ProSe Direct Discovery Coordination via PC5 Technology Parameter

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in coordinating device-to-device (D2D) communications between user equipment (UEs) using both WLAN-based and cellular-based technologies for Proximity Services (ProSe) Direct Discovery and Direct Communication, particularly in scenarios where UEs announce using one technology and monitor using another.

Innovation Solution

Introducing additional parameters in ProSe messages for transmission between UEs and ProSe Functions, utilizing interfaces defined by 3GPP standards like PC3, PC6, and PC7, and specifying the PC5 technology to be used for ProSe Direct Discovery operations, allowing coordination across different radio technologies such as E-UTRA and WLAN-based technologies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If UEs use different radio technologies (WLAN-based and cellular-based) for ProSe Direct Discovery, then the system can accommodate diverse communication needs and improve versatility, but coordination between different technologies becomes complex and may lead to communication failures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport for multiple radio technologiesVSAvoidcoordination complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a PC5 technology parameter as an intermediary element in the ProSe message that mediates between different radio technologies. This parameter explicitly indicates the technology type (WLAN-based or cellular-based) used for ProSe Direct Discovery, enabling UEs to understand and coordinate across different technology domains without direct complexity in the coordination protocol itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the ProSe message structure by adding a PC5 technology parameter that changes the state of information representation. This parameter transformation allows the system to distinguish between different radio technologies in a standardized manner, converting the complexity of multi-technology coordination into a simple parameter comparison and matching process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If UEs announce using one radio technology and monitor using another, then the system achieves technology flexibility, but the existing ProSe message structure cannot properly coordinate these mixed technology scenarios

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetechnology mixing capabilityVSAvoidcoordination reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The PC5 technology parameter serves as a mediator that carries information about the announced technology type through the ProSe message. This intermediary parameter ensures that monitoring UEs can reliably identify whether to use the same technology for monitoring or need to switch technologies, thereby maintaining coordination reliability in mixed technology scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the announcing UE includes technology information in the ProSe message sent to monitoring UEs. This feedback loop ensures that monitoring UEs receive accurate technology indicators and can appropriately adjust their monitoring behavior, enhancing the reliability of cross-technology coordination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If the system supports both WLAN-based and cellular-based ProSe Direct Discovery, then it improves adaptability to different network environments, but the coordination procedures become more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork environment adaptabilityVSAvoidcoordination procedure simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent simplifies the coordination procedure by introducing a clear parameter (PC5 technology) that distinguishes between WLAN-based and cellular-based ProSe Direct Discovery. This parameter change transforms complex coordination logic into a straightforward process where UEs simply compare and match technology parameters, making the system easier to operate while maintaining network environment adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11812497B2Technology coordination for device-to-device discovery

Publication Date: 2023.11.07 APPLE INC

AI summary

Embodiments of a ProSe Direct Discovery process are described. In some embodiments, an apparatus of a user equipment (UE) is configured as a Proximity Services (ProSe) enabled UE, and may encode, for transmission over a PC3 interface to a ProSe Function in a Home Public Land Mobile Network (HPLMN), a discovery request message for an announcing procedure, including transmission of one or more announcements over a PC5 interface, wherein the discovery request message for the announcing procedure includes a PC5 technology (PC5_tech) parameter to indicate a PC5 radio technology to be used by the UE for the announcing procedure. In some embodiments, the UE may decode a discovery response message for the announcing procedure, received over the PC3 interface from the ProSe Function in the HPLMN, including a ProSe application code and the PC5_tech parameter to indicate the PC5 radio technology authorized to be used for the ProSe application code.