Sidelink Relay Switching Control for Continuous Remote UE Connectivity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies fail to facilitate seamless switching of relay UEs in Sidelink communication when communication conditions deteriorate, leading to potential disruptions in ongoing services.

Innovation Solution

A base station mechanism that acquires signal strength information and instructs remote UEs to switch from one relay UE to another based on signal strength thresholds, enabling flexible switching without service disruption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a remote UE communicates with the base station via a relay UE, then communication coverage is extended, but the ability to switch to another relay UE when communication conditions deteriorate is not provided

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication continuityVSAvoidrelay UE switching capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The base station acquires signal strength information of the relay UE in advance and stores it in association with the remote UE's relay information. This preliminary acquisition and storage of relay switching information enables the system to quickly switch to another relay UE when communication conditions deteriorate, without requiring real-time discovery and authentication procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The base station monitors signal strength information of the relay UE and uses this feedback to determine when switching is necessary. When the signal strength falls below a threshold, the base station initiates switching to another relay UE, creating a closed-loop control mechanism that maintains communication reliability while enabling adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If relay UE switching is implemented, then adaptability to communication conditions improves, but the complexity of relay management increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverelay UE switching capabilityVSAvoidrelay management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The base station autonomously manages the relay switching process by automatically acquiring signal strength information, comparing it against thresholds, and initiating switching to alternative relay UEs without requiring manual intervention or complex user-side management. This self-service approach reduces the complexity burden on user equipment while maintaining high adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS20260025880A1Base station, user equipment, control method, and program

Publication Date: 2026.01.22 CANON KK

AI summary

A base station includes a first acquisition unit configured to acquire first signal strength information in a first relay state of being connected to a remote UE via one relay UE, the first signal strength information indicating a first signal strength between the remote UE and the one relay UE, and a processing unit configured to, based on the first signal strength information, issue a switch instruction to the remote UE to switch from the first relay state to a second relay state via a different relay UE different from the one relay UE.