Unicast Link Update for Relay Terminal Communication Overhead

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Solution Overview

Problem

In device-to-device (D2D) communication, maintaining multiple communication links between terminals and relay devices is resource-intensive, leading to high overheads in link connectivity maintenance.

Innovation Solution

A communication method where a first terminal updates its information about a unicast link with a relay terminal, incorporating an application layer identifier and address of a second terminal, allowing the same unicast link to be used for both direct and relay communication, thereby reducing the number of links to maintain.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate unicast links are established for direct communication and relay communication between terminals, then communication reliability is improved, but link maintenance overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidlink maintenance overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the direct communication link and relay communication link into a single unicast link between the first terminal and relay terminal. The same unicast link profile is used for both direct communication (when second terminal is in range) and relay communication (when second terminal is out of range), eliminating the need to maintain separate links and reducing overhead while preserving communication reliability through a single maintained connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The unicast link between the first terminal and relay terminal is designed to serve multiple functions: it can be used for direct communication when the second terminal is within range, and for relay communication when the second terminal is out of range. This multi-functional link design reduces the number of links that need to be maintained while ensuring communication reliability across different scenarios.

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple communication links are maintained between terminals and relay devices, then communication flexibility is improved, but resource consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication flexibilityVSAvoidresource consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The single unicast link is designed to be universal, serving both direct communication and relay communication purposes. This allows the system to adapt to different communication scenarios (direct or relay) using the same link, maintaining communication flexibility while reducing resource consumption by eliminating redundant link maintenance.

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

3Measurement precision

If separate link management is implemented for direct and relay communication, then communication precision is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelink identification precisionVSAvoidlink management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the link management for direct and relay communication into a unified process. The same unicast link profile contains identifiers for both the relay terminal and the second terminal, allowing precise identification of communication targets while simplifying link management. The link profile is updated dynamically based on whether direct or relay communication is being performed, eliminating the need for separate management mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4075918B1Communication method and device
Publication Date: 2025.05.21 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4075918B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4075918B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4075918B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Embodiments of this application provide a communication method and an apparatus. The method includes: A first message from a relay terminal is received, where the relay terminal is a relay terminal used for communication between the first terminal and a second terminal. The first message includes first indication information, an application layer identifier of the second terminal, and a first address of the second terminal. The first indication information can indicate the first unicast link between the first terminal and the relay terminal. The first terminal updates the first information of the first unicast link based on the first message, to obtain updated second information of the first unicast link. The second information includes the application layer identifier of the second terminal and the first address. In embodiments of this application, links that need to be maintained between the first terminal and the relay terminal can be reduced, and link maintenance overheads are reduced.