Sidelink Relay Discovery Resource Allocation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current sidelink relaying discovery procedures in wireless communication systems face challenges in power consumption, flexibility, complexity, forward compatibility, overhead, latency, and reliability, especially in out-of-coverage scenarios and for a wider range of applications and services.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a transceiver configured to autonomously allocate and schedule resources for sidelink communication, capable of operating in various scenarios (in-coverage, out-of-coverage, or partial coverage) and acting as a relay upon receiving a sidelink discovery signal, using specific discovery resources and channels defined by destination IDs, and configured to stop discovery procedures in poor radio conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If current sidelink relaying discovery procedures are used, then basic relay functionality is provided, but power consumption is high and reliability is poor in out-of-coverage scenarios

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediscovery reliabilityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring discovery resources and parameters before the actual discovery process. The remote UE is provided with pre-configured discovery resources including time-frequency resources, destination IDs, and other parameters needed for discovery signal transmission. This allows the UE to perform discovery operations reliably without continuous network assistance, reducing power consumption while maintaining discovery reliability in out-of-coverage scenarios

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements self-service by enabling the remote UE to autonomously perform discovery procedures using pre-configured resources. The UE can independently transmit and monitor discovery signals, select relays, and manage discovery processes without real-time network control. This self-service capability reduces dependency on continuous network connectivity, lowering power consumption while ensuring reliable discovery operations in out-of-coverage conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If discovery procedures are continuously performed to ensure reliable relay discovery, then discovery reliability improves, but latency increases and power consumption worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverelay discovery reliabilityVSAvoiddiscovery latency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by implementing discontinuous reception (DRX) cycles for discovery operations. Instead of continuous discovery signal monitoring, the UE performs discovery at periodic intervals defined by DRX parameters. This reduces discovery latency by allowing the UE to sleep between periods while maintaining reliable discovery capability when active, thereby reducing power consumption and time loss without sacrificing reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Adaptability or versatility

If comprehensive discovery procedures are implemented to support wider range of applications, then adaptability improves, but device complexity and overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication support rangeVSAvoiddiscovery procedure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements universality by designing a unified discovery framework that supports multiple application types and services through a single set of pre-configured resources. The same discovery mechanism handles different cast types (broadcast, groupcast, unicast) and various QoS requirements by configuring appropriate parameters rather than implementing separate discovery procedures for each application. This reduces device complexity while maintaining high adaptability to support a wide range of applications and services

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Reliability

If multiple discovery signals are transmitted to ensure coverage and reliability, then discovery reliability improves, but signaling overhead and power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediscovery signal reliabilityVSAvoidsignaling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies merging by combining multiple discovery signal functions into unified transmission resources. Discovery signals for different purposes (announcement, response, capability indication) are transmitted using shared pre-configured resource pools rather than dedicated resources for each signal type. This reduces signaling overhead by consolidating resource usage while maintaining reliable discovery through appropriate resource selection and transmission power management

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4193617B1NR sidelink relaying discovery
Publication Date: 2025.01.01 FRAUNHOFER GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG EV
  • EP4193617B1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~1(b)
  • EP4193617B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3a
  • EP4193617B1 patent drawingFigure 3b~3c

AI summary

Embodiments provide a transceiver of a wireless communication system, wherein the transceiver is configured to operate in a sidelink in-coverage, out of coverage or partial coverage scenario, in which resources for a sidelink communication are (pre-)configured by the wireless communication system or allocated or scheduled autonomously by the transceiver, wherein the transceiver is configured to receive a sidelink discovery signal from another transceiver of the wireless communication system, wherein the transceiver is configured or capable to act as a relay for the other transceiver, if a discovery or sidelink criterion is fulfilled, signals in at least one direction between the other transceiver and a further transceiver of the wireless communication system.