Relay UE Layer-2 Link Modification for Multi-UE Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems face challenges in supporting UE-to-UE relay operations, including UE selection, authorization, connection establishment, QoS management, and security, especially in scenarios where UEs are in or out of coverage, and lack efficient mechanisms for path management and relay discovery.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution integrates UE-to-UE relay discovery and selection into the unicast link establishment procedure, allowing relays to forward messages and modify links based on relay service codes, traffic load, and radio conditions, and includes mechanisms for authorization, QoS management, and security establishment between UEs and relays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If relay UE establishes separate layer-2 links for each remote UE, then traffic forwarding between multiple UEs is enabled, but the complexity of managing multiple links and user infos increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple layer-2 link management operations into a single link modification procedure. Instead of treating each remote UE connection separately, the relay UE modifies the existing layer-2 link to accommodate multiple remote UEs by including multiple user infos in a single message exchange, thereby reducing procedural complexity while maintaining support for multiple UEs
Solution Approach 2:
The layer-2 link is designed to serve multiple functions by supporting multiple remote UEs simultaneously. The link modification procedure enables the same link to be used for traffic forwarding with different remote UEs by incorporating multiple user infos, making the link structure universal rather than dedicated to a single UE
2Adaptability or versatility
If relay UE includes multiple user infos in PC5 messages, then support for multiple remote UEs is enabled, but the size and processing complexity of messages increases
Solution Approach 1:
The relay UE performs preliminary actions by establishing layer-2 links with remote UEs before actual traffic forwarding begins. The link modification procedure is executed in advance to configure the link with multiple user infos, so that when traffic needs to be forwarded, the infrastructure is already in place and no additional message processing is required during data transmission
3Loss of energy
If relay UE modifies existing layer-2 link, then resource utilization is improved, but the complexity of coordinating link modification with multiple UEs increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the relay UE receives PC5 messages from remote UEs indicating their need for connection, and accordingly modifies the layer-2 link configuration. The relay UE monitors the link status and coordinates modifications based on feedback from multiple UEs, enabling resource-efficient link utilization while managing coordination complexity through structured feedback loops
Data Source
AI summary
A method and device are disclosed for supporting UE-to-UE relay. In one embodiment, the method includes a relay User Equipment (UE) establishing a first layer-2 link with a first UE and establishes a second layer-2 link with a second UE, wherein the first layer-2 link and the second layer-2 link are used for forwarding traffic between the first UE and the second UE. The method also includes the relay UE receiving a first PC5 message from a third UE for request of establishing a third layer-2 link, wherein the first PC5 message includes a second User Info of the second UE. The method further includes the relay UE transmitting a second PC5 message to the second UE for modifying the second layer-2 link in response to reception of the first PC5 message from the third UE, wherein the second PC5 message includes a third User Info of the third UE and the second User Info of the second UE.