Relay Status Reporting in Wireless Buffer Status Messages
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication networks, base stations may not adequately service wireless devices that are configured to relay communication due to the access node being unaware of the relay status, leading to insufficient resource allocation and priority for these devices.
Innovation Solution
A method where a user equipment (UE) sends a buffer status report with a special indicator to the donor access node, signaling its function as a relay, allowing the access node to adjust resource allocation and priority accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a wireless device is configured to relay communication between the base station and other wireless devices, then the coverage and service quality for other devices is improved, but the access node becomes unaware of the relay status leading to insufficient resource allocation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the relay wireless device sends a buffer status report to the access node, which includes an indicator that the device is functioning as a relay. This feedback loop ensures the access node receives updated information about the device's relay status and can accordingly adjust resource allocation and prioritization to maintain service quality.
2Device complexity
If the access node allocates resources based on conventional buffer status reports without relay status indicators, then the resource allocation process remains simple, but relay devices do not receive adequate resources and priority
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the relay status indicator with the existing buffer status report message. By combining these two pieces of information into a single communication, the system avoids creating separate signaling procedures while ensuring relay devices receive appropriate resource allocation. This integration maintains procedural simplicity while improving allocation efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless device is configured to function as a relay on behalf of a donor access node. The wireless device requests to send a buffer status report to the donor access node. The donor access node grants this request with an allocation of air-interface resources. The wireless device responds to the grant by sending a short buffer status report. This short buffer status report is associated with a logical channel group that indicates the buffer status report is communicating the status of the wireless device as a relay, and thus is not asking for additional resource allocations. The buffer size field of the short buffer status report may also, or alternatively, be used to indicate the status of the wireless device functioning as a relay, or other information such as the number of other wireless devices being relayed by the wireless device.