Device-to-Device Connection Setup in Wireless Networks
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems, such as E-UTRAN (Rel. 8), do not support device-to-device (D2D) communication, which limits the ability to establish direct connections between devices, affecting spectral efficiency and service flexibility in multi-operator environments.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus are introduced to initiate and establish D2D communication by sending initiation messages to network nodes, requesting resource setup, and converting device identifications into network-associated IDs to determine feasibility, allowing direct communication setup between devices, even if they are not associated with the same eNB, and maintaining cellular network control over D2D operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If device-to-device communication is enabled in E-UTRAN (Rel. 8), then spectral efficiency and service flexibility are improved, but the system architecture complexity increases due to lack of native D2D support
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a network node (eNB) as an intermediary to facilitate D2D communication setup. The eNB receives D2D communication requests from devices, performs feasibility checks, allocates resources, and coordinates the establishment of direct device connections, thereby enabling D2D functionality without requiring complex peer-to-peer negotiation protocols between devices themselves.
Solution Approach 2:
The existing eNB infrastructure is extended to perform multiple functions including traditional cellular communication management and D2D communication coordination. The eNB utilizes its existing resource allocation and device management capabilities to also handle D2D setup, resource assignment, and maintenance, avoiding the need for separate dedicated D2D control infrastructure.
2Speed
If direct device connections are established without network involvement, then communication speed is improved, but network control and service level guarantees are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The network performs preliminary actions by pre-evaluating D2D communication requests, checking device compatibility, verifying service level agreements, and allocating resources before the actual direct communication begins. This preliminary network involvement ensures that direct communications are established only when they meet network policies and can be reliably maintained.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where devices engaged in D2D communication report status information back to the network node. The network monitors the health and performance of direct connections, allowing it to intervene if communication quality degrades or policies are violated, thus maintaining ongoing network control over direct device communications.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are apparatus, methods and computer programs to establish device-to-device communications in a wireless network. A method includes sending an initiation message from a first device to initiate device-to-device communication with a second device; receiving a message indicating a request for setting up radio resources for device-to-device communication; sending a message to the second device, the message including a request to set up resources for device-to-device communication and, in response to establishing device-to-device communication with the second device using the resources, sending an acknowledgment that device-to-device communication is established.