Network-Controlled Repeater Relay for 5G Coverage Extension
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Solution Overview
Problem
The reduction of coverage area due to the high rectilinearity of radio signals in high frequency bands used in 5G networks, such as millimeter and terahertz waves, limits the effective range of base stations, particularly in non-line-of-sight scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A network-controlled repeater apparatus (NCR) is introduced to relay radio signals between base stations and user equipment, utilizing a control terminal to manage the relay operation, allowing for beamforming and directional transmission to extend coverage, and a control link with the network to adjust relay settings dynamically.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If radio signals in high frequency bands are used for wide-band transmission, then transmission bandwidth is improved, but coverage area is reduced due to high rectilinearity
Solution Approach 1:
A repeater apparatus is introduced as an intermediary device between the base station and user equipment. The repeater receives radio signals from the base station, amplifies them, and retransmits them to extend coverage to areas where direct base station signals cannot reach, thereby resolving the contradiction between using high frequency bands for wide-band transmission and maintaining adequate coverage area
Solution Approach 2:
The communication system is segmented into multiple components: base station, repeater apparatus, and user equipment. The repeater apparatus acts as an independent relay node that can be strategically placed to extend coverage in specific directions, allowing the system to maintain wide-band transmission capabilities while overcoming the limited coverage of high frequency signals through distributed relay points
2Area of stationary object
If a repeater apparatus is used to extend coverage, then coverage area is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional relay infrastructure
Solution Approach 1:
The repeater apparatus is designed with multi-functionality to reduce overall system complexity. It can perform multiple operations including signal amplification, directional transmission, and network-controlled adaptation. The apparatus can be controlled remotely by the base station to adjust its operation mode, allowing a single device type to handle various coverage extension scenarios without requiring multiple specialized devices
Solution Approach 2:
The repeater apparatus incorporates dynamic control capabilities where its transmission parameters such as gain, beam direction, and operating mode can be adjusted in real-time based on network conditions and user equipment locations. This dynamic adaptability allows the system to optimize coverage extension efficiency, reducing the need for deploying excessive fixed infrastructure
3Speed
If the control terminal performs cell reselection in RRC idle or inactive state, then mobility is improved, but relay operation continuity may be disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The network is configured to provide preliminary instructions to the repeater apparatus about upcoming cell reselection events. When the control terminal is expected to perform cell reselection, the base station can pre-adjust the repeater's operation parameters or temporarily suspend its relay function in the affected area, ensuring that relay operation continuity is maintained despite the control terminal's mobility actions
Data Source
AI summary
A communication method using a relay apparatus including a relay device configured to perform a relay operation of relaying a radio signal transmitted between a network and a user equipment, and a control terminal configured to receive a control signal used for control of the relay device from the network, the communication method including the steps of: performing, by the control terminal, cell reselection to a second cell different from a first cell, when the control terminal is in a radio resource control (RRC) idle state or an RRC inactive state in the first cell and the relay device is on; and turning off, by the relay apparatus, the relay device based on the cell reselection.