Relay Data Forwarding Modes for Low-Power Wireless Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in supporting a diverse range of wireless devices with varying capabilities and power consumption levels, particularly low-cost and low-power devices, in efficiently exchanging data and accessing cellular networks.

Innovation Solution

Implementing techniques for data forwarding between remote devices and relay devices, utilizing control information from a network to facilitate communication, including normal forward, local path, and local forward modes, with bearer configuration information to manage data routing and exchange.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If low-cost and low-power wireless devices directly access cellular networks, then network coverage and connectivity are improved, but device power consumption and operational cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork connectivityVSAvoiddevice power consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a relay device as an intermediary between the remote wireless device and the cellular network. The relay device receives data from the remote device via sidelink communication and forwards it to the network through Uu interface communication, enabling the remote device to access the network without direct connection, thus reducing its power consumption while maintaining connectivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If relay devices are introduced to enable data forwarding, then support for low-power devices is improved, but system complexity and data routing overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupport for diverse device capabilitiesVSAvoiddata forwarding complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic data forwarding where the relay device adapts its forwarding behavior based on received control information. The network can dynamically configure the relay device to forward data to specific remote devices or groups of remote devices, allowing flexible adaptation to different device capabilities and usage scenarios without hardcoding complex routing logic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the communication system into distinct functional components: the cellular network (Uu interface), the relay device (handling both Uu and sidelink communications), and remote wireless devices. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall system management by clearly defining interfaces and responsibilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple forwarding modes are implemented, then flexibility in data routing is improved, but control information processing and configuration overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata routing flexibilityVSAvoidcontrol information processing
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements three distinct forwarding modes (unicast, groupcast, and broadcast) that provide varying degrees of routing specificity. The network can select the appropriate mode based on the specific communication requirements, implementing partial action (only the necessary forwarding mode) rather than requiring all modes to be simultaneously active, thus reducing processing overhead while maintaining flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP4162716B1Data exchange procedures for relay wireless devices
Publication Date: 2026.02.11 APPLE INC
  • EP4162716B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4162716B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4162716B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

This disclosure relates to techniques for performingrelay communication by a relay wireless device in a wireless communication system. A relay wireless device may receive bearer configuration information from a network. Based on the bearer configuration information, the UE may establish a bearer with a remote wireless device. The relay wireless device may forward data to/from the remote wireless device using the bearer.