Sidelink Relay UE Configuration for Coverage and Signaling Balance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication networks face challenges in supporting high data rate services and proximity services, leading to increased network burden, power consumption, and reduced network robustness, which can be addressed through device-to-device (D2D) communication technology.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method for sidelink communication involving a Central Unit (CU) and Distributed Unit (DU) configuration, using UE identifiers and F1 Application Protocol (F1AP) signaling to establish relay UEs, and configuring Uu and PC5 RLC channels for traffic delivery between remote UEs and network nodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If D2D communication is implemented to reduce network burden and power consumption, then network capacity and user efficiency are improved, but device complexity and configuration management difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a relay UE as an intermediary device that bridges the remote UE and the network. The relay UE receives configuration from the network and forwards it to the remote UE, while also relaying data traffic. This intermediary approach allows complex configuration management to be handled by the relay UE rather than requiring direct complex interactions between the remote UE and network, thus improving network capacity while managing device complexity through role specialization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the communication system into distinct roles: network nodes (CU/DU), relay UE, and remote UE. Each segment has specific responsibilities - the network handles high-level configuration, the relay UE handles local configuration forwarding and data relaying, and the remote UE handles data transmission. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high network capacity through efficient division of labor while reducing overall configuration complexity by assigning management tasks to specific segments.
2Area of stationary object
If relay UEs are configured to extend network coverage to remote UEs, then coverage area is improved, but signaling overhead and configuration complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex configuration management task from the network and places it on the relay UE. The network only needs to provide high-level configuration parameters to the relay UE, while the relay UE handles the detailed configuration of the remote UE. This extraction reduces signaling overhead between the network and remote UE, as the relay UE performs local configuration management, thereby extending network coverage without proportionally increasing signaling overhead.
Solution Approach 2:
The relay UE acts as an intermediary that receives configuration from the network and adapts it for the remote UE. Instead of the network directly configuring each remote UE (which would generate significant signaling overhead), the relay UE mediates this process by receiving configuration once and distributing it to multiple remote UEs, thus extending coverage while keeping signaling overhead manageable.
3Ease of operation
If direct network connection is used for all UEs, then network control is simplified, but power consumption and network burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the relay UE to perform self-service functions by autonomously configuring remote UEs based on received network parameters and independently managing data relay operations. The relay UE handles local configuration decisions and data forwarding without requiring continuous network intervention, thus reducing network burden while maintaining adequate control. This self-service capability allows UEs to communicate efficiently with reduced power consumption compared to maintaining direct network connections for all devices.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having all UEs connect directly to the network (centralized approach), the patent inverts the architecture by having remote UEs connect through relay UEs (distributed approach). This inversion reduces the network burden and power consumption associated with direct connections, while network control is maintained through high-level configuration of relay UEs. The control paradigm is inverted from direct network-UE control to network-relay UE-remote UE hierarchical control.
Data Source
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AI summary
This disclosure relates generally to a method, device, and system for sidlink communication in wireless communications. One method performed by a CU including transmitting a first transferring message to a Central Unit (CU) of the wireless communication node, wherein the first transferring message is based on a first message associated with a relay UE in the wireless network, and wherein the first transferring message further comprises at least one of the following fields: a CU level remote UE identifier (ID) identifying a remote UE in the CU; a DU level remote UE ID identifying the remote UE in the DU; an ID of the remote UE; or a Cell Radio Network Temporary Identifier (C-RNTI) of the remote UE.