Network-Controlled Proximity D2D Discovery Relay Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current network-controlled proximity device-to-device discovery and communication systems face challenges in efficiently managing device proximity and communication when user equipment is near the edge of cellular network coverage, requiring constant network awareness of device locations and battery levels to facilitate seamless relay operations.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a network-controlled discovery mode where user equipment sends discovery signals to indicate proximity to the coverage edge, allowing out-of-coverage devices to establish direct device-to-device links, with the network selecting suitable devices to act as relay stations and managing communication parameters to avoid interference and optimize data transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the network entity constantly monitors all relevant factors such as locations and battery levels of UEs to enable fine-tuned centrally controlled discovery orchestration, then relay operation control and discovery precision are improved, but network complexity and signaling overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
User equipments autonomously determine their own suitability as relay UEs by evaluating local conditions such as battery power levels, signal quality, and proximity to other UEs. Each UE independently makes decisions about whether to act as a relay without requiring constant network intervention for monitoring and control decisions.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring and decision-making functions are extracted from the network entity and transferred to the user equipments themselves. The network entity retains only high-level control and coordination functions, while local UEs handle the detailed monitoring of their own states and environmental conditions.
2Productivity
If the designated network entity makes centralized decisions about relay selection and discovery pilot transmission, then relay operation efficiency and resource allocation are improved, but network control overhead and signaling requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
User equipments pre-evaluate their own suitability as relay nodes based on their current state (battery level, signal conditions, location) before being selected by the network. This preliminary self-assessment reduces the information exchange required during actual relay operations.
Solution Approach 2:
Each UE autonomously monitors its own battery power level, signal quality, and other relevant parameters, and independently determines when it should act as a relay UE or transmit discovery pilots, eliminating the need for continuous network-directed monitoring and control signaling.
3Reliability
If user equipments continuously communicate with the network to report their status and receive control instructions for relay operations, then relay coordination and network awareness are improved, but power consumption and network traffic increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous communication, user equipments exchange status information and control instructions periodically at predetermined intervals. The network and UEs update their states and coordinates relay operations at discrete time points rather than maintaining constant communication links.
Solution Approach 2:
User equipments autonomously monitor and manage their own operational states including battery power levels, signal conditions, and relay functionality without requiring continuous network verification or control, significantly reducing uplink and downlink signaling traffic.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method, apparatus and computer program in which an apparatus exchanges wirelessly information with a public land mobile network. The apparatus detects a wireless device to device discovery initiation instruction from the public land mobile network and responsively: sends one or more wireless discovery signal transmissions for a peer device or to monitor wireless discovery signal transmissions sent by a peer device; and directly communicates wirelessly with a peer device that indicates having received the wireless discovery signal transmission or from which the apparatus has detected a wireless discovery signal transmission in result of the monitoring of wireless discovery signal transmissions.