Uplink Data Transfer in mmWave 5G Access Point Clusters
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Solution Overview
Problem
In mmWave 5G wireless networks, uplink data transfer is disrupted when the line-of-sight between a user device and its serving access point is blocked by obstacles, leading to latency and throughput issues due to the need for rerouting connections through alternative access points.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of three uplink data transfer methods: Serving-AP, Solicited-AP, and Assisted-AP transfer, which allow for efficient and low-latency data transfer by forwarding uplink resource requests and allocating resources through the serving access point or the uplink-access access point, minimizing latency and maximizing throughput.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If uplink data transfer is performed via the serving access point in conventional wireless systems, then the system structure is simple and easy to manage, but the data transfer is disrupted when line-of-sight is blocked by obstacles, leading to increased latency and reduced throughput
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cluster set manager as an intermediary component that coordinates multiple access points (serving AP and standby APs) to handle uplink data transfer. When the serving AP cannot provide line-of-sight connection, the cluster set manager enables seamless switching to standby APs, maintaining reliable data transfer without significant latency increase. This mediator resolves the contradiction by managing the complexity of multiple APs while ensuring continuous reliable connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring a cluster set of standby access points around each user device before line-of-sight blockage occurs. These standby APs are prepared in advance with their identifiers and capabilities stored in the user device, enabling immediate switching when the serving AP's line-of-sight is blocked, thus maintaining low latency while ensuring reliability.
2Reliability
If multiple access points are deployed to provide alternative paths for uplink data transfer, then reliability is improved when line-of-sight is blocked, but device complexity and system management become more complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the user device to autonomously manage its cluster set of access points. The user device stores identifiers of multiple APs, autonomously determines which AP to use based on line-of-sight conditions, and handles the switching without requiring complex centralized control. This reduces system management complexity while maintaining reliability through self-directed AP selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the access point functionality into a serving AP (for normal operation) and multiple standby APs (for fallback). This segmentation allows the system to maintain simple serving AP operation while having pre-positioned backup options, reducing the complexity of managing all APs simultaneously while ensuring reliability through available alternatives.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method including transmitting an uplink access request message by a user device (UD) for an access point (AP) in an access point cluster set of the UD; and monitoring a downlink control channel by the user device (UD) to determine, based at least partially upon the transmitted uplink access request message, if a subsequent uplink communication is to be transmitted by the user device (UD) to a serving access point and/or a stand-by access point of the access point cluster set.