Relay Node Data Communication Error Recovery

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Solution Overview

Problem

In Relay Enhanced Cell (REC) topologies, the RLC layer at relay nodes cannot support fast local error recovery during handovers without risking data loss, as buffered data is deleted and not recoverable by the base station, leading to potential data loss during handovers from relay nodes to base stations within or between cells.

Innovation Solution

A method where the first instance (user terminal) issues a status report directly to the second instance (base station) via a third instance (relay node), allowing immediate status update post-handover, and enabling flow control by adjusting the buffering status based on relay node and user terminal status reports, thereby preventing data loss and maintaining efficient error recovery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If per-hop RLC operation is implemented at relay nodes for fast local error recovery, then error recovery speed is improved, but data loss occurs during handover from relay node to base station

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveerror recovery speedVSAvoiddata loss prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The base station stores buffered data before handover occurs, preparing in advance for potential data loss. This preliminary action ensures that when handover from relay node to base station occurs, the base station already has the necessary data to continue transmission without loss, resolving the contradiction between fast local error recovery and data loss prevention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The base station acts as an intermediary that receives and stores data from the relay node before handover. This intermediary buffering mechanism allows the relay node to perform fast local error recovery while the base station maintains a backup copy, ensuring data continuity during handover and preventing data loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If status report is transmitted via relay node during handover, then protocol consistency is maintained, but transmission time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotocol consistencyVSAvoidtransmission time
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The user terminal prepares and sends the status report to the base station before the handover is completed. This preliminary action ensures that the base station receives the status report in advance, maintaining protocol consistency while minimizing the time loss during handover, as the status report is already available when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2204015B1Method, base station and relay node for data communication
Publication Date: 2014.06.18 NOKIA SOLUTIONS & NETWORKS OY
  • EP2204015B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2204015B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2204015B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method and a device are provided for data communication between a first instance and a second instance, the method comprising the step of: The first instance issues a first status report to the second instance either via a third instance or directly.