Bearer QoS Mapping for Cell Relay Radio Bearers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cell relays in wireless communication systems are limited in the number of radio bearers they can establish with upstream or downstream cell relays, which restricts their ability to support multiple evolved packet system (EPS) bearers, leading to reduced network capacity and coverage.

Innovation Solution

The method involves mapping multiple EPS bearers to a single cell relay radio bearer, where an upstream cell relay or donor access point specifies a radio bearer for a downstream cell relay and stores a bearer mapping table to route subsequent packets, allowing communication with multiple cell relays based on quality of service (QoS) class identifiers or best effort matching.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If cell relays establish individual radio bearers for each EPS bearer, then communication quality is maintained, but the number of supported connections is limited due to radio bearer constraints

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of supported EPS bearersVSAvoidradio bearer management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple EPS bearers into a single radio bearer by implementing a bearer mapping mechanism. The eNodeB maps multiple EPS bearers to one radio bearer, allowing multiple logical bearers to share a single physical radio resource. This resolves the contradiction by enabling support for more EPS bearers without increasing the number of radio bearers, thus maintaining communication quality while expanding connection capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements multi-functionality by making a single radio bearer serve multiple EPS bearers simultaneously. The bearer mapping table enables one radio bearer to handle traffic from multiple EPS bearers, allowing the system to support more connections than the number of available radio bearers. This universal approach resolves the limitation of radio bearer constraints on network capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If cell relays support multiple EPS bearers with individual radio bearers, then network capacity increases, but the number of available radio bearers becomes a limiting factor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork capacityVSAvoidnumber of radio bearers
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple EPS bearers into a single radio bearer through bearer mapping. The eNodeB maintains a mapping table that associates multiple EPS bearers with one radio bearer, enabling the system to support more connections than the number of physical radio bearers available. This merging approach increases network capacity without requiring proportional increases in radio bearer resources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses logical copying where a single radio bearer is replicated across multiple EPS bearers through mapping. Instead of creating physical copies of radio bearers, the system creates logical mappings that allow one radio bearer to serve multiple EPS bearers simultaneously, effectively increasing the quantity of supported connections without consuming additional radio bearer resources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Quantity of substance

If bearer mapping is implemented to allow multiple EPS bearers per radio bearer, then radio bearer resources are conserved, but routing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveradio bearer resource efficiencyVSAvoidbearer mapping and routing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by establishing bearer mapping tables in advance at the eNodeB. The mapping relationships between EPS bearers and radio bearers are predetermined and stored in the mapping table before data transmission occurs. This pre-established mapping simplifies the routing process during actual data transmission, as the eNodeB can directly consult the pre-computed mapping table rather than making complex routing decisions in real-time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a bearer mapping table as an intermediary mechanism between EPS bearers and radio bearers. This mapping table acts as a mediator that translates between the logical EPS bearer identifiers and the physical radio bearer resources. By introducing this intermediary layer, the system manages the complexity of mapping multiple bearers to fewer resources in a structured and efficient manner, reducing the burden on real-time routing decisions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9088939B2Bearer QoS mapping for cell relays
Publication Date: 2015.07.21 QUALCOMM INC
  • US9088939B2 patent drawing
  • US9088939B2 patent drawing
  • US9088939B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate mapping multiple evolved packet system (EPS) bearers to a single relay eNB radio bearer. In particular, an upstream eNB can select a radio bearer of a downstream eNB for association to an EPS bearer; the selection can be based on a best effort match or substantially any logic. The upstream eNB can store an association between the radio bearer and EPS bearer for subsequent downstream packet routing. The upstream eNB can also provide an indication of the selected radio bearer to the downstream relay eNB to facilitate upstream packet routing therefrom. The upstream eNB can alternatively select the radio bearer of the downstream eNB for association to the EPS bearer based on a quality of service (QoS) class identifier (QCI) of the EPS bearer.