Multi-Antenna Relay Selection for Stable Non-Regenerative SINR

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing radio communication systems face challenges in providing stable communication quality in non-regenerative relay scenarios due to varying propagation characteristics between antennas, which affect signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) at relay stations.

Innovation Solution

A relay station with multiple antennas selects optimal reception and transmission antennas based on SINR estimation using propagation characteristics, noise power, interference power, and amplification gain to maximize communication quality without demodulation or decoding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If non-regenerative relay is used to reduce latency and simplify relay station processing, then communication speed and device complexity are improved, but communication stability deteriorates due to varying propagation characteristics between antennas

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication speedVSAvoidcommunication stability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent dynamically changes the antenna selection parameters (which antenna is used for reception and which for transmission) based on estimated propagation characteristics. By adjusting these parameters in real-time, the system maintains stable SINR values despite varying environmental conditions, thus resolving the contradiction between speed and stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary estimation of propagation characteristics between antennas before actual communication. This preliminary action allows the relay station to pre-determine the optimal antenna combination, ensuring stable communication from the outset without requiring complex real-time adjustments during data transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Area of stationary object

If multiple antennas are used at the relay station to improve coverage and capacity, then area and productivity are improved, but device complexity increases due to antenna selection requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidantenna selection complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The relay station autonomously estimates propagation characteristics and determines optimal antenna combinations without external assistance. This self-service capability allows the system to manage multiple antennas efficiently, expanding coverage area while keeping the control mechanism relatively simple and distributed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters (antenna selection) based on estimated propagation characteristics, allowing flexible adaptation to different spatial conditions. This enables effective use of multiple antennas to expand coverage while maintaining manageable complexity through dynamic parameter adjustment rather than fixed complex routing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If antenna selection is based on detailed propagation characteristic measurements to improve communication quality, then SINR and reliability are improved, but measurement precision requirements and processing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication qualityVSAvoidmeasurement time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs partial measurement of propagation characteristics - specifically estimating characteristics between antennas at the relay station rather than comprehensive measurements of all possible signal paths. This partial action approach achieves sufficient measurement precision for reliable antenna selection while significantly reducing the time and resources required for measurements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP4351032B1Relay station, information processing apparatus, and method
Publication Date: 2026.02.18 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
  • EP4351032B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4351032B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4351032B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A relay station (3) includes a plurality of antennas and a controller (32). In non-regenerative relay of a first signal, the controller estimates an SINR of the first signal at a reception station (4,2) after the relay on the basis of a transmit power of the first signal at a transmission station (2,4), first propagation characteristics between one or more first antennas set as reception antennas for the first signal and the transmission station, second propagation characteristics between one or more second antennas set as transmission antennas for the first signal after the relay and the reception station, a noise power and an interference power at the relay station, and a noise power at the reception station, and determines the first antennas and the second antennas in a combination that makes the SINR of the first signal at the reception station maximum respectively as the reception antennas and the transmission antennas.