Multi-Hop Relay HARQ Protocol for Latency and Corruption

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless networks, multi-hop relay systems face challenges with data corruption and latency due to the involvement of multiple relay stations, especially in centralized scheduling, which can lead to significant end-to-end latency and corruption of data during transmission.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a method that uses Hybrid Automatic Repeat-Request (HARQ) protocol with error detection mechanisms, where data is forwarded regardless of corruption and resource blocks are re-allocated adaptively to ensure reliable transmission, allowing for simultaneous data and control message transmission, and selective relaying based on data integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If data is forwarded through multiple relay stations, then network coverage is extended, but data corruption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork coverage areaVSAvoiddata integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing error detection (CRC check) and forwarding status determination before actual data forwarding. The relay station checks for errors and determines forwarding status in advance, then forwards data along with control messages containing this status information. This preliminary validation approach prevents corrupted data from being propagated through the network, thus maintaining data integrity while enabling multi-hop relay transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

If centralized scheduling is used in multi-hop relay systems, then resource allocation is simplified, but end-to-end latency increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescheduling complexityVSAvoidend-to-end latency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements continuity of useful action by enabling simultaneous transmission of data and control messages through the relay station. Instead of sequential processing where control messages wait for data transmission or vice versa, the relay station forwards both data and control messages in parallel. This continuous parallel operation eliminates idle waiting time in the scheduling process, reducing end-to-end latency while maintaining centralized scheduling simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Reliability

If error detection is performed at each relay station, then data corruption is detected earlier, but transmission latency increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata corruption detectionVSAvoidtransmission latency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies merging by combining error detection, forwarding status determination, and data forwarding operations into a single integrated process at the relay station. The CRC error detection, forwarding status determination, and data forwarding are performed together in parallel rather than sequentially. The control message containing forwarding status is generated and transmitted simultaneously with the data, eliminating multiple separate processing steps and reducing overall transmission latency while maintaining early corruption detection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2255474B1Protocols for multi-hop relay system with centralized scheduling
Publication Date: 2018.10.24 NOKIA SOLUTIONS & NETWORKS OY
  • EP2255474B1 patent drawingFigure 1~11
  • EP2255474B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2255474B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Various example embodiments are disclosed herein. In an example embodiment, a method of transmitting data via a wireless transmission path that may include a user equipment as a first end point, a base station as second end point, and at least one relay station as an intermediate point(s). The method may comprise: receiving a data transmission from a prior point in the transmission path. Substantially simultaneously: forwarding the received data to the next point in the transmission path, and determining if the received data is corrupt. Transmitting a transmission message to the next point in the transmission path indicating whether or not the received data was corrupt. And, if the data is not corrupt, transmitting a receipt message to the prior point indicating that the data was uncorrupt when received.