Sidelink Unicast Link Problem Reporting and Fallback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current sidelink unicast service management in the access stratum layer lacks efficient mechanisms to monitor and manage link quality, particularly in scenarios where sidelink unicast link problems or failures occur, leading to disruptions in communication between user equipment (UEs) in wireless communication networks.

Innovation Solution

A method for sidelink unicast service management that involves UE reporting link problems and initiating fallback procedures using pre-configured settings, allowing for continuous communication by switching to alternative component carriers or configurations, and enabling recovery procedures to maintain service integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If sidelink unicast service is established without access stratum layer connection management, then device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but link quality monitoring capability deteriorates and service reliability worsens when link failures occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of sidelink unicast service establishmentVSAvoidservice continuity during link failures
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the sidelink unicast service management into two independent parts: upper layer (PC5-S protocol) for service establishment and access stratum layer for link quality monitoring and failure recovery. This allows each layer to operate independently with its own mechanisms, resolving the contradiction by adding AS layer functionality without complicating the upper layer service establishment process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The access stratum layer acts as an intermediary between the physical link and the upper layer sidelink unicast service. It provides link quality monitoring and failure recovery mechanisms that transparently protect the upper layer service without requiring upper layer changes, thus improving reliability while maintaining ease of operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If access stratum layer link monitoring mechanisms are added to sidelink unicast, then service reliability during link failures is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice continuity during link failuresVSAvoidcomplexity of access stratum layer management
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The access stratum layer implements self-service through autonomous link quality monitoring and automatic failure recovery procedures. The layer monitors its own link conditions and triggers recovery actions without external intervention, improving reliability while avoiding the need for complex cross-layer coordination mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring fallback configurations and recovery procedures in the access stratum layer before link failures occur. When failures are detected, these pre-prepared mechanisms are immediately activated, ensuring service continuity without requiring complex real-time decision-making

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3963912B1Method of sidelink unicast service management in access stratum layer and related device
Publication Date: 2024.07.10 FG INNOVATION CO LTD
  • EP3963912B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3963912B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3963912B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A method of sidelink unicast service management in an access stratum layer for a first user equipment (UE) is disclosed. The method comprises receiving, by the first UE through a PC5 interface, a sidelink unicast configuration associated with a second UE, from the second UE, transmitting, by the first UE through a radio resource control, RRC, signaling of the PC5 interface, a sidelink unicast link problem report, to the second UE in responsive to that the first UE is unable to comply with all or part of the sidelink unicast configuration, and performing, by the first UE, a sidelink unicast fallback procedure with the second UE by continuously using a sidelink unicast configuration setting of the first UE with corresponding configurations in a sidelink unicast pre-configuration used prior to the received sidelink unicast configuration.