Sidelink Relay RRC Connection for Extended 5G UE Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in supporting service coverage expansion, increasing reliability of data transmission, and reducing power consumption, particularly in 5G communication systems used for IoT applications.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for a terminal to establish a radio resource control (RRC) connection with a base station through a sidelink relay, enabling data/signaling relaying between the terminal and the base station, utilizing a sidelink relay to expand service coverage, enhance reliability, and reduce terminal battery usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If direct connection between terminal and base station is used, then transmission distance is limited, but adding relay terminal extends coverage area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a relay terminal as an intermediary device between the remote terminal and base station. The relay terminal receives and forwards data and signaling, enabling extended coverage without requiring direct terminal-base station connection. This mediator approach resolves the contradiction by expanding service area while managing connection complexity through standardized relay procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the direct terminal-base station connection into two separate links: terminal-relay and relay-base station. This segmentation allows each link to be optimized independently and enables coverage extension by adding intermediate relay nodes without redesigning the entire connection architecture.
2Area of stationary object
If relay terminal is introduced for coverage expansion, then service coverage increases, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent configures the relay terminal to perform multiple functions: data forwarding, signaling relay, and RRC message transmission. By making the relay terminal multi-functional, the system achieves coverage expansion without proportionally increasing overall system complexity, as a single device handles multiple tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes relay configuration information and RRC signaling paths in advance before actual data transmission begins. This preliminary configuration reduces real-time system complexity by pre-defining routes and parameters, allowing the relay terminal to operate with predetermined settings rather than dynamic decision-making.
3Use of energy by moving object
If terminal transmits RRC message directly to base station, then transmission path is short, but power consumption is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the relay terminal as an intermediary to forward RRC messages between the remote terminal and base station. This approach reduces terminal power consumption by allowing the terminal to communicate over shorter distances to the relay rather than directly to the base station, while the relay handles the more power-intensive long-range transmission.
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a method, performed by a relay user equipment (UE), of relaying communication between a remote UE and a base station, in a wireless communication system. The method includes: transmitting, to the base station, a message about sidelink UE information including first identifier information of the remote UE; receiving, from the base station, a radio resource control (RRC) reconfiguration message including configuration information for relaying data of the remote UE and second identifier information, based on the message about the sidelink UE information; and transmitting the data of the remote UE to the base station, based on the RRC reconfiguration message.