WTRU Relay Path Reconfiguration for Service Continuity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile communication systems face challenges in maintaining service continuity and optimizing communication paths through WTRU relays, particularly in managing quality of service, channel busy ratio, and number of hops, which affect data transmission efficiency and reliability.
Innovation Solution
A source WTRU identifies and configures a relay by determining if it meets certain thresholds, such as quality of service and channel busy ratio, and reconfigures the radio bearer to include the relay, adding a radio link control entity and associating it with the relay to establish a reliable communication path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a direct communication path is established between source WTRU and destination WTRU, then transmission efficiency is improved, but service continuity cannot be maintained when direct path is unavailable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces relay WTRUs as intermediary nodes to establish indirect communication paths when direct paths are unavailable. The source WTRU can communicate with the destination WTRU through one or more relay WTRUs, ensuring service continuity while maintaining acceptable transmission efficiency through optimized relay selection based on QoS parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic path selection and relay reconfiguration mechanisms that adapt to changing network conditions. The source WTRU can dynamically switch between direct and indirect paths, and between different relay WTRUs, based on real-time QoS measurements including channel busy ratio, number of hops, and link quality, thereby maintaining both service continuity and transmission efficiency.
2Reliability
If relay WTRU is selected based on strict QoS thresholds, then service quality is improved, but the number of available relays decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs adjustable QoS thresholds for relay selection that can be modified based on network conditions and service requirements. By dynamically adjusting parameters such as channel busy ratio thresholds, number of hops limits, and link quality requirements, the system can balance between maintaining high service quality and expanding the pool of available relay WTRUs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a multi-level relay selection approach where QoS thresholds are applied selectively to different relay candidates based on their suitability for specific services. Not all relays require the same strict QoS parameters, allowing the system to utilize a broader range of relays for less demanding services while maintaining high standards for critical communications.
3Reliability
If multiple relay paths are established for redundancy, then service continuity is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication path into multiple independent relay segments that can be managed separately. Each relay path is configured as an independent radio bearer with its own QoS parameters, allowing the system to establish redundant paths without creating complex interdependencies. This modular approach simplifies path management and failure isolation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements proactive path establishment and pre-configuration of relay bearers before service interruption occurs. The source WTRU can pre-establish alternative relay paths and configure their QoS parameters in advance, so that when a primary path fails, the switch to a redundant path can occur rapidly without complex real-time decision-making, thereby reducing system complexity during operation.
Data Source
AI summary
Method and WTRU enabled for service continuity using WTRU-to-WTRU relays. A relay path may be modeled as an SLRB, RLC leg of an SLRB, and/or a MAC logical channel. The WTRU adds a path for a destination based on configured/usable relays. The WTRU may associate an end-to-end L2 destination ID with one or more path L2 destination IDs or path IDs. Upper layers select one or more paths for transmission of a packet/bearer. The WTRU may send a relay announcement message containing path connectivity information. A WTRU may select a path for transmission based on properties associated with a sidelink. The WTRU may activate/deactivate an SL bearer, unicast link, L2 destination, and/or RLC Leg. The WTRU changes a bearer associated with an SLRB from an established RLC entity to another established RLC entity.