Mixed D2D Cellular Link Frequency Band Adaptation

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Solution Overview

Problem

5G wireless communication systems face challenges in achieving optimal data transmission due to high-frequency mmWave signals' susceptibility to rain attenuation, atmospheric absorption, and decreased signal penetration, especially when direct device-to-device (D2D) links are not feasible, leading to suboptimal throughput and delay in certain scenarios.

Innovation Solution

A method that allows for a mixed communication session where a high frequency band link is established from a mobile wireless device to a base station, while a low frequency band D2D link is used between the devices, with the base station acting as a relay, optimizing channel quality and resource allocation to enhance performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If high frequency mmWave carriers are used for direct device-to-device communication, then data transmission speed is improved, but signal reliability deteriorates due to rain attenuation, atmospheric absorption, and obstacle penetration issues

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission speedVSAvoidsignal reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The communication link is segmented into two separate links: a high-frequency mmWave link for one direction (device to base station) and a low-frequency link for the return path (base station to device). This segmentation allows each link to operate at optimal frequencies for its specific function, achieving both high speed and reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The base station acts as an intermediary relay node between the two wireless devices. It receives data from one device via mmWave, processes it, and forwards it to the other device via low-frequency communication, enabling the mixed-frequency communication path

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If direct device-to-device link is established in both directions, then spectral efficiency is improved, but communication performance deteriorates when one device has poor mmWave channel quality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespectral efficiencyVSAvoidcommunication performance
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Different frequency qualities are assigned to different communication directions based on local channel conditions. The device with good mmWave capability uses high-frequency uplink, while the device with poor mmWave capability receives via low-frequency downlink, optimizing performance for each local condition

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The communication system dynamically adapts the frequency band used for each direction of communication based on real-time channel quality measurements. The base station determines the optimal mixed-frequency configuration by evaluating device capabilities and channel conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3211959B1Method, apparatus, and computer program product for establishing a mix of d2d direct and cellular communication links between two devices for interaction
Publication Date: 2020.07.08 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • EP3211959B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3211959B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP3211959B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

Network node receiving a request from first and second wireless devices, to schedule a device-to-device (D2D) direct communication session, including D2D channel quality information (CQI) and device-to-network node CQI; scheduling a bidirectional D2D link between the devices, using a high frequency band, if the D2D CQI meets a first criterion; and scheduling a mixed communication session comprising a unidirectional, D2D link to transmit second data from the second device to the first device using a lower frequency band than the high frequency band, and a unidirectional link to transmit first data from the first device to the network node using the high frequency band, the network node acting as a relay to forward the first data to the second wireless device, if the D2D CQI does not meet the first criterion and if the device-to-network node CQI for the first device meets a second criterion.