Virtual MIMO Retransmission with Relays (Apparatus and Method for Collaborate Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) in Broadband Wireless Communication System Using Relay Station Tech ID: 06‑035)
Technology Overview: A collaborative Hybrid ARQ (HARQ) protocol in which a source and relay form a virtual multiple‑antenna group during retransmissions. The transmitter estimates distance to the relay, decides whether to invoke collaborative HARQ, and—upon a NACK—sends a coded retransmission jointly with the relay using multiple‑antenna signal processing to improve reliability and throughput.
Industry Pain Point: Conventional HARQ retransmissions in relay networks can under‑utilize spatial diversity, leading to lower cell‑edge throughput and inefficient use of relay infrastructure.
NJIT Solution: Enable relay‑assisted, multi‑antenna retransmissions that effectively convert the link into a virtual MIMO during HARQ, enhancing decoding probability at the receiver without requiring extra antennas at the UE.
Key Features & Advantages
- Distance‑aware decision to trigger collaborative HARQ.
- Virtual MIMO retransmission between source and relay for diversity gain.
- Compatible with broadband wireless relay architectures.
Development Stage: TRL 3–4 – Algorithm/protocol
Target Markets
- Cellular infrastructure vendors and relay/backhaul solutions
- 4G/5G R\&D for coverage extension and cell‑edge performance
- Mission‑critical/industrial wireless networks with relays
Commercial & IP Details
Inventors: Yeheskel Bar‑Ness; Dong‑Ho Kim; Yung‑Soo Kim; Igor Stanojev; Osvaldo Simeone