Mobile Relay Node Frequency Division Multiplexing for Throughput

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current LTE relay node systems, particularly Type 1 RNs, face limitations in throughput due to half-duplex operation, requiring bandwidth sharing between RN-Uu and RN-Un interfaces, which affects service quality and capacity, especially in scenarios with multiple UEs.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a mobile relay node capable of operating in both single-point and coordinated multipoint (CoMP) modes, with transceiver circuitry and a communications control module that configures the node to relay data from multiple remote transmission points, utilizing techniques like joint transmission, coordinated scheduling/beam forming, and dynamic point selection to enhance reliability and capacity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If Type 1 RN uses half-duplex operation reusing the same frequency for RN-Uu and RN-Un interfaces, then device complexity is reduced, but throughput is limited due to bandwidth sharing between interfaces

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovethroughputVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the frequency resources by introducing separate frequencies for RN-Uu and RN-Un interfaces (Type 1a RN), eliminating the need for bandwidth sharing and enabling simultaneous full-duplex operations on both interfaces, thereby resolving the throughput limitation caused by half-duplex operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adds a frequency dimension separation by allocating different frequency bands for RN-Uu and RN-Un interfaces, transforming the half-duplex time-division approach into a full-duplex frequency-division approach, which enables parallel data transmission on both interfaces without interference

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If Type 1 RN shares bandwidth between RN-Uu and RN-Un interfaces, then ease of operation is maintained, but service quality deteriorates due to reduced capacity especially when serving multiple UEs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice qualityVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the bandwidth resources by allocating separate frequency bands for RN-Uu and RN-Un interfaces, ensuring that each interface has dedicated bandwidth resources that are not contended by the other, thereby guaranteeing service quality for multiple UEs without requiring complex bandwidth management

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If Type 1 RN configures sub-frames for RN-Un interface, then adaptability is improved, but throughput on RN-Uu interface is reduced due to time-sharing requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethroughput on RN-Uu interfaceVSAvoidadaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from time-division multiplexing (TDM) in the time domain to frequency-division multiplexing (FDM) in the frequency domain, allowing RN-Uu and RN-Un interfaces to operate simultaneously on different frequencies without sub-frame configuration, thereby maximizing RN-Uu throughput while maintaining adaptability through flexible frequency allocation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP2873165B1Communication system
Publication Date: 2019.07.24 NEC CORP
  • EP2873165B1 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP2873165B1 patent drawingFigure 1b
  • EP2873165B1 patent drawingFigure 1c

AI summary

The invention provides a relay node that can relay received data to one or more communications devices served by the relay node. The relay node has transceiver circuitry that transmits signals to and that receives signals from one or more remote transmission points and the one or more communications devices served by the relay node; and a communications control module for controlling the operation of the relay node such that in a first operating state the relay node is configured to receive data to be relayed, from a remote transmission point and such that in a second operating state the relay station is configured to receive data to be relayed, from a plurality of remote and separate transmission points.