System and method for accessing air-to-ground network

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for establishing a connection between a vehicle and a base station. A base station sector is divided into sub-sectors respectively associated with narrow beam antennas. To determine a vehicle location without using a complementary network, the base station and the vehicle may associate each sub-sector with a respective set of radio access preamble sequences. Accordingly, the location of the vehicle may be determined based on a particular radio access preamble sequence included in synchronization messaging. Additionally or alternatively, the base station may be configured to sequentially activate the narrow beam antenna to detect which narrow beam is active when the vehicle is responsive to messages transmitted via narrow beams.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16 / 799,374, filed on February 24, 2020, entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ACCESSING AN AIR-TO-GROUND NETWORK,” which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0002] The following disclosure relates to systems and methods for accessing an air-to-ground network, and more particularly for synchronizing network access between a vehicle and a ground base station. Background Art

[0003] Ground base stations in air-to-ground networks are often associated with large coverage areas. Furthermore, in many air-to-ground networks, each individual base station serves a relatively small number of vehicles. Accordingly, air-to-ground networks implementing antenna steering techniques need to know where to steer their antennas in order to communicate with vehicles within their coverage area.

[0004] One solution is to utilize a secondary network that does not rely on antenna steering technology for position determination. However, secondary networks are not commonly implemented. Furthermore, this creates additional dependencies on the air-to-ground network, associated with additional points of failure. Accordingly, to improve the stability of air-to-ground networks that implement antenna steering technology, there is a need for systems and methods for accessing air-to-ground networks that do not rely on secondary networks. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In one embodiment, a method for a vehicle to establish a connection with a base station is provided. The method comprises: (1) determining, by one or more processors, a number of sub-sectors into which a spatial sector served by the base station is divided; (2) causing, by the one or more processors, the sub-sectors to correspond to respective non-overlapping sets of random access sequences; (3) receiving a synchronization message from the base station including an identifier of the base station; (4) determining, by the one or more processors, a specific sub-sector in which the vehicle is located based on a relative position between the vehicle and the base station; (5) identifying, by the one or more processors, a specific set of random access sequences based on the determined sub-sector; and (6) transmitting a random access channel (RACH) preamble message to the base station, wherein the RACH preamble message includes a specific random access sequence corresponding to the specific sub-sector from the specific set of random access sequences.

[0006] In another embodiment, a method for a base station to establish a connection with a vehicle is provided. The method includes: (1) causing one or more processors to cause subsectors of the base station to correspond to corresponding non-overlapping sets of random access sequences; (2) broadcasting a synchronization message including an identifier of the base station; (3) receiving a random access channel (RACH) preamble message including a random access sequence from the vehicle; (4) identifying, by the one or more processors, a particular subsector of the base station that corresponds to the random access sequence included in the RACH preamble message; (5) activating, by the one or more processors, a narrow beam directed toward the particular subsector; and (6) transmitting a RACH response (RAR) message to the vehicle via the narrow beam.

[0007] In yet another embodiment, a method for a base station to establish a connection with a vehicle is provided. The method includes: (1) dividing a sector of the base station into a plurality of sub-sectors by one or more processors; (2) configuring an antenna array by the one or more processors so that the plurality of sub-sectors are associated with corresponding narrow beams; (3) broadcasting a synchronization message including an identifier of the base station by the one or more processors; (4) receiving a random access channel (RACH) preamble message including a random access (RA) sequence from a vehicle; (5) sequentially activating the narrow beams associated with the plurality of sub-sectors by the one or more processors; (6) when a particular narrow beam associated with a particular sub-sector is activated, (i) determining that the RA sequence included in the RACH preamble message corresponds to the particular sub-sector, and (ii) broadcasting a RACH response (RAR) message via the particular narrow beam in response to the determination; (7) receiving a radio resource control (RRC) connection request from the vehicle; and (8) associating the vehicle with the sub-sector corresponding to the narrow beam by the one or more processors, the narrow beam being active when the RAR message is transmitted. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 Describes an embodiment of an exemplary communication system capable of performing one or more of the synchronization techniques disclosed herein; Figure 2A Shown to be implemented in Figure 1 Example process in a communication system of wherein a particular random access sequence is selected by a vehicle to establish communication with a base station; Figure 2B Show implementation Figure 2A Example signal diagram of the random access sequence selection process; Figure 3A Shown to be implemented in Figure 1 A base station in a communication system sequentially activates beams associated with a plurality of sectors; Figure 3B Show implementation Figure 3AAn example signal diagram of the sequential activation process; Figures 4A-4B Shown to be implemented in Figure 1 A base station in a communication system divides the transmission power of a beam among multiple frequency carriers; Figure 5 It can be implemented in Figure 1 A flowchart of an example method for a vehicle to establish communication with a base station in the communication system depicted in FIG. Figure 6 It can be implemented in Figure 1 A flowchart of an example method for a base station to establish communication with a vehicle in the communication system depicted in FIG. Figure 7 It can be implemented in Figure 1 Another flow chart of an example method for a base station to establish communications with a vehicle in the communication system depicted in FIG. Figure 8 is to facilitate the synchronization technology disclosed herein, for example Figure 1 A block diagram of a vehicle controller, such as the vehicle controller depicted in ; and Figure 9 is to facilitate the synchronization disclosed herein, e.g. Figure 1 A block diagram of a base station controller such as the base station controller depicted in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0009] Although the following detailed description of many different embodiments is set forth, it should be understood that the legal scope of this description is limited by the wording of the claims set forth at the end of this patent and their equivalents. The detailed description should be interpreted as exemplary only and does not describe every possible embodiment because it would be impractical to describe every possible embodiment. Many alternative embodiments can be implemented using current technology or technology developed after the filing date of this patent and will still fall within the scope of the claims.

[0010] It should be understood that unless a term is expressly defined in this patent using the sentence "As used herein, the term '______' is hereby defined to mean ..." or a similar sentence, no limitation of the meaning of the term (whether expressly or by implication) beyond its plain or ordinary meaning is intended, and such term should not be construed as having its scope limited based on any statement made in any section of this patent (other than the language of the claims). To the extent that any term recited in the claims appended to this disclosure is referred to in this disclosure in the singular sense, this is done for the sake of brevity and solely to avoid confusion for the reader, and it is not intended that such claim term be limited by implication or otherwise to that singular sense. Finally, unless a claim element is defined by reciting the word "member" and the function of any structure being absent, it is not intended that the scope of any claim element be construed based on the application of 35 U.S.C. §112(f).

[0011] As used herein as a whole, "synchronization" refers to the process of establishing a communication link between a vehicle and a base station. For example, the communication link can be a Long Term Evolution (LTE) or New Radio (NR) / Fifth Generation (5G) communication link. Although the LTE and NR communication protocols set forth procedures for how to establish a connection, if the distance between the base station and the vehicle is large enough, the base station and the vehicle need to know each other's relative positions in order to be able to send and receive messages set forth by the protocol. Because base stations are typically fixed, a base station database that associates base station identifiers with their geographic locations can be stored on the vehicle. Therefore, when a vehicle receives a message from a base station, the vehicle can query this database to determine how to orient the vehicle antenna to communicate back to the base station. However, vehicles are typically not fixed. Therefore, a communication system can implement the presently disclosed techniques to orient the base station antenna to communicate with the vehicle.

[0012] Figure 1 An environment 100 is depicted that includes an example communication system capable of performing the vehicle-base station synchronization techniques described herein. Environment 100 may include a vehicle 105 that communicates with a base station 145 via a communication link 130. Although vehicle 105 is depicted as an aircraft, it is contemplated that vehicle 105 may be any vehicle, such as a bus, train, subway, helicopter, ship, metro, hot air balloon, etc. Furthermore, although Figure 1 Only a single vehicle 105 is shown, but in other embodiments, the environment may include any number of vehicles configured to perform the synchronization techniques described herein. As shown, the vehicle 105 is equipped with a vehicle controller 120 that supports communication external to the vehicle 105 via a communication link 130.

[0013] Vehicle controller 120 is coupled to a base station database 122 that is configured to store information about base station 145 (and any other base stations included in the communication network). For example, base station database 122 may include a data table that associates base station identifiers with the geographic locations of the respective base stations. To this end, communications received from base station 145 may be configured to include a base station identifier corresponding to base station 145. As will be explained below, the data tables of base station database 122 may include fields that associate sectors of base station 145 with corresponding random access (RA) sequences utilized during the synchronization process. In some embodiments, base station database 122 includes a master mapping of sub-sectors to RA sequences based on the relative positioning of the base station sectors. In other embodiments, base station database 122 may associate base stations with different mappings of sub-sectors to RA sequences.

[0014] Additionally, the vehicle controller 120 may be operatively connected to one or more modems 115 configured to support communications via the transceivers 108 and 109. For example, the modems 115 may be configured to support a corresponding frequency band (e.g., K a Belt, K u The transceiver 109 may be adapted to communicate via one or more satellite communication links (e.g., using a modem 115 that supports satellite communication frequency bands), and the transceiver 108 may be adapted to communicate with a base station 145 via a communication link 130.

[0015] In some embodiments, transceiver 108 includes a phased antenna array configured to generate a beamformed toward base station 145. For example, after vehicle 105 and base station 145 are synchronized, vehicle controller 120 may determine the relative position between vehicle 105 and base station 145. Based on the relative position, transceiver 108 may be configured to generate a beamformed with a substantial gain toward the location of base station 145.

[0016] Similarly, base station 145 includes a base station controller 140 configured to control the operation of antenna 142 therein. As shown, base station 145 is connected to a public switched telephone system (PSTN) 190 and the Internet 192 (which may include a voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) network). Accordingly, any data received by base station 145 from vehicle 105 can be routed to a designated destination outside the communication network. In addition, base station 145 can be configured to receive communications from Internet 192 and / or PSTN 190 to enable forward link communications to vehicle 105 via communication link 130.

[0017] In some embodiments, the antenna 142 is a phased antenna array configured to be electronically and / or mechanically steered by the base station controller 140. To this end, the base station controller 140 may be configured to control the antenna 142 to produce one or more beamforming beams. For example, the base station controller 140 may control the antenna 142 to produce a wide beam that spreads the transmission power over a relatively large range of angular values ​​(e.g., an entire sector, or 60° in a typical six-sector base station), or a narrow beam that focuses the transmission power over a relatively small range of angular values ​​(e.g., 8.75° if a 60° sector is divided into eight sub-sectors). It will be appreciated that due to the narrow distribution of transmission power, the vehicle 105 senses a greater received power via the narrow beam. As a result, the narrow beam communication link 130 is better able to support large amounts of data (e.g., data associated with supporting the communication traffic of personal electronic devices connected to the in-cabin network of the vehicle 105). On the other hand, because wide-beam antennas broadcast across the entire sector, base station controller 140 can be configured to deliver initial synchronization signaling via a wide beam to enable communication with vehicle 105 regardless of the location of vehicle 105 when it enters the sector of base station 145. For this reason, initial synchronization signaling generally requires less bandwidth than traffic and does not necessarily require the additional receive power associated with narrow-beam communications.

[0018] Accordingly, to support the higher data rates associated with narrowbeam communications, the base station controller 140 needs to determine the relative position of the vehicle 105 to communicate with the vehicle 105 via a narrowbeam that covers only a portion of the sector. In a first technique, the communication system defines non-overlapping sets of RA sequences (also known as "random access channel (RACH) preamble sequences") and assigns each set of RA sequences to a predetermined sub-sector. For example, if the communication system divides each sector into eight sub-sectors, the communication system may divide the RA sequences into eight different non-overlapping sets. The communication system may then assign each set of RACH preamble sequences to a sub-sector based on the relative positioning of the sub-sectors (e.g., the first sub-sector in a clockwise direction corresponds to a first set of RACH preambles, the second sub-sector in a clockwise direction from north corresponds to a second set of RACH preambles, and so on). Accordingly, both the vehicle 105 and the base station 145 store an indication of the correspondence between the RA sequences and the sub-sectors.

[0019] See now Figure 2A , shows an example process in which a vehicle 205 (e.g., Figure 1 The vehicle 105) selects a specific random access sequence to establish a connection with the base station 245 (e.g., Figure 1 As shown, the base station 245 divides each sector 247 into eight sub-sectors B1-B8 that are positioned clockwise relative to each other. It should be understood that although Figure 2AOnly sub-sectors of sector 247a are depicted, but each of the other sectors 247 may be similarly divided into sub-sectors.

[0020] Vehicle 205 includes a sequence map 222 that corresponds to a respective RA sequence for each of the sub-sectors B1-B8. In the embodiment shown, there are 32 RA sequences divided among the sub-sectors, but in other examples, there may be more or fewer RA sequences. Sequence map 222 may be stored in Figure 1 Accordingly, when vehicle 205 selects an RA sequence to include in a registration message, vehicle 205 may determine the sub-sector in which the vehicle is located and randomly select a sequence from the corresponding set of RA sequences. In the scenario shown, the vehicle is located in sub-sector B7 and randomly selects RA7, RA 15 , RA 23 and RA 31 Accordingly, when vehicle 205 transmits a RACH message containing a selected RA sequence, base station 245 can interrogate its copy of sequence map 222 to determine the relative position of vehicle 205.

[0021] Figure 2B Show implementation Figure 2A 250. In the signal diagram, the user equipment (UE) is a vehicle 205 (or more precisely, a vehicle controller of the vehicle 205, such as Figure 1 ’s vehicle controller 120), and the evolved Node B (eNB) is the base station 245.

[0022] As shown, signal diagram 250 begins when base station 245 transmits a synchronization signal 252, such as a synchronization signal block (SSB) 252, which includes a physical broadcast channel (PBCH), a primary synchronization signal (PSS), and a secondary synchronization signal (SSS). As is known in the art, the combination of the PSS and the SSS forms a physical cell identifier (PCI) assigned to base station 245 during network planning. In addition, the PBCH message includes an indication of the system frame name (SFN) to indicate to vehicle 205 the current frame number at base station 245. In the example shown, base station 245 periodically transmits synchronization signal 252 via a wide beam covering sector 247a. Accordingly, when vehicle 205 enters sector 247a, vehicle 205 is able to determine the base station identifier to query the base station database for the physical location of base station 245 and the synchronization information required to respond to synchronization signal 252.

[0023] In response to receiving the synchronization signal 252, the vehicle 205 replies with a "Msg1" or RACH preamble sequence message 254 containing an indication of a particular RA sequence. Figure 2A As described, vehicle 205 utilizes the PCI information to determine the relative position of vehicle 205 with respect to base station 245 to identify the particular sub-sector B1-B8 in which vehicle 205 is located. Accordingly, vehicle 205 formats Msg1 254 to include a randomly selected RA sequence corresponding to the current sub-sector (in Figure 2A In the scenario shown in FIG, it is the RA sequence of B7). Therefore, upon receiving Msg1 254, base station 245 may query the RA sequence map to identify the specific sub-sector in which vehicle 205 is located.

[0024] The base station 245 is configured to respond to Msg1 254 by transmitting a "Msg2," or random access response (RAR) message 256. More specifically, the base station 245 is configured to transmit Msg2 via a narrow beam covering a sub-sector corresponding to the RA sequence included in Msg1 254. Msg2 256 may be configured to include a timing advance (TA) to account for a timing offset used to transmit signals between the vehicle 205 and the base station 245, as well as a resource grant for the vehicle 205 to subsequently transmit a radio resource control (RRC) connection request.

[0025] Vehicle 205 then transmits an RRC Connection Request or "Msg3" 258 in accordance with the grant contained in Msg2 256. Msg3 258 may be configured to include various identifiers associated with vehicle 205 for authenticating vehicle 205 to the communication system. Assuming vehicle 205 is properly authenticated, base station 245 responds with an RRC Connection Setup or "Msg4" 260 containing the configuration information required for vehicle 205 to establish an RRC connection with base station 245. After configuring the communication module (e.g., Figure 1 After that, the vehicle 205 responds with an RRC connection setup complete message 262 to inform the base station 245 that the vehicle 205 is properly synchronized with the base station 245.

[0026] At this point, vehicle 205 is synchronized with base station 245 and can request to establish a packet data network (PDN) connection (e.g., a user plane connection). Accordingly, vehicle 205 can periodically request a PDN connection to transmit location information to base station 245. For example, the location information can include an azimuth angle (e.g., an azimuth angle relative to sector 247a), a longitude and latitude pair, GPS coordinates, and / or other location identifiers obtained from positioning sensors on vehicle 205. Based on this location information, base station 245 can track the location of vehicle 205 as it traverses the coverage area of ​​base station 245. Consequently, base station 245 can transmit subsequent forward link communications to the vehicle via different narrow beams as vehicle 205 enters different sub-sectors of base station 245.

[0027] In a second technique for determining vehicle location, a base station transmits messages via sequentially activated narrow beam transmissions to detect a particular narrow beam that is active when a response is received. More specifically, referring now to Figure 3A , illustrates an example process where a base station 345 (e.g., Figure 1 345) sequentially activates narrow beams 349. In some embodiments, a second technique may be applied to establish a forward link from base station 345. In these embodiments, a minimum mean square error (MMSE) technique may be used to receive reverse link communications from vehicles within the coverage area of ​​base station 345. As shown, base station 345 divides sector 347 into four sub-sectors 348a-d positioned in a clockwise direction relative to each other. It should be understood that although Figure 3A The base station 345 is depicted dividing the sector 347 into four sub-sectors 348 , but in other embodiments, the base station 345 may divide the sub-sector into more or fewer sub-sectors 348 .

[0028] In some embodiments, to generate the narrow beams, base station 345 may include a gain profile associated with each of narrow beams 349 such that narrow beam 349 is configured to maximize gain in the direction of the corresponding sub-sector 348. In the example shown, the gain profile of narrow beam 349a maximizes gain in the direction of sub-sector 348a, the gain profile of narrow beam 349b maximizes gain in the direction of sub-sector 348b, and so on. Accordingly, a base station controller (e.g., Figure 1The base station controller 140 of the embodiment of the present invention can be configured to reconfigure the phased antenna array to cycle through the gain profile associated with the narrow beam 349. In other embodiments, the base station 345 includes separate antennas directed at corresponding sub-sectors 348. In these embodiments, the base station 345 can be configured to activate the corresponding antenna (and deactivate other antennas) to activate a particular narrow beam. Although the illustrated embodiment depicts the base station 345 sequentially activating the narrow beams 349 in a clockwise manner, in other embodiments, the base station 345 can sequentially activate the narrow beams 349 in a counterclockwise manner or stagger the activation of the narrow beams 349 (e.g., activating narrow beams 349a, 349c, 349b, then 349d).

[0029] Figure 3B Show implementation Figure 3A The sequential narrow beam activation technique of the invention is used to determine whether the vehicle 305 (e.g., Figure 1 In the signal diagram, the user equipment (UE) is the vehicle 305 (or more specifically, the vehicle controller of the vehicle 305, such as Figure 1 ’s vehicle controller 120), and the evolved Node B (eNB) is the base station 345.

[0030] Similar to signal diagram 250, signal diagram 350 begins when base station 345 transmits a synchronization signal 352, such as a synchronization signal block (SSB), which includes the PBCH, PSS, and SSS. In response to receiving synchronization signal 352, vehicle 305 replies with a "Msg1," or RACH preamble sequence message 354. Unlike signal diagram 250, Msg1 354 does not include a specific RA sequence associated with a particular sub-sector 348 of sector 347. In other words, the RA sequence included in Msg1 354 can be any of the available RA sequences. Therefore, when base station 345 receives Msg1 354, base station 345 does not yet know the sub-sector 348 in which vehicle 305 is located for delivering forward link communications.

[0031] Accordingly, the base station 345 is configured to communicate with the user by Figure 3AThe described technique sequentially activates narrow beams 349 to transmit Msg2 356. More specifically, base station 345 sequentially activates narrow beams 349 for a duration sufficient to receive a response from vehicle 305. If the duration expires without base station 345 receiving a response, base station 345 activates the next sequential narrow beam 349 and retransmits Msg2 356. On the other hand, when base station 345 activates the narrow beam 349 corresponding to the sub-sector 348 in which vehicle 305 is located, vehicle 305 may detect Msg2 356 and respond with Msg3 358. Thus, when base station 345 detects Msg3 358, base station 345 associates vehicle 305 with the current sub-sector 348.

[0032] Thus, when base station 345 responds with Msg4 360, base station 345 transmits Msg4 360 via a narrow beam 349 corresponding to the associated sub-sector 348. After vehicle 305 and base station 345 synchronize following Msg4 360, vehicle 305 requests to establish a PDN connection 362 (e.g., a user plane connection). For example, vehicle 305 may periodically request a PDN connection 362 to transmit location information to base station 345. Based on this location information, base station 345 is able to track the location of vehicle 305 as it traverses the coverage area of ​​base station 345. Thus, base station 345 can transmit subsequent forward link communications to vehicle 305 via different narrow beams 349 as the vehicle enters a different sub-sector 348 of base station 345.

[0033] It should be appreciated that while the base station 345 is described above as sequentially activating narrow beams 349 to transmit Msg2 356, in other embodiments, the base station 345 instead sequentially activates narrow beams 349 to transmit SSB 352. Accordingly, when the base station 345 detects Msg1 354, the base station 345 may associate the vehicle 305 with the particular narrow beam 349 via which SSB 352 was transmitted. Thus, in these embodiments, when the base station 345 transmits Msg2 356, the base station 345 transmits Msg2 356 via the particular narrow beam 349 associated with the vehicle 305.

[0034] Figures 4A-4B Shown to be implemented in Figure 1 A base station in a communication system divides the transmission power of a beam among multiple frequency carriers. Due to regulatory requirements and / or operator-specific link budget constraints, a base station (e.g., Figure 1 The base station 145) typically has a base station for transmitting to the vehicle (e.g., Figure 1 The maximum effective radiated power (ERP) of the forward link communication of the vehicle 105) is Figure 4AIn the curve 400 of FIGURE 400, the base station focuses all gain into a single frequency carrier f. Therefore, when the base station transmits a message via a single carrier wide beam, the gain difference between wide beam communication and narrow beam communication is reduced. Therefore, when using a single carrier, vehicles farther away from the base station are more likely to detect the wide beam signal. This is particularly useful in transmitting initial synchronization messaging (e.g., Figure 2B and Figure 3B The synchronization signals 252 and 352 and / or Msg2 256 and 356) are valid.

[0035] Nevertheless, many communication systems employ multiple carriers that can be used for communication between a base station and user equipment. Accordingly, if a vehicle is configured to support multiple carriers, the vehicle may not be tuned to frequency f when entering the coverage area of ​​a base station. Therefore, the base station may be configured to cycle between supported carriers when broadcasting initial synchronization messaging.

[0036] Or, as Figure 4B As shown in curve 450 of FIG. , the base station can use a wide beam to simultaneously broadcast synchronization messaging over each of carriers f1, f2, and f3. In these embodiments, vehicles are more likely to be tuned to the transmission carrier to be able to detect the broadcast messaging and respond accordingly. However, due to regulatory ERP limits, the transmit power used for each individual carrier is proportionally less than the maximum transmit power.

[0037] Figure 5 is used for vehicles (e.g. Figure 1 The vehicle 105) establishes a connection with the base station (eg, Figure 1 Specifically, the method may be performed by a vehicle controller (e.g., a vehicle controller) of a vehicle. Figure 1 Executed by one or more processors of the vehicle controller 120).

[0038] Flowchart 500 begins at block 505, where a vehicle determines the number of sub-sectors into which a spatial sector served by a base station is divided. As part of a communication system in which the vehicle communicates with the base station, the base station's sector is divided into a predetermined number of sub-sectors (e.g., four, six, eight, twelve). In some embodiments, this number may be programmed into a vehicle controller as part of a configuration file that enables the vehicle to communicate via a communication network including the base station. In other embodiments, the determination is based on the number of RA sequence sets stored in a memory on the vehicle.

[0039] At block 510, the vehicle causes the sub-sectors to correspond to respective non-overlapping subsets of a set of RA sequences. For example, as with respect to Figure 2AAs described, the set of available RA sequences can be divided among sub-sectors of a base station. In some embodiments, the communication system provides a constant correspondence between the sub-sectors and the set of RA sequences, such that the correspondence is maintained regardless of the vehicle's specific location within the communication network. As an example, the first sub-sector in a clockwise direction in each sector can correspond to the first set of RA sequences. Accordingly, the vehicle can store the correspondence between the sub-sectors and the set of RA sequences in a memory therein.

[0040] At block 515, the vehicle receives a synchronization message from the base station (eg, Figure 2B and 3B Sync messages 252 and 352 are provided. For example, the synchronization message may be an SSB message that includes PSS and PBCH messaging. In some embodiments, the base station is configured to periodically broadcast the synchronization message via wide-beam transmissions. In other embodiments, the base station is configured to broadcast the synchronization message via sequentially activated narrow-beam transmissions. In any case, the vehicle detects the synchronization message shortly after entering the sector of the base station.

[0041] At block 520, the vehicle determines the specific sub-sector in which the vehicle is located based on the relative position between the vehicle and the base station. In some embodiments, the vehicle includes a base station database (e.g., a network map) that includes the geographic locations of base stations within the communication network and the orientations of their corresponding sectors. Accordingly, the vehicle can query the base station database using the base station identifier included in the received synchronization message to determine the geographic location of the base station. The vehicle can then obtain position data generated by the vehicle position sensor and compare the obtained position data with the queried position of the base station to determine the relative position between the vehicle and the base station. Based on the relative position and sector orientation included in the base station database, the vehicle determines the specific sub-sector in which the vehicle is located.

[0042] At block 525, the vehicle identifies a particular set of RA sequences based on the determined sub-sector corresponding to the vehicle's current location. For example, if the vehicle determines that it is located in the fifth sub-sector clockwise, the vehicle may identify a set of RA sequences based on the correspondence performed at block 510.

[0043] At block 530, the vehicle transmits to the base station a random access channel (RACH) preamble message (e.g., Figure 2B More specifically, the vehicle configures the RACH preamble message to include a specific RA sequence from the specific set of RA sequences identified at block 525. In some embodiments, the vehicle randomly selects the specific RA sequence from the specific set of RA sequences.

[0044] Since the base station also knows the correspondence between the sub-sector and the set of RA sequences, the base station knows the location of the vehicle after receiving the RACH message. Accordingly, the base station can transmit the RAR message (e.g., Figure 2B The vehicle then responds with a narrowbeam (RAR / Msg2256) to the base station. Thus, the vehicle can synchronize with the base station using narrowbeam transmissions without having to implement a complementary network. It will be appreciated that after the vehicle synchronizes with the base station, the vehicle can continue to update the base station with the vehicle's location via data transmitted over the PDN connection. Accordingly, based on the location data transmitted over the PDN connection, the base station can route forward link communications via the appropriate narrowbeam as the vehicle traverses the base station's coverage area.

[0045] Figure 6 is used for base stations (e.g. Figure 1 The base station 145) establishes a connection with the vehicle (e.g., Figure 1 Flowchart 600 of an example method for communicating with a vehicle 105 of a base station. Specifically, the method may be performed by a base station controller of a base station (e.g., Figure 1 Executed by one or more processors of the base station controller 140).

[0046] Flowchart 600 begins at block 605, where the base station causes the sub-sectors of the base station to correspond to respective non-overlapping sets of RA sequences. Figure 2A As described, the set of available RA sequences can be divided among sub-sectors of a base station. For example, the first sub-sector in each sector, in clockwise direction, can correspond to the first set of RA preamble sequences. Accordingly, the base station can store the correspondence between the sub-sectors and the set of RA sequences in a memory therein.

[0047] At block 610, a base station broadcasts a synchronization message including an identifier of the base station (e.g., Figure 2B and 3B The synchronization message may be a synchronization signal 252 and 352. For example, the synchronization message may be an SSB message that includes PSS and PBCH messaging. In some embodiments, the base station broadcasts the synchronization message via a wide beam covering a sector of the base station. In other embodiments, the base station broadcasts the synchronization message by sequentially activating the plurality of narrow beams covering sub-sectors of the sector and transmitting the synchronization message after activating a particular narrow beam.

[0048] In addition, as compared to Figures 4A-4BAs described, a base station may broadcast synchronization messages using a single carrier or multiple carriers (via a wide beam or a narrow beam). In embodiments where the base station broadcasts synchronization messages using a single carrier, the base station may be configured to determine available transmission power and broadcast the synchronization message via the single carrier at the determined available transmission power. In embodiments where the base station broadcasts synchronization messages via multiple carriers, the base station may be configured to divide the available transmission power among the multiple carriers and transmit the synchronization message using the corresponding divided transmission power associated with each of the multiple carriers.

[0049] At block 615, the base station receives a RACH preamble message from the vehicle containing the RA sequence. For example, the RACH preamble message may be Figure 2B RACH / Msg1 254.

[0050] At block 620, the base station identifies a specific sub-sector of the base station corresponding to the RA preamble sequence included in the RACH preamble message. To this end, the base station may be configured to compare the received RA sequence with a set of RA sequences stored therein. Based on the specific set of RA sequences including the received RA preamble sequence, the base station can determine the specific sub-sector in which the vehicle is currently located.

[0051] At block 625, the base station activates a narrow beam directed toward a specific sub-sector. In some embodiments, the base station configures a phased antenna array with a gain profile directed toward a specific sub-sector. In other embodiments, the base station enables connection to a specific antenna directed toward a specific sub-sector. It should be understood that in some embodiments, the narrow beam supports only forward link communications. In these embodiments, the base station may implement MMSE techniques to detect reverse link communications (including RACH preamble messages).

[0052] At block 630, the base station transmits a RACH response (RAR) message to the vehicle via the narrow beam. For example, the RAR message may be Figure 2B RAR / Msg2 256. The base station may then use a specific narrow beam for forward link communication to accomplish the same as with respect to Figure 2B After the synchronization process, the vehicle may continue to update the base station with its location via the PDN connection. Accordingly, when delivering forward link communications to the vehicle, the base station may be configured to activate a specific narrow beam covering the location received via the PDN connection.

[0053] Figure 7 is used for base stations (e.g. Figure 1 The base station 145) establishes a connection with the vehicle (e.g., Figure 1 Flowchart 700 of an example method for communicating with a vehicle 105 of a base station. Specifically, the method may be performed by a base station controller of a base station (e.g., Figure 1Executed by one or more processors of the base station controller 140).

[0054] Flowchart 700 begins at block 705, where a base station maps a sub-sector of the base station to a sector of the base station, dividing the sector of the base station into a plurality of sub-sectors. Similar to flowchart 600, the base station may map the sub-sectors to respective sets of RA sequences.

[0055] At block 710, the base station configures the antenna array to associate the plurality of sub-sectors with corresponding narrow beams. In some embodiments, the base station associates each sub-sector with a gain profile directed toward the sub-sector. Accordingly, when the base station generates a narrow beam covering a particular sub-sector, the base station accesses the corresponding gain profile and configures the antenna array according to the gain profile.

[0056] At block 715, the base station broadcasts a synchronization message including an identifier of the base station (e.g., Figure 2B and 3B The synchronization message may be a SSB message that includes PSS and PBCH messaging. In some embodiments, the base station broadcasts the synchronization message via a broad beam that covers a sector of the base station.

[0057] At block 720, the base station receives a random access channel (RACH) preamble message from the vehicle. For example, the RACH preamble message may be Figure 3B RACH / Msg1 354. Unlike flowchart 600, the RACH preamble message may contain any available RA sequence, not necessarily the RA sequence corresponding to the sub-sector where the vehicle is located.

[0058] At block 725, the base station sequentially activates the narrow beams associated with the plurality of sub-sectors. More specifically, the base station may periodically reconfigure the antenna array based on the gain profile associated with each sub-sector. In some embodiments, each narrow beam is activated for a sufficient duration to transmit a message to a vehicle located at the edge of the coverage area and receive a response to the message from the vehicle.

[0059] More specifically, at block 730, when a specific narrow beam associated with a specific sub-sector is activated, the base station determines that the RA sequence included in the RACH preamble message includes the RA sequence corresponding to the specific sub-sector and broadcasts a RACH response (RAR) message via the specific narrow beam. For example, the RAR message may be Figure 3BThe RAR message / Msg2356 is sent to the vehicle. If the vehicle is not located in a specific sub-sector covered by an active narrow beam, the vehicle will not receive the RAR message. Accordingly, the base station will not receive a response to the RAR message. On the other hand, if the vehicle is located in a sub-sector covered by a specific narrow beam, the vehicle is configured to reply to the RAR message with an RRC Connection Request. It should be understood that in some embodiments, the narrow beam only supports forward link communications. In these embodiments, the base station may implement MMSE techniques to detect reverse link communications (including RACH preamble messages).

[0060] At block 735, the base station receives an RRC connection request from the vehicle. For example, the RRC connection request may be Figure 3B RRC Connection Request / Msg3 358. It should be understood that the base station may receive the RRC Connection Request when the specific narrow beam is not active. For example, the base station may implement MMSE technology during the reception period to detect the RRC Connection Request.

[0061] At block 740, the base station associates the vehicle with the sub-sector corresponding to the narrow beam that was active when the RAR message was transmitted. Because the vehicle can only respond to received messages, when the base station receives a response to the RAR message, the base station can determine that the vehicle is located in the sub-sector covered by the active narrow beam. The base station can then use the particular narrow beam for forward link communications to complete the communication with respect to Figure 3B After the synchronization process, the vehicle may continue to update the base station with its location via the PDN connection. Accordingly, when delivering forward link communications to the vehicle, the base station may be configured to activate a specific narrow beam covering the location received via the PDN connection.

[0062] In addition, as compared to Figures 4A-4B As described, a base station may broadcast the RAR message using a single carrier or multiple carriers (via a wide beam or a narrow beam). In an embodiment in which the base station broadcasts the RAR message using a single carrier, the base station may be configured to determine available transmission power and broadcast the RAR message via the single carrier at the determined available transmission power. In an embodiment in which the base station broadcasts the RAR message via multiple carriers, the base station may be configured to divide the available transmission power among the multiple carriers and transmit the RAR message using the corresponding divided transmission power associated with each of the multiple carriers.

[0063] While the above describes configuring the base station to sequentially activate narrow beams to transmit RAR messages and determine the location of the vehicle based on the receipt of an RRC connection request, in other embodiments, the base station is additionally or alternatively similarly configured to sequentially activate narrow beams to transmit synchronization messages and determine the location of the vehicle based on the receipt of a RACH preamble message.

[0064] Figure 8 An example vehicle controller 820 (eg, Figure 1 The vehicle controller 820 may include, for example, one or more central processing units (CPUs) or processors 852 and one or more buses or hubs 853 that connect the processors 852 to other elements of the vehicle controller 820, such as volatile memory 854, non-volatile memory 855, a display controller 856, and an I / O controller 857. The volatile memory 854 and the non-volatile memory 855 may each include one or more non-transitory, tangible computer-readable storage media, such as random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, biometric memory, a hard drive, a digital versatile disk (DVD) disk drive, or the like.

[0065] In one embodiment, the memory 854 and / or the memory 855 may store instructions 858 that are executable by the processor 852. For example, the instructions may configure the vehicle controller 820 to perform the network synchronization techniques described herein. In some embodiments, at least one of the memories 854 and 855 may additionally store base station data associated with base stations forming the communication network (e.g., base station identifiers, base station locations, sector orientations, and / or correspondences between sub-sectors and RA sequences). In some embodiments, at least some of the base station data is stored on a data storage device external to the vehicle controller 820 and operatively connected to the vehicle controller (e.g., Figure 1 The base station database 122).

[0066] The vehicle controller 820 may also include a network interface 877 controlled by the I / O control 857. The network interface 877 may be any number of antennas, transmitters, receivers, transceivers, etc., specifically configured to transmit or receive data at a specific frequency and / or frequency range. To this end, the instructions may include instructions that, when executed by the processor 852, cause the network interface 877 to transmit data via a local communication link and / or an external communication link. Similarly, when the network interface 877 receives data, the instructions may include instructions that cause the processor 852 to analyze and / or process the received data.

[0067] The illustrated vehicle controller 820 is only one example of a vehicle controller that is suitable for being specifically configured for use in the vehicle 105. Other embodiments of the vehicle controller 820 may also be specifically configured for use in the vehicle 105, but other embodiments have relative Figure 8Additional, fewer, or alternative components to those shown, with one or more components in combination, or with a different configuration or arrangement of components. Figure 8 The various components shown in the can be implemented in hardware, a processor executing software instructions, or a combination of hardware and a processor executing software instructions, including one or more signal processing and / or application specific integrated circuits.

[0068] Figure 9 Shows configuring a base station (eg, Figure 1 base station 145) to perform the functionality described herein (e.g., base station controller 940, Figure 1 95. The base station controller 940 may include, for example, one or more central processing units (CPUs) or processors 952 and one or more buses or hubs 953 that connect the processors 952 to other elements of the base station controller 940, such as volatile memory 954, non-volatile memory 955, a display controller 956, and an I / O controller 957. The volatile memory 954 and the non-volatile memory 955 may each include one or more non-transitory, tangible, computer-readable storage media, such as random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, biometric memory, a hard drive, a digital versatile disk (DVD) disk drive, or the like.

[0069] In one embodiment, the memory 954 and / or the memory 955 may store instructions 958 that may be executed by the processor 952. For example, in a case specifically configured to perform the instructions described herein with respect to Figure 6 and 7 In some embodiments, at least one of memories 954 and 955 may additionally store data associating a vehicle with a location determined via the disclosed synchronization techniques. Furthermore, at least one of memories 954 and 955 may store gain profiles associated with a plurality of sub-sectors and / or a set of RA sequences associated with each of the sub-sectors (not depicted).

[0070] In addition, the base station controller 940 may include a network interface 977 controlled by the I / O control 957. The network interface 977 may be any number of antennas, transmitters, receivers, transceivers, etc., specifically configured to transmit or receive data at a specific frequency and / or frequency range. In some embodiments, the network interface 977 includes a phased antenna array configured by the I / O control 957 according to one or more gain profiles stored in the memory 954 and / or 955.

[0071] The illustrated base station controller 940 is only one example of a base station controller that is suitable for being specifically configured for use in the base station 145. Other embodiments of the base station controller 940 may also be specifically configured for use in the base station 145, but other embodiments have relative Figure 9 Additional, fewer, or alternative components to those shown, with one or more components in combination, or with a different configuration or arrangement of components. Figure 9 The various components shown in the can be implemented in hardware, a processor executing software instructions, or a combination of hardware and a processor executing software instructions, including one or more signal processing and / or application specific integrated circuits.

[0072] Of course, the applications and benefits of the systems, methods, and techniques described herein are not limited to the above examples. Many other applications and benefits are possible by using the systems, methods, and techniques described herein.

[0073] Furthermore, when implemented, any methods and techniques described herein, or portions thereof, may be performed by executing software stored in one or more non-transitory, tangible computer-readable storage media or memories (e.g., magnetic disks, laser disks, optical disks, semiconductor memories, biological memories, other memory devices, or other storage media) in the RAM or ROM, etc., of a computer or processor.

[0074] Furthermore, while the above detailed descriptions of many different embodiments are set forth, it should be understood that the scope of this patent is defined by the wording of the claims appended hereto. The detailed descriptions should be interpreted as exemplary only and do not describe every possible embodiment, as describing every possible embodiment would be impractical (if not impossible). Numerous alternative embodiments may be implemented using current technology or technology developed after the filing date of this patent, and the alternative embodiments will still fall within the scope of the claims. By way of example and not limitation, the disclosure herein contemplates at least the following: 1. A method for a vehicle to establish a connection with a base station, the method comprising: determining, by the one or more processors, a number of sub-sectors into which a spatial sector served by the base station is divided; aligning, by the one or more processors, the sub-sectors to corresponding non-overlapping sets of random access sequences; receiving a synchronization message from the base station comprising an identifier of the base station; determining, by the one or more processors, a specific sub-sector in which the vehicle is located based on a relative position between the vehicle and the base station; identifying, by the one or more processors, a specific set of random access sequences based on the determined sub-sector; and transmitting a random access channel (RACH) preamble message to the base station, wherein the RACH preamble message comprises a specific random access sequence corresponding to the specific sub-sector from the specific set of random access sequences.

[0075] 2. The method of the previous aspect, wherein identifying the current sub-sector in which the vehicle is located comprises querying, by the one or more processors, a base station database using the received identifier to determine the physical location of the base station.

[0076] 3. A method according to any combination of the preceding aspects, wherein identifying the current sub-sector in which the vehicle is located includes obtaining, by the one or more processors, the location of the vehicle from a positioning sensor on the vehicle; and comparing, by the one or more processors, the physical location of the base station with the location of the vehicle.

[0077] 4. The method according to any combination of the previous aspects, wherein the synchronization message is received via a wide beam transmission.

[0078] 5. The method of any combination of the preceding aspects, further comprising, in response to transmitting the RACH preamble message, receiving a RACH response (RAR) message from the base station and via a narrow beam transmission directed to the sub-sector, the sub-sector corresponding to the sequence included in the RACH preamble message.

[0079] 6. The method of any combination of the preceding aspects, further comprising transmitting a packet data network (PDN) connection request message to the base station; and transmitting the current location of the vehicle via the requested PDN connection.

[0080] 7. A method according to any combination of the preceding aspects, wherein the current location of the vehicle corresponds to a sub-sector different from the particular sub-sector, and the method further includes receiving forward link communications from the base station after transmitting an RRC completion message, the forward link communications being transmitted via a narrow beam directed to the sub-sector containing the current location of the vehicle.

[0081] 8. A method for a base station to establish a connection with a vehicle, the method comprising: causing one or more processors to cause sub-sectors of the base station to correspond to corresponding non-overlapping sets of random access sequences; broadcasting a synchronization message containing an identifier of the base station; receiving a random access channel (RACH) preamble message containing a random access sequence from the vehicle; identifying, by the one or more processors, a specific sub-sector of the base station that corresponds to the random access sequence contained in the RACH preamble message; activating, by the one or more processors, a narrow beam directed toward the specific sub-sector; and transmitting a RACH response (RAR) message to the vehicle via the narrow beam.

[0082] 9. The method of the previous aspect, wherein broadcasting the synchronization message comprises activating, by the one or more processors, a wide beam covering a sector of the base station; and transmitting the synchronization message via the wide beam.

[0083] 10. The method of any combination of aspects 8 to 9, wherein broadcasting the synchronization message comprises determining, by the one or more processors, a transmission power for synchronization message transmission; and transmitting the synchronization message via a single carrier using the transmission power.

[0084] 11. A method according to any combination of aspects 8 to 10, wherein transmitting the synchronization message includes determining, by the one or more processors, a transmission power for transmitting the synchronization message; dividing, by the one or more processors, the transmission power between two or more carriers; and transmitting the synchronization message via the two or more carriers using a corresponding power associated with each of the two or more carriers.

[0085] 12. A method according to any combination of aspects 8 to 11, wherein broadcasting the synchronization message includes sequentially activating, by the one or more processors, narrow beams corresponding to the sub-sectors of the base station respectively; and in response to activating a specific narrow beam, transmitting the synchronization message via the specific narrow beam.

[0086] 13. The method of any combination of aspects 8 to 12, further comprising receiving the location of the vehicle from the vehicle via a packet data network (PDN) connection.

[0087] 14. A method according to any combination of aspects 8 to 13, further comprising identifying, by the one or more processors, a sub-sector of the base station corresponding to the location of the vehicle; activating, by the one or more processors, a narrow beam directed toward the sub-sector corresponding to the location of the vehicle; and transmitting forward link communications to the vehicle via the narrow beam directed toward the sub-sector corresponding to the location of the vehicle.

[0088] 15. A method for a base station to establish a connection with a vehicle, the method comprising: dividing a sector of the base station into a plurality of sub-sectors by one or more processors; configuring an antenna array by the one or more processors so that the plurality of sub-sectors are associated with corresponding narrow beams; broadcasting, by the one or more processors, a synchronization message including an identifier of the base station; receiving a random access channel (RACH) preamble message including a random access (RA) sequence from the vehicle; sequentially activating, by the one or more processors, the narrow beams associated with the plurality of sub-sectors; when a particular narrow beam associated with a particular sub-sector is activated, determining that the RA sequence included in the RACH preamble message corresponds to the particular sub-sector and, in response to the determination, broadcasting a RACH response (RAR) message via the particular narrow beam; receiving a radio resource control (RRC) connection request from the vehicle; and associating, by the one or more processors, the vehicle with the sub-sector corresponding to the narrow beam, the narrow beam being active when the RAR message is transmitted.

[0089] 16. The method of the previous aspect, wherein transmitting the RAR message comprises determining, by the one or more processors, a transmit power for RAR message transmission; and transmitting the RAR message via a single carrier using the transmit power.

[0090] 17. A method according to any combination of aspects 15 to 16, wherein transmitting the RAR message includes determining, by the one or more processors, a transmission power for transmission of the RAR message; dividing, by the one or more processors, the transmission power between two or more carriers; and transmitting the RAR message via the two or more carriers using a respective power associated with each of the two or more carriers.

[0091] 18. The method of any combination of aspects 15 to 17, wherein broadcasting the synchronization message comprises activating, by the one or more processors, a wide beam covering the sector of the base station; and transmitting the synchronization message via the wide beam.

[0092] 19. A method according to any combination of aspects 15 to 18, further comprising receiving a location of the vehicle from the vehicle via a packet data network (PDN) connection; determining, by the one or more processors, a sub-sector serving the location of the vehicle; and transmitting forward link communications via a narrow beam corresponding to the sub-sector serving the location of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A method for a vehicle to establish a connection with a base station, the method comprising: determining, by one or more processors of the vehicle, a number of sub-sectors into which a spatial sector served by the base station is divided; causing, by the one or more processors, the sub-sectors to correspond to respective non-overlapping sets of random access sequences; receiving, from the base station, a synchronization message including an identifier of the base station; The one or more processors determine, based on the relative position between the vehicle and the base station, a specific sub-sector in which the vehicle is located by: querying, by the one or more processors, a base station database using the received identifier to determine a physical location of the base station; obtaining, by the one or more processors, a position of the vehicle from a positioning sensor on the vehicle; as well as comparing, by the one or more processors, the physical location of the base station with the location of the vehicle; identifying, by the one or more processors, a particular set of random access sequences based on the determined sub-sector; as well as A random access channel (RACH) preamble message is transmitted to the base station, wherein the RACH preamble message includes a specific random access sequence corresponding to the specific sub-sector from within the specific set of random access sequences. The method of claim 1 , wherein the synchronization message is received via a wide-beam transmission.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: In response to transmitting the RACH preamble message, a RACH response (RAR) message is received from the base station and via a narrow beam transmission directed to the sub-sector corresponding to the sequence included in the RACH preamble message.

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: transmitting a packet data network (PDN) connection request message to the base station; as well as The current location of the vehicle is transmitted via the requested PDN connection.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the current position of the vehicle corresponds to a sub-sector different from the particular sub-sector, and the method further comprises: After transmitting the RRC complete message, forward link communications are received from the base station, the forward link communications being transmitted via a narrow beam directed toward a sub-sector containing the current location of the vehicle.

6. A method for a base station to establish a connection with a vehicle, the method comprising: causing, by one or more processors of the base station, sub-sectors of the base station to correspond to respective non-overlapping sets of random access sequences; broadcasting a synchronization message including an identifier of the base station, wherein broadcasting the synchronization message causes one or more processors of the vehicle to: querying a base station database using the broadcasted identifier to determine the physical location of the base station; obtaining a position of the vehicle from a positioning sensor on the vehicle; as well as comparing the physical location of the base station with the location of the vehicle; receiving, from the vehicle, a random access channel (RACH) preamble message including a random access sequence identified based on the comparison; identifying, by the one or more processors, a particular sub-sector of the base station corresponding to the random access sequence included in the RACH preamble message; activating, by the one or more processors, a narrow beam directed toward the particular sub-sector; as well as A RACH response (RAR) message is transmitted to the vehicle via the narrow beam.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein broadcasting the synchronization message comprises: activating, by the one or more processors, a wide beam covering a sector of the base station; as well as The synchronization message is transmitted via the broad beam.

8. The method according to claim 6 or 7, wherein broadcasting the synchronization message comprises: determining, by the one or more processors, a transmission power for synchronization message transmission; as well as The synchronization message is transmitted via a single carrier using the transmission power.

9. The method according to claim 6 or 7, wherein broadcasting the synchronization message comprises: determining, by the one or more processors, a transmission power for transmission of the synchronization message; dividing, by the one or more processors, the transmit power between two or more carriers; as well as The synchronization message is transmitted via the two or more carriers using a respective power associated with each of the two or more carriers.

10. The method according to claim 6 or 7, wherein broadcasting the synchronization message comprises: sequentially activating, by the one or more processors, narrow beams corresponding to the sub-sectors of the base station, respectively; as well as In response to activating a specific narrow beam, the synchronization message is transmitted via the specific narrow beam.

11. The method according to claim 6 or 7, further comprising: The location of the vehicle is received from the vehicle via a packet data network (PDN) connection.

12. The method according to claim 11, further comprising: identifying, by the one or more processors, a sub-sector of the base station corresponding to the location of the vehicle; activating, by the one or more processors, a narrow beam directed toward the sub-sector corresponding to the position of the vehicle; as well as Forward link communications are transmitted to the vehicle via the narrow beam directed toward the sub-sector corresponding to the location of the vehicle.

13. A method for a base station to establish a connection with a vehicle, the method comprising: dividing, by one or more processors of the base station, a sector of the base station into a plurality of sub-sectors; configuring, by the one or more processors, an antenna array to associate the plurality of sub-sectors with respective narrow beams; broadcasting, by the one or more processors, a synchronization message including an identifier of the base station, wherein broadcasting the synchronization message causes the one or more processors of the vehicle to: querying a base station database using the broadcasted identifier to determine the physical location of the base station; obtaining a position of the vehicle from a positioning sensor on the vehicle; as well as comparing the physical location of the base station with the location of the vehicle; receiving, from the vehicle, a random access channel (RACH) preamble message including a random access (RA) sequence identified based on the comparison; sequentially activating, by the one or more processors, the narrow beams associated with the plurality of sub-sectors; When a specific narrow beam associated with a specific sub-sector is activated: determining that the RA sequence included in the RACH preamble message corresponds to the specific sub-sector, and in response to the determination, broadcasting a RACH response (RAR) message via the specific narrow beam; receiving a radio resource control (RRC) connection request from the vehicle; as well as The one or more processors associate the vehicle with the sub-sector corresponding to the narrow beam, the narrow beam being active when the RAR message is transmitted.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein transmitting the RAR message comprises: determining, by the one or more processors, a transmission power for RAR message transmission; as well as The RAR message is transmitted via a single carrier using the transmission power.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein transmitting the RAR message comprises: determining, by the one or more processors, a transmission power for transmitting the RAR message; dividing, by the one or more processors, the transmit power between two or more carriers; as well as The RAR message is transmitted via the two or more carriers using a respective power associated with each of the two or more carriers.

16. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein broadcasting the synchronization message comprises: activating, by the one or more processors, a wide beam covering the sector of the base station; as well as The synchronization message is transmitted via the broad beam.

17. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 15, further comprising: receiving a location of the vehicle from the vehicle via a packet data network (PDN) connection; determining, by the one or more processors, a sub-sector serving the location of the vehicle; as well as Forward link communications are transmitted via narrow beams corresponding to the sub-sector serving the location of the vehicle.

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