Communication Path Switching for Wearables Through Relay Terminals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wearable devices face challenges with battery life due to direct network communication and antenna design limitations, leading to high power consumption and reduced transmission efficiency, necessitating a flexible and reliable communication path switching method for complex scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A communication path switching method and device that allows a wearable device to access the network through a high-performance terminal or UE as a relay, using configuration information to set up radio bearers and side links, enabling flexible and reliable network access even when the wearable device and relay UE are not camped on the same eNB.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the WD directly accesses the network, then the transmission efficiency is improved, but the power consumption increases and battery life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic path switching between direct and indirect access modes based on real-time conditions. The WD can switch from direct network access to relay-based access depending on battery status, signal quality, and network conditions, making the system adaptable rather than static
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a relay terminal (another WD or UE) as an intermediary node between the target WD and the network. This relay mechanism allows the WD to access the network indirectly through the relay's connection, reducing power consumption while maintaining communication capability
2Device complexity
If the WD uses a single antenna, then the device complexity is reduced, but the transmission efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The relay terminal acts as an intermediary that compensates for the single-antenna limitation. By establishing a relay connection, the system effectively creates additional communication paths without requiring the WD to implement complex multi-antenna hardware
3Use of energy by moving object
If the WD switches to indirect path using relay UE, then the power consumption is reduced, but the applicability is limited to same eNB scenarios
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic path selection that adapts to different network scenarios. The WD can determine whether to use direct or indirect access based on real-time conditions including whether relay UE is available, signal quality metrics, and network configuration, making the solution applicable across diverse scenarios rather than being restricted to single conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal access mechanism that works across multiple scenarios - both same eNB and different eNB cases. The relay-based access method provides a general solution that can be applied whenever relay UE is available, regardless of the specific eNB configuration or network topology
4Reliability
If the WD is surrounded by a high-performance mobile phone, then the network access reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The WD autonomously determines when and how to switch access paths based on its own measurements and conditions. The device can independently evaluate signal quality, battery status, and relay availability, then self-initiate path switching without requiring complex external coordination or manual configuration
Data Source
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AI summary
A communication path switching method and device are disclosed. The method includes: receiving, by a first base station, a first message sent by a first terminal, where the first message is used to request to switch the first terminal from a first path for independently accessing a network to a second path for accessing the network by using a second terminal, and the first base station serves the first terminal; determining, by the first base station according to the first message, a second base station that serves the second terminal; obtaining, by the first base station, configuration information from the second base station, where the configuration information is used by the first terminal to access the network by using the second terminal; and sending, by the first base station, the configuration information to the first terminal. Therefore, communication path switching for different complex application scenarios can be implemented.