Mobile Relay Handover Control for Multi-Hop Radio Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing LTE relay technology is limited to single-hop relays and struggles with configuring multi-hop relays, leading to increased latency and inefficiencies in data processing due to static operation, and lacks effective mobility support for mobile relays.
Innovation Solution
A method for controlling mobile relay operations through handover request and response messages between source and target donor base stations, including radio resource configuration information for mobile relays and user equipment, enabling dynamic management of mobile relays in a communication system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If typical LTE relay technology is used for single-hop relays, then configuration is simple through static OAM, but multi-hop relay configuration becomes impossible and data processing latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from static OAM configuration to dynamic configuration methods that enable multi-hop relay operations. The system dynamically establishes and manages multiple relay hops through coordinated signaling between donor base stations and relay nodes, allowing the network to adaptively configure relay paths based on real-time conditions rather than relying on pre-configured static parameters.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple relay nodes are deployed for multi-hop relays, then cell coverage is extended, but signaling and data processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the relay functionality into distinct roles: donor base stations handle higher-layer signaling and control plane functions, while mobile relay nodes focus on user plane data forwarding and lower-layer processing. This segmentation distributes complexity across different network elements, allowing each to specialize in specific functions rather than requiring every node to handle all signaling and data processing tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces donor base stations as intermediary entities that mediate between the core network and mobile relay nodes. The donor base station acts as a gateway that simplifies signaling by translating and coordinating messages between the core network and multiple relay nodes, thereby reducing the overall signaling complexity that would otherwise exist in a direct multi-hop relay configuration.
3Adaptability or versatility
If mobile relay mobility is supported, then network flexibility is improved, but handover control and configuration management become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the handover control functions for mobile relay nodes with the existing donor base station architecture. When a mobile relay node moves between coverage areas, the donor base stations coordinate handover procedures by exchanging messages through the backhaul interface, combining mobility management with the existing donor-relay relationship rather than requiring separate handover control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where mobile relay nodes report their status, location, and channel conditions to donor base stations, which then adjust configurations and trigger handovers based on this feedback information. This closed-loop control enables automated handover decisions and dynamic configuration adjustments, simplifying mobility management by relying on real-time feedback rather than complex predictive algorithms.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a method of a source donor base station for controlling controls operation of a mobile relay, and an apparatus thereof. The method may include: transmitting a handover request message to a target donor base station; receiving, from the target donor base station, a handover response message which contains radio resource configuration information for at least one of a mobile relay and terminals served by the mobile relay; and controlling to indicate the radio resource configuration information to at least one of the mobile relay and the terminals.