Network-Managed D2D Control Plane for LTE Resource Allocation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current D2D communication technologies face challenges in managing device-to-device communications within LTE networks, particularly in ensuring efficient resource allocation, security, and scalability, due to minimal network involvement and lack of oversight in device-centric approaches.

Innovation Solution

A network-managed approach is implemented, where a base station receives group information from a proximity server to update UE lists and resource allocations, enabling efficient D2D communication by managing resource allocation and switching between D2D and cellular modes based on link quality and UE capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a device-centric approach with minimal network involvement is used for D2D communication, then device autonomy and simplicity are improved, but resource allocation efficiency and network security deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice autonomyVSAvoidresource allocation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The base station acts as an intermediary that receives D2D communication requests from user equipment, allocates radio resources, and provides control information without directly participating in the data transmission. This mediator approach maintains device autonomy while ensuring efficient resource allocation through centralized coordination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If a device-centric approach with minimal network involvement is used for D2D communication, then implementation simplicity is improved, but network security and resource management deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimplementation simplicityVSAvoidnetwork security
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The base station serves as a security intermediary that authenticates D2D communication requests, manages radio resource allocation, and monitors communication quality. This approach keeps the D2D implementation simple at the device level while centralizing security and resource management functions at the network level.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If network-managed resource allocation is implemented for D2D communication, then resource allocation efficiency and network oversight are improved, but system complexity and signaling overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource allocation efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the complex resource allocation and security management functions from the user equipment and concentrates them in the base station. The UE only needs to send simple requests and receive allocations, while the base station handles the complex tasks of resource management, authentication, and coordination with proximity servers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Productivity

If base station coordination is used for D2D communication, then resource management and interference coordination are improved, but signaling overhead and network load increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource management efficiencyVSAvoidsignaling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The base station continuously monitors D2D communication quality and dynamically adjusts resource allocations based on channel conditions and network load. This continuous coordination ensures efficient resource management and interference coordination while optimizing the balance between signaling overhead and communication performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentEP3114815B1Systems and methods for control plane for d2d communications
Publication Date: 2022.02.23 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3114815B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3114815B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3114815B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

System and method embodiments are provided for controlling and managing in-network device-to-device (D2D) communications. In an embodiment, a method for a UE performing device-to-device (D2D) communication includes generating a D2D buffer status report (BSR) for a D2D communication link between the UE and a second UE that provides information related to an amount of D2D data available for transmission, wherein the D2D BSR comprises a D2D BSR logical channel identifier (LCID); transmitting the D2D BSR in a control element; receiving, a resource allocation for the D2D link; and transmitting D2D data over the allocated resource.