Network-Controlled Relay Resumption During 5G Cell Reselection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The reduction of coverage area due to the high rectilinearity of radio signals in the millimeter wave or terahertz wave band in 5G networks is addressed by introducing a network-controlled repeater (NCR) apparatus that relays signals between base stations and user equipment, extending coverage while minimizing interference.
Innovation Solution
A network-controlled repeater (NCR) apparatus amplifies and transmits radio signals through directional transmission, controlled by a dedicated control terminal (NCR-MT) that receives configuration information from the base station to manage beamforming and operation modes, allowing seamless relay operations during cell reselection and beam failure detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a repeater apparatus is introduced to extend coverage in high frequency bands, then coverage area is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for network control and coordination mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The relay apparatus autonomously performs cell reselection and beam failure recovery without network intervention. When the control terminal enters RRC inactive state, the relay apparatus independently resumes relay operations after cell reselection, and automatically detects beam failures and initiates recovery procedures, eliminating the need for complex network control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent separates the control functions into two independent parts: the control terminal manages RRC state transitions, while the relay apparatus independently handles relay operations and beam failure detection. This segmentation allows the relay apparatus to operate autonomously in RRC inactive state, reducing overall system complexity.
2Loss of information
If the control terminal enters RRC inactive state to reduce signaling overhead, then loss of information is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to potential beam failure undetection
Solution Approach 1:
The relay apparatus preliminarily configures beam failure detection parameters and recovery procedures before the control terminal enters RRC inactive state. This preliminary setup enables the relay apparatus to autonomously detect beam failures and execute recovery actions without real-time network intervention, maintaining reliability while reducing signaling overhead.
Solution Approach 2:
The relay apparatus implements continuous beam failure detection with feedback mechanisms that monitor beam quality metrics. When beam failure is detected, the apparatus automatically triggers recovery procedures and updates its operational state, providing closed-loop feedback that ensures reliable operation even when the control terminal is in RRC inactive state.
3Productivity
If the relay apparatus autonomously resumes operations after cell reselection, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases due to state management requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The relay apparatus autonomously manages its own state transitions and operational resumption. After cell reselection, the apparatus independently determines whether to resume relay operations based on predefined criteria, eliminating the need for complex network coordination and improving productivity through faster autonomous decision-making.
Solution Approach 2:
The relay apparatus dynamically adjusts its operational state based on real-time conditions such as cell reselection outcomes and beam quality. The system transitions between active and inactive states, and between different relay operations modes, allowing flexible adaptation to changing network conditions while maintaining simple autonomous control logic.
Data Source
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AI summary
A communication method performed by a relay apparatus including a relay device configured to perform a relay operation of relaying a radio signal transmitted between a base station and a user equipment, and a control terminal configured to receive a control signal used for control of the relay device from the base station, includes a step of receiving configuration information regarding the relay operation from a first cell, a step of performing the relay operation by use of the configuration information when the control terminal is in a radio resource control (RRC) inactive state in the first cell, a step of stopping the relay operation when performing a cell reselection from the first cell to a second cell, and a step of resuming the relay operation by use of the configuration information when performing a cell reselection to the first cell within a predetermined time period after performing the cell reselection to the second cell.