Relay Control for Beamformed Coverage Recovery After Cell Reselection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The reduction of coverage area due to the high rectilinearity of radio signals in high frequency bands, such as millimeter and terahertz waves, poses a challenge in mobile communication systems, particularly in areas with obstacles blocking direct communication between user equipment and base stations.
Innovation Solution
A network-controlled repeater (NCR) apparatus is introduced to relay radio signals between base stations and user equipment, utilizing directional transmission and beamforming to extend coverage, with a control terminal managing the relay operation and configuration via control signals from the base station.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If high frequency band radio signals are used for wide-band transmission, then transmission bandwidth is improved, but coverage area is reduced due to high rectilinearity
Solution Approach 1:
A repeater apparatus is introduced as an intermediary device between the base station and user equipment. The repeater receives radio signals from the base station, amplifies them, and retransmits them to extend coverage to areas where direct base station signals cannot reach, thereby resolving the coverage limitation of high frequency bands while maintaining the bandwidth advantage
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from direct two-dimensional line-of-sight transmission to three-dimensional coverage by introducing intermediate relay points at different spatial locations. This allows radio signals to reach users in obstructed areas through multiple hops, effectively expanding coverage volume without sacrificing frequency band advantages
2Area of stationary object
If a repeater apparatus is used to extend coverage, then coverage area is improved, but device complexity increases due to network control requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The repeater apparatus includes a control terminal that receives control signals from the base station and automatically adjusts relay operations based on network conditions. This feedback mechanism enables automated coverage extension without requiring manual configuration, reducing operational complexity despite the added hardware
Solution Approach 2:
The repeater apparatus autonomously performs signal reception, amplification, and retransmission based on control signals from the base station. The device self-manages its relay operations including timing, power levels, and signal processing, reducing the need for complex external control systems
3Adaptability or versatility
If cell reselection is performed to handle mobility, then adaptability is improved, but relay operation continuity is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The control terminal maintains relay operation configuration information in advance before cell reselection occurs. When the user equipment moves to a new cell, the repeater can quickly resume operations using the pre-stored configuration, minimizing interruption to relay service continuity while maintaining mobility adaptability
Data Source
AI summary
A communication method performed by a relay apparatus including a relay device configured to perform a relay operation of relaying a radio signal transmitted between a base station and a user equipment, and a control terminal configured to receive a control signal used for control of the relay device from the base station, includes receiving configuration information regarding the relay operation from a first cell, performing the relay operation by use of the configuration information when the control terminal is in a RRC inactive state in the first cell, stopping the relay operation when performing a cell reselection from the first cell to a second cell, and resuming the relay operation by use of the configuration information when performing a cell reselection to the first cell within a predetermined time period after performing the cell reselection to the second cell.