Network Device Relay Parameter Matching for D2D Discovery

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Solution Overview

Problem

In device-to-device communication, the current discovery process for relay support often results in futile efforts, leading to unnecessary power consumption as user equipment may not satisfy the relay requirements of remote user equipment, even after obtaining resources and meeting base station-configured channel quality conditions.

Innovation Solution

A method is introduced to control device-to-device discovery by determining suitable user equipment supporting the relay function based on specific parameter matching between remote user equipment and available relay devices, triggering only those that meet the requirements to initiate the discovery process, thereby reducing futile discoveries and power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If user equipment starts discovery process after obtaining base station-configured resources and meeting channel quality conditions, then the discovery process can be initiated with available resources, but the user equipment may not satisfy relay requirements of remote user equipment, causing futile discovery and unnecessary power consumption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediscovery process efficiencyVSAvoidpower consumption of user equipment
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The network device performs preliminary matching between the relay function parameter set of available user equipment and the discovery function requirement before triggering the discovery process. This preliminary action ensures that only user equipment satisfying the relay requirements are selected to initiate discovery, avoiding futile discovery attempts and reducing power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables remote user equipment to self-determine whether to initiate discovery by checking if available user equipment satisfies its relay requirements through parameter matching. The remote user equipment autonomously makes the decision based on the matched results, eliminating unnecessary discovery processes and reducing power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If all available user equipment perform discovery process, then the probability of finding a suitable relay increases, but unnecessary power consumption is caused by user equipment that cannot satisfy relay requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverelay connection success rateVSAvoidpower consumption of user equipment
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The network device provides feedback to remote user equipment about which user equipment satisfies relay requirements through parameter matching. This feedback mechanism allows remote user equipment to identify suitable relay candidates without attempting discovery with incompatible devices, thereby improving connection success rate while reducing energy waste.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of all available user equipment performing discovery, only the subset of user equipment that matches the relay function parameters is selected to initiate discovery. This partial action approach maintains sufficient discovery coverage to find suitable relays while avoiding excessive energy consumption from incompatible devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Productivity

If parameter matching is performed before discovery initiation, then only compatible relay devices are selected, but additional processing time and complexity are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediscovery process efficiencyVSAvoidcomplexity of discovery control
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The network device acts as an intermediary that performs parameter matching between relay function parameters and discovery function requirements. By centralizing the matching logic in the network device, the complexity of parameter comparison is shifted from user equipment to the network, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining discovery efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3522578B1Method for controlling device-to-device discovery and related device
Publication Date: 2022.04.06 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3522578B1 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP3522578B1 patent drawingFigure 1b
  • EP3522578B1 patent drawingFigure 2a

AI summary

Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method for controlling device-to-device discovery. The method includes: obtaining, by a network device, N first relay function parameter sets of N user equipment supporting a relay function; obtaining, by the network device, a second relay function parameter set of remote user equipment; determining, by the network device for the remote user equipment, at least one of the N user equipment supporting the relay function; and sending, by the network device, a first notification message to the at least one user equipment supporting the relay function, to trigger the at least one user equipment supporting the relay function to initiate a device-to-device discovery process. The at least one user equipment supporting the relay function is determined for initiating the device-to-device discovery process, and therefore unnecessary power consumption for initiating the discovery process by user equipment that supports the relay function but does not satisfy a discovery function requirement of the remote user equipment is reduced.