RRC Repeater Control for Millimeter-Wave 5G Coverage Gaps
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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 waves and terahertz waves, in 5G networks is a challenge, particularly in areas with obstacles blocking direct communication between base stations and user equipment.
Innovation Solution
A Network-controlled Repeater (NCR) apparatus is introduced to relay radio signals between network nodes and user equipment, utilizing a control terminal to manage the relay device through network control signals, including RRC setup requests and timers to optimize the relay operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If radio signals in high frequency bands are used for wide-band transmission, then transmission bandwidth is improved, but coverage area is reduced due to high rectilinearity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a repeater apparatus 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. This mediator resolves the contradiction by allowing high-frequency wide-band transmission while compensating for the limited coverage through signal amplification and directional retransmission.
2Area of stationary object
If a repeater apparatus is used to extend coverage, then coverage area is improved, but interference occurs due to signal amplification
Solution Approach 1:
The repeater apparatus employs directional transmission to transmit amplified signals only in specific directions toward intended user equipment. This localizes the signal transmission spatially, reducing unnecessary interference in other directions while maintaining extended coverage in target areas. The directional approach allows coverage extension without proportionally increasing interference.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the control terminal transitions to RRC idle state for power saving, then energy consumption is reduced, but connection establishment time increases when transitioning back
Solution Approach 1:
The control terminal activates a timer when transitioning to RRC idle state. If the timer expires before a paging message is received, the terminal proactively initiates RRC connection establishment procedure in advance, rather than waiting for network paging. This preliminary action reduces the actual connection establishment time when data transmission is needed, while still allowing idle state for power saving when no data is pending.
4Speed
If the control terminal initiates RRC connection establishment immediately upon receiving paging, then response time is improved, but unnecessary connection attempts occur during disallowing time
Solution Approach 1:
The control terminal uses the timer as a feedback mechanism to determine whether to initiate RRC connection establishment. The timer tracks the disallowing time period, and its status (expired or running) provides feedback that controls whether connection establishment should proceed. This feedback-based approach ensures connections are only initiated at appropriate times, improving reliability while maintaining timely responses when conditions permit.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication method uses a relay apparatus comprising a relay device and a control terminal. The relay device relays radio signals transmitted between a network node and a user equipment. The control terminal receives control signals for the relay device from the network node. The method includes: the control terminal activating a timer when transitioning from a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connected state to an RRC idle state; initiating an RRC connection establishment procedure to return to the RRC connected state upon the timer's expiration; and transmitting an RRC setup request message to the network node. This message includes information indicating, as the establishment cause, either a response to paging or an update of a relay operation configuration.