Autonomous Wireless Backhaul Relay Formation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless communication systems face challenges in extending communication range and providing cost-effective backhaul solutions, especially in densely deployed millimeter wave networks where traditional infrastructure-based wired relays are costly and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of multi-hop wireless backhaul networks that allow relays to autonomously form a wireless backhaul network by reusing existing connectivity establishment procedures, enabling each relay to possess UE, BS, and GW functionality, thereby expanding coverage and scaling efficiently.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If traditional infrastructure-based wired relay solutions are used, then network coverage can be extended, but deployment cost and complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork coverage areaVSAvoiddeployment complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces physical wired relay infrastructure with wireless relay nodes that communicate over-the-air. Instead of deploying physical cables and wired connections between relays, the system uses wireless signals to establish backhaul connections, thereby extending coverage without the mechanical complexity of wired infrastructure installation and maintenance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

Relay nodes autonomously discover available donors and parent relays, and automatically configure their own connections without requiring manual network configuration. The relays self-organize into the network topology, eliminating the need for complex manual deployment and configuration processes that would otherwise be required for wired relay infrastructure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Length of moving object

If multi-hop wireless backhaul networks are deployed, then communication range is extended and deployment cost is reduced, but network topology management and routing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication rangeVSAvoidnetwork management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where relay nodes continuously monitor network conditions and automatically adjust their connections. Relays provide feedback about signal quality and network status to donors and parent relays, enabling dynamic optimization of the multi-hop paths and automatic rerouting when needed, thereby managing the complexity of extended communication ranges

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The network topology is designed to be dynamic rather than static. Relay nodes can change their parent relationships and connection paths based on real-time network conditions. This dynamic reconfiguration capability allows the network to adapt to changing conditions without requiring complex manual management, as the system self-adjusts to maintain optimal performance across extended communication ranges

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If relays are configured with multi-faceted functionality (UE, BS, and GW functions), then network scalability and adaptability improve, but device complexity and configuration difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork adaptabilityVSAvoiddevice configuration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements universal relay nodes that can perform multiple functions (UE functionality, BS functionality, and GW functionality) within a single device. This multi-functionality allows the same hardware platform to adapt to different network roles and requirements, improving network versatility without requiring separate specialized devices for each function, thereby managing the complexity through standardized multi-purpose nodes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Relay nodes are pre-configured with the capability to perform multiple functions, and the system establishes connection procedures and routing rules in advance. The multi-faceted functionality is prepared beforehand through standardized configurations and protocols, so that when relays are deployed, they can immediately adapt to different network roles without requiring complex real-time configuration, thus reducing the perceived complexity during deployment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11470666B2Autonomous formation for backhaul networks

Publication Date: 2022.10.11 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

A user equipment (UE) may experience poor communication with a network access device, and the network access device may configure the UE to connect to, and route communications through, one or more relay nodes (e.g., which may be another UE, a network operator-deployed relay, etc.). Techniques are described whereby these relay nodes may autonomously form a wireless backhaul network. Sequential implementations are considered such that the size of the wireless backhaul network may scale efficiently. In some examples, the wireless backhaul network may form by reusing existing connectivity establishment procedures. Importantly, the proposed techniques enable a relay to possess (e.g., be configured with) functionality that may traditionally be associated with a UE, base station, and gateway. Such multi-faceted functionality may enable the described sequential formation of wireless backhaul networks with tree topology.