Network-Assisted D2D Communication Using Capability Information

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current Device-to-Device (D2D) communication in cellular networks faces challenges in neighbor discovery and radio resource management, leading to inefficiencies and interference, particularly in LTE systems, where thousands of devices need to detect each other and manage resources effectively for direct communication.

Innovation Solution

A network-assisted D2D communication system where base stations obtain D2D capability information, process D2D requests, and facilitate D2D initialization by selecting suitable devices for communication, providing necessary resources and priorities, enabling efficient device discovery and communication setup.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If D2D capable devices periodically broadcast signals to discover neighbors, then device discovery capability is improved, but signaling overhead and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice discovery capabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The network performs preliminary actions by maintaining a database of D2D capability information for all devices. When a D2D request occurs, the network can immediately provide a pre-filtered peer list of devices capable of D2D communication, eliminating the need for continuous broadcasting and allowing discovery on demand.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If D2D links reuse OFDM time-frequency resource blocks, then spectrum efficiency is improved, but intra-cell orthogonality is lost causing interference

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespectrum efficiencyVSAvoidinterference
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by allowing D2D links to reuse resources only in specific local contexts where D2D pairs are identified and authorized by the network. The network provides localized resource allocation and power control parameters to each D2D pair, enabling resource reuse in specific areas while maintaining orthogonality in other areas, thus balancing spectrum efficiency with interference control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If base station maintains database of all reachable devices with D2D capability information, then D2D connection setup efficiency is improved, but memory requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection setup efficiencyVSAvoidmemory requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The network performs preliminary action by pre-collecting and storing D2D capability information in a centralized database during device registration. This allows the network to quickly query and provide an accurate peer list for D2D connections without requiring devices to broadcast or perform complex real-time capability exchanges, significantly improving connection setup efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2946632B1Network-assisted d2d communication using d2d capability information
Publication Date: 2019.05.15 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP2946632B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2946632B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2946632B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Systems and methods related to Device-to-Device (D2D) communication in a cellular communications network are disclosed. In one embodiment, a base station obtains D2D capability information for wireless devices, where the D2D capability information indicates that the wireless devices are physically capable of D2D communication. The base station also receives a D2D request from a first wireless device and, in response, determines that a D2D initialization procedure is to be performed. In response to determining that the D2D initialization is to be performed, the base station transmits a positive D2D decision to the first wireless device that includes information that enables the first wireless device to establish D2D communication with a second wireless device, where the second wireless device is one of the wireless devices that are physically capable of D2D communication.