Sidelink Relay Reselection Using Service-Continuity Indication
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 5G networks, remote UEs face challenges in selecting optimal relay UE candidates during path switch due to multiple suitable options, leading to potential timing delays and inefficiencies in establishing U2N relaying, especially when service-continuity is required.
Innovation Solution
Enhancements for relay discovery and selection/reselection processes include differentiated discovery messages with service-continuity indications, additional information exchange between remote and relay UEs, and network control to facilitate efficient relay UE candidate selection and reconfiguration, ensuring seamless path switching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If remote UE selects from multiple suitable relay UE candidates during path switch, then relay selection flexibility is improved, but timing delays increase and service continuity is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The network performs preliminary identification and configuration of potential relay UE candidates before the remote UE needs to switch paths. The network provides a list of pre-evaluated relay candidates to the remote UE, so that when path switch is needed, the UE can quickly select from this pre-prepared list without performing time-consuming evaluations, thus reducing timing delays while maintaining selection flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The network acts as an intermediary that mediates between the remote UE and multiple relay UE candidates. The network evaluates and selects suitable relay candidates based on current network conditions, then provides this curated list to the remote UE. This intermediary role allows the system to maintain flexibility in relay selection while the network's centralized control reduces timing delays by pre-processing candidate evaluation
2Ease of operation
If remote UE performs relay discovery and selection without network control, then autonomous operation is improved, but service continuity during path switch deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the network continuously monitors relay UE performance and provides updates to the remote UE about suitable candidates. The network receives feedback from relay UEs about their capacity and status, then uses this feedback to maintain an updated list of suitable relay candidates, ensuring service continuity while allowing autonomous operation
Solution Approach 2:
The network performs preliminary evaluation and preparation of relay candidate lists before the remote UE needs to make selection decisions. This preliminary action ensures that when the remote UE operates autonomously, it does so with pre-validated candidate information, thereby maintaining service continuity without compromising autonomous operation
3Device complexity
If relay UE candidates are identified without differentiated discovery messages, then discovery process simplicity is improved, but relay selection efficiency for service continuity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The discovery process uses differentiated discovery messages that contain specific quality indicators tailored to service-continuity requirements. Instead of a uniform discovery process, the system applies localized quality filtering where discovery messages include specific attributes relevant to relay selection for path switching, improving efficiency without significantly increasing overall process complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes parameters in discovery messages to differentiate between various relay selection scenarios. By modifying message parameters to include service-continuity indications and candidate priorities, the system enables more efficient relay selection while maintaining relatively simple discovery procedures through standardized protocol extensions
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products are provided to facilitate relay discovery, selection, and/or reselection for U2N relaying over SL utilizing a service-continuity indication provided via one or more solicitation messages from a remote UE to at least one relay UE. In some embodiments, a serving network may provide identification of the at least one relay UE via a remote configuration for the remote UE. In some embodiments, the serving network may provide identification of the at least one relay UE via a response message transmitted to the remote UE via SL. In some embodiments, the remote UE may prioritize one or more potential relay UE candidates identified by the serving network.