LTE D2D Offloading via eNodeB Partner Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing LTE networks face challenges in providing fair quality of service to users at cell edges or in isolated environments with poor radio channels, leading to underutilization of resource blocks and inefficient data transmission.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for device-to-device (D2D) offloading in LTE networks, where an eNodeB selects an offloader based on user device location and channel conditions, exchanges control messages, and schedules resource blocks using fixed or adaptive modulation schemes to enable D2D communication, bypassing the eNodeB and utilizing licensed spectrum.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If D2D communication is implemented for commercial applications, then spectral efficiency and bandwidth utilization improve, but system complexity and difficulty of detecting offloading partners increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespectral efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The eNodeB acts as an intermediary that manages D2D offloading by selecting suitable offloading partners for user equipment. The base station receives offloading requests, identifies appropriate D2D neighbors based on channel conditions and location, and coordinates the resource allocation, thereby reducing the complexity burden from individual devices while enabling spectral efficiency gains through D2D communication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where user equipment reports channel conditions and location information to the eNodeB, which then makes informed decisions about D2D offloading partnerships. This feedback loop enables the system to dynamically adjust offloading decisions based on current network conditions, resolving the complexity issue through structured information exchange rather than ad-hoc device negotiations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If D2D offloading is used for users with poor channel conditions, then quality of service improves, but difficulty of detecting and measuring available offloading partners increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequality of serviceVSAvoiddifficulty of detecting offloading partners
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The eNodeB performs preliminary actions by maintaining updated information about user equipment locations and channel conditions before offloading requests occur. When a D2D offloading request is received, the base station can quickly identify suitable partners from pre-collected data, reducing the detection difficulty for users with poor channel conditions while ensuring reliable quality of service through informed partner selection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If resource blocks are allocated for D2D communication, then bandwidth utilization improves, but device complexity for managing control messages and resource scheduling increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebandwidth utilizationVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The eNodeB serves as an intermediary that manages resource block allocation for D2D communication. The base station receives offloading requests, selects appropriate resource blocks, and coordinates the scheduling between user equipment and offloading partners. This centralized resource management approach enables improved bandwidth utilization through D2D communication while preventing individual devices from bearing the full burden of resource management complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3122148B1Method and system for device-to-device offloading in LTE networks
Publication Date: 2019.10.16 TATA CONSULTANCY SERVICES LTD
  • EP3122148B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3122148B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3122148B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method and system is provided for device-to-device (D2D) offloading in long term evolution (LTE) networks. The present application provides a method and system for device-to-device (D2D) offloading in long term evolution (LTE) networks, comprising processor implemented steps of selecting an offloader by a eNodeB (eNB) for a user device out of a plurality of user devices based on location of the user device and other closed proximity user devices, corresponding load and channel conditions upon receiving the offloading request from the user device; exchanging a control messages between the user device and the eNB; and between the eNB and the offloader; and scheduling of resource blocks (RBs) by the eNB for the user device and the offloader in D2D offloading.