Wireless Relay Cell Barring for IAB Congestion Notification

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless relay networks face congestion issues and the need for effective access restrictions, such as cell barring, to manage resource use among nodes, and there is a lack of methods to notify nodes and terminals of essential information changes.

Innovation Solution

Implement apparatus and methods for access barring and cell barring in wireless relay networks, and systems to notify nodes and terminals of information changes, using Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) nodes to manage congestion and relay network resources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If access restrictions such as cell barring are implemented to manage congestion, then network resource utilization is improved, but notification mechanisms for information changes are lacking

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork resource utilizationVSAvoidnotification of information changes
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The notification mechanism is segmented into two distinct types: system information change notifications for general updates and wake-up indicators for targeted notifications. This segmentation allows the network to efficiently manage different types of information changes without overwhelming all nodes with unnecessary notifications, thereby improving resource utilization while maintaining information delivery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary notification mechanism that acts as a mediator between the network and relay nodes/terminals. This intermediary system uses wake-up indicators and selective notification approaches to bridge the gap between congestion management requirements and information delivery needs, allowing efficient resource allocation while ensuring critical information reaches the appropriate nodes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Area of stationary object

If relay nodes perform inter-node discovery to detect new nodes, then network coverage is expanded, but congestion and resource conflicts increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork coverage areaVSAvoidnetwork congestion
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary actions by pre-configuring relay nodes with cell barring information and access restrictions before they engage in discovery activities. This allows nodes to be aware of potential congestion conditions in advance, enabling them to adjust their discovery and access behavior proactively, thereby expanding coverage while minimizing the impact of discovery activities on network congestion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The notification mechanism uses partial action by selectively notifying only those relay nodes and terminals that require specific information changes, rather than broadcasting to all nodes. This selective approach allows the network to expand coverage through discovery activities while minimizing unnecessary notifications that would contribute to congestion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Ease of operation

If cell barring information is broadcasted to all nodes, then access control is improved, but unnecessary information is transmitted to nodes not requiring it

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess controlVSAvoidinformation transmission overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by providing different notification treatments to different types of nodes based on their specific requirements. Relay nodes receive targeted wake-up indicators and selective notifications, while terminals receive appropriate notifications based on their service requirements. This localized approach maintains effective access control while minimizing energy-wasting transmissions to nodes that do not require specific information changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The notification mechanism changes the parameter of notification delivery from universal broadcasting to selective targeted delivery. By modifying how information is transmitted (using wake-up indicators and selective notification flags), the system maintains access control effectiveness while significantly reducing transmission overhead and energy consumption associated with unnecessary information delivery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3895476B1Methods and apparatus for cell barring in wireless relay networks
Publication Date: 2025.12.10 SHARP KK
  • EP3895476B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3895476B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3895476B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Apparatus, methods and procedures are provided to handle congestion via access restrictions, e.g., access barring or cell barring, in a wireless relay network. Apparatus, methods, and procedures are also provided to notify nodes and terminals of an IAB-based relay network when some contents of the essential information change.