Inter-Device Communication Channel Allocation in Wireless Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wireless communication systems inefficiently use radio resources when devices close to each other communicate, as all traffic is routed through a centralized network, leading to unnecessary channel usage and increased interference.
Innovation Solution
Implementing Call Set-up Functionality (CSUF) to enable direct inter-device communications between user equipment (UE) devices, allowing them to communicate directly over allocated inter-device channels, with the network mediating and managing these communications to optimize channel usage and minimize interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If all traffic is routed through a centralized network, then network control and management is simplified, but spectral efficiency deteriorates and interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments network-controlled traffic into two categories: traditional network-routed traffic and direct inter-device traffic. By segmenting the traffic flow, the system allows local devices to communicate directly without routing through the centralized network, thereby improving spectral efficiency while maintaining network control over managed traffic. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by enabling decentralized communication for local devices while preserving centralized control for network-managed communications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a dedicated control channel as an intermediary mechanism that mediates between devices and the network. This control channel enables the network to manage and monitor inter-device communications without requiring full network routing for every traffic type. The intermediary control channel allows the network to maintain oversight and coordination while permitting direct device-to-device communication, thus resolving the contradiction between network control simplicity and spectral efficiency.
2Device complexity
If all traffic is routed through a centralized network, then network infrastructure is simplified, but communication delay increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments communication paths into direct inter-device channels and traditional network-routed paths. By segmenting the communication infrastructure, local devices can communicate directly without traversing the entire network path, significantly reducing communication delay for local traffic while maintaining the simplified network infrastructure for managed communications. This segmentation allows the system to achieve low latency for local devices without requiring complete infrastructure simplification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes dedicated control channels and pre-configures inter-device communication parameters before actual data transmission occurs. This preliminary setup includes pre-establishing control channels for coordination and pre-configuring communication parameters such as frequency and modulation schemes. By performing these actions in advance, the system enables rapid direct communication between devices without the delay of real-time network routing decisions, thus reducing communication delay while maintaining infrastructure simplicity.
3Loss of energy
If direct inter-device communications are enabled, then spectral efficiency is improved, but channel management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dedicated control channel as an intermediary that manages channel allocation and coordination for inter-device communications. This control channel acts as a mediator between devices and the network, handling channel management tasks centrally rather than requiring each device to independently manage channels. By using the control channel as an intermediary, the system achieves improved spectral efficiency through direct communications while avoiding the complexity of distributed channel management, as the control channel centralizes coordination functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the control channel to perform multiple functions: it manages channel allocation, coordinates inter-device communications, and maintains network oversight. By making the control channel multi-functional, the system handles channel management complexity through a single dedicated channel rather than requiring multiple separate management mechanisms. This universal control channel approach improves spectral efficiency through direct communications while consolidating management functions to reduce overall system complexity.
4Quantity of substance
If direct inter-device communications are enabled, then network resource usage is reduced, but interference management becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a dedicated control channel as an intermediary to manage and coordinate direct inter-device communications. This control channel mediates interference management by centralizing coordination of channel usage, allowing the network to monitor and manage interference levels. Through the intermediary control channel, the system reduces network resource usage by enabling direct communications while maintaining interference management capability, as the control channel provides centralized coordination rather than requiring complex distributed interference control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms through the control channel that monitor communication quality and interference levels in real-time. The control channel receives feedback from devices about channel conditions and adjusts channel allocation and coordination accordingly. This feedback loop allows the system to reduce network resource usage through direct communications while effectively managing interference, as the feedback mechanism enables dynamic adaptation to changing interference conditions through centralized coordination.
Data Source
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AI summary
A network node, UE device and method for providing inter-device communications between wireless user equipment (UE) devices in a wireless communications network. Responsive to a request for call set-up and to a determination that the devices are local to each other, a band is allocated to the devices for inter-device communications. The call set-up function can be managed by a node in the wireless communications network, a network node outside of the wireless communications network or by a distributed function shared between a network node and an ad-hoc group of UE devices in a local area that are capable of inter-device communications.