D2D Link Quality Assessment via Service and Power Reporting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing D2D communication technologies rely solely on radio measurements for link quality assessment, which is insufficient to guarantee reliable service provision, especially in multi-hop scenarios and when switching between direct and cellular communication paths.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method for wireless devices to determine and report direct link quality assessments, including Power Headroom Reports (PHR) and supported services over D2D communication links, enabling better service tuning and selection of optimal communication paths in multi-hop scenarios.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If only radio measurements (RSRP, RSRQ, RSSI) are used for link quality assessment, then the measurement process is simple, but the service reliability is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice reliabilityVSAvoidassessment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple assessment dimensions including radio measurements (RSRP, RSRQ, RSSI), Power Headroom Reports (PHR), and supported services information into a unified link quality assessment mechanism. This merging of diverse parameters enables comprehensive service reliability evaluation while maintaining manageable system complexity through standardized reporting procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where wireless devices report PHR and supported services information to the network, which then uses this feedback to make informed decisions about service provisioning and path selection. The network can adjust resource allocation and routing based on the reported link quality assessments, creating a closed-loop system that improves service reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If comprehensive parameters (PHR, supported services) are reported for direct link quality assessment, then service quality improves, but signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice qualityVSAvoidsignaling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent leverages existing standardized reporting mechanisms (PHR for power headroom, supported services indication for capability reporting) to convey multiple types of information through unified channels. These multi-functional reports serve both power management and link quality assessment purposes, reducing the need for separate dedicated signaling messages and thereby minimizing overhead while maintaining comprehensive service quality information.

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

3Reliability

If radio measurements alone are used for path selection, then the selection process is fast, but service continuity is not guaranteed in multi-hop scenarios

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice continuityVSAvoidpath selection time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables preliminary assessment of link quality by having wireless devices report PHR and supported services information before actual data transmission begins. The network can pre-evaluate potential communication paths using this advance information, performing path selection and optimization before service interruption risks arise. This preliminary action ensures service continuity in multi-hop scenarios while minimizing disruption time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3278615B1Reporting for direct link quality assessment
Publication Date: 2020.03.04 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP3278615B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3278615B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3278615B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Systems and methods for reporting a direct link quality assessment are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method of operation of a wireless device in a wireless communications network includes determining one or more parameters for a Device-to- Device (D2D) communication link with a first wireless device and determining one or more services supported over the D2D communication link with the first wireless device based on the one or more parameters. In this way, a wireless device may be able to tune communication parameters, enabling a better service and/or the wireless device may determine whether a service can be supported or not. Additionally, in a multi-hop D2D scenario with several devices connected in series, the wireless device may determine aggregate best/worst/estimated supported service information at a given hop.