Relay UE Scheduling for D2D Power Conservation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems, particularly in LTE technology, face inefficiencies in power and resource utilization due to limitations in device-to-device (D2D) communication, which hinder optimal operation and capacity in mobile broadband access.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a method that utilizes a relay user equipment (UE) to facilitate efficient D2D communication by relaying information between devices, including the allocation of radio network temporary identifiers (RNTIs) and resources, to enhance power conservation and resource reuse, thereby improving system capacity and coexistence with regular uplink transmissions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If D2D communication is implemented in current LTE systems, then direct device-to-device connectivity is achieved, but power consumption increases and resource utilization becomes inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveD2D communication capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a relay UE as an intermediary node between the remote UE and the network. The relay UE receives downlink data from the network and forwards it to the remote UE via D2D communication, while also receiving uplink data from the remote UE and forwarding it to the network. This intermediary approach enables efficient resource utilization and power management by allowing the remote UE to communicate through the relay rather than directly with the network infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If D2D communication is implemented in current LTE systems, then direct device-to-device connectivity is achieved, but resource utilization becomes inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveD2D communication capabilityVSAvoidresource utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The relay UE serves as a mediator that optimizes resource allocation for D2D communication. The network entity allocates resources to the relay UE, which then manages and distributes these resources for both the relay-to-network communication and the relay-to-remote D2D communication. This intermediary resource management enables efficient utilization of wireless resources while supporting direct device-to-device connectivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Use of energy by moving object

If relay UE is introduced to facilitate D2D communication, then power conservation and resource utilization improve, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower conservationVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The relay UE performs multiple functions within a single device: it acts as both a regular UE communicating with the network and as a relay node for D2D communication. The relay UE receives and forwards data bidirectionally between the network and remote UE, manages resource allocation, and maintains connections with both the network entity and the remote UE. This multi-functionality approach consolidates multiple operations into a single node, managing system complexity while achieving power conservation and efficient resource utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3620014B1Method of wireless communication at a remote user equipment, method of wireless communication at a relay user equipment, remote user equipment, relay user equipment, computer-readable medium storing computer executable code for communications at a remote user equipment and computer-readable medium storing computer executable code for communications at a relay user equipment
Publication Date: 2022.05.11 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3620014B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3620014B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2D
  • EP3620014B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present aspects relate to device-to-device (D2D) relaying in a wireless communication system. In an aspect, a remote user equipment (UE) may transmit, on at least one sidelink channel, a scheduling request to a relay UE connected with a network entity. The remote UE may further receive, on one or more sidelink channels, a scheduling indication including a resource grant from the relay UE in response to transmitting the scheduling request. In a further aspect, a relay UE may receive, on at least one sidelink channel, a scheduling request from a remote UE. The relay UE may further determine, a resource grant for the remote UE in response to receiving the scheduling request. The relay UE may further transmit, on one or more sidelink channels, a scheduling indication including the resource grant to the remote UE.