ProSe Relay UE Network Reachability Announcement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently supporting User Equipment (UE) relay functions, particularly in scenarios where UE devices are outside network coverage, limiting their ability to connect to the network or access services.
Innovation Solution
A Proximity-based Service (ProSe)-enabled User Equipment (UE) is configured to announce network reachability information, allowing nearby UE devices outside the network coverage to establish connections through a UE-to-Network Relay, utilizing network reachability indications and hop count management to facilitate multi-hop relaying.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If UE devices operate outside network coverage, then device autonomy and mobility are improved, but network connectivity and service availability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a relay UE as an intermediary device between out-of-coverage UEs and the network. The relay UE maintains network connectivity and forwards data packets between remote UEs and the network, enabling indirect communication paths that restore network connectivity while preserving device autonomy and mobility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extends the communication dimension from direct single-hop UE-to-network links to multi-hop UE-to-UE-to-network paths. By adding intermediate relay nodes in the communication dimension, the system enables UEs outside coverage areas to connect to the network through extended transmission paths.
2Area of stationary object
If multi-hop relaying is implemented, then network coverage extension is improved, but system complexity and management overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent manages system complexity by controlling the hop count parameter, limiting multi-hop relaying to a maximum of two hops (relay UE to remote UE). This parameter constraint prevents unbounded complexity growth while still extending network coverage to areas that would otherwise be unreachable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring relay UEs with network connectivity and pre-establishing relay capabilities before remote UEs need connectivity. This advance preparation reduces the complexity of dynamic relay discovery and setup when coverage extension is actually needed.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention is directed to a method and an apparatus for use in a wireless communication system. Specifically, the present invention is directed to a method of performing ProSe by a Public Safety ProSe-enabled UE in a cellular communication system wherein the Public Safety ProSe-enabled UE is a member of a ProSe Group, and at least one UE of the ProSe Group is not served by a cellular network, and an apparatus therefore, in which the method comprising: checking whether the Public Safety ProSe-enabled UE is in a location served by the cellular network; and transmitting first information related to the ProSe Group from the ProSe Group to the cellular network if a condition is satisfied.