ProSe Relay Link Establishment for Out-of-Coverage UEs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems lack support for protocols to establish ProSe relay links between user equipment (UEs) when an edge UE moves out of a base station's coverage area, disrupting network connectivity.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a ProSe protocol or stack on UEs to manage the establishment and maintenance of wireless relay links using a higher-layer protocol like L3, initiated before data exchange, which includes message exchanges and resource negotiations to establish and maintain a PC5 communication reference point.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a UE moves out of base station coverage area, then network connectivity is lost, but implementing ProSe relay link establishment protocol enables continuous connectivity
Solution Approach 1:
The ProSe protocol is initiated before data exchange begins, with relay link establishment procedures executed in advance. The edge UE discovers and selects a relay UE before needing connectivity, performing association requests and resource negotiations proactively to ensure seamless connectivity when base station coverage is lost.
Solution Approach 2:
A relay UE acts as an intermediary device between the edge UE and the network. The relay UE forwards traffic between the edge UE and the base station, enabling the edge UE to maintain network connectivity while outside the base station's direct coverage area through this intermediate communication path.
2Adaptability or versatility
If ProSe protocol is initiated before data exchange, then relay link establishment is enabled, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ProSe protocol stack is integrated into the existing LTE protocol architecture, reusing existing protocol layers (PDCP, RLC, MAC, PHY) and message structures. This multi-functional approach allows the relay link establishment to leverage existing standardized procedures rather than requiring entirely new signaling mechanisms, reducing overall signaling overhead.
Solution Approach 2:
The relay link establishment process is segmented into distinct phases: discovery phase, selection phase, and association phase. Each phase handles specific tasks independently, allowing the protocol to efficiently manage complex relay establishment without overwhelming signaling overhead by breaking down the process into manageable, standardized steps.
3Reliability
If relay link is established for edge UE, then network access is maintained, but system resources are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The relay link is dynamically established and maintained based on the edge UE's connectivity needs. The protocol includes mechanisms to monitor link quality and base station coverage status, allowing the relay link to be activated when needed and released when the edge UE returns to coverage, optimizing energy consumption by maintaining the relay connection only during necessary periods.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and devices are described for signaling protocols for proximity service functions in a wireless communication system. A first wireless device may identify a wireless relay requirement associated with the first wireless device. A proximity service protocol may be initiated between the first wireless device and a second wireless device based at least in part on the identified wireless relay requirement. The proximity service protocol may be initiated prior to an initiation of a communication data exchange between the first wireless device and the second wireless device. A relay link may be established, via the ProSe protocol, between the first wireless device and the second wireless device based at least in part on the identified wireless relay requirement.