Relay Node Multi-Hop Transmission Path Selection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The Long Term Evolution (LTE) system only supports single-hop transmission paths, and the New Radio (NR) system requires multi-hop transmission support due to differences in air interface protocols, posing a challenge for relay communication in NR systems.

Innovation Solution

A method for relay transmission is introduced that enables multi-hop relay communication by configuring a relay layer to establish connections and perform path selection among relay nodes, allowing data to be forwarded between relay nodes or submitted to an upper layer for further processing based on header information and indication parameters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If single-hop transmission is used in LTE system, then system complexity is low, but coverage area is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidtransmission path complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The transmission path is segmented into multiple hops with relay nodes. Each relay node independently forwards data to the next node, breaking down the complex multi-hop transmission into simpler sequential single-hop segments. This allows coverage area to be extended beyond what a single base station can provide while maintaining manageable complexity at each node.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Relay nodes are introduced as intermediary elements between the base station and remote terminals. These relay nodes receive data from upstream nodes and forward to downstream nodes, acting as mediators that extend coverage area without requiring direct base station-to-terminal connectivity for all users.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Area of stationary object

If multi-hop transmission is implemented in NR system, then coverage area is expanded, but protocol compatibility becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidair interface protocol compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The protocol architecture is separated into different dimensional layers: air interface protocols remain specific to each radio access technology (LTE or NR), while the relay layer operates at a higher dimension with technology-agnostic data forwarding mechanisms. This allows multi-hop transmission to function across different protocol domains without requiring protocol compatibility at the radio interface level.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The relay layer acts as an intermediary between the air interface protocol layer and the upper network layer. It translates and forwards data between different protocol environments, enabling multi-hop transmission in NR systems while maintaining compatibility with existing LTE and NR air interface protocols without requiring them to be modified.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If relay layer is added for path selection, then routing flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepath selection flexibilityVSAvoidrelay node complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The routing functionality is segmented and distributed across multiple relay nodes rather than centralized in one controller. Each relay node independently performs path selection for its outgoing data based on local routing information, reducing the complexity burden on any single node while collectively providing flexible multi-path routing capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each relay node autonomously performs path selection and data forwarding decisions based on routing information it maintains. The relay nodes serve themselves by making independent routing decisions without requiring complex centralized control, thereby achieving routing flexibility while keeping individual node complexity manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3723446B1Relay transmission method and relay node
Publication Date: 2024.03.27 GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP LTD
  • EP3723446B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3723446B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3723446B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Disclosed in embodiments of the application are a method for relay transmission and a relay node, which can implement multi-hop relay transmission. The method comprises: a relay layer of a first node receives target data sent by a second node, wherein the second node is an anchor node or a relay node, the first node is wirelessly connected to the second node, the anchor node is wiredly connected to a core network, and a destination node of the target data is a third node; and the relay layer of the first node processes the received target data.