ProSe Relay UE Power Reduction for Weak Signal MTC Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
ProSe relaying in wireless communication systems faces challenges in efficiently managing power consumption for Machine Type Communication (MTC) devices with weak base station signal strength, particularly in areas like buildings and basements, where direct connection attempts are power-intensive.
Innovation Solution
A base station and relay user equipment configuration that schedules communication resources for side-link communications, maintains communication context information, and performs encryption/decryption to facilitate efficient data routing through a core network, allowing MTC devices to use nearby ProSe-enabled UE for relay services, reducing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If MTC devices attempt direct connection with base station in weak signal areas, then network coverage is maintained, but power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a relay UE as an intermediary device between the MTC device and the base station. The relay UE receives signals from the base station and retransmits them to the MTC device, and vice versa. This mediator approach allows MTC devices in weak coverage areas to communicate through a nearby relay device with stronger signal, significantly reducing their power consumption while maintaining network coverage.
2Duration of action of moving object
If ProSe relaying is implemented to reduce power consumption, then battery life is extended, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication function into two independent parts: the relay UE that maintains connection with the base station, and the MTC device that communicates only with the relay UE. This segmentation allows the MTC device to have simplified protocol implementation while the relay UE handles the complex relay communication protocols, thus extending battery life without significantly increasing complexity for the MTC device.
3Productivity
If direct EPS bearers are used for MTC devices, then network resource utilization is efficient, but signal strength requirements are high
Solution Approach 1:
The relay UE acts as an intermediary that establishes a direct EPS bearer with the base station while providing relay services to MTC devices. This approach maintains efficient network resource utilization through direct bearers for the relay UE, while the MTC device can operate in weak signal areas by communicating through the relay, thus resolving the contradiction between resource efficiency and signal strength requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication system is disclosed in which a ProSe Relay UE allows a remote UE to connect to a base station and core network through the Relay UE. The base station broadcasts that it is capable of supporting ProSe Relay UEs. UEs that are in poor coverage areas can identify that the base station supports ProSe Relaying and can search for a relay UE with which to connect prior to trying to establish a direct connection with the base station. The Relay UE and the base station maintain context information for the relayed UE so that messages can be properly routed through the network and through the Relay UE.