Third Node D2D Relay Power Management via Periodic Listening

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Solution Overview

Problem

In user-equipment-to-network relay technology, devices need to continuously listen for network access messages, leading to high power consumption during D2D communication, especially when out of base station coverage.

Innovation Solution

A communication method where a second message instructs the third node to access the network or set configuration modes, allowing it to receive information without continuous listening, thereby reducing power consumption by managing D2D connections and configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the third node continuously listens to network access messages to maintain link with base station, then the link reliability is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelink reliabilityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The third node transitions from continuous listening to periodic listening by waking up at specific intervals to check for network access messages and system information from the base station, then returning to sleep mode. This periodic action maintains link reliability while significantly reducing power consumption compared to continuous monitoring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The third node autonomously manages its own power consumption by implementing discontinuous reception (DRX) cycles, where it self-determines when to wake up and listen for messages based on pre-configured parameters received from the base station, without requiring continuous network control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If the third node uses first node as relay device for D2D communication, then network coverage is expanded, but power consumption increases due to maintaining both D2D connection and base station link

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork coverageVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The third node uses discontinuous reception cycles when communicating through the relay node, waking up periodically to receive data and control messages from the base station via the relay, then sleeping to conserve power. This maintains D2D communication capability while reducing power consumption compared to continuous monitoring of both D2D and base station links.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The first relay node acts as an intermediary that forwards messages between the base station and the third node, allowing the third node to maintain network connectivity through periodic wake-ups rather than continuously monitoring both direct base station signals and D2D communications, thereby reducing overall power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3742821B1Communication method
Publication Date: 2023.12.13 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3742821B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3742821B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP3742821B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

Embodiments of the present invention relate to the communications field, and provide a communication method, apparatus, and device. The method includes: sending a second message to a third node, where the second message is used to instruct to page the third node to access a network, or indicate that the first node provides a relay serving for the third node, or instruct the third node to perform communication with the first node, or instruct to set the third node to a low configuration mode or a high configuration mode, or instruct the third node to update system information. In the present invention, the first node sends the second message to the third node, where the second message is used to instruct the third node to perform a corresponding operation. This resolves a problem of relatively high power consumption generated when the third node needs to periodically listen to a message sent by the second node when the third node performs D2D communication in a D2D communication process, and achieves an objective and an effect of effectively saving power when the third node receives information sent by the second node during D2D communication.