Wireless Terminal Link Selection for Coverage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless terminals in areas with poor coverage face high power consumption and network resource usage due to repeated data transmission in enhanced coverage modes, and there is a need to determine whether direct or sidelink communication is more advantageous in terms of power consumption and network congestion.

Innovation Solution

A method for wireless terminals to assess the quality of direct and sidelink communication links by determining the enhanced coverage level, signal quality, power consumption, jamming probability, and access barring level, and then initiate a link quality message to the base station to decide which communication link to use for setting up a communication session.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If enhanced coverage mode with repeated transmission is used, then communication reliability is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent dynamically selects between direct communication and sidelink communication based on real-time link quality assessments. The wireless terminal evaluates the quality of both communication paths and switches between them adaptively, rather than statically using enhanced coverage mode with repeated transmissions. This dynamic approach maintains reliability while reducing unnecessary power consumption from repeated transmissions when alternative paths are available.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the communication mode parameter from fixed enhanced coverage to variable selection between direct and sidelink modes. By monitoring link quality parameters and adjusting the communication path accordingly, the system optimizes the balance between reliability and power consumption based on current network conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If enhanced coverage mode with repeated transmission is used, then communication reliability is improved, but network resource consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidnetwork resource consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically evaluates and selects communication paths based on current network conditions. When sidelink communication is available and reliable, the terminal uses this alternative path, thereby reducing the load on network resources while maintaining communication reliability. This avoids the need for repeated transmissions over congested direct links to the base station.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Quantity of substance

If direct communication link is used, then network resource consumption is reduced, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork resource consumptionVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic path selection that continuously monitors both link quality and power consumption metrics. When direct communication is selected, the system adjusts transmission parameters and monitors power usage, switching to sidelink mode when it becomes more power-efficient. This dynamic adjustment optimizes the trade-off between network resource usage and power consumption based on real-time conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Use of energy by moving object

If sidelink communication is used, then power consumption is reduced, but communication reliability may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidcommunication reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the wireless terminal continuously assesses the quality of the sidelink communication path. When link quality degrades below acceptable thresholds, the system switches back to direct communication with the base station. This feedback-driven approach ensures that power savings from sidelink communication do not compromise communication reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically monitors sidelink quality metrics and adjusts the communication mode accordingly. Rather than statically committing to sidelink communication for power savings, the terminal adaptively switches between sidelink and direct modes based on real-time quality assessments, maintaining reliability while optimizing power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3527005B1Wireless device-to-device communication methods and apparatuses
Publication Date: 2021.08.04 THALES DIS AIS DEUT GMBH
  • EP3527005B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3527005B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3527005B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for a wireless terminal of communicating with a base station of a cellular network, the wireless terminal operating in enhanced coverage mode and configured to set up a communication session with the base station by means of at least one of a direct communication link and a sidelink communication link using a second wireless terminal, the method comprising the steps of: - determining a quality of the direct communication link with the base station, - determining a quality of a communication link to the second wireless terminal, the second wireless terminal being capable of communicating with the base station, - initiating a transmission of a link quality message to the base station, the link quality message comprising information relating to said quality of the communication link, - receiving a response message from the base station indicating if the direct communication link or the sidelink communication link is to be used, - requesting for the communication session via the indicated communication link.