Relay UE Random Access Proxy for RRC-Aware Connection Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile communication systems fail to appropriately control communication using relay user equipment due to the relay user equipment's inability to interpret RRC messages, leading to inefficiencies in managing connections and radio states.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a communication control method where the relay user equipment performs proxy operations for the MAC layer in random access procedures, transmits RRC messages with remote information, and notifies the relay user equipment of RRC message contents, enabling appropriate control by the base station.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If relay user equipment mediates communication between base station and remote user equipment, then communication coverage is extended, but the relay user equipment cannot interpret RRC messages leading to control inefficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a base station as an intermediary that directly receives and interprets RRC messages from remote user equipment through the relay user equipment. The base station acts as a mediator between the relay UE and the core network, enabling proper RRC message handling while maintaining the relay functionality for extending coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the communication control functions by separating RRC message handling from the relay user equipment. The relay UE handles only the relay of user plane data and basic control, while the base station handles RRC message interpretation and higher-layer control functions, creating a division of labor that improves overall system efficiency.
2Reliability
If relay user equipment performs MAC layer operations, then random access procedure is established, but the complexity of relay operations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The relay user equipment is designed to perform multiple functions including both relay operations and MAC layer random access procedures. By making the relay UE multi-functional, the system achieves reliable connection establishment without requiring additional dedicated devices, thus managing complexity through consolidation rather than multiplication of components.
3Reliability
If RRC messages are transmitted via relay user equipment, then remote user equipment connects to base station, but the base station cannot recognize relayed connections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the relay user equipment provides information about the relayed connections back to the base station. This feedback includes details about the remote UE and the relay relationship, enabling the base station to recognize and properly manage relayed connections while maintaining connection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The base station serves as an intermediary that receives RRC messages through the relay UE and maintains visibility into the relayed connections. By positioning the base station as the central mediator that directly handles RRC messaging, the system ensures that connection information is not lost while still utilizing the relay functionality.
4Ease of operation
If separate signaling radio bearers are used for remote user equipment and relay user equipment, then communication control is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments signaling into separate radio bearers: one for communication between the remote UE and relay UE, and another for control between the base station and relay UE. This segmentation allows for simplified, dedicated control paths that improve ease of operation while managing complexity through clear functional separation rather than integration.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication control method is a method using a relay user equipment relaying communication between a base station and a remote user equipment. The communication control method includes establishing a connection between the remote user equipment and the relay user equipment, and performing a random access procedure establishing a connection between the remote user equipment and the base station. The performing the random access procedure includes a proxy operation where the relay user equipment, instead of the remote user equipment, performs at least a part of an operation to be performed by a Medium Access Control (MAC) layer in the random access procedure.