Virtual User Terminals for Base Station Mesh Networking
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 4th generation cellular networks like LTE, base stations (eNBs) face challenges in maintaining communication links with the core network during disasters or mobility scenarios, leading to disruptions in data exchanges between eNBs and user terminals, even when they are within radio range, due to reliance on physical backhaul links and limitations of relay nodes.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a management unit in base stations that creates virtual user terminals (vUEs) to establish communication links with neighboring base stations, enabling a mesh network structure for direct data transmission between base stations using the LTE protocol, with selective distribution of radio interface resources and authentication mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If physical backhaul links are used to connect base stations to the core network, then network reliability is improved, but device complexity and installation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual user terminals (vUEs) that copy the functionality of real user terminals to establish communication links between base stations. Instead of installing physical backhaul links, the system uses virtual copies of terminal devices to create logical communication paths, eliminating the need for complex physical infrastructure while maintaining network connectivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces virtual user terminals as intermediary entities between base stations. These vUEs act as mediators that enable direct communication between neighboring base stations through the LTE radio interface, replacing the need for direct physical backhaul connections and reducing installation complexity.
2Area of stationary object
If relay nodes are deployed to extend base station coverage, then network coverage is improved, but device complexity and dependency on donor base station increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of deploying relay nodes that depend on donor base stations, the patent creates virtual user terminals at each base station that can independently establish direct links with neighboring base stations. This eliminates the hierarchical dependency structure of relay nodes while achieving similar coverage extension goals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the network functionality by enabling each base station to create its own virtual terminals for direct peer-to-peer communication. This eliminates the centralized relay node architecture and distributes the communication capability across individual base stations, reducing management complexity.
3Reliability
If direct radio interface communication between base stations is enabled, then network resilience during disasters is improved, but protocol compatibility and authentication complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the LTE radio interface universal for both user terminal communication and base station-to-base station communication. By using virtual user terminals, the same LTE protocol stack serves dual purposes, enabling direct base station links without requiring new protocols or complex authentication mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual user terminals copy the standard LTE terminal behavior and authentication processes. This allows base stations to communicate using existing LTE protocols and authentication mechanisms designed for user terminals, avoiding the need to develop and manage separate authentication systems for inter-base station communication.
4Productivity
If virtual user terminals are created for mesh network communication, then direct base station communication is enabled, but processing overhead and memory usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the virtual terminal functionality into on-demand instances created only when needed for direct communication. Instead of maintaining permanent virtual terminal objects at all times, the system creates virtual terminals selectively when mesh network communication is required, reducing overall memory usage and processing overhead.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a base station for a radiocommunications network, and method for processing in a base station (e2NB) for a radiocommunications network including: - a radio interface module suitable for transmitting and receiving radiofrequency data and a pilot block(eNB1)suitable for setting up a communication link and communicating on said link with at least one first user terminal according to a radio protocol, including a radio protocol section suitable for base stations and a radio protocol section suitable for user terminals, by using said radio interface module; and - a management unit (3) suitable for creating a plurality of second virtual user terminals(VUEs) suitable for communicating, according to said radio protocol, with base stations adjacent to said base station by using said radio interface module.