User Equipment Group Relays for High-Frequency Coverage Gaps
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing density of user equipment and the use of high spectrum frequencies like millimeter waves and terahertz frequencies lead to limited communication range and coverage in wireless networks, with existing technologies relying on point-to-point connections without cooperation among nearby user equipment.
Innovation Solution
User equipment forms groups for cooperative communication, with active equipment connecting to base stations and passive equipment communicating indirectly through active equipment, utilizing device-to-device links to enhance coverage, capacity, and efficiency, and sharing data to reduce power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high spectrum frequencies (mmW, THz) are used for wireless communication, then data transmission speed and capacity are improved, but communication range and coverage are reduced due to signal loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces relay user equipment as intermediary nodes between remote user equipment and base stations. These relay devices receive signals from base stations and forward them to distant UEs, effectively extending the communication range of high-frequency signals without reducing transmission quality. The relay mechanism allows mmW and THz signals to reach farther by hopping through intermediate nodes rather than requiring direct line-of-sight connections.
2Quantity of substance
If user equipment density increases, then network capacity and coverage are improved, but signal interference and congestion increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network into multiple groups, each with a designated group leader that manages communication within that group. By dividing the dense user equipment population into smaller managed segments, the system reduces overall interference while maintaining high density. Each group operates with coordinated resource allocation under its leader, preventing the chaos that would result from unmanaged high-density connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic group formation and leader selection mechanisms that adapt to changing network conditions. When interference levels change or user equipment moves, the system dynamically reconfigures groups and selects new leaders to optimize performance. This dynamic adaptation allows the network to maintain efficiency in high-density scenarios by continuously adjusting to interference patterns rather than using static configurations.
3Device complexity
If point-to-point connections are used between user equipment and base stations, then connection simplicity is maintained, but communication reliability and coverage are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple connection paths by allowing user equipment to communicate through both direct base station connections and indirect relay connections simultaneously. This combination of direct and relay paths creates redundancy, where if one path fails or experiences poor conditions, the other can compensate. The system combines the simplicity of direct connections with the reliability of multi-path communication without significantly increasing device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
User equipment in close proximity may transfer data and control information. For example, the user equipment may exchange data or data sets between each other. Each user equipment can receive and transmit data using radio access technologies. A group of user equipments may include active user equipment and passive user equipment. Active user equipment connects with one or more base stations and transfers data on a wireless communication network via the base station. The active user equipment may communicate with other active user equipment and passive user equipment. Passive user equipment may not connect to any base station and/or the wireless communication network and may communicate with other passive user equipment and active user equipment (e.g., via a sidelink, peer-to-peer, or device-to-device channel).