Path Switching via Pre-configured Uplink Grants
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless network technologies, when user equipment (UE) switches from a non-direct communication path to a direct path with a base station, the process often results in increased power consumption and service interruption, particularly in scenarios where link quality is poor or relay equipment moves, making it difficult to maintain connectivity.
Innovation Solution
A path switching method that involves the base station sending messages to user equipment to instruct timing advance, closed-loop power control values, and uplink grant configurations, allowing seamless switching from non-direct to direct communication paths, thereby maintaining service continuity and improving quality while reducing power consumption during the switching process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the remote UE performs random access to the base station by using the direct path, then the UE can establish direct communication, but power consumption of the UE is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The base station pre-configures uplink synchronization information (timing advance, power control values, uplink grants) for the direct path before the UE needs to switch. This allows the UE to immediately establish direct communication without performing power-consuming random access procedures, as the synchronization parameters are already prepared and provided to the UE in advance.
2Reliability
If the remote UE performs random access to the base station by using the direct path, then the UE can establish direct communication, but service of the UE is interrupted especially in a case of enhanced coverage
Solution Approach 1:
The base station provides uplink synchronization information in advance before the path switching occurs. This allows the UE to switch to direct path communication seamlessly without service interruption, as the synchronization parameters are already available and the UE can immediately begin direct communication without waiting for random access completion.
Solution Approach 2:
The base station acts as an intermediary that prepares and provides the synchronization information to the UE before the actual path switching. This mediator role allows the UE to transition from relayed to direct communication without service interruption, as the base station has already coordinated the synchronization parameters in advance.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the relay UE moves, then the connection between the remote UE and the relay UE becomes difficult to maintain, but the remote UE needs to switch paths
Solution Approach 1:
When the relay UE moves or connection quality degrades, the base station has already prepared uplink synchronization information for the direct path. The UE can immediately switch to direct communication using the pre-provided synchronization parameters, maintaining connection stability without relying on the moving relay UE.
Data Source
AI summary
A path switching method and a related device, where the method includes receiving, by a base station, a first message from a first user equipment requesting to switch the first user equipment from a non-direct path for communicating with the base station using a second user equipment to a direct path communicating with the base station, and sending, by the base station, a second message to the first user equipment instructing the first user equipment to perform path switching. The second message includes at least one of a timing advance, a closed-loop power control value or an uplink grant configuration.