User Equipment Group Relays for mmWave Coverage Gaps
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing density of user equipment and the use of high spectrum frequencies like mmW and THz lead to limited communication range and coverage in wireless networks, with communication occurring primarily through point-to-point connections without cooperation among nearby devices.
Innovation Solution
User equipment forms groups to facilitate cooperative communication, with active devices coordinating data transfer and control signals through device-to-device links, utilizing primary user equipment to manage group membership and relay data, and base stations providing access to networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If point-to-point connections are used between user equipment and wireless communication network, then device complexity is reduced, but communication range and reliability deteriorate due to limited coverage at high spectrum frequencies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces intermediary user equipment (relay devices, peer devices) that act as mediators between endpoint devices and the wireless communication network. These intermediary devices receive, process, and forward data packets, extending the effective communication range and improving reliability in millimeter wave and terahertz networks where direct point-to-point connections have limited coverage.
2Productivity
If user equipment density increases, then network capacity is improved, but power consumption increases due to continuous communication activities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action through discontinuous transmission and reception patterns. User equipment can enter sleep modes between communication intervals, with scheduled wake periods for data transmission or network synchronization. This periodic operation pattern maintains network capacity while significantly reducing average power consumption during idle periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables self-service through autonomous resource allocation and interference management at the user equipment level. Devices autonomously select transmission resources, adjust power levels, and coordinate with neighboring devices to minimize interference, reducing the need for continuous network control signaling and thereby lowering overall power consumption while maintaining network capacity.
3Reliability
If cooperative communication is implemented among user equipment groups, then communication reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to coordination requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the user equipment population into distinct groups or clusters, each with designated lead devices or relay nodes. This segmentation simplifies coordination complexity by localizing management functions within groups rather than requiring global coordination across all devices, while still achieving improved communication reliability through cooperative diversity.
Data Source
AI summary
User equipment in close proximity may transfer data and control information. For example, the user equipment may exchange data or data sets between each other. Each user equipment can receive and transmit data using radio access technologies. A group of user equipments may include active user equipment and passive user equipment. Active user equipment connects with one or more base stations and transfers data on a wireless communication network via the base station. The active user equipment may communicate with other active user equipment and passive user equipment. Passive user equipment may not connect to any base station and/or the wireless communication network and may communicate with other passive user equipment and active user equipment (e.g., via a sidelink, peer-to-peer, or device-to-device channel).