Layer 2 Relay for Secure Coverage Extension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional relay solutions for remote UEs or wearables out of network coverage or with limited radio resources either replicate air interfaces, compromising security or are complex to implement, and do not provide secure communication.
Innovation Solution
A layer-2 radio level interface relay system that uses a relay device with dual Uu air interface connections to establish and maintain communication with both the network and the remote device, ensuring secure data transmission by preventing the relay device from decoding the data, and allowing the remote device to maintain control over its communications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional relay solutions replicate air interfaces to provide coverage for remote UEs, then connectivity is extended to devices out of network coverage, but security is compromised and implementation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a Layer 2 relay that acts as an intermediary between the remote UE and the network. Instead of replicating the air interface (which would compromise security), the relay operates at Layer 2 to forward data packets without decoding them, maintaining security while extending coverage. The relay device receives data from the remote UE via PC5 interface and forwards it to the network via Uu interface without exposing the data to the relay's higher layer protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the communication protocol stack by having the remote UE maintain Layer 3 (RRC) connection control while the relay handles only Layer 2 (MAC/RLC) forwarding. This segmentation allows the relay to extend coverage at Layer 2 without needing to replicate or understand Layer 3 security mechanisms, thus maintaining data confidentiality while providing coverage extension.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional relay solutions are implemented to support remote devices, then connectivity is provided, but implementation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The Layer 2 relay serves as a simplified intermediary that only needs to perform MAC layer forwarding and RLC layer packet transmission. It does not need to implement complex air interface replication or higher layer protocol stacks, reducing implementation complexity compared to conventional relay solutions while still supporting remote devices effectively.
3Use of energy by moving object
If wearables with limited radio resources are used, then device portability and power efficiency are improved, but direct network connectivity is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The Layer 2 relay acts as a mediator that enables wearables with limited radio resources to connect to the network indirectly. The wearable device transmits data to the relay via low-power PC5 interface, and the relay handles the higher-power Uu interface communication with the network, allowing the wearable to maintain connectivity while consuming less power than direct Uu interface communication would require.
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments provide a mobile communications device that includes a processor configured to communicate with a transceiver and a memory. The transceiver is configured to exchange control signals with a network node. The memory contains instructions that when executed by the processor configure the processor to operate the transceiver to exchange the control, signals. The instructions further configure the processor to pass a first proper subset of the control signals to a remote device without operating according to the control signals, and to operate according to control signals in a second proper subset of the control signals. The processor is thereby configured to operate on behalf of a remote communication device to support communication between the remote communication device and the network node.