Movable Relay Node Positioning for Wireless Signal Relaying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless communications systems face challenges in maintaining successful communications between devices operating in higher frequency bands, especially when line-of-sight channels are obstructed, leading to reduced signal strength and increased path loss.
Innovation Solution
The use of movable relay nodes equipped with reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RISs) to provide dynamic line-of-sight channels by configuring the RISs based on location messages received from a control node, allowing for improved communication between user equipment (UE) and base stations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If line-of-sight channels are used for communication in higher frequency bands, then communication speed and throughput are improved, but communication reliability deteriorates when direct links are obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a movable relay node as an intermediary device that establishes indirect communication paths between user equipment and base stations. When direct line-of-sight links are obstructed, the relay node reflects or redirects signals to maintain communication connectivity, thus preserving reliability while enabling high-frequency band operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The relay node is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically reposition itself to maintain optimal signal paths. This mobility enables the system to adapt to changing environmental conditions and maintain reliable communication as users or obstacles move, resolving the contradiction between using high-frequency bands and ensuring reliability.
2Reliability
If movable relay nodes are deployed to improve communication reliability, then communication reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movable relay node is designed to perform multiple functions: signal reflection, position reporting, capability indication, and dynamic repositioning. By consolidating these functions into a single multi-functional device, the patent reduces overall system complexity compared to deploying separate specialized components for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The relay node autonomously reports its position, capabilities, and operational status to the network without requiring complex centralized control for every decision. This self-reporting mechanism reduces the control complexity of the overall system while maintaining reliability improvements.
3Reliability
If capability messages and location messages are exchanged for relay node configuration, then communication reliability is improved, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The relay node pre-reports its capabilities and position information to the network before actual communication occurs. This preliminary action allows the network to pre-configure optimal communication paths and parameters, reducing the need for extensive real-time signaling during actual data transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the relay node continuously reports its status and the network adjusts configurations based on this feedback. This efficient feedback loop reduces signaling overhead by only transmitting necessary update information rather than complete configuration sets repeatedly.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. In some examples, a control node may receive, from a movable relay node, a capability message indicating a set of operational parameters for the movable relay node. The control node may determine a location for the movable relay node based on the capability message and may transmit, to the movable relay node, a location message indicating the determined location. The movable relay node may change locations or reconfigure one or more relay devices (e.g., reconfigurable intelligent surfaces) of the movable relay node based on the location message. Accordingly, the control node may use the movable relay node to relay messages between the control node and a second node, which may increase the likelihood of successful communications between the control node and the second node.