Uplink Quality Feedback for Multi-Node Data Routing

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Solution Overview

Problem

In radio communication systems, the existing technologies do not effectively report uplink status to nodes with the function of the PDCP layer, leading to decreased transmission efficiency of uplink data when transmitting to multiple communication apparatuses.

Innovation Solution

A communication apparatus is configured with a reception unit to receive uplink quality information from user equipment and a control unit to control uplink data transmission based on this information, ensuring that uplink data are transmitted to the communication apparatus with better quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the node with PDCP layer transmits UL data to multiple communication apparatuses without UL status information, then the data can be transmitted to multiple nodes simultaneously, but the transmission efficiency decreases when sending to nodes with poor quality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to transmit to multiple nodesVSAvoidtransmission efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the second communication apparatus (with RLC layer) reports uplink status information to the first communication apparatus (with PDCP layer). This feedback loop enables the PDCP node to make informed decisions about UL data transmission routing based on current channel conditions, thereby resolving the contradiction between multi-node transmission capability and transmission efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Device complexity

If UL data is transmitted without quality-based routing, then the system structure remains simple, but transmission power increases and efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem structure complexityVSAvoidtransmission power
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the second communication apparatus measure and report uplink status information (such as path loss, signal quality) to the first communication apparatus before UL data transmission decisions are made. This advance information gathering enables efficient routing decisions without increasing transmission power, while maintaining relatively simple system structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3742816B1Communication apparatus
Publication Date: 2024.02.21 NTT DOCOMO INC
  • EP3742816B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3742816B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3742816B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A first communication apparatus includes a reception unit configured to receive information about uplink quality of user equipment from a second communication apparatus, when the user equipment communicates with both the first communication apparatus and the second communication apparatus; and a control unit configured to control uplink data transmission by the user equipment based on the information about uplink quality.