Digitizer-Based 5G/6G Non-Terrestrial Network Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Satellite communication systems face challenges in optimizing information transmission over limited radio frequency resources due to the scarcity of available frequencies and the increasing volume of data to be conveyed, necessitating more efficient use of hardware and software solutions at ground stations and terminals.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a digitizer apparatus that includes a radio interface with digital-to-analog and analog-to-digital converters, coupled with a configurable logic device, to generate and process digital IF packets, allowing for simultaneous processing of multiple frequency bands and applications, and enabling network function virtualization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional hardware solutions are used for signal processing in satellite communication systems, then system reliability is maintained, but device complexity increases and adaptability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional hardware-based signal processing systems with a software-defined radio (SDR) architecture. The digitizer converts RF signals to digital form, enabling software-based processing instead of fixed hardware implementations. This substitution provides reconfigurability through software while reducing hardware complexity, as the same physical hardware can be reconfigured to handle different frequency bands and applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The digitizer apparatus serves multiple functions: it processes multiple frequency bands simultaneously, supports different applications (satellite communication, Earth observation, RF monitoring), and can be reconfigured via software. The configurable logic device and multiple virtual network functions enable a single hardware platform to perform diverse signal processing tasks that traditionally would require separate dedicated systems.
2Productivity
If multiple frequency bands are processed simultaneously using separate hardware systems, then processing capability is improved, but device complexity and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple signal processing functions into a single digitizer apparatus. The configurable logic device processes multiple frequency bands concurrently, and multiple virtual network functions are consolidated on shared compute nodes. This merging reduces the number of separate hardware systems needed while maintaining the ability to process multiple bands simultaneously through software-based resource allocation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a software dimension to signal processing, transforming fixed hardware functionality into reconfigurable software-based processing. Virtual network functions are instantiated on compute nodes, allowing multiple processing streams to coexist in the software domain. This dimensional shift from hardware to software enables concurrent processing of multiple frequency bands without proportionally increasing hardware complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If dedicated hardware is used for each application, then processing precision is maintained, but resource efficiency and flexibility decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic resource allocation through virtual network functions that can be instantiated, configured, and terminated as needed. The configurable logic device can be reprogrammed to adapt to different processing requirements. This dynamic approach allows the system to allocate computing resources efficiently based on actual demand rather than maintaining static dedicated hardware for each application, reducing energy consumption while maintaining flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are techniques for accessing a 5G/6G non-terrestrial network. A network access challenge is received at compute nodes of a terminal. The compute nodes run one or more VNFs. The network access challenge is sent from the compute nodes to a digitizer of the terminal. The digitizer includes a SIM card. The digitizer generates SIM data based on the network access challenge and data stored in the SIM card. The SIM data includes an authentication response to the network access challenge. The SIM data is sent from the digitizer to the compute nodes. The compute nodes generate a digital IF packet containing the SIM data. The digital IF packet is sent from the compute nodes to the digitizer for wireless transmission of the SIM data to a satellite associated with the non-terrestrial network.