Relay Station Operation Modes for Wireless Communication Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless communication systems face challenges in supporting mobile stations (MS) without consideration of relay stations (RS), leading to inadequate signal transmission and reception due to limited capabilities of RS, which result in decreased transfer rates and communication quality, especially at cell boundaries or with obstacles present.
Innovation Solution
A method for operating a relay station that supports both MS devised with and without RS consideration, employing subframe configuration and operation modes to ensure backward compatibility with LTE standards, allowing for efficient data transmission and reception by alternately activating links between the BS and RS, and RS and MS, thereby overcoming RS limitations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a relay station is deployed to expand coverage and improve throughput, then communication quality and transfer rates are improved, but the relay station cannot simultaneously transmit and receive signals on the same frequency band, leading to time resource waste and reduced efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic switching between transmission and reception operations at the relay station. The backhaul link and access link are activated in alternating time periods, allowing the relay station to systematically switch roles between transmitting and receiving signals on the same frequency band, thereby resolving the contradiction between coverage expansion and transmission efficiency
2Productivity
If the relay station alternately activates backhaul and access links on the same frequency band, then time resource utilization is improved, but mobile stations without relay consideration cannot properly interpret signal absence, leading to wrong channel quality measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a signaling mechanism where the relay station sends notification messages to mobile stations about the activation status of backhaul and access links. This intermediary signaling allows mobile stations to understand when the relay station is intentionally not transmitting or receiving, preventing them from making wrong channel quality measurements during inactive periods
3Adaptability or versatility
If the relay station operates with limited capabilities to support both LTE and LTE-Advanced standards, then backward compatibility is maintained, but the relay station cannot support advanced features required for optimal performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the relay station with multi-functional capabilities that allow it to operate with both LTE and LTE-Advanced mobile stations. The relay station can adapt its operation mode based on the capability of the connected mobile station, providing basic relay functionality for LTE devices while supporting advanced features like same-frequency band operation for LTE-Advanced devices
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of operating a relay station in a wireless communication system is provided. The method includes operating in a first mode comprising a first sub-mode and a second sub-mode, in the first sub-mode a first downlink and a first uplink between a base station and the relay station being simultaneously activated, in the second sub-mode a second downlink and a second uplink between the relay station and a mobile station being simultaneously activated, and operating in a second mode comprising a third sub-mode and a fourth sub-mode, in the third sub-mode the first downlink and the second uplink being simultaneously activated, in the fourth sub-mode the first uplink and the second downlink being simultaneously activated.