Eavesdropping Uplink for Direct Link Quality Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radio communication networks face challenges in efficiently managing radio resources due to the lack of effective methods for estimating the quality of direct links between user equipment units, which can lead to increased traffic load and resource inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced where a radio access network instructs one user equipment to eavesdrop the uplink communications of another, allowing the network to evaluate the quality of the direct link by comparing received and eavesdropped data, thereby facilitating a switch from network-based communication to direct device-to-device communication when conditions are met.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If direct device-to-device communication is established between user equipment units, then traffic load on the radio access network is reduced and resource efficiency is improved, but the ability to estimate direct link quality is insufficient leading to potential communication failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary measurement approach where one user equipment (the eavesdropper) monitors and measures the uplink signal from another user equipment. This intermediary measurement capability enables the network to assess direct link quality without requiring complex direct measurement infrastructure, thus resolving the contradiction between enabling D2D communication for resource efficiency and maintaining reliable quality estimation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where measurement results from the eavesdropping user equipment are reported back to the network. This feedback loop allows the network to continuously assess direct link quality and make informed decisions about whether to establish or maintain direct device-to-device communication paths, ensuring both resource efficiency and communication reliability.
2Measurement precision
If user equipment performs eavesdropping measurements to estimate direct link quality, then link quality estimation becomes possible, but additional signaling and processing resources are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages the existing receiver capabilities of user equipment for eavesdropping measurements. The same receiver that is already present for normal communication is utilized to perform additional measurement functions, eliminating the need for separate dedicated measurement hardware. This multi-functionality approach enables direct link quality estimation without significantly increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs user equipment to perform measurements for the benefit of the network and other user equipment. The eavesdropping user equipment uses its own reception capabilities to gather measurement data, effectively serving the measurement function without requiring external measurement infrastructure. This self-service approach reduces overall system complexity while enabling precise link quality estimation.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates a method, performed by a communication node of a cellular radio access network, for estimating a radio link quality of a direct link between a first user equipment and a second user equipment. The invention also provides a method performed in a user equipment, which method is used to monitor communication for the purpose of estimating communication in a possible direct link between a first user equipment and a second user equipment. The communication node instructs a user equipment to eavesdrop an uplink of an other user equipment UL1. The communication node obtaining data directly from the uplink UL1 and receives eavesdropped data from the user equipment. The communication node evaluates the radio link based on the data obtained from the uplink and the data eavesdropped from the uplink. The user equipment receives an instruction to eavesdrop the uplink UL1. The user equipment receives and obtains digital data from the uplink UL1, and reports to the network.