Sidelink Midlayer Framework for V2X Congestion Control
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems, particularly in V2X systems, lack effective congestion control mechanisms for sidelink communications, leading to inefficiencies in managing congestion as the number of user equipment (UEs) increases, especially in high-traffic areas.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a sidelink midlayer framework, comprising enhanced VAE and SEAL layers, for detecting and managing congestion by collecting and analyzing communication status, including application information and UE maneuvers, and distributing congestion control instructions through the system, even for out-of-coverage UEs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the number of user equipments (UEs) using sidelink communications increases to support more information sharing, then the system capacity and coverage are improved, but sidelink congestion occurs leading to reduced communication efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where UEs report sidelink communication status (channel occupancy ratio, reception signal quality, congestion status) to the network midlayer. The midlayer analyzes this feedback and dynamically adjusts congestion control parameters and resource allocations, creating a closed-loop system that adapts to changing traffic conditions and prevents congestion while supporting increased UE density
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a network midlayer (including VAE and SEAL layers) as an intermediary between UEs and the core network. This midlayer collects communication status from multiple UEs, performs centralized congestion analysis, and distributes congestion control instructions to affected UEs, enabling coordinated congestion management across the sidelink network without requiring direct UE-to-UE negotiation
2Productivity
If congestion control mechanisms are implemented to manage sidelink congestion, then communication efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases due to additional monitoring and control layers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the congestion control functionality into distinct layers: the VAE layer handles application-level congestion management and resource allocation, while the SEAL layer manages lower-level communication status monitoring and parameter adjustment. This segmentation allows each layer to focus on specific tasks, reducing overall system complexity through functional decomposition
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary congestion control by having the midlayer proactively monitor sidelink communication status and predict potential congestion conditions before they occur. The system pre-configures congestion control parameters and resource allocations based on historical data and current traffic patterns, enabling preventive rather than reactive congestion management
3Area of stationary object
If out-of-coverage UEs are supported to extend system coverage, then coverage area is improved, but congestion detection and control becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses in-coverage UEs as intermediary relays to forward congestion status reports and control instructions between out-of-coverage UEs and the network midlayer. These relay UEs maintain connectivity with the network and facilitate indirect communication for congestion management, enabling the midlayer to monitor and control congestion even for UEs outside direct network coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables out-of-coverage UEs to perform self-service congestion control by locally executing congestion control algorithms based on pre-configured parameters and local measurements. When congestion is detected, these UEs can autonomously adjust their transmission parameters and resource usage without real-time network intervention, maintaining communication efficiency while extending coverage
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. In some cases, an application enabler layer (e.g., a vehicle-to-everything (V2X) application enabler (VAE) layer), may identify a congestion control configuration that includes capabilities for collecting operation information. The application enabler layer may receive, from a set of user equipment (UEs), the operation information in accordance with the capabilities. Then, the application enabler layer may generate congestion control instructions for one or more UEs of the set of UEs based on the received operation information. Additionally or alternatively, an application enabler architecture layer (e.g., a service enabler architecture layer for verticals (SEAL)) may identify a congestion control configuration including capabilities for collecting operation information and monitor sidelink performance for the set of UEs in accordance with the capabilities. The application enabler architecture layer may identify a congestion status for a communication type based on monitoring the sidelink performance.