5G NGSO Satellite Air Interface for Seamless Terrestrial Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing satellite communication systems struggle to integrate seamlessly with terrestrial communication systems like 5G networks, limiting their ability to provide enhanced satellite-based coverage and efficient interface with terrestrial communications.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a satellite communication system that includes a user terminal with a physical layer interface, a satellite gateway connected to a terrestrial network, and an air interface that maintains connectivity through a satellite. The air interface features a forward link aligned with a global positioning pulse signal and a return link with carrier bands divided into narrow band carriers for improved efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing satellite communication systems are used, then satellite-based coverage is provided, but seamless integration with terrestrial communication systems like 5G networks is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The air interface is designed to support both satellite and terrestrial communication systems through a unified framework. The frame structure with GPS alignment and flexible sub-frame configuration enables the same interface to serve multiple purposes: satellite communication, terrestrial 5G integration, and hybrid operations, thereby achieving seamless integration without sacrificing connectivity reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs parameter changes in the frame structure to adapt between satellite and terrestrial modes. By adjusting frame timing alignment (GPS-synchronized for satellite, flexible for terrestrial), sub-frame configurations, and carrier allocations, the interface can optimize performance for each mode while maintaining reliable connectivity across both environments
2Measurement precision
If frame alignment with GPS pulse signal is implemented, then timing synchronization is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The frame structure is designed with periodic GPS pulse signal alignment, where each frame (10ms) contains synchronized timing references. This periodic synchronization simplifies the complexity by establishing a regular, predictable timing pattern that devices can easily track and maintain, rather than requiring continuous complex synchronization protocols
Solution Approach 2:
The frame is segmented into multiple sub-frames (e.g., 1ms each) with specific roles, allowing the GPS alignment requirement to be applied only at frame boundaries while sub-frames handle terrestrial communication flexibly. This segmentation isolates the synchronization complexity to specific points in time, reducing overall system complexity
3Productivity
If return link spectrum is divided into narrow band carriers, then spectral efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The return link spectrum is segmented into multiple narrow band carriers, each handling specific data streams. This segmentation improves spectral efficiency by allowing optimized modulation and coding for each carrier while distributing the signal processing load across multiple parallel channels, reducing the complexity burden on any single processing element
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a single-wide carrier approach to a multi-carrier frequency domain structure. By organizing spectrum resources in the frequency dimension with narrow band carriers, the system achieves better spectral utilization while parallel processing across carriers reduces time-domain complexity
4Productivity
If forward link frames are 10ms with 1ms sub-frames, then communication efficiency is improved, but processing overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The 10ms frame is segmented into ten 1ms sub-frames, each capable of independent processing and transmission. This segmentation improves communication efficiency by allowing parallel processing of multiple sub-frames, reducing the overhead impact on any single time slot while maintaining the overall frame structure for synchronization
Solution Approach 2:
The continuous stream of 1ms sub-frames ensures uninterrupted data flow with minimal gaps for processing. Each sub-frame can be processed independently and continuously transmitted, maintaining high communication efficiency while the regular 1ms interval provides predictable, manageable processing cycles that reduce overhead complexity
Data Source
AI summary
An improved air interface for satellite systems such as a 5G-based non-geostationary (NGSO) satellite system. The air interface includes an improved physical interface for efficient operation over NGSO satellite systems. The air interface includes an improved forward link for communicating from the satellite gateway to the user terminal and a return link for communicating from the user terminal to the satellite gateway.