5G Relay Node Control-Plane Segmentation for Complexity Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high implementation complexity and costs associated with relay nodes (RN) in 5G wireless communication systems, particularly in hotspot areas where dense deployment of small cells is required due to poor propagation characteristics of high-frequency carriers.
Innovation Solution
A node and communication method that involve a control-plane protocol layer with peer protocol layers between nodes, allowing for the configuration and transmission of context management information and RRC messages to reduce the functional burden on RNs, thereby simplifying implementation and reducing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If relay nodes are deployed densely in hotspot areas to meet 5G ultra-high capacity requirements, then network capacity and coverage are improved, but implementation complexity and costs of relay nodes increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the relay node functionality into two distinct units: a centralized unit (CU) that handles control-plane functions and a distributed unit (DU) that handles user-plane functions. This segmentation allows the relay node to offload complex control-plane processing to the CU, reducing the implementation complexity and costs of the DU while maintaining full network capacity functionality.
2Productivity
If relay nodes are deployed densely in hotspot areas to meet 5G ultra-high capacity requirements, then network capacity and coverage are improved, but costs of relay nodes increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the relay node functionality into two distinct units: a centralized unit (CU) that handles control-plane functions and a distributed unit (DU) that handles user-plane functions. This segmentation allows the relay node to offload complex control-plane processing to the CU, reducing the implementation complexity and costs of the DU while maintaining full network capacity functionality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If relay nodes perform all functions same as donor base station, then network functionality is complete, but implementation complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts control-plane functions from the relay node's distributed unit and relocates them to a centralized unit. The DU retains only essential user-plane functions for direct terminal communication, while the CU handles context management information and RRC messages. This extraction reduces the DU's implementation complexity while preserving complete network functionality through the CU-DU collaboration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a centralized unit as an intermediary between the distributed unit and the network core. The CU acts as a mediator that receives and processes control-plane messages, then forwards necessary information to the DU for execution. This intermediary approach allows the DU to maintain simplified functionality while still achieving complete network functionality through coordinated operation with the CU.
Data Source
AI summary
This application discloses communications methods, apparatuses, and systems. In one implementation, a method includes: performing a function of a control-plane protocol layer, wherein the control-plane protocol layer comprises a first protocol layer of the network node corresponding to a first protocol layer of a relay node, the first protocol layer is on an interface between the network node and the relay node, and the network node is a donor base station or a centralized unit of a donor base station; and sending, from the first protocol layer of the network node, a first message to the first protocol layer of the relay node, wherein the first protocol layer of the network node and the first protocol layer of the relay node are F1 application protocol layers, and the first message is a F1AP message that comprises one or more of context management information of a terminal device served by the relay node or a radio resource control message of the terminal device.