Path Switch Prohibition for Relay Mobility in Cellular Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Path switching failures occur in mobile relay-based communication systems due to the mobility of relay nodes, leading to service continuity issues and significant delays, especially during handovers between cells with different configurations.
Innovation Solution
Configuring relay nodes to prohibit sidelink connections with remote user equipment (UE) when mobility causes them to become invalid targets, and informing the serving gNB to cancel ongoing path switches, allowing for early prevention of failures and re-establishment of connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If path switching is performed via mobile relay nodes, then indirect connection to network is enabled, but path switch failures occur due to relay node mobility
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by detecting relay node mobility indicators (such as handover preparation messages) before the path switch is completed. When mobility is detected, the network node proactively cancels the ongoing path switch operation, preventing the failure that would occur if the relay node moved to a different cell. This preliminary detection and cancellation mechanism ensures reliable path switching despite relay node mobility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If relay nodes are mobile, then flexibility in network connection is improved, but service continuity is disrupted during handovers
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the network node continuously monitors mobility indicators from relay nodes (such as handover preparation messages, cell change notifications). Based on this feedback, the network dynamically adjusts path switch operations by canceling them when mobility is detected, thereby maintaining service continuity while preserving the flexibility of mobile relay connections.
3Speed
If path switching proceeds without mobility detection, then switching speed is maintained, but resource wastage occurs due to failed switches
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary mobility detection using indicators such as handover preparation messages and cell change notifications before completing the path switch. This preliminary check prevents resource wastage by canceling path switches that would fail due to relay node mobility, while maintaining switching speed by using efficient mobility indicator detection mechanisms that do not significantly delay the overall process.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a method for a network node, comprising: determining that a remote user equipment (UE) in a cell requires a path switch, the path switch comprising switching the remote UE to connect with the network node via a relay UE; providing, for the remote UE, a connection configuration for connecting with the network node via the relay UE; after providing the connection configuration, determining that the relay UE is to be handed over to another cell; transmitting a message to the relay UE, the message prohibiting the relay UE from establishing a sidelink connection with the remote UE.