D2D Discovery Beacon Transmission Probability and Resource Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing device discovery techniques in cellular networks face challenges with beacon signal collisions when multiple master devices are present, leading to undetectable or decodable signals for slave devices, and require excessive network signaling and spectrum resources, especially as the number of devices increases.

Innovation Solution

A method where master devices in a cellular network receive information from a network node about available peer discovery resources and beacon transmission probabilities, allowing them to autonomously determine and transmit beacon signals, reducing collisions and network signaling load by choosing resources and adjusting transmission probabilities based on the number of active devices and resources available.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If network-assisted device discovery is implemented, then device discovery efficiency is improved, but network signaling overhead and spectrum resource consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice discovery efficiencyVSAvoidnetwork signaling overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables master devices to autonomously select peer discovery resources and determine beacon transmission probabilities without requiring continuous network assistance. Devices self-organize by listening to network broadcasts about available resources and independently making transmission decisions, thereby reducing network signaling overhead while maintaining discovery efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The network provides preliminary information about available peer discovery resources in advance, allowing devices to autonomously make transmission decisions without real-time network coordination. This preliminary resource allocation enables efficient self-organized device discovery while minimizing ongoing network signaling requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Area of stationary object

If multiple master devices transmit beacon signals simultaneously, then discovery coverage is improved, but beacon signal collisions increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediscovery coverageVSAvoidbeacon signal detectability

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces beacon transmission probability as a controllable parameter that adjusts the likelihood of each master device transmitting a beacon signal in a given peer discovery frame. By dynamically adjusting this probability based on the number of active master devices and available resources, the system maintains discovery coverage while reducing collision probability, thereby ensuring reliable beacon detection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adapts beacon transmission probabilities based on current network conditions, including the number of active master devices and available peer discovery resources. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize the balance between discovery coverage and collision avoidance in real-time, improving overall discovery reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If traditional ad hoc discovery procedures are used, then device autonomy is maintained, but discovery time and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice autonomyVSAvoiddiscovery time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The network provides preliminary information about available peer discovery resources before devices begin autonomous operation. This advance resource allocation enables devices to quickly and efficiently select appropriate transmission resources without extensive trial-and-error, reducing discovery time while maintaining device autonomy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The network acts as an intermediary that provides resource allocation information to enable efficient autonomous device operation. Rather than directly coordinating each transmission, the network supplies the necessary resource information that allows devices to self-organize efficiently, reducing discovery time while preserving autonomy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9736817B2Method and arrangement for D2D discovery

Publication Date: 2017.08.15 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

AI summary

A method for sending beacon signals is provided. The beacon signals are to be received by a slave device to discover the master device for Device to Device communication. The master device receives information from a network node. The information informs about a set of available peer discovery resources to be used in a peer discovery frame by the master device for sending beacon signals. The beacon signals are detected by the slave device. The master device obtains a beacon transmission probability. At each specific peer discovery frame, the master device determines according to the beacon transmission probability, whether or not a beacon signal shall be transmitted during that specific peer discovery frame. When determining to transmit a beacon signal during that specific peer discovery frame, master device sends the beacon signal by choosing one of the peer discovery resources out of the received set of available peer discovery resources.