Wireless Device as Temporary Base Station for Network Resilience

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication technologies fail to efficiently provide end-to-end cellular services when parts of the radio access network (RAN) or the S1 interface are damaged or dysfunctional, and they struggle to handle simultaneous high demand scenarios, limiting the number of served wireless devices and the quality of service.

Innovation Solution

A method and system where a wireless device can be selected and configured to perform base station functions, including emulating uplink and downlink protocols, establishing sidelinks, and acting as a temporary base station to extend coverage and quality of cellular services by determining conditions such as loss of cellular coverage or S1 interface impairment, and receiving approval from a network node to provide these functions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional base station infrastructure is used, then network coverage and service quality are maintained, but the system becomes vulnerable to RAN damage and S1 interface failures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice continuityVSAvoidinfrastructure dependency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A wireless device is selected as an intermediary to perform base station functions, bridging the gap between remaining network infrastructure and wireless devices that need service. The selected wireless device acts as a mediator that can receive data from the core network via S1 interface and forward it to other wireless devices, maintaining service continuity when traditional RAN is damaged.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a functional copy of base station capabilities within a wireless device. Instead of relying on physical base station hardware, the system copies essential base station functions (data forwarding, protocol handling) into software running on a wireless device, allowing these functions to be performed anywhere in the network coverage area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Productivity

If more wireless devices are served simultaneously, then network capacity increases, but service quality and hit rate decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork capacityVSAvoidservice quality

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the network into multiple service zones, each served by a different selected wireless device. Instead of one overloaded base station serving all devices, multiple wireless devices can be selected to serve different geographic areas or user groups, distributing the load and maintaining service quality while increasing overall network capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If wireless devices act as base stations, then infrastructure requirements are reduced, but device complexity and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeployment costVSAvoiddevice energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic selection of wireless devices to serve as base stations based on current network conditions, device capabilities, and energy status. The system can dynamically adjust which devices perform base station functions, allowing energy-constrained devices to opt out when needed and energy-rich devices to take on additional responsibilities, balancing the energy burden across the network.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Area of stationary object

If wireless devices provide base station functions, then network coverage is extended, but interference and signal quality may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidsignal quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by allowing different wireless devices to provide base station functions in different geographic locations. Each selected wireless device optimizes its transmission for its local area, providing coverage extension without creating widespread interference. The system can assign frequency resources and power levels locally to match environmental conditions and minimize interference with other cells.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS11736184B2Cellular service improvement and extension by user equipment

Publication Date: 2023.08.22 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

AI summary

A method, wireless device, and network node configured to enable a wireless device to serve as a base station to at least one other wireless device in a communications network, the wireless device being configured to perform predetermined base station functions. The method includes determining a condition triggering a need to provide the predetermined base station functions to the at least one other wireless device, notifying a network node in the communications network that the wireless device is available to provide the predetermined base station functions, receiving approval from the network node to provide the predetermined base station functions, and providing the predetermined base station functions to the at least one other wireless device.