Virtual Range Extenders for Dynamic Network Density
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing demand for higher throughput in wireless networks, such as 5G, is challenging to meet with traditional transmission point deployments due to high costs and inflexibility, as dense deployment of traditional base stations is costly and fixed in location, unable to dynamically adjust to network load and traffic conditions.
Innovation Solution
A software-defined network infrastructure that utilizes virtual range extenders (vREX) by selecting user equipment (UEs) as relay and destination UEs, negotiating the installation of vREX forwarding agents, and reconfiguring them based on signal-to-noise ratios and network topology to emulate dense deployments of traditional transmission points, allowing for dynamic adjustment of network density in response to changing conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional transmission points (base stations) are deployed at greater density to increase throughput, then network throughput is improved, but capital and operational costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual copies of transmission point functionality by installing vREX software on existing UEs. These virtual transmission points replicate the essential functions of physical base stations, allowing dense deployment of transmission functionality without the capital costs of physical infrastructure. The virtual transmission points are instantiated as software entities on user devices, providing the needed throughput capacity at minimal cost.
Solution Approach 2:
Existing UEs are made multi-functional by enabling them to serve both as end-user devices and as virtual transmission points simultaneously. The vREX software allows a single UE to function as both a regular mobile device and as a network infrastructure element, eliminating the need for dedicated physical transmission points and reducing overall network deployment costs.
2Reliability
If traditional transmission points are fixed in location to provide stable coverage, then network stability is maintained, but adaptability to shifting network load and traffic conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static nature of traditional transmission points by enabling virtual transmission points to dynamically relocate and reconfigure based on real-time network conditions. The vREX entities can migrate between different UE hosts and adjust their transmission parameters dynamically, allowing the network to adapt to changing traffic patterns and load conditions while maintaining service continuity and stability.
Data Source
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AI summary
An embodiment method includes selecting, by a network infrastructure manager, a first user equipment (UE) as a destination UE and selecting a second UE as a relay UE for the destination UE. The method further includes negotiating installation of a virtual range extender (vREX) UE on the destination UE, and negotiating installation of a vREX forwarding agent (FA) on the relay UE. The vREX FA is configured to act as a FA for the vREX UE.