Relay Node Operation Prioritization for Wireless Backhaul Access Conflicts

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Solution Overview

Problem

Relay Nodes (RN) in wireless communication systems face challenges in simultaneous transmission and reception on the same frequency band, leading to interference and increased deployment complexity, with conflicts arising between backhaul and access link operations in half-duplex mode.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for prioritizing RN operations by determining radio resource requirements and signal types for backhaul and access link signals, allowing for efficient resource utilization, reduced latency, and minimizing signal loss through selective transmission or reception modes based on signal priority.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If RN operates in half-duplex mode to avoid self-interference, then interference is reduced, but resource utilization efficiency deteriorates due to inability to transmit and receive simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveself-interferenceVSAvoidresource utilization efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic operation mode selection for the relay node, allowing it to switch between half-duplex and full-duplex modes based on real-time conditions. The network device configures the RN to operate in half-duplex mode for certain resource blocks when self-interference would be problematic, while allowing full-duplex operation for other resource blocks where interference can be managed, thereby optimizing resource utilization while controlling interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If RN uses full-duplex mode to enable simultaneous transmission and reception, then resource utilization efficiency is improved, but self-interference increases causing signal degradation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource utilization efficiencyVSAvoidself-interference
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different operation modes to different parts of the frequency spectrum. Specifically, the RN is configured to use half-duplex mode for first resource blocks (where self-interference would be severe) and full-duplex mode for second resource blocks (where interference can be better managed). This localized approach allows the system to maximize resource utilization in suitable frequency regions while avoiding self-interference problems in sensitive regions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If RN prioritizes backhaul link transmission, then backhaul communication reliability is improved, but access link reception is delayed causing increased latency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebackhaul communication reliabilityVSAvoidaccess link latency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic time-division multiplexing between backhaul and access links. The RN alternates between transmitting on the backhaul uplink and receiving on the access uplink in a periodic manner, with each operation occurring in designated time slots. This periodic switching ensures that backhaul communication receives dedicated transmission opportunities for reliability, while access link reception is scheduled in alternating periods, preventing permanent blocking and managing latency through regular time-sharing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

4Reliability

If RN prioritizes access link reception, then access communication quality is improved, but backhaul link transmission is delayed causing increased latency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess communication qualityVSAvoidbackhaul link latency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic time-division multiplexing where the RN alternates between receiving on the access uplink and transmitting on the backhaul uplink. Access link reception is prioritized in designated time slots to ensure communication quality, while backhaul link transmission is scheduled in alternating periods. This periodic switching guarantees that access communication receives dedicated reception opportunities, while backhaul transmission is delayed only temporarily until the next scheduled slot, managing latency through regular time-sharing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP2449696B1Method for prioritizing operation of relay node in a wireless communication system and apparatus for the same
Publication Date: 2019.10.09 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP2449696B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2449696B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2449696B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Various methods and apparatuses for prioritizing operation of Relay Node are disclosed. A method for prioritizing the transmission and receipt of uplink signals in a relay node of a wireless communication system is presented. The method comprises determining radio resource requirements for receiving one or more access link signals and/or transmitting one or more backhaul link signal, determining the signal type of the one or more access link signals and/or determining the signal type of the one or more backhaul link signals, and selecting one of a transmitting mode operation and a receiving mode operation based on the radio resource requirements for receiving the one or more access link signals and/or transmitting the one or more backhaul link signals, and based on the signal type of the one or more access link signals and/or the signal type of the one or more backhaul link signals.