Dual Connectivity Relay Handover for Continuous Mobile Service

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile relays in communication systems experience frequent service interruptions due to frequent switching between networks, leading to deteriorated quality of service.

Innovation Solution

Implement dual connectivity (DC) using mobile relays, allowing terminals to establish simultaneous connections with a base station and a mobile relay, and applying packet duplication to ensure continuous data transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If mobile relay is used to extend network coverage and improve flexibility, then coverage extension and operational flexibility are improved, but service interruption frequency increases due to frequent switching between network and relay

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoverage extensionVSAvoidservice continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the protocol stack into multiple independent parts (first protocol stack for connection to base station, second protocol stack for connection to relay). This segmentation allows each protocol stack to operate independently, enabling seamless switching between base station and relay connections without disrupting overall service continuity, thus resolving the contradiction between mobility flexibility and service reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent establishes preliminary connections and protocol stacks before switching is needed. The terminal maintains a first protocol stack for base station connection and a second protocol stack for relay connection in advance, so that when switching between base station and relay occurs, the service interruption is minimized because the alternative connection is already prepared and ready to use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If dual active protocol stack (DAPS) is implemented to maintain simultaneous connections, then service continuity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice continuityVSAvoidprotocol stack complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the protocol stack into distinct segments (first protocol stack and second protocol stack) that can be independently managed and activated. This segmentation reduces the complexity of maintaining dual active protocol stacks by organizing them as separate, manageable units rather than a monolithic complex structure, while still enabling service continuity through coordinated operation of both stacks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS12557157B2Method and apparatus for dual connectivity in communication system

Publication Date: 2026.02.17 ELECTRONICS & TELECOMM RES INST

AI summary

An operation method of a first base station in a communication system may comprise: identifying whether a first terminal supports a dual active protocol stack (DAPS); identifying whether a first relay terminal supports a layer 2 (L2) relay structure; and in response to identifying that the first terminal supports the DAPS and the first relay terminal supports the L2 relay structure, configuring dual connectivity for the first terminal using the first relay terminal.