Anchor Terminal Autonomous Relay Rerouting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cellular communication networks face challenges in efficiently rerouting relayed connections due to terminal device mobility, requiring efficient setup of multi-hop relay extensions.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus for an anchor terminal device that autonomously reroutes relaying between an access node and an end terminal device by selecting candidate terminal devices based on communication delay and channel quality metrics, without requiring a reconfiguration message from the access node.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the relay terminal device is maintained as an anchor terminal device and the connection is rerouted via a further terminal device, then the relayed connection can be maintained despite terminal device mobility, but the setup of multi-hop relay extension becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverelayed connection maintenanceVSAvoidmulti-hop relay extension setup
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The anchor terminal device autonomously performs rerouting decisions by evaluating communication delays through candidate terminal devices without requiring access node intervention. The system uses self-contained mechanisms where the anchor terminal device independently measures delays, selects appropriate relays, and configures multi-hop paths, thereby reducing setup complexity while maintaining connection reliability during terminal mobility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Speed

If the anchor terminal device performs autonomous rerouting without access node reconfiguration messages, then the rerouting speed increases, but the control complexity and decision-making burden on the anchor terminal device increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvererouting speedVSAvoidanchor terminal device control complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-configures the anchor terminal device with a maximum delay threshold and enables it to proactively evaluate candidate terminal devices before actual rerouting is needed. The anchor terminal device continuously monitors communication delays and prepares rerouting decisions in advance, allowing rapid execution when rerouting becomes necessary without requiring complex real-time access node coordination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the anchor terminal device evaluates multiple candidate terminal devices based on communication delay, then the quality of rerouting decision improves, but the time required for evaluation and decision-making increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvererouting decision qualityVSAvoidevaluation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the evaluation parameter from comprehensive multi-criteria assessment to primarily communication delay measurement against a predefined maximum delay threshold. This parameter simplification allows the anchor terminal device to quickly evaluate candidate terminal devices while still making reliable rerouting decisions, significantly reducing evaluation time while maintaining decision quality through delay-based selection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4385147B1Relay extension in cellular network
Publication Date: 2025.05.14 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • EP4385147B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4385147B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4385147B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

This document discloses a solution for performing rerouting of a relayed connection. In an aspect, a method for an anchor terminal device supporting relaying between an access node and an end terminal device comprises: receiving a message requesting rerouting of said relaying, the message comprising at least one information element indicating at least one candidate terminal device; determining a communication delay between the anchor terminal device and the end terminal device via at least one of said at least one candidate terminal device and comparing the determined communication delay with a maximum delay threshold; if at least one determined communication delay is smaller than the maximum delay threshold, rerouting the relaying between the anchor terminal device and the end terminal device via one of the at least one candidate terminal device that provides the communication delay smaller than the maximum delay threshold, wherein the rerouting is carried out autonomously without receiving from the access node a reconfiguration message instructing the rerouting configuration; and if no communication delay is smaller than the maximum delay threshold, causing transmission of a message to the access node, the message indicating a need for reconfiguration of the relaying.