Relay WTRU Configuration for Indirect Device-to-Device Links

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for improved device-to-device communication methods when a connection to the network is not available or not preferred, particularly in scenarios where a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) needs to communicate with another WTRU or a network node that it cannot directly reach.

Innovation Solution

Establishing and configuring relay wireless communication scenarios involving at least three entities, including a remote WTRU, a relay WTRU, and a network node, to facilitate communication through a relay WTRU.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a relay WTRU is introduced to enable indirect communication, then communication availability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication availabilityVSAvoidrelay configuration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A relay WTRU is introduced as an intermediary device to establish indirect communication paths between remote WTRUs and the network or other WTRUs. The relay WTRU acts as a mediator that forwards data and control signals, enabling communication in scenarios where direct connections are unavailable, thus improving communication availability and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The communication path is segmented into multiple hops involving the remote WTRU, relay WTRU, and network node or destination WTRU. This segmentation allows the system to bypass direct connection requirements by dividing the communication journey into manageable segments, each handled by specific WTRUs performing defined functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If direct communication is attempted without relay, then device complexity is reduced, but communication capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication setup simplicityVSAvoidcommunication capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The communication architecture dynamically adapts between direct and indirect communication modes. The system can switch between direct connection (when available) and relay-based indirect connection (when direct connection is unavailable), allowing the communication capability to adapt to varying environmental conditions while maintaining operational flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The relay WTRU is designed with multi-functionality to handle both direct communication tasks and relay communication tasks. It can operate as a regular WTRU when direct communication is possible and as a relay node when indirect communication is required, making the system universally applicable to various communication scenarios without requiring separate specialized devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20260059591A1Device to device relay connection establishment and configuration

Publication Date: 2026.02.26 INTERDIGITAL PATENT HOLDINGS INC

AI summary

There may be one or more systems, methods, and/or devices that address a relay wireless communication scenario. For example, in such a scenario, there may be at least three entities, a remote a wireless transmit receive unit (WTRU) may need to communicate with a network node (e.g., gNB) and/or another WTRU that it cannot directly communicate with. This remote WTRU may communicate with a relay WTRU in order to communicate with the ultimate destination (e.g., another WTRU or a network node). The use of a relay may require establishment and configuration of one or more entities involved.