Cooperative Communication Pairing Across Base Stations

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current communication systems cannot establish cooperative communication between user equipment (UEs) controlled by different base stations, limiting the throughput and reliability of data transmission.

Innovation Solution

A method where a first base station receives a pairing identifier from a first UE, waits for the second base station to broadcast it, and sends a pairing request to establish a cooperative communication by performing radio resource control (RRC) connection reconfiguration on both UEs, allowing them to communicate cooperatively despite being controlled by different base stations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If cooperative communication is established between UEs controlled by different base stations, then throughput and reliability of data transmission are improved, but device complexity and coordination overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability of data transmissionVSAvoidcoordination overhead between base stations
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the X2 interface as an intermediary communication channel between base stations to enable cooperative communication coordination. The first base station sends pairing requests and receives pairing acknowledgment messages through this standardized interface, which mediates the complex inter-base station coordination while maintaining system modularity and reducing direct complexity between eNodeBs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The cooperative communication establishment process is segmented into distinct phases: pairing identifier exchange between UEs, base station pairing request transmission, pairing acknowledgment message reception, and RRC connection reconfiguration. This segmentation allows each base station to independently manage its portion of the coordination while following a standardized protocol sequence, reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If existing synthesis process is used for cooperative communication establishment, then process simplicity is maintained, but cooperative communication cannot be established between UEs controlled by different base stations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to establish cooperative communication across different base stationsVSAvoidcomplexity of pairing process
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extends the existing base station pairing mechanism to support cross-base station cooperative communication while maintaining compatibility with existing single-base station processes. The same X2 interface and message structures (pairing request, pairing acknowledgment) are used whether UEs are under the same or different base stations, providing universal functionality that handles both scenarios through a unified protocol.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces preliminary actions in the form of pairing identifier exchange between UEs before base station coordination begins. The first UE obtains the second UE's identifier and transmits it to the first base station, which then initiates the base station pairing process. This preliminary UE-to-base station information exchange prepares the system for subsequent inter-base station coordination, structuring the overall process in manageable sequential steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2925065B1Coordinating communication method, user equipment, and base station
Publication Date: 2017.11.15 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP2925065B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2925065B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2925065B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Embodiments of the present invention disclose a cooperative communication method, user equipment, and a base station, and relate to the field of communications technologies. The method includes: receiving, by a first base station, an identifier of second UE and an identifier of a second base station serving the second UE that are sent by first user equipment UE served by the first base station, or receiving a pairing identifier broadcast by a second base station, where the pairing identifier includes at least an identifier of the second UE; sending, by the first base station, a pairing request to the second base station, where the pairing request includes at least the identifier and bearer setup information of the second UE, so that the second base station sets up a bearer to the first base station according to the bearer setup information, determines the second UE according to the identifier of the second UE, and performs radio resource control RRC connection reconfiguration on the second UE; receiving, by the first base station, a pairing acknowledgment message sent by the second base station; and performing, by the first base station, RRC connection reconfiguration on the first UE. The present invention is applicable to a situation in which two UEs between which cooperative communication is established are separately controlled by different base stations in a multi-user cooperative communication technology scenario.