Relay Node Resource Division for Coverage and Energy
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication systems, particularly in LTE-Advanced, the high-frequency bands used for international mobile telecommunications lead to limited coverage and increased energy consumption at the User Equipment (UE), necessitating improved resource management between relay nodes and base stations to enhance coverage, reduce latency, and extend battery life.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that select communication options to optimize resource division between relay nodes and user equipment, using quadruplex operations and discontinuous reception (DRX) cycles to control activity based on medium access control information, allowing for efficient power management and resource allocation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If relay nodes are introduced to extend coverage in high-frequency bands, then coverage area is improved, but energy consumption at User Equipment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements discontinuous reception (DRX) cycles where User Equipment alternates between active monitoring periods and sleep periods. During DRX cycles, UE only activates to receive downlink data or send uplink data when scheduled, otherwise remains in low-power state. This periodic operation pattern reduces average energy consumption while maintaining coverage extension benefits through relay nodes.
2Area of stationary object
If relay nodes are introduced to extend coverage, then coverage area is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes relay nodes multi-functional by enabling them to operate in both in-band and out-of-band modes, serving as both coverage extension points and resource allocation nodes. The same relay node infrastructure supports multiple functions: coverage extension, resource division management, and DRX cycle coordination, thereby reducing the need for separate dedicated control infrastructure and lowering overall system complexity.
3Productivity
If resources are divided between relay node to base station link and relay node to user equipment link, then resource allocation efficiency is improved, but latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic resource division where the relay node can flexibly allocate time resources between the backhaul link (to base station) and access link (to user equipment) based on instantaneous traffic conditions. The resource division ratio is not fixed but adapts dynamically, allowing the system to prioritize low-latency traffic when needed while maintaining overall resource allocation efficiency through quadruplex operations.
4Adaptability or versatility
If quadruplex operations are used at relay nodes, then resource allocation flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the relay node operations into distinct time slots and functional blocks for quadruplex operations. By dividing the resource allocation into separate controllable segments (different time slots for different link directions), the complex quadruplex functionality is broken down into manageable segments that can be controlled independently, reducing the perceived complexity while maintaining flexibility.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method comprising selecting one of a plurality of communication options, each communication option providing a different division of resources between a first link (10) between at least one relay node (4) and a base station (2) and a second link (12) between said at least one relay node (14) and a plurality of user equipment (16) configured to communicate with said at least one relay node (14); and using said selected communication option to control the division of resources between said first and second links (10,12), wherein said using comprises sending information to a user equipment (16) to control an activity of that user equipment (16) in dependence on said selected communication option