UE Relay Handover via Measurement Reports

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current standards do not address UE-based relaying and do not allow handover of mobile telephones from/to cells operated by UE Relays, as existing handover techniques are not applicable to UE Relays which are deployed in an ad-hoc manner unlike traditional relay nodes.

Innovation Solution

A mobile communication device and relay mobile communication device capable of connecting to a relay cell, receiving configuration data, performing measurements, and sending measurement reports, as well as initiating handover based on trigger events, with the ability to operate within a communication network and communicate via LTE or non-LTE interfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional relay nodes are deployed in a structured manner with dedicated donor base stations, then network control and handover management are simplified, but deployment flexibility and adaptability to ad-hoc scenarios are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandover managementVSAvoiddeployment flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes user equipment capable of performing multiple functions: acting as a relay node for other UEs, maintaining connection to donor base station, and participating in handover procedures. This multi-functionality allows the system to handle both structured relay deployments and ad-hoc UE relay scenarios with a single unified approach.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic handover mechanisms where UE relays can be handed over from donor base stations to target base stations based on real-time measurement reports and trigger events. This dynamic approach allows the relay configuration to adapt to changing radio conditions while maintaining network control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If UE relays are allowed to operate independently in ad-hoc manner, then deployment flexibility is improved, but handover control and measurement reporting complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeployment flexibilityVSAvoidhandover control
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces measurement reports as an intermediary mechanism between UE relays and base stations. The UE relay collects measurement data from the radio environment and reports it to the network, which then makes informed handover decisions. This intermediary approach simplifies the overall control while enabling flexible deployment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback loops where UE relays continuously monitor radio conditions, send measurement reports to donor base stations, and receive handover commands based on trigger events. This feedback mechanism enables autonomous operation of UE relays while maintaining network control through standardized procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If measurement reporting is configured for each relay cell, then handover accuracy is improved, but signaling overhead and configuration complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandover accuracyVSAvoidsignaling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universal measurement reporting configurations that can be used across multiple relay cells and scenarios. The same measurement report mechanisms serve both traditional relay nodes and UE relays, reducing the need for separate configuration schemes and minimizing signaling overhead.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses trigger events with configurable parameters (thresholds, offsets, time-to-trigger) to control when measurement reports are generated. By adjusting these parameters, the system can optimize the balance between measurement precision and signaling overhead based on specific deployment scenarios and radio conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2870821B1Mobile user equipment apparatus and method for operating a relay cell
Publication Date: 2020.09.16 NEC CORP
  • EP2870821B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2870821B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP2870821B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

A system (1) is disclosed in which a communication device (3-1) provides measurement reports to a relay mobile communication device (3-3). The communication device (3-1) connects to a relay cell operated by the relay mobile communication device (3-3) and receives configuration data for at least one trigger event for triggering measurement reporting for at least one cell. The communication device (3-1) performs measurements and sends a measurement report to the relay mobile communication device (3-3) when the trigger event has occurred.