Beamwidth Segmentation for Satellite Access Efficiency
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In satellite communications, ground terminals face inefficiencies and prolonged access times when attempting to connect with satellites due to the need for periodic beam scanning to align the terminal's antenna with the satellite's beam, especially when the terminal's location is unknown.
Innovation Solution
The method involves a terminal device using a wide beam to receive broadcast signals from multiple network devices, measuring these signals with a narrower beam to determine the best network device for connection, and then using this beam for high-speed data transmission, thereby reducing access duration and improving efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the terminal device uses a narrow beam to target at and access the satellite, then the data transmission speed is improved, but the access duration is prolonged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the beam into two distinct types: a first beam with wide beamwidth for initial access and signal detection, and a second beam with narrow beamwidth for high-speed data transmission. This segmentation allows the terminal device to perform different functions with different beam characteristics, resolving the contradiction between fast access and high-speed transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic beam switching where the terminal device transitions from using a wide beam during the access phase to a narrow beam during the data transmission phase. This dynamic adaptation of beam characteristics based on operational requirements enables the system to optimize for access speed initially, then switch to optimize for transmission speed.
2Loss of time
If the terminal device uses a wide beam to receive broadcast signals, then the access duration is reduced, but the data transmission speed is decreased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the communication process into two phases with different beam characteristics: initial access phase using wide beams for fast signal acquisition, and data transmission phase using narrow beams for high-speed communication. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by applying appropriate beamwidth for each phase's specific requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal device dynamically switches beam types based on operational phase: wide beams during access for rapid satellite acquisition, then narrow beams for efficient data transmission. This dynamic beam management enables the system to achieve both fast access and high-speed transmission at different times.
3Reliability
If the terminal device performs periodic beam scanning to align with the satellite, then the connection reliability is improved, but the access efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by using wide beams to perform initial satellite acquisition and signal detection before switching to narrow beams for stable data transmission. This preliminary alignment phase ensures reliable connection establishment without requiring extensive scanning during the actual transmission phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the beamwidth parameter based on operational requirements: wide beamwidth during access for comprehensive signal coverage and reliable detection, then narrow beamwidth for focused high-speed transmission. This parameter adaptation maintains connection reliability while improving access efficiency.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~6
AI summary
This application provides a communication method, a communications apparatus, a device, and a communications system. The method includes: A terminal device receives, by using a first beam, broadcast signals broadcast by N network devices, where each broadcast signal includes a current broadcast moment and identification information of a network device that broadcasts the broadcast signal, and N is a positive integer; the terminal device obtains a second beam corresponding to the broadcast signals, where a width of the first beam is greater than that of the second beam; the terminal device measures the broadcast signals of the N network devices by using the second beam corresponding to the broadcast signal; the terminal device obtains, based on a measurement result, a second beam corresponding to a target network device, where the target network device is one of the N network devices; and the terminal device performs data transmission with the target network device by using the second beam corresponding to the target network device. This reduces access duration and improves access efficiency.