Multi-Hop Network Routing With Wireless Relays for Weak-Signal Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cellular networks face challenges in expanding coverage to marginal-to-inoperative regions and improving effective capacity due to weak signal strength and interference, particularly in areas with hilly terrain, excessive foliage, or tall buildings, leading to inefficient resource allocation and increased interference.
Innovation Solution
Wireless devices in a cellular network are configured to communicate with a base station via multi-hopping, using both cellular and non-cellular interfaces, allowing devices to relay signals through intermediaries to extend coverage and optimize resource usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If single-hop direct communication is used between wireless devices and base stations, then network simplicity is maintained, but coverage is limited in marginal-to-inoperative regions with weak signal strength
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces intermediate wireless devices (relays) that forward communications between end devices and base stations. These intermediary devices extend coverage to marginal-to-inoperative regions by receiving signals from devices with weak direct connections to base stations and relaying them through better-connected paths, thereby expanding the effective coverage area without requiring infrastructure changes in hard-to-reach locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication path is segmented into multiple hops through intermediate relay devices. Instead of requiring a direct single-hop connection, the communication is divided into multiple segments (device-to-relay, relay-to-relay, relay-to-base station), allowing the signal to traverse through intermediate nodes that have better channel conditions, thus overcoming the limitation of direct communication in coverage-limited areas.
2Quantity of substance
If more frequency channels are allocated to serve more users, then user capacity increases, but spectrum efficiency decreases due to frequency reuse limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the frequency reuse strategy from two dimensions (frequency and time) to three dimensions by adding the spatial dimension through multi-hop relaying. Devices in different spatial locations (different hops from the base station) can simultaneously use the same frequency resources, effectively creating a third dimension for frequency reuse. This allows the same frequency channel to be reused across multiple spatial layers without causing interference, thereby increasing the number of available channels while maintaining spectrum efficiency.
3Reliability
If wireless devices in marginal-to-inoperative regions transmit at high power to overcome weak signal strength, then connection reliability improves, but interference to other cells increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of requiring marginal-to-inoperative devices to transmit at high power directly to the base station, the patent introduces intermediate relay devices that are better positioned with stronger channel conditions. These relays receive signals at lower power requirements and forward them to the base station, thereby maintaining connection reliability while avoiding the need for high-power transmissions that would cause interference to other cells.
Solution Approach 2:
The network self-adjusts by automatically selecting appropriate relay devices based on channel conditions. Devices in marginal regions are served by relays that have optimal channel conditions to the base station, eliminating the need for these devices to increase their transmit power. The system autonomously routes traffic through the most efficient paths, maintaining reliability without generating harmful interference.
4Adaptability or versatility
If distributed routing among wireless devices is implemented, then network adaptability improves, but device complexity and processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements distributed routing where each wireless device autonomously makes routing decisions based on local channel condition information. Devices select relays and paths independently by evaluating their own channel conditions to potential next-hop devices, without requiring complex centralized control or extensive processing of global network state. This self-service approach provides routing adaptability while keeping individual device complexity manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The routing decisions are based on dynamic parameter changes in channel conditions. Devices monitor and respond to changes in signal strength, interference levels, and other channel parameters to adaptively select the best relay paths. This parameter-driven approach allows the network to adapt to changing conditions without requiring complex algorithms, as devices simply respond to measured parameter changes by selecting appropriate next-hop relays.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, system, or computer program product to enhance the performance of multi-hop cellular networks or other wireless networks is provided. A wireless device (e.g., cellular telephone) is able to communicate with a base-station in a cell of the cellular network over a non-cellular interface via another wireless device in the cell through the use of multi-hopping. By enabling wireless devices to communicate with a base station in such a manner, the effective coverage area of the cellular network is expanded and the effective capacity of the cellular network is improved. Distributed routing, device management, adaptive scheduling, and distributed algorithms can be used to enhance the overall performance of multi-hop cellular networks.