Base Station Relay Switching for Sidelink Service Continuity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies lack a mechanism to flexibly switch relay UEs in Sidelink communication when communication conditions deteriorate, leading to potential service interruptions during path switching.

Innovation Solution

A base station equipped with a first acquisition unit to measure signal strength and a processing unit to issue switch instructions to remote UEs, enabling seamless switching from one relay UE to another based on signal strength analysis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the remote UE switches from one relay UE to another relay UE when communication conditions deteriorate, then the service continuity is maintained, but the existing technology lacks a mechanism to achieve this switching flexibly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice continuityVSAvoidrelay UE switching flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The base station monitors signal strength information between the remote UE and relay UEs, and based on this feedback, dynamically determines and instructs path switching decisions. This feedback mechanism enables flexible adaptation to changing communication conditions while maintaining service continuity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from a static relay configuration to a dynamic one where the base station can instruct the remote UE to switch between different relay UEs based on real-time signal conditions. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to adapt flexibly to varying communication environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the base station monitors signal strength and issues switch instructions for relay UE switching, then relay UE switching flexibility is achieved, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverelay UE switching flexibilityVSAvoidbase station control mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The base station leverages its existing multi-functional capabilities to perform signal strength monitoring and path switching control. By utilizing the base station's comprehensive control functions already present in the network architecture, the patent avoids adding dedicated complex switching hardware, thereby managing system complexity while achieving switching flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The remote UE autonomously measures signal strength with different relay UEs and reports this information to the base station. The base station then autonomously determines the optimal path and issues switching instructions. This self-service approach distributes the complexity across multiple entities rather than concentrating it in one component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4694349A1Base station, user terminal, control method, and program

Publication Date: 2026.02.11 CANON KK

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AI summary

A base station includes a first acquisition unit configured to acquire first signal strength information in a first relay state of being connected to a remote UE via one relay UE, the first signal strength information indicating a first signal strength between the remote UE and the one relay UE, and a processing unit configured to, based on the first signal strength information, issue a switch instruction to the remote UE to switch from the first relay state to a second relay state via a different relay UE different from the one relay UE.