Network-Assisted D2D Discovery via EPC Mediation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing D2D communication techniques face challenges in efficiently discovering and establishing connections between devices within communication range, as they rely on manual scanning and broadcasting, leading to high power usage and authentication issues.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves a network-aware approach where the Evolved Packet Core (EPC) assists in device discovery and authentication, using location information and permission management to facilitate D2D connections across a wider area, including proximity-based services and resource offloading.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If devices use broadcasting and response schemes for D2D discovery, then device discovery capability is improved, but power consumption increases and authentication complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice discovery capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The network acts as an intermediary by maintaining location information of D2D-capable devices and providing assistance data to devices. Instead of devices continuously broadcasting and scanning, the network mediates the discovery process by providing location-based assistance information, significantly reducing device power consumption while maintaining discovery capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The network performs preliminary actions by pre-collecting and maintaining location information of D2D-capable devices before actual discovery is needed. When a device needs to discover others, it already has assistance data ready from the network, eliminating the need for continuous active scanning and broadcasting

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If devices use broadcasting and response schemes for D2D discovery, then device discovery capability is improved, but authentication complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice discovery capabilityVSAvoidauthentication complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The network serves as an authentication intermediary by verifying device identities and permissions centrally. Devices receive assistance data from the network that already includes authentication validation, eliminating complex peer-to-peer authentication protocols between discovering devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The network provides feedback in the form of assistance data that includes pre-validated authentication information. This feedback mechanism allows devices to authenticate each other using simplified credentials provided by the network, rather than implementing complex mutual authentication protocols

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If D2D communication is limited to devices within communication range, then direct communication efficiency is improved, but service coverage area is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedirect communication efficiencyVSAvoidservice coverage area

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extends D2D discovery from the spatial dimension (direct radio range) to the network dimension. Devices can discover and establish connections with other devices beyond direct communication range by utilizing network-provided location assistance data, effectively adding a network infrastructure dimension to the discovery process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS10425846B2Network assistance for device-to-device discovery

Publication Date: 2019.09.24 APPLE INC

AI summary

Embodiments of system and method configurations for device discovery and connection establishment in connection with use of device-to-device (D2D) and proximity-based services are generally described herein. In some examples, an evolved packet core (EPC) of a 3GPP Long Term Evolution or 3GPP Long Term Evolution-Advanced (LTE/LTE-A) network is arranged to assist D2D identification and discovery procedures at user equipment (UEs) connected to the LTE/LTE-A network. Various identification and discovery procedures may be implemented in connection with proximity detection and the establishment of communication times for the establishment of the D2D communication link, between the UEs. Accordingly, the EPC of the LTE/LTE-A network may assist the establishment of a device-to-device communication link between UEs on a wireless network employing a distinct wireless protocol (for example, a direct wireless network connection via a wireless local area network (WLAN) or wireless personal area network (WPAN)).