Network-Controlled Repeater Relay for RLF Cell Re-Establishment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The reduction of coverage area due to the high rectilinearity of radio signals in high frequency bands, such as millimeter and terahertz waves, poses a challenge in mobile communication systems, particularly in 5G networks, leading to reduced connectivity for user equipment outside the direct line of sight of base stations.
Innovation Solution
A network-controlled repeater apparatus (NCR) is introduced to relay radio signals between base stations and user equipment, utilizing a control terminal (NCR-MT) to manage the relay operation, enabling beamforming and directional transmission to extend coverage, and a control link with the base station for dynamic control of the relay operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If high frequency band radio signals are used for wide-band transmission, then transmission bandwidth is improved, but coverage area is reduced due to high rectilinearity
Solution Approach 1:
A repeater apparatus is introduced as an intermediary device between the base station and user equipment. The repeater receives radio signals from the base station, amplifies them, and retransmits them to extend coverage to areas beyond the direct line of sight, thus resolving the contradiction between using high frequency bands for wide-band transmission and maintaining adequate coverage area
Solution Approach 2:
The repeater apparatus dynamically adjusts its operation based on received control signals from the network, enabling adaptive beamforming and directional transmission. This allows the system to optimize coverage extension while suppressing interference in different spatial directions, addressing the coverage-bandwidth tradeoff
2Area of stationary object
If a repeater apparatus is used to extend coverage, then coverage area is improved, but interference occurs without proper control
Solution Approach 1:
The repeater apparatus is equipped with a control terminal that receives control signals from the network to dynamically adjust its relay operation. This feedback mechanism enables the repeater to adapt its transmission characteristics, beamforming patterns, and power levels to extend coverage while suppressing interference in appropriate directions
Solution Approach 2:
The repeater apparatus implements directional transmission with different beamforming patterns for different spatial regions. By applying local quality control, the system enhances signal strength in coverage extension directions while suppressing interference in other directions, thus resolving the contradiction between coverage extension and interference suppression
Data Source
AI summary
A communication method using a relay apparatus including a relay device that performs relay operation of relaying a radio signal transmitted between a network and a user equipment, and a control terminal that receives a control signal used for control of the relay device from the network, the communication method including the steps of: starting, by the control terminal in a radio resource control (RRC) connected state in a first cell, an RRC connection re-establishment procedure to a second cell based on detection of a radio link failure (RLF) in the first cell; and controlling, by the relay apparatus, the relay operation based on whether the second cell is the same cell as the first cell when the RRC connection re-establishment to the second cell is successful.