METHODS AND ARRANGEMENTS FOR NETWORK ASSISTED DEVICE-TO-DEVICE COMMUNICATION

摘要

A device-to-device communication cluster of a plurality of communication devices comprises the first communication device and one or more other communication devices and a specific one of the plurality of communication devices performs a network control signal gateway function for the device-to-device communication cluster. The network control signal gateway function comprises receiving downlink control signals from a network node of the cellular network, transmitting uplink control signals to the network node of the cellular network, and operating control signaling within the device-to-device communication cluster in association with the downlink and uplink control signals.

主权项

1. A method for a first communication device adapted to perform cellular network assisted device-to-device communication, wherein a device-to-device communication cluster of a plurality of communication devices comprises the first communication device and one or more other communication devices, and wherein a specific one of the plurality of communication devices performs a network control signal gateway function for the device-to-device communication cluster, said network control signal gateway function comprising: receiving downlink control signals from a network node of the cellular network, transmitting uplink control signals to the network node of the cellular network, and operating control signaling within the device-to-device communication cluster in association with the downlink and uplink control signals, the method comprising:
deciding whether or not to switch the network control signal gateway function from the specific communication device to another communication device in the plurality of communication devices, based on at least one of:
link quality measurements of prospect communication links between the network node and the specific communication device and between the network node and the another communication device; andlink quality measurements of device-to-device communication links between the specific communication device and communication devices, other than the specific communication device, of the plurality of communication devices and between the another communication device and communication devices, other than the another communication device, of the plurality of communication devices.