D2D Transmitter Relay Mode Selection for Vehicular Reliability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless D2D communication systems face challenges in achieving low latency and high reliability, especially in vehicular environments, where conventional approaches lack effective relay network architectures for 5G heterogeneous Radio Access Technologies and enhanced relay functionalities.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves a transmitter communication device that uses one or more relay communication devices to implement hybrid AF and DF relay cooperative transmissions, enhancing the 3GPP LTE-D2D framework by selecting suitable relay modes such as amplify and forward, decode and forward, and time-domain equalization to achieve low latency and high reliability in D2D communication networks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional D2D communication approaches are used, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability and latency performance deteriorate in vehicular environments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidrelay network architecture complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces relay communication devices as intermediary nodes between transmitter and receiver vehicles. These relays forward communication signals to extend coverage and improve reliability in vehicular environments where direct communication may fail due to distance or obstacles, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining simple device architecture and achieving reliable communication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the communication network into multiple functional components: transmitter devices, relay devices, and receiver devices. This segmentation allows the system to distribute communication functions across multiple nodes, improving overall reliability while managing complexity through modular architecture where each device performs specific relay or communication tasks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Area of stationary object

If relay communication devices are added to expand coverage, then communication reliability improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication coverage areaVSAvoidrelay network architecture complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extends communication coverage by adding spatial dimension through relay nodes positioned at different locations. Relay devices create additional communication paths and extend the coverage area beyond direct line-of-sight limitations, effectively using spatial dimensionality to overcome coverage constraints without requiring complex centralized control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

Relay communication devices serve as intermediary nodes that extend coverage area by forwarding signals between transmitter and receiver vehicles. These intermediaries enable communication over extended distances and in non-line-of-sight conditions, expanding the effective coverage area while maintaining relatively simple device-level operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If multiple relay modes are implemented for optimal performance, then communication quality improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepacket delivery reliabilityVSAvoidrelay mode configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic relay mode selection where relay devices can operate in different modes (amplify-and-forward, decode-and-forward, time-domain equalization) based on channel conditions and communication requirements. This dynamic adaptability allows the system to optimize packet delivery reliability for different scenarios while keeping individual device complexity manageable through automated mode selection rather than manual configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes operational parameters of relay devices by switching between different relay modes (AF, DF, TDE) depending on communication conditions. This parameter change approach allows optimization of communication quality and reliability for different scenarios without requiring fundamentally different device architectures, thereby managing complexity through configurable parameters rather than hardware complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If direct D2D communication is used, then device complexity is minimized, but coverage area and reliability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidcommunication architecture complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces relay communication devices as intermediaries to overcome the limitations of direct D2D communication. These relays enable communication between vehicles that are out of direct range or experience poor channel conditions, significantly improving reliability while adding only moderate architectural complexity through the relay node infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the communication path into multiple hops through relay devices, transforming a single direct communication link into a multi-segment pathway. This segmentation improves reliability by providing alternative paths and extending coverage, while managing complexity through standardized relay functions that can be implemented across multiple devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3535872B1D2d communication with transmitter and relay communication devices
Publication Date: 2022.07.20 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3535872B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3535872B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3535872B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

The invention relates to a transmitter communication device (101) for a D2D communication network (100) with a plurality of communication devices, including one or more receiver communication devices (103-1, 103-2) and a plurality of relay communication devices (102). The transmitter communication device (101) comprises: a processor (101b) configured to select a subset of plurality of relay communication devices (102) for relaying a communication message to the one or more receiver communication devices (103-1, 103-2) and to configure the subset of relay communication devices (102) to relay the communication message using one of a plurality of relay modes, including a first relay mode or a second relay mode, wherein the first relay mode is an "amplify and forward" relay mode and wherein the second relay mode is a "decode and forward" relay mode; and a communication interface (101a) configured to transmit the communication message to the one or more receiver communication devices (103-1, 103-2) via the subset of relay communication devices (102).