IAB Base Station Control for Mobile Multi-Hop Rejection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing IAB network specifications fail to address the challenge of maintaining communication services when a mobile IAB node moves, leading to potential network instability and complexity due to multi-hop configurations.

Innovation Solution

Implement a mechanism in the base station apparatus to reject connection requests from mobile IAB nodes, using identification information within RRCSetupRequest and RRCSetupComplete messages to limit multi-hop configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multi-hop configuration is allowed in mobile IAB network, then network coverage and connectivity are improved, but network stability deteriorates when mobile nodes move

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork coverageVSAvoidnetwork stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the IAB network into fixed IAB nodes and mobile IAB nodes with distinct connection rules. Fixed IAB nodes can participate in multi-hop configurations while mobile IAB nodes are restricted to single-hop connections, allowing the network to maintain stability during mobility while still providing extended coverage through fixed nodes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of allowing all IAB nodes to participate in multi-hop configurations and then trying to manage mobility issues, the patent inverts the approach by restricting mobile IAB nodes from multi-hop configurations entirely. This prevents the stability problems associated with mobile nodes moving while maintaining the coverage benefits through fixed node multi-hop paths.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multi-hop configuration is allowed in mobile IAB network, then network connectivity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork connectivityVSAvoidconfiguration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides IAB nodes into two categories with different configuration capabilities. Mobile IAB nodes are configured for single-hop connections only, while fixed IAB nodes can participate in multi-hop configurations. This segmentation simplifies the configuration process for mobile nodes while maintaining advanced connectivity options in fixed portions of the network.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the multi-hop configuration capability from mobile IAB nodes and retains it only in fixed IAB nodes. This removal of complex configuration requirements from mobile nodes simplifies their operation and reduces the overall system complexity while preserving connectivity benefits through fixed node configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If mobile IAB node connects to another IAB node, then network flexibility is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to maintenance difficulty

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork flexibilityVSAvoidnetwork maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the network operations into mobile and fixed components. Mobile IAB nodes maintain simple single-hop connections that are easy to manage and maintain, while fixed IAB nodes handle complex multi-hop configurations. This segmentation improves ease of operation for mobile nodes while maintaining network flexibility through fixed node configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4712677A1Base station device, communication device, control method, and program
Publication Date: 2026.03.18 CANON KK
  • EP4712677A1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4712677A1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4712677A1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A base station apparatus is disclosed, the base station apparatus relating to provision of a communication service, the base station apparatus includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire a connection request from an external apparatus to one Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) node, and a processing unit configured to perform, at least in a case where the one IAB node is a mobile IAB node and the external apparatus is another IAB node, processing for rejecting the connection request.