Direct Inter-Device Communication Link Architecture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cellular wireless communication systems require data transfer between user equipment (UEs) to route through a base station and core network, leading to inefficiencies and service interruptions when UEs in close proximity attempt to communicate directly, as they often need to switch between different radio access technologies (RATs) like WLAN or Bluetooth, resulting in dropped calls and battery drain due to higher transmit power requirements.
Innovation Solution
Enabling direct inter-device communication links between UEs using the same cellular radio access technology and operating in the same radio band, allowing data exchange without routing through the base station and core network, thereby improving spectral efficiency and reducing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If UEs communicate directly using other RATs like WLAN or Bluetooth, then direct communication between UEs is achieved, but service interruption and dropped calls occur due to handover from cellular technology to other RATs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the cellular communication system to perform multiple functions by allowing UEs to communicate both through the base station (traditional cellular mode) and directly peer-to-peer (D2D mode) using the same cellular RAT. This eliminates the need to switch to other RATs like WLAN or Bluetooth, maintaining service continuity while achieving direct communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the traditional cellular communication path (UE-base station-UE) with the direct D2D communication path into a unified system. The UE can selectively use either path or both simultaneously for the same cellular RAT, avoiding service interruption associated with handover between different RATs.
2Productivity
If data transfer between UEs is routed through base station and EPC network, then communication is controlled by operator policies, but spectral efficiency decreases and battery consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the direct communication capability from the traditional routed path by enabling UEs to establish direct peer-to-peer links. This allows data to be transmitted directly between UEs without being forced through the base station and EPC network, improving spectral efficiency and reducing energy consumption while operator policies can still be applied selectively.
3Use of energy by moving object
If UEs use other RATs for direct communication, then direct link is established, but transmit power requirements increase leading to battery drain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters by enabling D2D communication within the cellular RAT framework, allowing the system to optimize transmit power levels for direct links. This avoids the higher power requirements of other RATs while maintaining communication reliability through standardized cellular protocols and power control mechanisms.
Data Source
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AI summary
User equipment (UE) architecture for inter-device communication in wireless communication systems is provided. A UE may communicate directly with another UE over a direct inter-device communication link when they are located in proximity. Long term evolution (LTE) downlink or uplink radio resources may be used for communications over the inter-device communication link. The UE may simultaneously maintain an active communication link with its serving base station while communicating with other UEs over the inter-device communication link. To communicate with the base station and other UEs simultaneously, the UE may include additional transmit or receive chain to support the inter-device communications over the inter-device communication link.