Cell Reselection Signaling for Mixed Terrestrial and NTN Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communications networks face challenges in efficiently handling communications with a wide range of devices associated with different data traffic profiles, particularly in non-terrestrial networks, where conventional cell reselection and handover techniques are inadequate due to uniform radio link quality and rapid cell movement, leading to inefficient network selection and high signaling overheads.
Innovation Solution
The method involves transmitting signaling information to communications devices indicating whether neighboring coverage areas are formed by non-terrestrial or terrestrial networks, allowing devices to adapt cell selection/reselection procedures based on network type, using specific criteria for each, and providing frequency-specific indications to optimize handovers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional cell reselection and handover techniques are used in non-terrestrial networks, then network coverage is provided, but network selection efficiency deteriorates due to uniform radio link quality and rapid cell movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating between terrestrial and non-terrestrial network cells based on their specific characteristics. The system determines the type of cell (terrestrial or non-terrestrial) and applies different reselection criteria accordingly, allowing optimized network selection for each network type rather than using uniform criteria for all cells.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the reselection parameters dynamically based on network type. For non-terrestrial cells, the system uses different measurement thresholds and evaluation criteria compared to terrestrial cells. This parameter adaptation enables efficient network selection by accounting for the specific characteristics of each network type, such as rapid movement in non-terrestrial networks.
2Productivity
If uniform cell reselection criteria are applied to all network types, then implementation simplicity is maintained, but handover performance deteriorates in mixed terrestrial and non-terrestrial environments
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements local quality by treating terrestrial and non-terrestrial cells differently in the reselection process. The network type is determined and used to select appropriate reselection criteria, ensuring that each network type receives optimized handling while maintaining a unified procedural framework.
Solution Approach 2:
The reselection procedure is segmented into distinct handling paths based on network type. The system divides the reselection process into separate evaluation streams for terrestrial and non-terrestrial cells, allowing specialized criteria to be applied to each segment while maintaining overall system organization.
3Reliability
If frequent cell reselection measurements are performed to ensure optimal connectivity, then network connectivity is improved, but control signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes measurement parameters based on network type characteristics. Non-terrestrial cells use different measurement frequencies and thresholds compared to terrestrial cells, optimizing the balance between maintaining connectivity and reducing unnecessary measurements. This adaptive parameter adjustment prevents excessive signaling overhead while ensuring reliable connectivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs self-service mechanisms where the network type determination and reselection criteria are automatically applied without requiring manual intervention. The device autonomously identifies network types and applies appropriate reselection logic, reducing the need for complex control signaling while maintaining optimal connectivity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method comprising transmitting signals to one or more communications devices within a radio coverage area provided by infrastructure equipment, the infrastructure equipment forming either part of a non-terrestrial network of a wireless communications network and wherein the radio coverage area forms a spot beam of the non-terrestrial network, or part of a terrestrial network and wherein the radio coverage area is a cell of a terrestrial network, wherein the transmitting the signals includes transmitting signalling information indicating that one or more neighbouring coverage areas to the radio coverage area provided by the infrastructure equipment are either formed by a spot beam of a non-terrestrial network, a spot beam of the non-terrestrial network of which the infrastructure equipment forms part, a cell of a terrestrial network or a cell of the terrestrial network of which the infrastructure equipment forms part.