Mediator-Based Radio Resource Coordination for Inter-Operator Direct Links

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional resource assignment methods in multi-operator direct communication scenarios face challenges in efficiently coordinating radio resources, leading to potential interference and suboptimal network capacity.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for user equipment and network components that enable flexible resource assignment and coordination between network components of different operators by allowing communication and negotiation of radio resources through user equipment, enabling a master-slave role division for resource allocation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional regional role assignment is used for resource coordination in multi-operator direct communication, then resource assignment can be performed, but interference conditions worsen and network capacity decreases due to improper coordination

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterference conditionsVSAvoidnetwork capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a coordinating network component as an intermediary between network components of different operators. This coordinator negotiates and coordinates radio resource allocation for direct communication links, preventing interference through proper coordination while maintaining network capacity. The intermediary resolves conflicts between operators' resource management policies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If flexible resource assignment across operators is implemented, then network capacity increases, but device complexity increases due to coordination requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork capacityVSAvoidcoordination complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The coordinating network component serves as a mediator that handles the complex coordination tasks between operators. Individual user equipment devices do not need to implement complex coordination logic themselves - the coordinator centralizes this functionality, reducing device complexity while enabling flexible cross-operator resource assignment that increases network capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of time

If direct communication between devices of different operators is enabled, then communication latency decreases, but resource coordination becomes problematic due to multiple operators involved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication latencyVSAvoidresource coordination complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The coordinating network component acts as an intermediary that simplifies resource coordination for direct communication between devices of different operators. By centralizing coordination logic in the network rather than requiring complex peer-to-peer negotiation between devices, the system achieves low communication latency while managing coordination complexity through the intermediary coordinator.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3709759B1Coordination of radio resources for inter-operator direct communication links
Publication Date: 2025.09.17 VOLKSWAGEN AG
  • EP3709759B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3709759B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3709759B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Embodiments relate to a vehicle, a system, apparatuses, methods, and a computer programs for user equipment and a network component of a mobile communication system. The method (10) for a first user equipment (100; 100a), UE, of a first mobile communication system (400; 400a) operated by a first operator, comprises transmitting (12) information related to a subsequent direct communication with second user equipment (100; 100b) to a network component (200; 200a) of the first mobile communication system (400; 400a). The second UE (100; 100a) is assigned to a second mobile communication system (400; 400b) operated by a second operator. The method (20) further comprises receiving (14) information related to a coordinating network component from the first network component (200; 200a). The coordinating network component is a network component of the first or the second mobile communication system (400; 400a; 400b). The method (20) further comprises receiving (16) information related to radio resources to use for the communication with the second UE (100; 100a) from the coordinating network component.