Sidelink Data Relay Between Incompatible UEs via Network Entities

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Solution Overview

Problem

Sidelink devices operating on different frequencies, channels, or with different modulation and coding schemes are unable to communicate directly, leading to failed sidelink communications and impaired user safety and experience.

Innovation Solution

Network entities, such as base stations or roadside units, establish sidelink connections with UEs and forward sidelink data via PC5 or backhaul links to enable communication between incompatible UEs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If UEs operate on different frequencies or parameters, then each UE can use optimized communication settings, but direct sidelink communication between UEs becomes unavailable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefrequency compatibilityVSAvoiddirect communication availability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The network entity acts as an intermediary that receives sidelink data from a first UE, forwards it to a second network entity, which then transmits to a second UE. This mediator approach enables communication between UEs operating on different frequencies or parameters by translating and relaying data through the network infrastructure, resolving the incompatibility issue while maintaining direct sidelink functionality for compatible UEs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If network entities forward sidelink data between UEs, then communication is enabled between incompatible UEs, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecross-frequency communicationVSAvoidnetwork entity functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The network entity is designed with multi-functionality, serving both traditional network management roles and sidelink data forwarding functions. By integrating sidelink reception, forwarding, and transmission capabilities into existing network entities, the system enables cross-frequency communication without requiring entirely new specialized devices, thus managing complexity while achieving versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If sidelink data is forwarded through network entities, then communication reliability improves for incompatible UEs, but transmission delay increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication success rateVSAvoiddata transmission delay

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The network entity establishes sidelink connections and prepares forwarding paths in advance before actual data transmission is needed. By pre-configuring the relay infrastructure and maintaining readiness to forward sidelink data, the system reduces the time penalty associated with ad-hoc routing decisions, thereby mitigating delay while ensuring reliable communication for incompatible UEs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12615675B2Information sharing between sidelink devices

Publication Date: 2026.04.28 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. A first network entity may establish a sidelink connection with a first user equipment (UE). The first network entity may detect sidelink communications including sidelink data from the first UE, and may forward the detected sidelink data to a second network entity via a sidelink interface or a backhaul link. The second network entity may transmit the sidelink data to a second UE via a sidelink connection between the second network entity and the second UE.