Relay Node Initialization via Dedicated Preambles

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication networks face challenges in efficiently initializing and managing relay nodes (RNs) within LTE or LTE-Advanced systems, particularly in differentiating RNs from mobile stations (MSs) and optimizing their association and disassociation with access nodes, which affects network performance and resource allocation.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of specific techniques for RN initialization, including sending a RACH response and RRCConnectionRequest messages with an 'RN access' value, and using signal quality indicators like SRS strength to manage RN association and disassociation with eNBs, allowing for efficient resource management and network optimization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If relay nodes are initialized and managed using traditional mobile station procedures, then the initialization process is simple, but the network cannot effectively differentiate relay nodes from mobile stations leading to suboptimal resource allocation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork performanceVSAvoidinitialization procedure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the random access procedure by introducing a specific preamble type (preamble A) dedicated to relay nodes, separating RN initialization from MS initialization. This segmentation allows the network to differentiate RNs from MSs during the random access procedure, enabling appropriate resource allocation and management while maintaining a structured and organized initialization process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary indication mechanism where the selected preamble type serves as an indicator to the network node about the device type (RN or MS). This intermediary signal (preamble selection) mediates between the device's identity and the network's resource allocation decisions, allowing the network to appropriately differentiate and manage relay nodes without requiring complex direct identification procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If relay nodes use the same random access procedures as mobile stations, then the procedures are standardized, but relay nodes cannot be properly identified for optimized resource allocation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource allocationVSAvoiddevice type information
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the color changes principle by using different preamble types (preamble A for relay nodes, preamble B for mobile stations) as distinctive identifiers. This differentiation allows the network to immediately recognize the device type based on the preamble selection, preventing loss of device type information and enabling adapted resource allocation strategies for relay nodes versus mobile stations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

3Productivity

If the network treats all devices uniformly during random access, then the management is simplified, but relay node-specific optimizations cannot be implemented

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork throughputVSAvoidaccess procedure management
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the random access procedure by introducing a specific preamble type (preamble A) dedicated to relay nodes, separating RN initialization from MS initialization. This segmentation allows the network to differentiate RNs from MSs during the random access procedure, enabling appropriate resource allocation and management while maintaining a structured and organized initialization process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of preamble type selection based on device type. Relay nodes are configured to select preamble A while mobile stations select preamble B. This parameter change (preamble type) enables the network to differentiate device types and apply device-specific resource allocation strategies, improving overall network throughput and performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2443877B1Mobile station association procedures with type ii relays
Publication Date: 2019.05.15 BLACKBERRY LTD
  • EP2443877B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2443877B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2443877B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A relay node including one or more components configured to measure a signal strength of sounding reference signals (SRS) received from a mobile station, and in response to the signal strength being above a predetermined threshold, to transmit a first request to an access node. The first request is for the access node to associate the mobile station with the relay node.