Cooperation Node Selection for Low-Latency NTN Access Handover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Integrated terrestrial and non-terrestrial communication networks face challenges such as long propagation delays, varying UE capabilities, and handover latency, which conventional network-based management systems struggle to address effectively, particularly in mobile scenarios.
Innovation Solution
UEs and cooperation nodes autonomously select and switch between multiple cooperation nodes with different capabilities and connections to provide seamless access to non-terrestrial network devices through self-organized cooperation, utilizing network assistance information and multi-connectivity to manage mobility and handovers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If network-based management is used for cooperation, then centralized control and coordination is improved, but propagation delay and handover latency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the network management function into two segments: network-assisted functions (CN selection, connection establishment) and UE-autonomous functions (local decisions, handover execution). This segmentation allows the UE to make rapid local decisions without waiting for network instructions, thereby reducing propagation delay while maintaining network coordination benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The network provides assistance information in advance (e.g., preferred CN lists, connection parameters) before the UE needs to make a decision. This preliminary action enables the UE to autonomously select appropriate cooperation nodes without real-time network intervention, reducing handover latency while maintaining network-controlled coordination.
2Loss of time
If UE-autonomous selection is used, then handover latency is reduced, but coordination and management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The UE receives feedback in the form of assistance information from the network (e.g., network conditions, preferred CN recommendations) and uses this feedback to make informed autonomous decisions. This feedback mechanism enables UE-autonomous selection while maintaining network coordination, as the network continuously provides guidance based on overall network state.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces new parameters for UE decision-making, such as connection quality metrics, CN capabilities, and network conditions. By providing these parameters as assistance information, the network enables complex autonomous decisions at the UE level without directly managing the complexity, thus reducing handover latency while maintaining coordination.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple cooperation nodes are used, then network coverage is improved, but connection management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments connection management into network-level functions (CN selection, connection establishment) and UE-level functions (local decisions, maintenance). This segmentation allows multiple cooperation nodes to be managed autonomously by the UE based on local conditions, expanding network coverage while reducing central management complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts the number and selection of cooperation nodes based on real-time conditions (e.g., UE mobility, network availability). The UE can autonomously activate or deactivate CNs as needed, providing flexible coverage without requiring complex static management of all possible connections.
4Measurement precision
If network devices control cooperation, then coordination accuracy is improved, but propagation delay worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The network performs coordination actions in advance by providing assistance information (e.g., preferred CN lists, connection parameters) before the UE needs to establish a connection. This preliminary coordination maintains accuracy while allowing the UE to execute connections rapidly without real-time network intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces assistance information as an intermediary mechanism that carries network coordination intent to the UE. This intermediary enables the UE to make accurate coordinated decisions autonomously, eliminating the need for real-time network control while maintaining coordination accuracy through pre-shared information.
Data Source
AI summary
In an integrated wireless communication network that includes terrestrial and non-terrestrial network devices, signaling that is indicative of information for application by a User Equipment (UE) in selection between multiple cooperation nodes to provide the UE with access to a non-terrestrial network device in the integrated wireless communication network is communicated. Cooperation may also or instead be applied in conjunction with a group handover procedure. For example, signaling that is indicative of information for application in making a handover determination by a cooperation node may be communicated. The handover determination may involve determining whether a first cooperation node is to perform a handover procedure to establish a connection to a second network device while a second cooperation node maintains its connection to a first network device; or the second cooperation node is to perform the handover procedure while the first cooperation node maintains its connection to the first network device.