Relay Station Bandwidth Allocation for Wireless Coverage Extension

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Solution Overview

Problem

Infrastructure-based wireless networks face challenges in providing high data-rate communication at cell boundaries due to link budget constraints, leading to poor coverage areas and reduced system capacity, which can be mitigated by deploying relay stations but at increased capital and operational expenses.

Innovation Solution

A method for efficient channel resource allocation in multihop wireless communication systems, specifically using a signaling protocol between base stations and relay stations to optimize sector channel resources, allowing relay stations to manage their zones autonomously and extend the range of base stations, enabling high data-rate links for subscriber stations within and outside the base station's coverage area.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If relay stations are deployed to extend base station coverage and improve high data-rate communication at cell boundaries, then network capacity and coverage are enhanced, but capital expenditure and operational expenditure increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidcapital expenditure

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The relay station is equipped with autonomous bandwidth allocation capabilities, allowing it to self-manage channel resources in its coverage zone without continuous base station intervention. The relay station independently performs bandwidth allocation decisions based on local traffic conditions, reducing signaling overhead and operational complexity while maximizing coverage utilization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The network is divided into distinct operational zones: base station managed zones for core control functions and relay station managed zones for local resource allocation. This segmentation allows the relay station to operate autonomously in extending coverage areas without requiring proportional increases in base station infrastructure or operational expenditure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If relay stations are deployed to enable high data-rate links for subscribers at cell boundaries, then system capacity improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem capacityVSAvoidnetwork complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The network control functions are segmented between base station and relay station, with the relay station handling local bandwidth allocation and resource management. This segmentation distributes complexity rather than concentrating it, allowing the relay station to enhance system capacity through autonomous operation without proportionally increasing overall network complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The relay station autonomously performs bandwidth allocation and resource management in its managed zone, making independent decisions based on local conditions. This self-service capability reduces the signaling burden on the base station and simplifies network control architecture while maintaining high system capacity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If base stations tightly deploy to avoid coverage voids, then coverage reliability improves, but capital expenditure and operational expenditure drastically increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoverage reliabilityVSAvoidoperational expenditure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The relay station serves as an intermediary node between the base station and subscriber stations at cell boundaries. It extends the base station's coverage reach without requiring additional base stations, thereby maintaining coverage reliability while avoiding the high capital and operational expenditures associated with dense base station deployment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The network is segmented into base station managed zones and relay station managed zones, allowing coverage extension through distributed relay nodes rather than concentrated base station deployment. This segmentation enables cost-effective coverage expansion while maintaining reliability through autonomous relay operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS7894388B2Method and apparatus for relay zone bandwidth allocation

Publication Date: 2011.02.22 ARRIS ENTERPRISES LLC

AI summary

A method and apparatus for allocation of channel resources for relay stations operating in a multihop wireless communication system is provided for herein. The method and apparatus includes a signaling protocol between a base station scheduler and a relay station scheduler so as to achieve efficient utilization of the sector channel resources, while minimizing signaling overhead due to base station-relay station scheduler interaction.