UE-to-UE Relay Connection Discovery to Reduce Unnecessary Signaling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in establishing efficient UE-to-UE relays, particularly in scenarios where signal strength is weak, leading to unnecessary signal transmissions and receptions.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for UE-to-UE relay connection establishment involving a relay UE that receives a discovery message from a source remote UE, forwards it to a target remote UE, and receives a response message based on signal strength exceeding a preset value, while the target remote UE selects a relay UE based on signal strength exceeding a second preset value.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a UE with weak signal strength establishes a relay connection without signal strength threshold checking, then the relay connection can be established, but unnecessary signal transmissions and receptions occur leading to wasted resources

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverelay connection establishmentVSAvoidunnecessary signal transmissions
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces signal strength parameters (first preset value for discovery message forwarding, second preset value for response message transmission) to control relay connection establishment. By changing the parameter-based decision criteria, the system ensures that only UEs with sufficient signal strength establish relay connections, preventing wasted transmissions while maintaining reliable connections when appropriate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If the relay UE forwards discovery messages without signal strength verification, then more relay connections can be established, but resource utilization deteriorates due to unnecessary transmissions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverelay connection establishment rateVSAvoidsignal transmissions
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter-based filtering by comparing signal strength against a first preset value before forwarding discovery messages. This parameter change transforms the forwarding decision from unconditional to conditional, reducing the quantity of unnecessary signal transmissions while maintaining an acceptable rate of valid relay connection establishments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If the target remote UE transmits response messages without signal strength checking, then all relay UEs receive responses, but unnecessary signal receptions occur consuming system resources

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponse message transmissionVSAvoidunnecessary signal receptions
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a second preset value as a parameter threshold for response message transmission. The target remote UE now checks signal strength against this parameter before transmitting, ensuring that response messages are only sent to relay UEs with sufficient signal strength. This parameter-based control reduces unnecessary signal receptions while maintaining ease of operation for valid connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4598133A1Operating method related to discovery and connection establishment for UE-to-UE relay in wireless communication system
Publication Date: 2025.08.06 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP4598133A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4598133A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4598133A1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(b)

AI summary

According to an embodiment, an operating method of a relay user equipment (UE), related to connection establishment for UE-to-UE relay in a wireless communication system, comprises: receiving, by the relay UE, a discovery message transmitted by a source remote UE; forwarding, by the relay UE, the discovery message to a target remote UE; and receiving, by the relay UE, a response message to the discovery message from the target remote UE, wherein the discovery message is forwarded on the basis that signal strength between the source remote UE and the relay UE is greater than a pre-set first value.