology

Figure 10

From the above data, technology is further classified into OFDM, MIMO, SAE, LTE and filter with 46 patent applications in OFDM and 52 patent applications in MIMO. LTE basically based on frequency division to lower the buffering time and multiple data packets so that traffic on network connection can be lessen.

Table 9 Technology and No. of Patents

sae filter

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Figure 11

No Of PatentsRadio Comm.Device 15 Transmission 9 Data packets 4 Interference 3 User Terminal 3 Detection 2 Coding 2 Random Access 1 Handover 1

0246810121416

Dev

ice

Tran

smiss

ion

Dat

a Pac

kets

Inte

rfer

ance

user

term

inal

Det

ectio

n

codi

ng

Rand

om A

cces

s

Han

dove

r

Radio Communication is further classified as above in data. The highest number of patent is in device i.e. 15 which means improved system, thus removing previous impuissance. Followed, transmission which has 9 patent application and then data packets which has 4 patent applications. All are suggesting improved ways to their specific classifications.

Radio Communication

Table 10 Radio Comm. and No. of Patents

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No Of PatentsMobile Comm.User Terminal 79 Device 70

Control Program 49 Transmission 29

Data 21 Handover 13

Multiple Mobile platform 7 Synchronizing 6

Coding 4 Detection 3

Interference 3 Random Access 2

Tracking 2 Relay 2

Fallback 1 Trace Log 1

010203040

Use

r Ter

min

al

Dev

ice

Cont

rol P

rogr

am

Tran

smis

sion

Dat

a

Han

dove

rM

ultip

le M

obile

pl

atfo

rm Co

ding

Det

ectio

n

Inte

rfer

ence

Rand

om A

cces

s

Trac

king

Rela

y

Fallb

ack

Trac

e Lo

g50607080

Figure 12From the above data, mobile communication is further classified into said above. User terminal has 79 patent applications, followed by device which has 70 and Control program 40 patent applications.

Mobile Communication

Table 11 Mobile Comm. and No. of Patents

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Apparatus & Device No of patents

Mob

ile C

omm

unic

atio

n

Han

dove

r

Reso

urce

Allo

catio

n

Pagi

ng

UpL

ink

Dat

a

Radi

o Co

mm

unic

atio

n

OFD

M A

ppar

atus

Det

erm

inat

ion

Cont

ent D

eliv

ery

MIM

O A

ppar

atus

Han

dlin

gRe

sele

ctio

n

Wire

less

Dev

ice

Sync

hron

izin

gTr

igge

ring

NA

S

LTE

Syst

em

Erro

r Est

imat

ion

Trac

king

Mob

iltiy

Radi

o Li

nk

Sele

ctio

nW

i-max

UM

TSSi

gnal

ling

GPR

S

Dat

a M

anag

emen

t

102030405060

0

Figure 13

Apparatus & Device

Table 12 Apparatus & Device and No. of Patents

From the above data, Apparatus & Device is further classified into which technology offered. Mobile communication apparatus has 48 patent applications, followed by handover, resource allocation, paging with 34, 29, and 28 respectively. Other Apparatus patent applications are in range from 26 to 1.

ll

l

l

l

ll

ll

l

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Services No of patents

Scheduling 78 Mapping 28 Resource Allocation Continuity 12 SRS 9 Signaling 6

15

0

10

2030

40

50

60708090

Sche

dulin

g

Map

ping

Reso

urce

Allo

catio

n

Cont

inui

ty

SRS

Signa

ling

Services

From above data, Scheduling service has highest number of patent applications which are 78, followed by service mapping has 28 patent applications.

Figure 14

Table 13 Services and No. of Patents

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Multiple Wireless 28 Multiple Channel 14 Multiple access 8 Multiple Antennas 6 Multiple code 6 Multiplexed 4 Media Broadcast 4 Multiple Platform 1 CRCS 1

Multiple Comm. No of patents

0

10

30

5

1520

25

Mul

tiple

Wire

less

Mul

tiple

Cha

nnel

Mul

tiple

acc

ess

Mul

tiple

Ant

enna

s

Mul

tiple

cod

e

Mul

tiple

xed

Med

ia B

road

cast

Mul

tiple

Pla

tfor

m

CRCS

Multiple Communications

Table 14 Multiple Comm. and No. of Patents

Figure 15

From the above data, multiple wireless has 28 patent application in multiple communications followed by multiple channel which has 14 patent applications

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Industrial Application of LTE

Data Exchange

Data & Call Continuity

Error Estimation

Error Recovery

Communication

Radio Communication

Mobile Communication

Wireless Communication

Gap Measurement

Interferance Recovery

Security &Quality

Noise Interferance Prevention

Bitwidth Minimization

Cross Polarization

Cell Spacing

HARQ Failure

Connection Failure

Collission

Industrial Application of LTE

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the airwaves must be used for transmitting information (voice and data). 3G (or 3rd Generation) was launched in Japan in 2001. As recently as mid-2010, the networks for most wireless carriers in the U.S. were 3G. 3G networks were a significant improvement over 2G/EDGE networks, offering higher speeds for data transfer. The comparison between 3G and 4G will be easier to understand with the following table.

Features 3G 4G

Data Throughput: Up to 3.1mbps Practically speaking, 3 to 5 mbps potential estimated at a range of 100 to 300 mbps.

Peak Upload Rate: 50 500 Mbit/s

Peak Download Rate: 100 Mbit/s 1 Gbit/s

Switching Technique: packet switching packet switching, message switching Network Architecture: Wide Area Cell Based Integration of wireless LAN and Wide area. Services And Applications CDMA 2000, UMTS, EDGE etc Wimax2 and LTE-Advance Forward error correction (FEC): 3G uses Turbo codes for error correction. Concatenated codes are used for error corrections in 4G.

Frequency Band: 1.8 – 2.5GHz 2 – 8GHz

The more research in this technology and evolvement can lead to another technology which may be in future, will be able to replace 4G.

The proposed technology is 5G. 5G (5th generation mobile networks or 5th generation wireless systems) is a term used in some research papers and projects to

Table 16 Comparison between 3G and 4G

A new mobile generation has appeared approximately every 10th year since the first 1G system Nordic Mobile Telephone, was introduced in 1981. The first 2G system started to roll out in 1992; the first 3G system first appeared in 2001 and 4G systems began to appear 2011. LTE basically marketed as 4G has replaced 3G in market. 3G and 4G are standards for mobile communication.Standards specify how

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denote the next major phase of mobile telecommunications standards beyond the current 4G/IMT-Advanced standards. 5G does not describe any particular specification in any official document published by any telecommunication standardization body.Although updated standards that define capa-bilities beyond those defined in the current 4G

standards are under consideration, those new capabilities are still being grouped under the current 4G standards.New mobile generations are typically assigned new frequency bands and wider spectral bandwidth per frequency channel (1G up to 30 kHz, 2G up to 200 kHz, 3G up to 5 MHz, and 4G up to 40 MHz), From users point

Weakness High price Managing your account online is not user friendly Network doesn't allow simultaneous voice and data usage No true unlimited data No 2-way paging Lack of current bandwidth expandability Non-3gpp incompatibility

Opportunity Further consolidation in the industry Increasing demand for wireless broadband applications Expansion of audio-conferencing access Focus on International expansion Acquisition of smaller, regional operators Expansion of audio-conferencing access 2-way paging Integration with GPS LTE connected devices practices

Threats Intense competition in the wireless space OTT application Usage VoIP directly competes with wireless business Mobile Malware Safety

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of view, previous mobile generations have implied substantial increase in peak bitrate (i.e. physical layer net bitrates for short-distance communication). However, no source suggests 5G peak download and upload rates of more than the 1 Gbps to be offered by ITU-R's definition of 4G systems.

StrengthLTE is commercially deployed in US, thus scoring a strong position. Its strong coverage and access to high speed internet makes life easy. It is available with multiple OS that means it is platform independent. It works with Android, Iphone and even windows phone. Associating with brand name gives it recognition and even it enjoys their goodwill. Some of the service provider gives unlimited data usage (Verizon in US). It provides the comfort of using message and data packet simultaneously. It has significant packet data rate thus providing reducing the buffering time frequently. It also prevents internet traffic thus provide faster upload and download rate. It also distributes frequency over different channel thus, preventing interference and also consume less power.

Weakness

OpportunityThe major opportunity For LTE is to meet the increasing demand of Wireless broadband and also meet the consumers’ expectations worldwide. It should provide transition technology so that non 3gpp consumers can also access the network without changing the mobile handsets. It should grab the opportunity with regional operator, so that bandwidth expandability will not take extra efforts. Integration with GPS, will boom its growth around the globe. With evolvement in internet access, the technology of audio conferencing and paging should also improve.

ThreatsThe major threat LTE is facing is the security of content and people information. As increase in the cyber-attack, and LTE monitors account online, raise the question in consumers mind about secured connection. LTE will increase the usage of OTT (Over the Top) applications, thus involving the high risk of downloading malicious content. Online charging mechanism also promotes high risk

The major weakness of LTE is the high Cost of setting up the framework, therefore bandwidth expandability is still lacking. Even the hardware which is LTE enabled are available at high price. Even the LTE chip manufacturers are less in number. LTE uses additional antennas for data transmission, thus non-3gpp mobile holders should purchase new LTE enabled phone to use the network. Accounts are managed online in 4g enabled mobiles which are less user friendly because of authorization and authentication issues. Data packets cannot be used when mobile is in used for call.

If 5G appears, and reflects these prognoses, the major difference from a user point of view between 4G and 5G techniques must be something else than increased maximum throughput; for example lower battery consumption, lower outage probability (better coverage), high bit rates in larger portions of the coverage area, cheaper or no traffic fees due to low infrastructure deployment costs, or higher aggregate capacity for many simultaneous users (i.e. higher system level spectral efficiency).

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Competitive IntelligenceCompetitive Intelligence identifies competitive trends, provides early warning on threats and opportunities in the evolving competitive landscape and evaluates their impact. CI is an integral part of the business decision-making process and helps to achieve and maintain competitive leadership. It develops understanding, creates insight and drives action for general management and individual business function leadership (e.g., strategy, marketing, sales, technology development, finance, human resources, etc.)Firstly, I compared LTE with its rival Technology Wi-Max, as todays each mobile has Wi-fi built in, so that they can access the Wi-fi too, if available.

Wi-Max

The Wi-Max reached various markets around the globe. It is aimed to provide low cost service model with IP friendly architecture and plug-play support. It utilizes advanced radio techniques to provide high spectrum efficiency and Quality of Service feature.The Wi-max service has reached in 2008; HTC announced the first Wi-MAX enabled mobile phone, the Max 4G, on November 12, 2008 where LTE product had hit the markets in 2010. This provide the edge over LTE, thus

provide the customer high speed over 3G.Features of Wi-Max

Providing a wireless alternative to cable and digital subscriber line (DSL) for broadband access. Providing data, telecommunications (VoIP) and IPTV services. Providing a source of Internet connectivity as part of a business continuity plan. Smart grids and meteringFor existing non 3GPP consumers, Wi-Max provides the solution of accessing broadband wireless network with green field network. As LTE, is not compatible with non 3GPP consumers.Wi-Max also provides External Modem such as USB modem to connect. Intel has the strong equity in Wi-Max.

Companies in LTETop brands of telecommunication are in the race of launching their product having LTE network access, they are Samsung, HTC and now NOKIA with its windows Phone.Even the companies having Patent in this technology like Qualcomm, KDDI, ZTE, Nokia and many more have collaborated and decided to licensing their patent to other companies, so the product accessing LTE network will increase, thus meeting consumer demands.Each telecommunication has range of product in this technology but they are on much higher price.Top Companies manufactures LTE Equipment. They are as follows1) Nokia Siemens Networks is a leading global enabler of telecommunications services. With its focus on innovation and sustainability, the company provides

WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) is a wireless communications standard designed to provide 30 to 40 megabit-per-second data rates, with the 2011 update providing up to 1 Gbit/s for fixed stations.

Providing portable mobile broadband connectivity across cities and countries

of fraudulent data. Computation of wireless mechanism space is comparatively less due to existence prior network coverage.

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it the largest patent holder in the industry.a complete portfolio of mobile, fixed and converged network technology, as well as professional services including consultancy and systems integration, deployment, maintenance and managed services. It is one of the largest telecommunications hardware, software and professional services companies in the world. Operating in 150 countries, its headquarters are in Espoo, Finland.

2) With 40 LTE customer trials secured to date, Alcatel-Lucent is a worldwide leader in LTE. The company is actively engaged in the majority of LTE projects being pursued by tier 1 operators around the globe. To help operators realize their potential, Alcatel-Lucent is offering a unique, pre-integrated, end-to-end LTE solution and a full set of associated professional services. The company also founded the ng Connect Program, a global initiative to drive the development of an open and diverse ecosystem of LTE device manufacturers, content providers and application partners. Through the Connecting program and with Alcatel-Lucent's end-to-end LTE solution, wireless broadband operators benefit from open innovation, pre-integrated solutions, reduced time to market with LTE- enabled services, and the ability to drive new and non-traditional business models.

3)Ericsson is the world’s leader in telecommunications technology and services and is leading the way in the rollout of LTE. To date, Ericsson has signed commercial LTE contracts with six major global operators, three of which are in the United States, the world’s fastest growing LTE market. Ericsson has been driving open standards and has had the highest impact on the released LTE specifications. Ericsson expects to hold 25 percent of all essential patents for LTE, making

4) Huawei is a leading telecom solutions provider. Through continuous customer-centric innovation, we have established end-to-end advantages in Telecom Network Infrastructure, Application & Software, Professional Services and Devices. With comprehensive strengths in wireline, wireless and IP technologies, Huawei has gained a leading position in the All-IP convergence age. Our products and solutions have been deployed in over 100 countries and have served Tekelec's Diameter Signalling Router, which helps operators to deal with Diameter signalling challenges, was recently recognized by the Frost and Sullivan "New Product Innovation Award".

5) Tekelec is a global provider of communi-cations network systems and software that enable network operators to deliver a range of communications services including voice, text messaging, and mobile data services.

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ConclusionPatent landscape of a Technology helps corporate intellectual property managers and research executives quantify successful patent families and evaluate overall research strength. The metrics can be used to measure and guide the interaction of R&D and intellectual property strategy, which can increase efficiency and shareholder return. Also Patent Landscape of a Technology (LTE) maintains a large portfolio of thousands of patents into a multiple platform filed by multiple companies to secure their position in it .A technology’s patent landscape helps in: Determining strengths and weaknesses (gap analysis) of the technology vis-à-vis the competition New product development To improve leverage from your patents Technology leadership Dominance of companies in this technology through patents Competence levels and new R&D opportunities R&D investment and development strategyLTE provides telecom industry a opportunity to enter into next generation with high speed internet access, low internet traffic, distributed traffic channel thus lowering interference, low battery consumption and in the end happy customers. But, it also comes with high investment for hardware and even for planning network architecture.

Thus, companies holding patent in this technology have collaborated and decide to license their patent to cop-up with the high investment and also can come with revolution in telecom industry.

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patent landscape of lte (4g) technology · lg electronics, nsn, nokia with 309,172,145 patents...

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