RF Relay Management for Wireless User Equipment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless communication networks face challenges in providing coverage and service to devices near or outside the base station's coverage area, particularly due to interference and battery life issues caused by unnecessary RF relaying by user equipment (UEs).
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method where access nodes selectively enable and disable UEs to function as RF relays based on RF conditions and location, ensuring that only UEs contributing to improved network performance continue to relay, thereby reducing interference and conserving battery life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If UEs are enabled to RF relay for the access node, then coverage and service for devices near or outside the base station's coverage area is improved, but interference to other devices and base stations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The access node dynamically changes the operational state parameter of UEs (from active RF relaying to inactive) based on detected RF conditions and location information. This parameter change allows the system to adapt coverage enhancement while controlling interference levels by selectively enabling or disabling the RF relay function of specific UEs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies different RF relay operational states to different UEs based on their specific locations and local RF conditions. Instead of uniformly enabling or disabling RF relay across all UEs, the access node makes localized decisions for each UE, allowing RF relay to be activated only for UEs in positions where it provides coverage benefit without causing harmful interference to other areas.
2Area of stationary object
If UEs continuously function as RF relays, then coverage extension is maintained, but battery life of relaying UEs is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous RF relaying operation, the system implements periodic assessment of RF conditions and UE locations by the access node. Based on these periodic evaluations, the access node selectively enables or disables RF relay functionality, creating an on-demand operational pattern that maintains coverage when needed while conserving UE battery life during periods when RF relay is not required.
Solution Approach 2:
The access node autonomously manages the RF relay status of UEs by monitoring RF conditions and location information, making decisions about which UEs should be relaying without requiring continuous UE initiation or manual configuration. This self-managing approach optimizes the balance between coverage provision and energy consumption automatically.
3Reliability
If UEs are selected to RF relay based on RF conditions and location, then network performance is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The access node implements a feedback mechanism by continuously monitoring RF conditions and UE location information, then using this feedback to make informed decisions about which UEs should function as RF relays. This feedback loop enables the system to adapt to changing network conditions and optimize performance while managing complexity through automated decision-making based on measured parameters.
Data Source
AI summary
UEs capable of RF relay are enabled and disabled under certain conditions. The access node can control the on and off duration of the UE functioning as an RF relay. The access node may only enable RF relay when there is a need by another UE for the RF relay. The UEs selected to relay (or to not relay) may be selected based on their location (e.g., close to a UE that is experiencing poor signal strength). In an embodiment, the RF relay function of UEs are successively turned on by the access node. This causes these UEs to relay the access node's beacon signal. If, after a period of time, the wireless network performance is not improved, these UEs are commanded to disable their RF relays. If the wireless network performance is improved, the UE may be allowed to continue as an RF relay.