D2D Communication Device Priority Handling in Measurement Gaps

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Solution Overview

Problem

In device-to-device (D2D) communication, transmission of medium access control elements and data can be incomplete due to insufficient transport block sizes, and measurement gaps cause delays in D2D data transmission, especially in emergency scenarios where timely communication is critical.

Innovation Solution

A communication device and method that prioritize D2D signals for transmission or reception during measurement gaps if their priority is higher than a predetermined value, ensuring that critical signals are not delayed and can be processed properly, even when resources are limited.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If measurement gap configuration is applied to enable frequency reconfiguration, then network flexibility and frequency coordination are improved, but D2D data transmission is blocked and communication delay increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefrequency reconfiguration capabilityVSAvoidD2D data transmission delay
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The measurement gap is segmented into different types: first measurement gap (for inter-frequency measurement) and second measurement gap (for intra-frequency measurement). This segmentation allows the system to distinguish between gaps that block D2D transmission and those that permit it, thereby reducing unnecessary transmission delays while maintaining frequency reconfiguration capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different quality attributes are assigned to different measurement gaps. First measurement gaps are configured to block D2D data transmission to ensure accurate inter-frequency measurements, while second measurement gaps are configured to allow D2D transmission to maintain connectivity. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by applying restrictive quality only where measurement accuracy is critical.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If transport block size is increased to accommodate all data and MAC control elements, then complete transmission is achieved, but resource utilization efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission completenessVSAvoidresource utilization efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system transmits MAC control elements separately from data, allowing the transport block to be sized optimally for data only. This partial separation ensures that data transmission uses minimal resources while MAC control elements are handled through dedicated mechanisms, avoiding the need to over-provision transport block size for complete transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

A buffer status report MAC control element acts as an intermediary that conveys information about the actual data buffer status to the eNB. This intermediary allows the eNB to dynamically adjust transport block sizes based on real-time data availability, optimizing resource utilization while ensuring complete transmission when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3236704B1Device and method of handling device-to-device communication
Publication Date: 2019.06.19 HTC CORP
  • EP3236704B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3236704B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3236704B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A communication device for handling a device-to-device (D2D) communication comprises a storage unit for storing instructions and a processing means coupled to the storage unit. The communication device is configured to have means for: receiving a measurement gap configuration for configuring a measurement gap to the communication device; and transmitting or receiving a D2D signal in a subframe in the measurement gap. The D2D signal is transmitted or received according to a priority of the D2D signal; or the D2D signal comprises D2D data, a scheduling assignment, PD2DSCH and/or PD2DSS; or the D2D signal comprises an emergency information.