Emergency Peer-to-Peer Network for Non-Persistent Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users in remote or covered areas face challenges in communicating emergencies due to lack of mobile network coverage, as their user equipment (UE) cannot connect to base stations or provider equipment (PE), hindering the ability to request help during situations like injuries or accidents.
Innovation Solution
User equipment (UE) is configured to operate in emergency mode, enabling peer-to-peer communications to form an ad hoc network, allowing emergency messages to be transmitted and relayed between proximate UE until they reach a base station or PE node, thereby alerting emergency services.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If peer-to-peer ad hoc network is formed for emergency communication, then emergency communication capability is improved in areas without coverage, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the communication task into distinct operational modes: source mode for initiating emergencies, transfer mode for relaying messages, and confirm mode for acknowledging receipt. Each mode has simplified, mode-specific protocols rather than requiring full mesh network management capabilities in every device, reducing individual device complexity while maintaining overall system reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
Different UE devices perform different functions based on their local capabilities and situation. Source UE transmits emergency alerts with location data, transfer UE relays messages between devices, and confirm UE acknowledges receipt. This division of labor allows each device to have optimized, simpler functionality for its specific role rather than requiring all devices to handle all communication scenarios.
2Reliability
If peer-to-peer ad hoc network is formed for emergency communication, then emergency communication capability is improved in areas without coverage, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The communication process is segmented into discrete phases (source, transfer, confirm) with each phase having specific power-saving optimizations. Devices can enter low-power states between phases, and the state machine approach allows efficient transitions between active and idle states, reducing overall power consumption compared to continuous monitoring required by traditional mesh networks.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic broadcasting of emergency alerts and acknowledgments rather than continuous communication. The source UE periodically transmits the emergency alert, transfer UEs periodically check for and relay messages, and confirm UEs periodically acknowledge receipt. This periodic action reduces power consumption compared to continuous communication while ensuring reliable delivery.
3Area of stationary object
If traditional mesh network protocol is used, then communication coverage is extended, but message delivery reliability deteriorates in emergency scenarios due to lack of acknowledgment mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where confirm mode UE devices acknowledge receipt of emergency alerts by transmitting confirmation messages back through the network to the source UE. This feedback loop ensures that the source UE knows which devices have received the alert, improving message delivery reliability while maintaining broad coverage through the ad hoc network structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The source UE includes location information and other critical data in the initial emergency alert transmission, so that receiving devices have all necessary information immediately available without requiring additional request-response exchanges. This preliminary inclusion of all necessary data reduces communication rounds and improves both reliability and efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments comprise systems, methods, and apparatus for emergency, non-persistent peer-to-peer communications to support ad hoc use of proximate UE such as in remote areas with PE coverage gaps. Specifically, UE may configured to initiate emergency communications, and accept/support such emergency communications, such that an ad hoc mesh or message relay network is formed thereby in which (hopefully) someone near the source of the emergency communication may render assistance, or at least one UE in the ad hoc network is capable of accessing a base station, eNB, or gNB so that, for example, the mobile network provider or emergency services may be alerted to the emergency situation.