Dynamic Relay Terminal Grouping for Cellular Coverage Extension

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cellular communication systems face reduced cell coverage when using higher frequency bands, leading to increased infrastructure costs and communication issues in shadow areas, which are not fully addressed by traditional relay stations due to their fixed location and limited coverage extension.

Innovation Solution

A cellular communication system that dynamically groups mobile stations acting as relay terminals based on their relaying ability, using adaptive grouping and scheduling of time slots and frequency bands to enhance coverage and resource management, allowing for efficient data transmission and connection establishment through beacons.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If higher frequency bands are used to satisfy consumer demand for higher quality communication, then communication quality is improved, but cell coverage is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication qualityVSAvoidcell coverage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the cell coverage area by introducing multiple relay terminals that divide the coverage extension task. Each relay terminal serves a specific segment or zone, collectively achieving comprehensive coverage extension without requiring a single high-power base station to cover the entire area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Relay terminals act as intermediaries between the base station and user terminals in shadow areas. They receive signals from the base station and retransmit them to user terminals, enabling communication in areas where direct base station-to-terminal links are blocked or weak.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Area of stationary object

If more infra-stations are installed to extend cell coverage, then coverage area is improved, but infrastructure cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecell coverageVSAvoidinfrastructure cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

User terminals serve multiple functions: they act as both receivers of communication signals and as relay terminals for extending coverage. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated relay infrastructure in many cases, as existing user devices can be utilized to extend coverage, thereby reducing infrastructure costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables user terminals to autonomously function as relay terminals when needed, without requiring manual deployment or configuration of dedicated relay infrastructure. The relaying function is activated based on channel conditions and user terminal capabilities, allowing the network to self-organize and extend coverage using available user devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If fixed relay stations are deployed to address shadow areas, then communication reliability in shadow areas is improved, but coverage extension capability is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliability in shadow areasVSAvoidcoverage extension capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from static, fixed relay stations to dynamic relay terminals that can move and adapt their positions. User terminals can function as relay terminals in different locations based on mobility patterns and channel conditions, enabling the coverage extension capability to dynamically adapt to changing environmental conditions and user distributions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameters of user terminals based on channel conditions, converting them between normal reception mode and relay terminal mode. This parameter change allows the same device to adapt its function according to real-time needs, improving both reliability in shadow areas and overall coverage extension capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Area of stationary object

If relay terminals are used to extend coverage, then cell coverage is improved, but wireless resource consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecell coverageVSAvoidwireless resource consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Relay terminals transmit beacons periodically rather than continuously, allowing other terminals to detect their presence and establish connections at appropriate intervals. This periodic action reduces wireless resource consumption compared to continuous transmission, while still maintaining effective coverage extension and enabling users to locate and connect to available relay terminals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS9020417B2Communication system and communication method using relay terminals

Publication Date: 2015.04.28 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A communication system and a communication method using relay terminals are provided. A communication system includes a base station, a target terminal transmitting uplink data to the base station or receiving downlink data from the base station, and a plurality of relay terminals cooperatively relaying the uplink data/downlink data to the base station/target terminal, the plurality of relay terminals being grouped into at least one group.