Hybrid Relay Scheme for MTC Uplink via Peer-to-Peer Discovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Machine Type Communication (MTC) devices face challenges in uplink communications due to their limited power and narrow frequency band capabilities, leading to difficulties in effectively transmitting data to base stations without modifying the devices themselves or significantly impacting the network.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method where MTC devices utilize a relay device to establish peer-to-peer connections, allowing data to be relayed from the MTC device to a base station through a second communication link, while maintaining direct downlink communications, thereby improving uplink communication budgets without modifying the MTC devices or heavily impacting the network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If MTC devices use narrow frequency band transceivers to reduce cost and power consumption, then device cost and power consumption are reduced, but uplink communication capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a relay device as an intermediary between the MTC device and the base station. The relay device receives uplink data from the MTC device via a peer-to-peer connection and forwards it to the base station, thereby compensating for the limited uplink communication capability of MTC devices with narrow frequency band transceivers without increasing their power consumption or cost
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes a three-dimensional communication architecture where MTC devices communicate with relay devices through peer-to-peer connections in one dimension, relay devices forward data to base stations in another dimension, and base stations maintain direct downlink connections with MTC devices. This multi-dimensional approach bypasses the uplink limitations of narrow frequency band transceivers
2Reliability
If MTC devices are equipped with power amplifiers to improve uplink transmission, then uplink communication capability is improved, but device cost and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The relay device acts as a mediator that performs the power amplification and long-distance transmission functions, allowing MTC devices to maintain their low-power, amplifier-free design while still achieving reliable uplink communication through the relay device's enhanced transmission capabilities
3Reliability
If relay devices are introduced to improve uplink communication, then uplink communication capability is improved, but network complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The relay device autonomously performs discovery of MTC devices, establishment of peer-to-peer connections, and forwarding of uplink data without requiring complex network coordination. The discovery process is self-initiated by the relay device broadcasting discovery signals, and connection establishment is handled automatically through the peer-to-peer protocol, minimizing network complexity
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods, systems, and devices are described for improving uplink communications of a machine type communication (MTC) device by relaying communications through a first device, such as a mobile device or user equipment (UE), to a second device, such as a base station or Evolved-NodeB (eNB). In an embodiment, a relay device may participate in a discovery process to discover an MTC device. The relay device may then receive data from the discovered MTC device, such as through a peer-to-peer link, and relay the data to a base station through a second communication link. In another embodiment, an MTC device may participate in a discovery process with a first device, such as a relay UE. The MTC device may then transmit data to the relay UE for relaying to a second device, such as a base station. In either case, the MTC device may receive data directly from the base station.