Base Station Neighbour Cell Relation Table Management for NTN
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The intermittent availability of Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) cells requires frequent updates to neighbour lists at base stations, leading to inefficient resource usage and battery power wastage, as existing Operation and Maintenance (OAM) functionality is not designed to handle the frequent appearance and disappearance of these cells.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for receiving and updating neighbour cell information based on cell category, including ephemeris and timing information, to manage neighbour relations effectively, reducing the need for continuous acquisition and reporting of intermittent cell information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If frequent updates to neighbour lists are performed to maintain accuracy of NTN cell information, then neighbour cell information accuracy is improved, but resource consumption and battery power usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the base station pre-acquire and store cell category information (such as whether a cell is an NTN cell) and ephemeris data before these cells become neighbours. When NTN cells appear or disappear, the base station can immediately update neighbour lists using pre-stored information without requiring UEs to perform repeated measurements and reporting, thus maintaining accuracy while reducing energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces cell category information and ephemeris data as intermediary elements that mediate between the base station and NTN cells. These intermediaries contain pre-calculated orbital parameters and cell characteristics that enable the base station to predict and manage neighbour relations proactively, eliminating the need for continuous UE measurements and reducing battery power usage while maintaining neighbour list accuracy.
2Reliability
If continuous acquisition and reporting of intermittent cell information is performed, then neighbour cell relation management is improved, but resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The base station performs preliminary acquisition of cell category information and ephemeris data for potential NTN neighbours before they become active neighbours. This advance preparation allows the base station to manage neighbour relations reliably when NTN cells appear or disappear, without requiring continuous UE measurement and reporting cycles that waste resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The base station serves itself by maintaining its own neighbour cell relation table with cell category information and ephemeris data, eliminating the need for UEs to continuously measure, report, and enable the base station to update neighbour lists. This self-service approach improves neighbour relation management reliability while significantly reducing overall system resource consumption.
3Ease of operation
If OAM functionality is used to manage neighbour cells, then cell management is improved, but adaptability to intermittent NTN cells deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends OAM functionality by enabling base stations to pre-acquire and store cell category information and ephemeris data for NTN cells before they become neighbours. This preliminary action allows conventional OAM mechanisms to effectively manage intermittent NTN cells, maintaining ease of operation while improving adaptability to the unique characteristics of non-terrestrial networks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes OAM functionality universal by enabling it to handle both traditional terrestrial cells and intermittent NTN cells through the same base station procedures. The base station uses the same OAM mechanisms to acquire, store, and update neighbour cell information regardless of cell type, thereby maintaining ease of operation while gaining adaptability to intermittent NTN cells through the addition of cell category information and ephemeris data handling.
Data Source
AI summary
A system is disclosed in which a base station receives information indicating a cell category associated with a neighbour cell and stores the cell category information in a neighbour cell relation table. The base station May receive the cell category information from a UE, from an Access and Mobility Function, or from a base station operating the neighbour cell. The cell category information may indicate, amongst others, that the neighbour cell is a cell of a non-terrestrial network, a small cell, or an energy saving cell.