ProSe Relay UE Activation via Cell Broadcast Persistence Checks
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge of efficiently utilizing limited radio spectrum bandwidth in wireless networks, particularly in LTE-Advanced systems, and the need for effective device-to-device communication in LTE networks to enhance spectral efficiency and support emerging proximity-based services.
Innovation Solution
Implementing carrier aggregation and device-to-device (D2D) communication technologies in LTE networks, allowing for wider bandwidth utilization and direct communication between user equipment, with mechanisms for resource allocation and layer-2 link establishment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If carrier aggregation is implemented to support wider bandwidths, then spectral efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the bandwidth into multiple component carriers (primary cell and secondary cells) that can be independently configured and activated. This allows the system to achieve wider effective bandwidth for improved spectral efficiency while managing complexity through modular configuration of individual carriers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic mechanisms for activating and deactivating secondary cells based on network conditions and UE capability. The eNodeB can dynamically adjust which carriers are active, allowing the system to optimize spectral efficiency while reducing complexity by not maintaining all carriers simultaneously.
2Adaptability or versatility
If relay functionality is activated to support out-of-coverage scenarios, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables user equipment to perform multiple functions - serving both as regular UE and as relay node. The relay functionality is integrated into the existing UE architecture, allowing devices to adapt to different roles (direct connection or relay connection) without requiring separate dedicated hardware, thus improving adaptability while managing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces relay UEs as intermediary nodes that facilitate communication between out-of-coverage UEs and the network. These relay nodes act as mediators that establish sidelink connections, enabling adaptability for out-of-coverage scenarios while the relay functionality itself is managed through standardized protocols that control complexity.
3Reliability
If persistence check mechanism is implemented to control relay activation, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a persistence check mechanism where the eNodeB provides feedback information (persistence check value) to relay UEs. The relay UE uses this feedback to determine whether to activate relay functionality based on network conditions. This feedback mechanism improves reliability by ensuring relay activation is appropriate while the standardized feedback protocol manages complexity.
4Ease of operation
If broadcast message with persistence check value is transmitted, then ease of operation is improved, but loss of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic broadcast messages from the eNodeB to relay UEs, where the broadcast is transmitted at specific intervals rather than continuously. This periodic transmission provides necessary information (persistence check value) for relay activation decisions while minimizing energy consumption compared to continuous broadcasting.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for activating a relay functionality of a ProSe capable and relay-capable user equipment within a mobile communication network. The radio base station, to which the relay UE is connected, determines whether further relays are necessary in the radio cell controlled by the radio base station. In case further relays are necessary in the radio cell, the radio base station selects a persistence check value and transmits a broadcast message in the radio cell. The broadcast message at least indicates that further relays are necessary and comprises the selected persistence check value. Upon receiving the broadcast message, the relay UE activates its relay functionality in case it determines that relay requirements for activating its relay functionality in the radio cell are fulfilled and in case a persistence check performed by the relay UE based on the received persistence check value is successful.