Relay Link Switching for 5G Service Continuity
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 5G communication systems, particularly millimeter wave-based mobile communication systems, terminals often experience service blockages due to obstacles, leading to disconnected communication services, and existing technologies lack effective methods for seamless link switching and routing configuration to maintain service continuity.
Innovation Solution
The proposed method involves configuring a relay link between terminals and base stations using a relay radio network temporary identifier (RNTI) and relay adaptation protocol (RAP) entity identifier, enabling link switching from a Uu access link to a relay link, and managing routing information through message authentication codes and routing table entries to ensure data forwarding even when the primary link is disconnected.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a terminal uses millimeter wave frequency for communication, then broadband service is provided, but communication service is frequently blocked due to obstacles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a relay terminal as an intermediary device between the blocked terminal and the base station. When the direct millimeter wave link is blocked by obstacles, the terminal communicates through the relay terminal, which forwards data packets. This mediator approach maintains communication service continuity while preserving the high bandwidth benefits of millimeter wave frequencies.
2Reliability
If link switching procedure is implemented for relay communication, then service continuity is maintained, but signaling complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary configuration of relay communication parameters before actual link switching is needed. The base station pre-configures the terminal with relay communication settings including RAP entity identifiers and routing information. When link blocking occurs, the terminal can immediately switch to relay mode using pre-configured parameters, avoiding complex real-time signaling and reducing procedural complexity.
3Reliability
If routing information registration and management procedures are implemented, then data forwarding is enabled, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges routing information management with existing relay communication setup procedures. Instead of separate routing registration and management signaling, the routing information is integrated into the relay configuration messages exchanged between terminal, relay terminal, and base station. This consolidation enables data forwarding capability while minimizing additional signaling overhead by combining multiple functions into unified signaling procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
An operation method of a first terminal may comprise: configuring a Uu access link with a base station, and receiving a first message from the base station, the first message including a relay RNTI for identifying the first terminal, a node address of the base station, and a RAP entity ID for identifying a RAP entity configured for the first terminal; configuring a relay link with a second terminal when communication with the base station is disconnected; requesting link switching by transmitting to the base station a second message via the second terminal, the second message including the relay RNTI, node address, and RAP entity ID; and receiving a response to the second message from the base station via the second terminal, and switching a link with the base station from the Uu access link to the relay link.