IAB Relay Forwarding with Adaptor-Layer Routing for UE Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge in integrated access and backhaul (IAB) architecture is how to correctly transmit and receive user equipment (UE) data through relay forwarding, particularly in scenarios where wired connections between access nodes and the core network are absent.

Innovation Solution

A method for relay forwarding on integrated access and backhaul links involving IAB nodes and donors, including data packet transmission and reception, with information acquisition and mapping processes to ensure correct routing and identification of nodes and bearers, utilizing an adaptor layer to add headers with relevant identifiers and QoS information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If relay forwarding is implemented in IAB architecture without wired connections between access nodes and core network, then network deployment flexibility is improved, but data transmission reliability deteriorates due to complex multi-hop routing through radio backhaul links

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork deployment flexibilityVSAvoiddata transmission reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an adaptor layer as an intermediary between the existing radio access network protocols and the core network protocols. This adaptor layer handles protocol conversion and mapping, ensuring reliable data transmission through the complex multi-hop radio backhaul routing by mediating between different protocol requirements at each hop.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the IAB network into distinct functional components: IAB nodes that provide radio backhaul, IAB donors that connect to the core network, and separate adaptor layers at each node. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall system reliability through coordinated protocol conversion at each segment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Area of stationary object

If multi-hop relay forwarding is used to transmit UE data through IAB nodes, then network coverage extension is improved, but packet routing accuracy deteriorates due to lack of direct wired connections

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork coverage areaVSAvoidpacket routing accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where each IAB node receives routing information from the adaptor layer, processes it through protocol conversion, and forwards packets along the optimized path. The system continuously monitors packet flow and adjusts routing decisions based on feedback from the multi-hop transmission process, ensuring accurate delivery even without direct wired connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The adaptor layer performs preliminary actions by pre-processing routing information and establishing protocol mapping relationships before data transmission begins. This preliminary configuration of routing parameters and protocol conversions at each IAB node ensures that when data packets arrive, they are already prepared for accurate routing through the multi-hop path.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Stability of the object's composition

If protocol conversion is performed at each IAB node for seamless data transmission, then transmission continuity is improved, but processing complexity increases due to multiple protocol mappings

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission continuityVSAvoidprocessing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adaptor layer is designed with universal functionality that can handle multiple protocol conversion tasks simultaneously. Rather than implementing separate conversion mechanisms for each protocol pair, the adaptor layer provides multi-functional protocol mapping capabilities that serve all IAB nodes, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining transmission continuity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the protocol conversion functions into a unified adaptor layer structure that is replicated at each IAB node. This consolidation combines multiple protocol mapping operations into a single integrated processing unit, reducing the complexity burden on individual nodes while ensuring continuous and stable data transmission through the entire IAB network path.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3780877B1Method for performing relay forwarding on integrated access and backhaul links and storage medium
Publication Date: 2025.09.17 ZTE CORP
  • EP3780877B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3780877B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4A
  • EP3780877B1 patent drawingFigure 4B~5

AI summary

Provided is a method for performing relay forwarding on integrated access and backhaul, IAB, links. The method includes receiving, by a first IAB node, a data packet; and transmitting, by the first IAB node, the data packet to an IAB donor. Further provided are an information acquisition method, an IAB node, an IAB donor node and a storage medium.