Wireless Relay Beacon Signaling for Efficient D2D Bearer Setup

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing neighbor discovery techniques in wireless networks do not allow wireless devices to find other devices with specific relaying capabilities and willingness to assist, particularly for cell edge devices, leading to inefficient relay assistance and increased power consumption.

Innovation Solution

A method where wireless devices advertise their relaying capabilities and needs through beacon signals, allowing network-assisted matching and D2D bearer configuration to select suitable relay nodes, enabling efficient relay assistance and reducing power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If existing neighbor discovery techniques are used, then devices can discover neighbors, but devices cannot find other devices with specific relaying capabilities and willingness to assist

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverelaying capability informationVSAvoidrelay assistance efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The beacon signal is segmented to include specific fields for relaying capability indication and assistance willingness indication, separating this information from general neighbor discovery data. This allows devices to efficiently filter and identify suitable relay candidates without processing all neighbor discovery information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A beacon signal acts as an intermediary mechanism between neighbor discovery and relay assistance establishment. The beacon signal carries dedicated relaying capability information that enables devices to find suitable relay partners without requiring complex discovery procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If devices provide relay assistance without selective matching, then relay services are available, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverelay assistance availabilityVSAvoiddevice power consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Devices perform preliminary advertising of their relaying capabilities and assistance willingness through beacon signals before actual relay operations. This allows receiving devices to pre-identify suitable relay candidates and establish connections only with matched partners, avoiding energy-wasting attempts to use unsuitable devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service relay assistance where devices autonomously advertise their capabilities and receive devices autonomously select suitable relays based on advertised information. This eliminates the need for energy-intensive centralized matching or trial-and-error relay establishment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If beacon signals include detailed relaying capability information, then relay matching is efficient, but signal complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverelay matching efficiencyVSAvoidbeacon signal structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential relaying capability information and assistance willingness indication into dedicated fields within the beacon signal. This selective extraction provides sufficient matching information without including unnecessary details that would increase signal complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP2936922B1Wireless devices, network node and methods for handling relay assistance in a wireless communications network
Publication Date: 2019.01.09 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP2936922B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2936922B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2936922B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method in a second wireless device for handling relay assistance from a first wireless device in a wireless network is provided. The second wireless device sends (202) a first beacon signal to the first wireless device, which first beacon signal advertises that the second wireless device needs relay assistance in a radio communication, and/or the second wireless device receives (203) a second beacon signal from the first wireless device, which second beacon signal advertises that the first wireless device provides relay assistance in a radio communication in the wireless network. The second wireless device then configures (209) a Device to Device, D2D, bearer between the first wireless device and the second wireless device based on the first beacon signal and/or the second beacon signal. This enables said communication to be performed via the D2D bearer wherein the first wireless device acts as a relay node.