Relay UE Data Forwarding via Non-3GPP RAT
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 3GPP LTE technologies face challenges in supporting delay-sensitive services for wearable devices and IoT devices, particularly in terms of battery life and connectivity, as existing power saving modes and discontinuous reception features are not suited for these devices, and existing interworking solutions between LTE and WLAN are limited in supporting enhanced connectivity.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for relaying using non-3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) radio access technology (RAT) in a wireless communication system, which includes a radio control plane protocol stack for supporting relay user equipment (UE) via non-3GPP RAT, allowing data forwarding decisions based on information in the media access control (MAC) header and differentiation information at the packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, enabling efficient data relaying between LTE and WLAN.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If 3GPP LTE power saving mode and extended discontinuous reception are used, then battery life is improved, but delay-sensitive services cannot be supported
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data forwarding decision process into multiple components: MAC header analysis, differentiation information extraction, and destination determination. This segmentation allows the system to efficiently handle both power-saving modes and delay-sensitive services by routing different traffic types through appropriate paths without requiring continuous monitoring of all data packets.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary data forwarding mechanism that operates between the MAC layer and upper layers. This intermediary layer analyzes differentiation information and MAC headers to determine data destinations, enabling the system to maintain connectivity for delay-sensitive services while allowing wearable devices to utilize power-saving modes for non-critical traffic.
2Reliability
If LTE-WLAN aggregation and interworking enhancements are implemented, then service availability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential data forwarding decision logic from the complex LTE-WLAN aggregation protocol stack. By focusing on specific elements (MAC header, differentiation information) rather than processing the entire protocol stack, the system maintains service availability through LTE-WLAN interworking while reducing the computational complexity required for data routing decisions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by implementing data forwarding decisions based on limited but sufficient information (MAC header and differentiation information) rather than analyzing complete protocol data units. This approach provides adequate service availability for wearable devices without requiring full protocol stack processing, thereby reducing device complexity.
3Reliability
If data relaying through relay UE is implemented, then connectivity for wearable devices is improved, but data destination determination complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring differentiation information in the data structure that indicates the intended destination (relay UE upper layer, remote UE, or network). This preliminary marking of data packets allows the relay UE to make quick forwarding decisions without performing complex real-time analysis, thereby improving connectivity while maintaining simple destination determination logic.
Data Source
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AI summary
A relay user equipment (UE) can perform relay function between an eNodeB (eNB) and a remote UE by using non-3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) radio access technology (RAT). In an embodiment, the relay UE receives information on whether the data is to be forwarded to an upper layer of the relay UE or is to be forwarded to a remote UE or a network, and determines whether the data is to be forwarded to the upper layer of the relay UE or is to be forwarded to the remote UE or the network, according to the received information. In another embodiment, the relay UE, at a specific layer located below a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, receives a data unit including differentiation information for control plane data, and identifies where the data unit is destined according to the differentiation information.