Aircraft Relay Beam Switching for Communication Continuity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems lack mechanisms for configuring user equipment (UE) to switch to the next relay beam for continued aircraft relaying operations, whether on the same or different aircraft, and do not provide a common cell identifier for aircraft communicating within specific geographic regions.
Innovation Solution
The described techniques involve signaling physical layer parameters for the next beam to be used for relaying aircraft and configuring a common or shared cell identifier for aircraft operating within geographic regions, enabling seamless switching and communication continuity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If aircraft relay devices use beamforming for directional communication, then communication reliability is improved, but beam switching complexity increases when transitioning between aircraft or geographic regions
Solution Approach 1:
The network entity pre-determines and signals the second beam configuration to the UE before the aircraft actually switches beams. This includes providing physical layer parameters (timing advance, frequency compensation) and cell identifier information in advance, allowing the UE to be ready for seamless beam switching without complex real-time decision-making
Solution Approach 2:
The network entity acts as an intermediary that manages beam switching coordination between the UE and aircraft. It provides the second beam configuration information to the UE and coordinates with the aircraft relay device, simplifying the switching process by centralizing control rather than requiring direct UE-aircraft negotiation
2Adaptability or versatility
If aircraft switch between different geographic regions, then service coverage is improved, but communication continuity may be disrupted without proper cell identifier management
Solution Approach 1:
The network entity pre-configures the appropriate cell identifier for the target geographic region and provides it to the UE in advance along with the second beam configuration. This allows the UE to maintain communication continuity as the aircraft transitions between regions by already having the correct cell identifier ready
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the cell identifier parameter based on the aircraft's geographic location. The network entity determines the appropriate cell identifier for the target region and signals it to the UE, allowing the communication system to adapt to different geographic regions while maintaining continuity
3Speed
If physical layer parameters for next beam are signaled in advance, then beam switching speed is improved, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The network entity signals only the essential physical layer parameters needed for beam switching (timing advance, frequency compensation, cell identifier) rather than complete beam configuration data. This provides sufficient information for fast switching while minimizing signaling overhead by including only critical parameters
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communication are described. A user equipment (UE) may communicate with a network entity via a first relay device of a first aircraft using a first beam associated with the first relay device. The UE may receive via the first relay device of the first aircraft an indication of one or more physical layer parameters associated with a second beam to be used for the communications with the network entity, the second beam associated with the first relay device of the first aircraft or with a second relay device of a second aircraft. The UE may switch from the first beam to the second beam in accordance with the one or more physical layer parameters. The UE may communicate with the network entity using the second beam based at least in part on the switching.