Mobile Relay Handover for IoT Service Continuity

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Solution Overview

Problem

In IoT communication systems, relay terminals are not always fixed, making it difficult to maintain service continuity and Quality of Service (QoS) due to instability, such as battery depletion, requiring effective handover mechanisms during relay communication.

Innovation Solution

A communication method and device that implement Radio Link Monitoring (RLM) for mobile relay communication, enabling handover between relay terminals or switching to direct communication with a base station to ensure service continuity and QoS, using mechanisms like handover and reselection processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If relay terminals are used for communication in IoT systems, then communication coverage and connectivity are improved, but service continuity and QoS deteriorate due to terminal instability and battery depletion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication coverageVSAvoidservice continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by establishing multiple relay paths and performing advance measurements of communication quality between relay terminals and base stations. When a relay terminal's battery depletes or it becomes unstable, the system can quickly switch to a pre-identified alternative relay terminal, maintaining service continuity without interruption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adapts to changing conditions by continuously monitoring communication quality and battery status of relay terminals. It automatically adjusts the relay path selection based on real-time conditions, switching from unstable relay terminals to stable ones, and transitioning between relayed and direct communication modes as needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If fixed relay terminals are used, then service continuity is maintained, but adaptability to mobile scenarios and battery depletion situations deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice continuityVSAvoidadaptability to mobile scenarios
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs dynamic relay terminal selection where relay terminals are not fixed but chosen based on real-time communication quality measurements and battery status. The system can switch between different relay terminals and communication modes ( relayed vs. direct) to adapt to mobile scenarios and changing environmental conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters by adjusting the relay path selection based on measured communication quality thresholds and battery status. When communication quality deteriorates or battery depletes, the system transitions to alternative configurations, maintaining service continuity while adapting to mobile scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If handover mechanisms are implemented for relay terminals, then service continuity is improved, but system complexity and measurement requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice continuityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system reduces complexity by performing preliminary measurements and identifying alternative relay paths in advance. When handover is needed, the system can quickly switch to pre-identified alternatives without complex real-time calculations, simplifying the handover mechanism while maintaining service continuity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from communication quality measurements and battery status reports to automatically trigger handover decisions. This feedback mechanism simplifies the handover process by using clear thresholds and automated decision-making, reducing system complexity while ensuring service continuity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3481106B1Communication device and communication method
Publication Date: 2021.03.31 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP3481106B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3481106B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3481106B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

[Object] To realize handover in relay communication using a relay terminal in a more satisfactory manner. [Solution] A communication device including: a communication unit configured to perform wireless communication; and a control unit configured to acquire information regarding a communication quality of one or more radio links including at least one of a direct first radio link or a second radio link via a relay terminal, which is configured to be movable, between a remote terminal and a base station, and to switch the radio link to be used in communication between the remote terminal and the base station on the basis of the acquired information regarding the communication quality.