Idle UE Link Selection Between Base Stations and Relay UEs

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Solution Overview

Problem

User equipment (UE) faces challenges in efficiently selecting communication links for network access, particularly when operating in RRC idle or inactive states, where it may not be able to exchange data but still needs to listen for network transmissions, and when transitioning between direct and relay links.

Innovation Solution

The UE is configured with link selection criteria by the network, allowing it to identify and select between direct base station links and relay UE links based on quality, priority, and permitted relay UEs, with authentication procedures ensuring appropriate camping.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the UE searches for and selects from multiple base stations and relay UEs, then the reliability of network access is improved, but the time and complexity of link selection increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork access reliabilityVSAvoidlink selection time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The network pre-configures link selection criteria including quality thresholds, priority levels, and permitted relay UE lists before the UE needs to select a link. This allows the UE to have ready-made selection rules that reduce the time required during actual link selection while maintaining reliable access through pre-evaluated options

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the network provides quality information, availability status, and selection criteria to the UE. This feedback enables the UE to make informed selection decisions quickly by comparing pre-configured criteria against current network conditions, thereby reducing selection time while ensuring reliable access

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If the UE monitors multiple links for camping, then the reliability of maintaining connection is improved, but the energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection maintenance reliabilityVSAvoidUE energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The UE applies different monitoring qualities and intensities to different links based on their importance and current state. Critical links receive more intensive monitoring while less critical links are monitored with lower intensity, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining connection reliability for essential links

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes monitoring parameters such as measurement intervals and threshold levels based on link quality, traffic conditions, and UE power state. This allows the UE to adjust monitoring effort to match actual needs, reducing energy consumption during stable conditions while maintaining reliability when link quality degrades

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If the UE transitions between direct and relay links, then the adaptability of network access is improved, but the transition latency increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork access adaptabilityVSAvoidtransition latency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The UE performs preliminary assessments of potential relay UEs and direct links, pre-evaluating their suitability for handover. This includes checking against pre-configured criteria such as quality thresholds and permitted relay lists, so that when transition is needed, the UE can quickly select an appropriate target without extensive evaluation delays

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The network acts as an intermediary by providing pre-configured relay UE lists and selection criteria that facilitate faster transitions. The network can also coordinate transitions between direct and relay links, reducing latency by preparing target links in advance and managing the switching process centrally

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If the UE uses strict link selection criteria, then the quality of selected link is improved, but the difficulty of finding available links increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelink qualityVSAvoidlink selection complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The link selection criteria are segmented into multiple levels or stages, with different thresholds and requirements for different link types (direct vs. relay) and different network conditions. This segmentation allows the UE to apply appropriate complexity only when needed, maintaining high quality standards while reducing the overall difficulty of finding available links through hierarchical evaluation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20250330901A1Link Selection for an Idle or Inactive User Equipment

Publication Date: 2025.10.23 APPLE INC

AI summary

A remote user equipment (UE) configured to access a network via one of a direct link with a base station or a relay link with a relay UE performs a method including receiving link selection criteria, the link selection criteria configured by the network, identifying that the relay UE is available for camping, selecting the relay UE based on the link selection criteria, camping on the relay link corresponding to the relay UE and initiating a network access procedure via the relay link.