Relay Node Network Access for IoT Power Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
IoT devices with limited battery life face challenges in maintaining connectivity due to power consumption constraints, as they often rely on short-range technologies to minimize energy use, and long-range connectivity is not always efficient.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for network access using a relay node, where user equipment (UE) communicates with a relay node to establish a context for accessing network services, allowing for reduced power consumption by minimizing the use of long-range connectivity and utilizing short-range communication protocols.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If IoT devices use long-range connectivity to access the network directly, then network access capability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a relay node as an intermediary between the remote device and the network. The relay node receives messages from the remote device via short-range communication and forwards them to the network via long-range communication, allowing the remote device to access the network without directly using power-intensive long-range connectivity.
2Use of energy by moving object
If IoT devices use short-range communication technologies, then power consumption is reduced, but network access range is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested communication structure where short-range communication (between remote device and relay node) is nested within long-range communication (between relay node and network). This allows the remote device to use energy-efficient short-range communication while still achieving wide-area network access through the relay node's long-range connectivity.
3Use of energy by moving object
If relay nodes are introduced to enable short-range communication, then power consumption is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The relay node is designed to perform multiple functions: it acts as a remote device when communicating with the network and as a network when communicating with remote devices. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated relay infrastructure and simplifies the overall system architecture.
4Reliability
If traditional MAC identity assignment is required for network access, then network security is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent allows remote devices to use the relay node's MAC identity as a copy or proxy for network access. Instead of requiring each remote device to have its own MAC identity assigned by the network, the relay node's MAC identity is used to represent multiple remote devices, simplifying the identity management process while maintaining network security through the relay node's authenticated connection.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for operating a user equipment (UE) includes receiving, by the UE from a network, a mobile subscriber identifier for the UE, the mobile subscriber identifier being exclusively assigned to the UE within a wireless tracking area of the network, and transmitting, by the UE to a relay node, an initial message of an access procedure for accessing a user data service of the network, wherein the initial message comprises a request to connect to a control node of the network, and wherein the initial message includes the mobile subscriber identifier, and an indication to relay the initial message over a first signaling radio bearer (SRB) to the control node.