Dual NTN-TN Connectivity for Low-Latency Spot Beam Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Non-terrestrial networks (NTNs) face challenges in efficiently managing communications due to high latency, particularly in scenarios involving satellite or airborne vehicles, which affect service continuity and quality, especially for delay-sensitive applications like video streaming and video calling.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a communications device configured for dual connectivity mode, allowing it to transmit and receive signals via both non-terrestrial and terrestrial infrastructure equipment using spot beams, and leveraging multi-access edge computing (MEC) to cache data, thereby reducing latency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If non-terrestrial networks are used to provide coverage in remote areas and for moving platforms, then coverage area and service continuity are improved, but latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The network connection is segmented into two independent paths: one for downlink (NTN) and one for uplink (TN), allowing each path to be optimized independently. The downlink uses satellite coverage for remote areas while the uplink uses terrestrial infrastructure for lower latency, resolving the contradiction between coverage area and latency.
Solution Approach 2:
The communications device acts as an intermediary that receives downlink signals from NTN and forwards them to TN for uplink transmission. This mediator enables the system to leverage both NTN's coverage advantages and TN's latency advantages, achieving both wide coverage and low latency simultaneously.
2Loss of time
If dual connectivity mode is implemented to reduce latency, then round trip time is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device merges NTN and TN connectivity into a unified dual connectivity mode, combining the coverage benefits of satellite networks with the low-latency benefits of terrestrial networks. This merging allows simultaneous operation on both networks, reducing overall RTT while managing complexity through standardized protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between different connectivity modes (NTN-only, TN-only, or dual connectivity) based on real-time network conditions, device capabilities, and service requirements. This dynamic adaptation optimizes RTT performance while managing device complexity by activating dual connectivity only when beneficial.
3Reliability
If spot beams are used to provide wireless access within coverage regions, then service quality is improved, but feeder link switch delays increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by establishing and maintaining connections to both NTN and TN infrastructure in advance. This preparatory dual connectivity ensures that when feeder link switches are needed, the device can quickly transition to the alternative network without significant delay, maintaining service quality while reducing switch delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The device maintains a cushion of redundant connectivity by being simultaneously connected to both NTN and TN networks before any link failure occurs. This beforehand cushioning provides a safety buffer that allows immediate failover to the alternative network, protecting service quality and minimizing switch delays.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for operating a communications device is provided. The communications device is configured to transmit uplink signals to and/or to receive downlink signals from a non-terrestrial infrastructure equipment forming part of a non-terrestrial network, NTN, and to transmit uplink signal to and/or to receive uplink signals from a terrestrial infrastructure equipment forming part of a terrestrial network, TN. The method comprises communicating with the non-terrestrial infrastructure equipment via one of a plurality of spot beams, each of the spot beams providing a first wireless access interface for transmitting the uplink signals to and/or receiving the downlink signals from the non-terrestrial infrastructure equipment within a coverage region formed by the each of the spot beams, and communicating with the terrestrial infrastructure equipment via a second wireless access interface provided by the terrestrial infrastructure equipment.