Multiple-Donor Directional Repeater for Service Continuity
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional repeater nodes in communication networks rely on a single donor node, leading to reduced performance and efficiency of the donor node, limited coverage area, and service outages due to link failures or mobility issues.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a multiple donor-supported repeater node that distributes the demand for physical beam channels among multiple donor nodes, allowing for dynamic resource allocation and conflict resolution using time and spatial multiplexing, and adjusting donor node pools based on traffic and mobility needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a repeater node relies on a single donor node, then the setup is simple, but the reliability is reduced due to link failures or mobility issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple donor nodes into a unified resource pool that the repeater node can access. Instead of relying on a single donor node, the repeater node establishes connections with multiple donor nodes and aggregates their beam channel resources, thereby improving reliability while maintaining manageable complexity through a centralized resource management approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The repeater node is designed to serve multiple donor nodes simultaneously, making it a multi-functional component. It can receive beam channels from any of the multiple donor nodes and dynamically switch between them based on availability and requirements, thereby enhancing service continuity and reducing dependency on a single donor node.
2Reliability
If a repeater node uses multiple donor nodes, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the resource management function by introducing a dedicated control channel between the repeater node and each donor node. This control channel handles signaling and coordination separately from the actual beam channel transmission, simplifying the management of multiple donor nodes. Additionally, the repeater node divides its access area into multiple regions, each served by different donor nodes, making the overall system more manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The control channel acts as an intermediary mechanism that facilitates coordination between the repeater node and multiple donor nodes. It manages the signaling, resource allocation, and conflict resolution aspects of multi-donor operation, thereby reducing the operational complexity despite having multiple donor nodes connected.
3Device complexity
If a single donor node supplies all beam channels, then the resource allocation is simple, but the donor node performance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the beam channel resources by establishing separate control channels with multiple donor nodes, allowing the repeater node to request and allocate resources from each donor node independently. This segmentation enables more efficient resource distribution across multiple donor nodes, improving overall system productivity while maintaining manageable allocation complexity through structured control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts resource allocation based on real-time conditions. The repeater node can flexibly request beam channels from different donor nodes depending on current traffic demands, donor node availability, and network conditions. This dynamic resource management improves donor node efficiency by preventing over-utilization of a single donor while maintaining simple operational procedures through automated control.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the repeater node is mobile, then the coverage is flexible, but the link stability with a single donor node is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple donor node connections into a unified resource pool that the mobile repeater node can access. By aggregating resources from multiple donor nodes, the system provides redundancy that maintains link stability even when the repeater node moves between different coverage areas or when one donor node becomes unavailable due to mobility constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between multiple donor nodes based on the repeater node's location and mobility state. The control channels enable real-time coordination to allocate resources from the most appropriate donor node, maintaining stable connections despite mobility. This dynamic adaptation allows the repeater node to preserve link stability while supporting flexible coverage across moving platforms.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for providing a multiple donor supported repeater within a communication network are disclosed. An example of such techniques includes an apparatus which establishes a control channel with a respective donor node of one or more donor nodes. The apparatus receives an indication of resource information from the one or more donor nodes via the corresponding control channel. The apparatus determines a grid of physical repeater beam channels to cover an access area based at least in part on the received indication of resource information from the one or more donor nodes. Corresponding methods and computer program products are also provided.