Relay Node Timing Alignment for Unified Wireless Backhaul and Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently supporting unified wireless backhaul and access networks, particularly in 5G systems, which require flexible system operation and efficient resource management to handle increased data traffic and diverse network configurations.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves a unified wireless backhaul and access network architecture that enables flexible resource allocation and multiplexing techniques, including time, frequency, and spatial division multiplexing, allowing for shared time-frequency resources among backhaul and access links, and supports multiple anchor base stations and relay stations to enhance network scalability and reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If frequency division multiplexing is used to separate backhaul and access links, then interference between links is reduced, but spectrum utilization efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges backhaul and access links into a unified wireless network where both links share the same frequency resources. Relay nodes simultaneously serve both backhaul connections (to donor nodes) and access connections (to user equipment) using the same time-frequency resources, eliminating the need for separate frequency divisions and thereby improving spectrum utilization while managing interference through coordinated resource allocation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic resource allocation where time-frequency resources are flexibly assigned to backhaul or access links based on instantaneous channel conditions, traffic demands, and quality of service requirements. This dynamic switching allows the system to optimize between interference management and spectrum utilization by adapting resource distribution in real-time rather than using static frequency division.
2Device complexity
If relay nodes are attached to single anchor base station, then network management is simplified, but service reliability deteriorates due to single point of failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables relay nodes to simultaneously function as both access nodes for user equipment and backhaul nodes for multiple donor base stations. This multi-functionality allows relay nodes to maintain connections with multiple anchor base stations, creating redundancy that improves service reliability while the unified network architecture keeps management complexity manageable through standardized protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements redundancy by allowing relay nodes to pre-establish connections with multiple donor base stations before failures occur. This beforehand cushioning ensures that if one anchor base station fails, the relay node can immediately switch to an alternative donor, preventing service outages and maintaining continuity without requiring complex real-time decision-making.
3Quantity of substance
If wireless backhaul and access links share same frequency band, then spectrum efficiency is improved, but interference management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the unified wireless network into distinct functional layers: backhaul links operating between relay nodes and donor base stations, and access links operating between relay nodes and user equipment. This segmentation allows for specialized interference management strategies at each layer while maintaining overall spectrum efficiency through shared frequency resources, reducing the complexity of managing interference across the entire system.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a pre-5th-Generation (5G) or 5G communication system to be provided for supporting higher data rates Beyond 4th-Generation (4G) communication system such as Long Term Evolution (LTE). A relay node capable of supporting wireless backhaul in a wireless communication system includes, a controller configured to identify a first timing for a downlink transmission through the wireless backhaul and a second timing for a uplink transmission through an access link, wherein the first timing and the second timing are substantially aligned, and a transceiver configured to receive, from a base station, at least one first symbol in the downlink transmission through the wireless backhaul, and receive, from a terminal, at least second symbol in the uplink transmission through an access link.