Sidelink-Assisted Multi-Link Communication via Relay Node
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems, particularly in 5G NR, face challenges in improving diversity and throughput, especially in scenarios where devices have limited antenna panels, making it difficult to establish multi-link communications.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of sidelink-assisted multi-link communication, where a relay node receives grants for access link and sidelink resources, receives data from a base station or user equipment (UE) on these links, and forwards the data to the intended recipient, effectively creating a virtual multi-link communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If devices use limited antenna panels, then device complexity is reduced, but communication diversity and throughput deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a relay node as an intermediary device that establishes separate communication links with both the base station and the user equipment. This relay node acts as a mediator that forwards data between the base station and UE, enabling multi-link communication without requiring the UE to have multiple antenna panels. The relay node compensates for the limited antenna capabilities of the UE by providing additional communication paths through its own antenna resources.
2Ease of manufacture
If devices use limited antenna panels, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but communication throughput deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the communication architecture from a traditional single-link model to a multi-link model by introducing spatial dimensionality through the relay node. Instead of relying on multiple antenna panels at the UE (horizontal expansion), the system creates additional communication dimensions by establishing separate access links and sidelinks through the relay node (vertical expansion). This dimensional approach enables throughput enhancement without increasing UE manufacturing complexity.
3Reliability
If multi-link communication is implemented directly at UE, then communication diversity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The relay node serves as an intermediary that performs the complex multi-link management functions centrally, rather than distributing this complexity to the UE. The relay node handles the coordination of access links and sidelinks, resource allocation, and data forwarding, thereby enabling communication diversity at the network level while keeping the UE implementation simple.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects described herein relate to sidelink-assisted virtual multi-link. In one aspect, for example, a relay node may serve as an additional virtual antenna panel for a UE by receiving downlink data from a base station via an access link, or receiving uplink data from the UE via a sidelink. The relay node may forward the downlink data to the UE via sidelink, or the uplink data to the base station via the access link. In another aspect, a base station may determine, for a UE, quasi-colocation (QCL) information and a grant for one or both of one or more access link resources or one or more sidelink resources. The base station may further transmit, to the UE, the QCL information and the grant on a downlink communication channel.