Relay Link Switching for Millimeter Wave Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-frequency millimeter wave communication systems, such as those operating at 60 GHz, face significant challenges due to line-of-sight blockages and high power loss, limiting their range and reliability, especially in indoor environments with obstacles like walls and people, making it difficult to maintain stable data transmission.
Innovation Solution
A communication method that employs a relay device to switch to a bypass link when line-of-sight is blocked, using a directional antenna and reservation-based medium access control to ensure data transmission continuity, regardless of whether the relay device operates in full duplex or half duplex mode.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If millimeter wave communication is used to achieve high data transmission rates, then data transmission speed is improved, but communication range is limited due to high power loss and line-of-sight requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a relay device as an intermediary between the access point and terminal devices. When the direct line-of-sight path is blocked, the relay device receives signals from the access point and retransmits them to the terminal, enabling communication to continue despite obstacles. This mediator approach resolves the contradiction by maintaining communication range reliability while preserving high data transmission rates through the relayed path.
2Power
If directional antennas are used to collect power in a particular direction to obtain high antenna gain, then antenna gain is improved, but communication flexibility is reduced when line-of-sight is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic link switching between direct links and relay links based on real-time channel conditions. When line-of-sight is available, the system uses direct directional links for high gain. When blocked, it dynamically switches to relay links, allowing the communication system to adapt flexibly to changing environmental conditions while maintaining optimal antenna gain performance.
3Reliability
If relay devices are used to extend communication range, then communication range is improved, but system complexity increases due to link switching and synchronization requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the relay device with multi-functional capabilities, allowing it to operate in different modes (amplify-and-forward, decode-and-forward) and support multiple access methods. This universal design reduces overall system complexity by using a single versatile relay device rather than multiple specialized components, while still achieving extended communication range and reliable operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
A communication method of a source device according to an embodiment includes detecting a status of a first link directly connected from the source device to a destination device or a status of a second link connected from the source device to the destination device via a relay device, selecting any one of the first link and the second link based on a result of the detection, and transmitting data using the selected link.