Relay Node HARQ Entity Segmentation for LTE Link Reliability

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication systems with relay nodes, implementing error checking and correction systems is challenging due to issues such as error propagation, variable scheduling delays, and differing radio link conditions between access and relay links, which affect battery life and throughput.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) entity on the relay node to handle error detection and correction independently for both access and relay links, allowing for resegmentation and reencoding of data packets based on radio conditions, thereby maintaining efficient resource use and scheduling gain.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If error checking and correction systems are implemented in relay nodes, then communication reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the error checking and correction functionality into separate HARQ entities for different communication links (access link and relay link). Each HARQ entity independently handles error detection and correction for its specific link, segmenting the overall error handling system to manage complexity while maintaining reliability across multiple links.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If HARQ functionality is implemented on relay node, then throughput is improved, but use of energy increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovethroughputVSAvoiduse of energy by relay node
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by implementing HARQ functionality specifically at the relay node to handle error-prone relay link transmissions, while keeping other parts of the system simpler. The relay node performs selective error checking and correction only where needed (on the relay link), optimizing the balance between throughput improvement and energy consumption by not implementing full HARQ functionality everywhere in the system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If independent HARQ entities are used for access and relay links, then communication efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication efficiencyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the HARQ functionality into distinct entities for different communication links (access link HARQ entity and relay link HARQ entity). Each entity independently manages error detection and correction for its specific link, allowing optimized error handling per link while maintaining clear separation of functions to manage overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Adaptability or versatility

If resegmentation and reencoding are performed based on radio conditions, then adaptability is improved, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to radio conditionsVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic resegmentation and reencoding capabilities that adapt to changing radio conditions. The HARQ entities can dynamically adjust packet segmentation and encoding based on current channel quality, allowing the system to optimize performance for varying conditions while managing processing time through efficient adaptive algorithms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3703291B1System and method for hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) functionality in a relay node
Publication Date: 2023.03.15 BLACKBERRY LTD
  • EP3703291B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3703291B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3703291B1 patent drawingFigure 4A

AI summary

An LTE relay node configured to receive a first MAC PDU, from an LTE eNodeB, and a second MAC PDU, from an LTE UE, the relay node comprising a first HARQ entity configured to perform HARQ functionality with respect to the first MAC PDU and a second HARQ entity configured to perform HARQ functionality with respect to the second MAC PDU. The LTE relay node is further configured to avoid transmitting the first MAC PDU to the LTE UE unless the first MAC PDU is free of errors when received from the LTE eNodeB, and to break apart the first MAC PDU and/or the second MAC PDU to create smaller transport block sizes, TBS, wherein transport block size depends on radio conditions.