Amplify-and-forward relay mechanism for wireless latency reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

The decode-and-forward (DF) relay mechanism in wireless networks significantly increases data delivery latency due to the need for decoding and re-encoding signals before forwarding.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of an amplify-and-forward (AF) relay mechanism enabled by multi-link operations, where a relay node amplifies and retransmits signals without decoding, reducing latency and increasing network coverage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If decode-and-forward relay mechanism is used, then signal reliability is improved through decoding and re-encoding, but data delivery latency significantly increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal reliabilityVSAvoiddata delivery latency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the decoding and re-encoding operations from the relay mechanism, retaining only the signal forwarding function. This removes the time-consuming processing steps while preserving the essential relay capability, thus reducing latency while maintaining signal transmission reliability through the amplify-and-forward approach

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameters of the relay node from decode-and-re-encode mode to amplify-and-forward mode. This parameter change fundamentally alters the processing approach, eliminating the need for complete signal decoding and re-encoding, thereby significantly reducing data delivery latency while maintaining acceptable signal reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Area of stationary object

If relay operations are implemented, then network coverage is extended, but device complexity increases due to additional relay nodes and protocols

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork coverageVSAvoidrelay mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The relay node operates autonomously by automatically amplifying and forwarding received signals without requiring complex coordination protocols with source or destination nodes. This self-service approach simplifies the overall system complexity while effectively extending network coverage through distributed relay operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of having relay nodes actively decode and regenerate signals (complex approach), the patent inverts the approach by having relay nodes simply amplify and forward the original signal (simple approach). This inversion reduces the computational and protocol complexity at relay nodes while achieving the same coverage extension goal

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS20250150157A1Amplify-and-forward relay mechanism enabled by multi-link operations in a wireless network

Publication Date: 2025.05.08 NEWRACOM INC

AI summary

An embodiment is method performed by a source node to transmit data that is to be relayed by a relay node to a destination node using a multi-link device (MLD) amplify-and-forward (AF) relay mechanism. The method includes transmitting a relay trigger frame to the relay node on a first link between the source node and the relay node to set up a second link between the relay node and the destination node, receiving a relay response frame from the relay node on the first link as a response to the relay trigger frame, transmitting a relay initiation frame to the relay node on the first link to start a relay operation period, and during the relay operation period, transmitting a data frame on the first link that is to be relayed by the relay node to the destination node on the second link using an AF relay mechanism.