User Equipment Ad Hoc Base Station Functionality
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cellular networks face challenges in providing coverage in areas with limited or no base station connectivity, such as in-building, rural, or disaster scenarios, where traditional cellular infrastructure is inadequate or destroyed.
Innovation Solution
Enabling ad hoc cellular base station functionality within user equipment to create or integrate an ad hoc cellular network, which can operate independently or integrate with existing networks, using multi-radio access technology nodes that adapt to varying network conditions and frequencies, and dynamically adjust configurations to ensure seamless connectivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional cellular networks are used, then connectivity to core network is provided, but coverage is unavailable in areas without base station infrastructure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional cellular network architecture by enabling user equipment to function as base stations. Instead of requiring all devices to connect to centralized base stations, the system allows distributed peer-to-peer connectivity where user equipment can provide cellular network functionality including base station operations, core network functionality, and inter-network routing without requiring traditional base station infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service by enabling user equipment to autonomously provide network services to other devices. When a device enables ad hoc base station functionality, it automatically creates network coverage in its vicinity, allowing other user equipment to connect and access cellular services without requiring external base station infrastructure or manual network configuration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If ad hoc base station functionality is enabled in user equipment, then coverage is extended to areas without infrastructure, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by designing user equipment capable of operating in multiple modes: standard user equipment mode, ad hoc base station mode, and core network functionality mode. The same device hardware and software platform supports both conventional cellular operations and autonomous network provision, eliminating the need for separate specialized devices and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges previously separate network functions into a single user equipment device. Base station functionality, core network functionality, and user equipment capabilities are combined in one device, allowing it to simultaneously or alternatively perform multiple roles depending on network conditions and configuration, thereby extending coverage without proportionally increasing complexity.
3Reliability
If user equipment acts as base station, then network resilience is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic operation by allowing user equipment to adaptively switch between consuming minimal power in standard mode and higher power consumption when providing ad hoc base station services. The system dynamically adjusts resource allocation, transmission power, and functional activation based on network conditions, device capabilities, and environmental factors, enabling resilient network operation while managing energy consumption flexibly rather than statically.
Data Source
AI summary
In this invention, we disclose methods for enabling ad hoc cellular base station functionality within a user equipment when the connection quality between a base station and the user equipment is limited or nonexistent. These methods include measuring a connection quality between a user equipment and its serving base station. If the connection quality is below a threshold, the user equipment can enable its internal ad hoc cellular base station functionality. This is done by running a software within the user equipment that (a) checks the connection quality periodically, and (b) enables ad hoc cellular base station functionality of the connection threshold dips below a certain value. In one embodiment, that threshold could be the same threshold value that a user equipment would use if it were making a decision to handoff to another base station based on poor connection quality.