Device-to-Device Transmission Mode Switching for Network Coverage Loss

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing device-to-device communication systems face challenges in maintaining service continuity, robustness, and performance when unplanned loss of network assistance occurs, particularly in scenarios where communication devices move out of network coverage or experience network failures.

Innovation Solution

A method where a first communication device receives network information for assisting device-to-device transmissions, detects loss of network assistance, and decides whether to continue transmissions with assistance from a second network based on access need, capability, and condition, allowing for autonomous operation or network-assisted communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If device-to-device transmissions rely on network assistance for resource allocation and scheduling, then transmission performance and resource optimization are improved, but service continuity deteriorates when network assistance is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission performanceVSAvoidservice continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic switching between network-assisted mode and autonomous mode based on network availability. The communication device can adaptively change its operation mode: when network assistance is available, it uses network-controlled resource allocation for optimized performance; when network assistance is lost, it transitions to autonomous resource selection to maintain service continuity. This dynamic adaptability resolves the contradiction between transmission performance and service continuity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If device-to-device transmissions use autonomous resource selection without network assistance, then service continuity is maintained during network failure, but resource allocation efficiency and interference management worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice continuityVSAvoidresource allocation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring autonomous resource selection capabilities and pre-defined resource pools before network assistance is lost. The communication device is prepared in advance with the ability to autonomously select resources from pre-defined pools, ensuring immediate continuity of service when network assistance becomes unavailable, without requiring real-time decision-making under failure conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the system implements both network-assisted and autonomous transmission modes, then adaptability to different network conditions is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to network conditionsVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service by enabling the communication device to autonomously manage its own resource allocation when network assistance is unavailable. The device independently selects resources from pre-defined pools, performs its own scheduling, and manages interference without requiring complex coordination with the network. This self-service capability simplifies the overall system architecture while maintaining adaptability to different network conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3141074B1Device-to-device transmissions
Publication Date: 2021.02.17 NOKIA SOLUTIONS & NETWORKS OY
  • EP3141074B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3141074B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3141074B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A method, comprising: receiving at a first communication device from a first network information for assisting device-to-device transmissions between a group of communication devices including said first communication device; thereafter detecting at said first communication device loss of possibility to continue receiving assistance for said device-to-device transmissions from said first network; and deciding at said first communication device whether to continue with said device-to-device transmissions with assistance from a second network or without assistance from a second network.