Relay Node Mixed Licensed Unlicensed Carrier Aggregation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current carrier aggregation technologies face challenges in managing mixed licensed and unlicensed spectrum bands, particularly in power control, handover, and scheduling, due to differences in coverage areas and power allocation constraints, which affect service continuity and efficiency in wireless communication systems.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using a relay node to facilitate data transmission between a radio access network node and a wireless terminal using unlicensed component carriers, with the relay node acting as a relay to perform carrier aggregation of licensed and unlicensed component carriers in both downlink and uplink directions, and selecting suitable wireless terminals to serve as relay nodes based on their proximity and capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If mixed licensed and unlicensed carrier aggregation is implemented, then bandwidth utilization and data rate are improved, but coverage area inconsistency and service continuity are worsened due to different power allocation constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a relay node as an intermediary device that receives data from the network node via licensed component carriers and forwards it to the wireless terminal via unlicensed component carriers. This mediator enables the wireless terminal to aggregate both licensed and unlicensed carriers while maintaining service continuity, as the relay node bridges the coverage gap between the two carrier types with different power allocation constraints.
2Reliability
If relay nodes are introduced for unlicensed component carrier transmission, then service continuity in coverage edge areas is improved, but device complexity and scheduling management are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The relay node is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a regular wireless terminal that can utilize carrier aggregation and as a relay device that forwards data between network nodes and other terminals. This universal design allows the system to dynamically activate relay functionality only when needed, avoiding permanent complexity while maintaining service continuity in coverage edge areas.
3Use of energy by moving object
If wireless terminals are selected as relay nodes based on proximity and capabilities, then power control efficiency is improved, but selection complexity and signaling overhead are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where wireless terminals report their capabilities and proximity information to the network node. The network node uses this feedback to intelligently select suitable relay nodes, optimizing power control efficiency while managing selection complexity through structured information exchange and capability-based matching.
Data Source
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AI summary
A radio access network (20) comprises a radio access network node (28) and plural wireless devices (30-1, 30-r). At least a first wireless terminal (30-1) is rendered capable of using mixed carrier aggregation. A relay node (30-r) transmits an unlicensed component carrier(s) allocated to the first wireless terminal (30-1) between the radio access network node (28) and the first wireless terminal (30-1). The relaying provided by the relay node (30-r) may occur either in a downlink (DL), and uplink (UL), or both downlink (DL) and uplink (UL).