Joint UE Relaying Across Sidelink Paths to Bypass FR2 Blockage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Higher frequency band operations in wireless communications, such as those in frequency range 2 (FR2), are susceptible to blockage and path loss, leading to impaired data rates and increased power consumption, necessitating alternative communication paths to enhance reliability and diversity.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a joint user equipment (UE) relaying system where UEs communicate via direct and relay links, with a base station configuring relay connections and activating/deactivating them as needed to mitigate blockage and power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If higher frequency bands (FR2) are utilized to improve communication performance, then data rate and throughput are improved, but the system becomes more susceptible to blockage and path loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a relay UE as an intermediary node between the source UE and the base station. This relay UE receives signals from the source UE via sidelink and forwards them to the base station via uplink, creating an alternative communication path that bypasses direct blockages and reduces path loss effects in FR2 operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a spatial dimension to communication by establishing relay connections through intermediate UEs. This creates indirect paths (source UE → relay UE → base station) that utilize different spatial routes, thereby avoiding physical obstructions that block direct links and enhancing communication reliability
2Ease of operation
If direct links between UE and base station are used, then communication simplicity is maintained, but coverage and reliability are reduced due to blockage susceptibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic relay connection management where the base station configures multiple relay connections and can activate or deactivate them based on channel conditions, blockage detection, and communication requirements. This allows the system to adapt between direct and relayed paths dynamically, maintaining simplicity when direct links are good while providing reliability when blockages occur
3Reliability
If relay connections are established to provide alternative paths, then diversity and reliability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables UEs to serve multiple functions: they can act as regular UEs communicating with the base station, as relay UEs forwarding signals for other UEs, or both simultaneously. This multi-functionality allows the system to establish relay connections without adding dedicated relay infrastructure, thereby improving reliability while limiting the increase in device complexity
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. A first user equipment (UE) may communicate with a base station via a first connection and with a second UE via a sidelink connection. The base station may transmit, to the first UE, configuration information including information for one or more relay connections, such as a relay connection between the first UE and the base station via the second UE using the sidelink connection. The first UE may activate (e.g., based on an indication from the base station) the relay connection(s) according to the configuration information. The first UE, the second UE, and the base station may communicate on the relay connection(s) according to the configuration information. In some examples, the base station may transmit, to a UE, configuration information and/or an activation indication for multiple relay connections, where each respective relay connection may be separately configured, activated, or deactivated.