Power-Grid Relay for D2D Latency and Power Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing device-to-device (D2D) communication systems face challenges in reducing latency and conserving battery power, particularly during relay selection periods, as they require frequent channel measurement and initiation by transmitter or receiver, leading to increased power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A power-grid-connected (PGC) relay that constantly monitors the medium, reduces the need for channel measurement, and initiates enhancement of D2D communication links without compromising battery power, allowing for continuous monitoring and assistance to D2D pairs with poor signal transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If battery-powered relays are used for D2D communication with frequent relay selection periods, then communication reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic relay selection periods where battery-powered relays wake up to perform channel measurements and assist D2D communications, then return to sleep mode. This periodic operation allows the system to maintain communication reliability through regular relay assistance while significantly reducing power consumption by keeping relays dormant between periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables powered relays to autonomously monitor the medium and self-initiate enhancement of D2D communication links without requiring initiation from transmitters or receivers. This self-service capability allows powered relays to continuously assist communications without increasing battery-powered relay activity, thereby maintaining reliability without increasing their power consumption.
2Reliability
If relay selection periods are made frequent, then communication quality is improved, but latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes periodic relay selection periods with optimized duration and frequency. By confining relay activities to specific periodic intervals rather than continuous operation, the system maintains communication quality through regular assessments while minimizing latency by avoiding constant relay selection overhead and allowing faster return to normal communication after each period.
3Reliability
If battery-powered relays continuously monitor the medium, then D2D communication assistance is improved, but battery power is depleted
Solution Approach 1:
Battery-powered relays transition from continuous monitoring to periodic monitoring, waking up at scheduled intervals to assist D2D communications and then returning to sleep mode. This periodic operation maintains communication assistance quality through regular monitoring cycles while dramatically reducing battery power consumption by keeping the monitoring function dormant between periods.
Solution Approach 2:
Powered relays provide continuous monitoring and assistance capabilities, complementing the periodic battery-powered relays. This continuity ensures D2D communication assistance is always available when needed, while battery-powered relays conserve power through periodic operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods, systems, and devices are described for wireless communication. Device-to-device (D2D) communications may benefit from the use of a relay facilitating communications between mobile devices. Relays which are not power-limited, such as if the relay is connected to a power grid, may continuously monitor the communication medium. A relay may monitor D2D communications and determine a D2D pair for which to attempt to facilitate communications. The relay may identify a first message from a first mobile device to a second mobile device, and may transmit a second message to the second mobile device. The second message may be transmitted using the same resources as the first message, and may include at least a portion of the first message. The relay may receive a response from the second mobile device and may transmit information about the relay to the second device before facilitating communications between the D2D pair of mobile devices.