Radio Network Controller for Dynamic Propagation Element Associations

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing radio communication networks face challenges in efficiently managing the interaction between radio access networks and propagation environment elements due to differing requirements and limitations, leading to suboptimal signal transmission and reception.

Innovation Solution

A radio communication network controlling component that includes a controller to determine and update associations between base stations and propagation environment elements, such as programmable metasurfaces and network-controlled repeaters, in response to changes in network operations, ensuring optimal signal propagation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a propagation environment element is assigned to support communication for multiple base stations, then the resource utilization of the propagation environment element is improved, but the element may not be able to meet the different operational requirements of each base station

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource utilizationVSAvoidoperation requirement fulfillment
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic association between propagation environment elements and base stations. The controller continuously monitors operational requirements and updates the association relationships in real-time, allowing the system to adapt to changing conditions while ensuring each base station receives appropriate propagation environment support

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the association relationships into multiple controllable groups. Each propagation environment element can be associated with different base stations under different operational conditions, allowing the system to divide and manage complex multi-base station requirements into manageable segments

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the association between base stations and propagation environment elements is updated frequently to meet changing operational requirements, then the adaptability of the network is improved, but the control complexity and signaling overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork adaptabilityVSAvoidcontrol complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a controller as an intermediary between base stations and propagation environment elements. The controller centralizes the management of association relationships, processing update decisions and coordinating changes, thereby reducing the control burden on individual base stations and simplifying the overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-establishes association relationships between base stations and propagation environment elements based on predicted operational requirements. When changes are needed, the controller can quickly activate pre-configured associations, reducing the complexity of real-time decision-making and minimizing signaling overhead

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4637203A1Radio communication network controlling component and method for controlling a radio communication network
Publication Date: 2025.10.22 NTT DOCOMO INC
  • EP4637203A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4637203A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4637203A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

According to one embodiment, a radio communication network controlling component is described comprising a controller configured to determine an association which specifies, for each of one or more of the propagation environment elements of a radio wave propagation environment, which of one or more base stations of a radio communication network uses the propagation environment element to communicate with a mobile terminal by radio wave propagation via the propagation environment element and a receiver configured to receive a message indicating a change of operation of the radio communication network or of the one or more propagation environment elements, wherein the controller is configured to update, in response to reception of the message, the association and trigger that the one or more base stations are instructed to operate according to the updated association.