User Equipment Virtual Network Element Repeater Mode
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless communication systems face constraints in resources and demands for quality and quantity of service, particularly in multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems, necessitating improvements in network capacity and coverage.
Innovation Solution
User equipment (UE) is configured to operate as a virtual network element, functioning as a repeater or virtual transmit-receive point, enabling it to process and transmit signals without demodulation, thereby increasing network capacity and coverage by acting as a relay or additional antenna element.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If user equipment operates as a virtual network element (repeater or virtual TRP), then network spectral efficiency and MIMO dimensionality are improved, but device complexity and resource management complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The user equipment is designed to perform multiple functions: it can operate as a standard UE for communication, or switch to functioning as a virtual network element (repeater or virtual TRP). The transceiver can be configured to receive and transmit signals in both modes, allowing the same hardware to serve dual purposes without requiring separate dedicated equipment for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The user equipment autonomously configures its transceiver to operate as a virtual network element based on network conditions and instructions. The device self-manages the signal reception and transmission processes, processing received downlink signals and generating uplink signals without requiring external demodulation or complex baseband processing, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining productivity benefits.
2Area of stationary object
If user equipment functions as a repeater with analog domain coupling, then coverage area is extended, but signal processing complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts only the essential signal forwarding function from the user equipment when operating as a repeater. The transceiver is configured to receive downlink signals and transmit them with minimal processing (primarily frequency translation and amplification in the analog domain), removing complex baseband processing, demodulation, and higher-layer protocol handling. This extraction of the core function enables coverage extension while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to full-duplex digital signal processing.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of this disclosure relate to a user equipment that includes a transceiver that can operate in at least a traffic mode and a virtual network element mode. In the traffic mode, the transceiver can process a received downlink radio frequency signal and transmit an uplink radio frequency signal. The transceiver can couple a receive path to a transmit path in an analog domain in the virtual network element mode. In the virtual network element mode, the transceiver can, for example, perform functions of a network repeater or a network transmit-receive point.