Autonomous Cluster Head Selection for MTC Uplink
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Solution Overview
Problem
Machine-type communications (MTC) devices in existing communications networks often exhibit poor uplink communication integrity due to their low-power and limited capabilities, necessitating improved uplink communication solutions.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of cluster-head discovery and selection methods, where eNodeBs poll MTC devices to identify suitable cluster heads based on signal-to-noise ratio (SINR) and incentives, and MTC devices set primary and secondary cluster heads for enhanced uplink communication, utilizing WiFi and cellular links to relay communications to the core network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If MTC devices use low-power transmission to conserve energy, then energy consumption is reduced, but uplink communication integrity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces cluster heads as intermediary devices that relay communications between MTC devices and the core network. MTC devices communicate with cluster heads using low-power transmissions, while cluster heads handle high-power communications with the network, thus mediating the contradiction between energy conservation and communication reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The network is segmented into multiple components: MTC devices, cluster heads, and core network. This segmentation allows MTC devices to operate in low-power mode while cluster heads assume the responsibility of maintaining reliable uplink communication, dividing the functional requirements between different network elements
2Reliability
If MTC devices transmit with high power to improve uplink integrity, then communication reliability improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Cluster heads serve as intermediaries that perform high-power transmissions with the core network on behalf of MTC devices. This allows MTC devices to maintain reliable communication without directly consuming high power, as the cluster head absorbs the energy expenditure for high-power uplink transmissions
3Reliability
If cluster head selection is based on multiple criteria including SINR and incentives, then communication quality improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
MTC devices autonomously evaluate multiple criteria including SINR measurements and incentive information to self-determine their suitability as cluster heads. This self-service approach allows complex multi-criteria evaluation to be performed distributedly at each device rather than requiring centralized complex processing, improving communication quality while managing device complexity through autonomous local decision-making
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure presents embodiments of a system and method for improved uplink transmission management in a network that includes one or more machine-type communication (MTC) devices. For example, in an aspect, the present disclosure presents a method of cluster head selection for a MTC device cluster, the method comprising transmitting a polling message from an eNodeB to one or more MTC devices of the MTC cluster, receiving one or more polling responses at the eNodeB from the one or more MTC devices, and determining the set of cluster heads based on the one or more polling responses; and transmitting cluster head information associated with each cluster head of the set of cluster heads to the one or more MTC devices.