Wireless Device Broadcast Information Block Assistance via Companion Relay
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Solution Overview
Problem
Link budget limited wireless devices, such as wearable devices, face challenges in obtaining and decoding broadcast information blocks (BIBs) due to their limited communication range, leading to reduced cellular communication capabilities and increased power consumption.
Innovation Solution
These devices obtain a first set of BIBs from a base station and store or retrieve a second set from a companion device or memory, avoiding the power-intensive and error-prone process of decoding them directly from the base station.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the wireless device attempts to decode broadcast information blocks directly from the base station, then the device can obtain cellular communication service, but the power consumption increases and decoding errors occur more frequently
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by having the companion device obtain and store the second set of BIBs in advance. When the accessory device needs these BIBs, it retrieves them from the companion device rather than decoding them from the base station, thus avoiding the power-intensive and error-prone decoding process while maintaining communication reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The companion device acts as an intermediary between the base station and the accessory device. It obtains the BIBs from the base station and provides them to the accessory device, eliminating the need for the accessory device to directly decode BIBs from the base station, thereby reducing power consumption and decoding errors
2Adaptability or versatility
If the wireless device obtains all necessary broadcast information blocks from the base station, then complete cellular communication capability is achieved, but the communication range remains limited due to link budget constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The companion device serves as an intermediary that extends the effective communication range of the accessory device. By obtaining BIBs from the base station and relaying them to the accessory device, the companion device enables the accessory device to access cellular communication services beyond its own limited link budget range
3Use of energy by moving object
If the wireless device stores and retrieves broadcast information blocks from memory or companion device, then power consumption is reduced and decoding errors are minimized, but the device requires additional memory or companion device coordination
Solution Approach 1:
The companion device performs multiple functions: it acts as a cellular communication device, stores BIBs for future use, and serves as a data source for the accessory device. This multi-functionality reduces the need for the accessory device to have full decoding capabilities, simplifying its design while reducing power consumption
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of the accessory device directly decoding BIBs from the base station, it receives copies of the BIBs from the companion device. This copying approach eliminates the need for the accessory device to have robust decoding capabilities, reducing both power consumption and device complexity
Data Source
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AI summary
This disclosure relates to broadcast information block assistance for a wireless device. The wireless device may obtain a first plurality of broadcast information blocks from a first base station. The wireless device may receive a second plurality of broadcast information blocks associated with the first base station from a source other than the first base station. The wireless device may determine if the second plurality of broadcast information blocks match the first plurality of broadcast information blocks based on version information specified in the first plurality of broadcast information blocks. When the broadcast information blocks match, the wireless device may use the first and second pluralities of broadcast information blocks to perform communication with the first base station without obtaining the second plurality of information blocks from the first base station.