Base Station Uplink Routing for Wireless Terminals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless communication systems using Mesh or Relay topologies face challenges such as routing and scheduling complexity, hidden node problems, and excessive resource use due to the need for distributed intelligence and multihopping, which increase latency and energy consumption in Machine Type Communication (MTC) networks.
Innovation Solution
A wireless communication system where a base station directly controls uplink communications by transmitting terminal control signals to indicate the intermediate device for routing, allowing the base station to select radio links and manage power efficiently, while using conventional Star topology for downlink transmissions to conserve power at terminals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If Mesh topology with distributed routing is used, then network coverage and flexibility are improved, but terminal device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a base station as a central intermediary to manage routing and scheduling decisions. Instead of each terminal device independently making routing decisions in a Mesh topology, the base station receives scheduling requests from terminals and determines the optimal routing paths, thereby reducing terminal device complexity while maintaining network flexibility and coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the routing decision-making function from the terminal devices and assigns it to the base station. This segmentation allows terminal devices to focus on simple transmission tasks while the base station handles complex routing and scheduling, effectively reducing terminal device complexity without compromising network adaptability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multihopping is used to extend transmission range, then network coverage is improved, but latency and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary routing determination by the base station before actual data transmission. The base station calculates and establishes optimal multihop paths in advance, assigning intermediate relay terminals and scheduling transmission time slots. This preliminary action reduces latency by avoiding real-time routing decisions during data transmission and optimizes the use of multihopping to extend coverage efficiently.
3Extent of automation
If distributed scheduling is used in Mesh topology, then network autonomy is improved, but hidden node problems and transmission conflicts increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the base station as a central mediator to manage scheduling and coordinate transmissions. The base station receives scheduling requests from terminal devices, determines optimal transmission times and routes, and assigns resources to avoid conflicts. This centralized coordination eliminates hidden node problems and transmission conflicts while maintaining network autonomy through automated base station decision-making.
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless communications system includes a base station, a plurality of intermediate devices, and a terminal device. Downlink communications may be provided directly from the base station to the terminal device, including control signals which instruct the terminal device where to send uplink data. This enables the base station to directly control scheduling of uplink communications, and in particular to define an uplink route from the terminal device to the base station via one or more intermediate devices. Power is conserved at the terminal device on the uplink because a lower power transmission can be used which although insufficient to reach the base station can reach the intermediate device. The terminal device is not required to determine the uplink path itself and therefore does not require complex, expensive, and power consuming control logic.