Multi-Path Relay Path Switching via RRC and PC5 Link Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
The 3GPP 5G New Radio system lacks specific details on relay path establishment and relay change in multi-path cases, particularly in scenarios involving direct and indirect paths via a relay UE, which can lead to inefficiencies and failures in wireless communication.
Innovation Solution
A user equipment (UE) processor is configured to manage relay path addition and switch procedures by receiving RRC reconfiguration messages, handling notification messages, and managing PC5 links with relay UEs to optimize path establishment and change, including timer management and failure reporting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If relay path establishment and change procedures are not specifically defined in multi-path cases, then the system lacks adaptability to handle diverse relay scenarios, but implementing detailed procedures increases device complexity and protocol overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the relay path management into distinct procedures: path addition procedure (when UE receives RRC reconfiguration message with relay path configuration), path switch procedure (when UE needs to switch between relay paths), and path release procedure (when relay path is no longer needed). Each procedure has specific triggers, steps, and failure handling mechanisms, making the complex multi-path management more structured and manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary actions by configuring the UE with multiple relay paths in advance through RRC reconfiguration messages before actual communication needs arise. The network can pre-establish backup relay paths, and the UE stores configuration information for multiple relay UEs, enabling rapid path switching when link failures occur without requiring complex real-time path discovery.
2Reliability
If the UE maintains multiple relay paths simultaneously, then communication reliability is improved through path diversity, but resource consumption and system overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic relay path management where the UE actively monitors the status of each configured relay path and dynamically switches between paths based on real-time conditions. The path switch is triggered by events such as link failures, relay UE mobility, or network instructions, allowing the system to maintain reliability through path diversity while consuming resources only when necessary rather than continuously managing all paths equally.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent allows the UE to discard (release) relay paths that are no longer needed or have failed, and recover (re-add) paths when conditions improve. The network can instruct the UE to release specific relay paths through RRC reconfiguration messages, and the UE can re-establish paths by receiving new configuration messages, enabling efficient resource management while maintaining communication reliability.
3Reliability
If the UE implements comprehensive timer management and failure reporting mechanisms, then path establishment reliability is improved, but processing overhead and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the UE continuously monitors relay path status through timer expiration events and failure detection, then reports path establishment failures or link failures to the network. The network receives failure reports from the UE and can respond with new RRC reconfiguration messages to establish alternative paths, creating a closed-loop feedback system that improves reliability through systematic error detection and correction without requiring overly complex local decision-making at the UE.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the subject application relate to methods and apparatuses for a relay path establishment and a relay change in a multi-path case. According to an embodiment of the subject application, a user equipment (UE) includes a processor and a transceiver coupled to the processor; and the processor is configured to: receive a radio resource control (RRC) reconfiguration message for path addition via the transceiver from a network, wherein the RRC reconfiguration message for path addition includes an identifier (ID) of a relay UE; start a timer for a path addition procedure upon reception of the RRC reconfiguration message; and receive a message associated with a link between the relay UE and the network.