Relay Radio Terminal ProSe Bearer Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In ProSe UE-to-Network Relaying, user IP packets for a Remote UE are not distinguished from those of the Relay UE, leading to difficulties in maintaining service continuity when switching from ProSe communication to E-UTRAN communication, as existing user-plane architectures do not explicitly support a PDN connection or bearer associated with the Remote UE.
Innovation Solution
Establishing a first bearer with a GTP tunnel between a relay radio terminal and the core network, and a second GTP tunnel passing through the first bearer, allowing user packets destined for or originating from a remote radio terminal to be transmitted or received via ProSe communication, enabling a suitable user-plane architecture for inter-terminal direct communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If user IP packets for Remote UE are transferred through Relay UE without explicit distinction, then communication between Remote UE and network is enabled, but service continuity cannot be maintained when switching from ProSe to E-UTRAN communication
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the user plane by introducing separate bearers for Remote UE traffic. Specifically, it establishes a first bearer for Relay UE traffic and a second bearer for Remote UE traffic, allowing independent management of each UE's communication path. This segmentation enables service continuity for Remote UE when switching communication modes, as the Remote UE's bearer can be maintained independently without being conflated with Relay UE's bearer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the concept of a second bearer as an intermediary mechanism between the existing first bearer and the Remote UE communication requirements. This second bearer acts as a dedicated channel that carries Remote UE packets through the Relay UE's connection to the network, enabling Remote UE to maintain its own identity and service context while utilizing the Relay UE's network access.
2Reliability
If a separate bearer is established for Remote UE to maintain service continuity, then service continuity is improved, but the device complexity and configuration overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the bearer structure into distinct first and second bearers, where the first bearer handles Relay UE traffic and the second bearer handles Remote UE traffic. This segmentation allows each bearer to be optimized for its specific purpose while maintaining clear separation of concerns, reducing the complexity of managing mixed traffic types compared to a unified approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The second bearer is designed with multi-functionality, serving as a universal channel that can carry Remote UE traffic while passing through the Relay UE's established connection to the network. This bearer can adapt to different communication scenarios (ProSe direct communication or E-UTRAN communication) without requiring completely separate infrastructure, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A relay radio terminal (1) is configured to: (a) establish a first radio bearer (300) containing a data radio bearer (301) between the relay radio terminal (1) and a base station (3) and also containing a first GTP tunnel (302) between the base station (3) and a core network (4); (b) establish a second GTP tunnel (320) passing through the first bearer (300); (c) receive or transmit a second packet (501) destined for, or originating from, a remote radio terminal (2) in the second GTP tunnel (320) passing through the first bearer (300); and (d) transmit or receive a second user packet (501) to or from the remote radio terminal (2) via Proximity Service (ProSe) communication. This contributes to achievement of a user-plane architecture suitable for a scenario in which a remote radio terminal communicates with an external network through an inter-terminal direct communication path with a relay radio terminal.