Base Station D2D Offloading Using AoA and OWD Measurements

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current device-to-device communication systems face inefficiencies in offloading network communications, particularly due to reliance on UE-provided proximity detection and continuous GPS tracking, which increases power consumption and costs, and lack opportunistic inter-cell and intra-cell offloading optimization.

Innovation Solution

A method where a base station determines candidate UEs for direct communication by assessing proximity and link conditions, allocating resources for direct communications without relying on UE applications, using Angle of Arrival (AoA) and One Way Delay (OWD) measurements to estimate UE locations, and managing communication links to optimize traffic offloading.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If UE-provided proximity detection and continuous GPS tracking are used to enable device-to-device communication, then device-to-device communication capability is improved, but UE power consumption and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice-to-device communication capabilityVSAvoidUE power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The base station acts as an intermediary to perform proximity detection and location estimation instead of relying on UE applications and GPS. The base station uses AoA and OWD measurements from the network infrastructure to determine UE locations and identify candidate UEs for direct communication, eliminating the need for continuous GPS tracking and UE-provided proximity detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/GPS-based location tracking system with a radio-based measurement system. Instead of using GPS satellites and UE applications to determine location, the system uses electromagnetic wave measurements (AoA and OWD) performed by the base station to estimate UE locations and enable device-to-device communication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If base station performs AoA and OWD measurements to estimate UE locations for direct communication, then offloading efficiency is improved, but base station processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoffloading efficiencyVSAvoidbase station processing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The base station performs AoA and OWD measurements and estimates UE locations in advance to identify candidate UEs for direct communication before actual data transfer begins. This preliminary location estimation enables the system to proactively establish direct communication links, improving offloading efficiency by preparing communication paths ahead of time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2862409B1Method and apparatus for opportunistic offloading of network communications to device-to-device communication

Publication Date: 2019.08.07 ALCATEL LUCENT SA

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3

AI summary

In one embodiment, the method for offloading communications of a first base station (11 Oa) includes determining that a first user equipment (UE) (120a) and a second UE (120b) are candidates for direct communications. The method further includes notifying the first UE and the second UE that the first UE and the second UE are candidates for direct communications based on the determining. The method further includes receiving a report that the first UE and the second UE are able to engage in direct communications with each other. The method further includes allocating at least one uplink block to direct communications between the first UE and the second UE.