Control Terminal Signaling for Network-Controlled Relay Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
The reduced coverage of base stations due to the high rectilinearity of radio signals in high frequency bands, such as millimeter and terahertz waves, is a challenge in 5G mobile communication systems, leading to communication gaps and obstacles for user equipment outside direct line of sight.
Innovation Solution
A network-controlled repeater apparatus (NCR) is introduced to relay radio signals between a network and user equipment, utilizing a relay device (NCR-Fwd) for signal amplification and directional transmission, and a control terminal (NCR-MT) for network-controlled operation, enabling efficient coverage extension.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If high frequency band radio signals are used for wide-band transmission, then transmission bandwidth is improved, but coverage area is reduced due to high rectilinearity
Solution Approach 1:
A repeater apparatus is introduced as an intermediary device between the base station and user equipment. The repeater receives radio signals from the base station, amplifies them, and retransmits them to extend coverage to areas beyond direct line of sight, thereby resolving the contradiction between using high frequency bands for wide-band transmission and maintaining sufficient coverage area
Solution Approach 2:
The communication system is segmented into multiple components: base station, repeater apparatus (with separate receiving and transmitting units), and user equipment. This segmentation allows the repeater to act as an intermediate node that bridges the gap between base station coverage and user equipment locations, enabling wide-band transmission while extending effective coverage
2Area of stationary object
If repeater apparatus is used to extend coverage, then coverage area is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional relay infrastructure
Solution Approach 1:
The repeater apparatus is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a signal receiver from the base station and as a signal transmitter to user equipment. By consolidating these functions into a single device rather than using separate relay stations, the system extends coverage while minimizing the increase in overall infrastructure complexity
Data Source
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AI summary
A communication method used in a relay apparatus including a relay device that performs a relay operation of relaying a radio signal transmitted between a network and a user equipment, and a control terminal that receives a control signal used for control of the relay device from the network includes the steps of transitioning, by the control terminal, to a radio resource control (RRC) connected state in a cell included in the network; determining whether a condition is satisfied for incorporating notification information indicating that a host apparatus is the relay apparatus into a message to be transmitted from the control terminal to the cell; and transmitting the message including the notification information from the control terminal to the cell in response to determining that the condition is satisfied.