Dual-Steering Control for Simultaneous Terrestrial Non-Terrestrial Network Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication systems lack the functionality to support simultaneous connections between 3GPP access and non-3GPP access, particularly in the context of dual-steering between terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks, which is essential for next-generation mobile communication networks.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for controlling a dual-steering function in a communication system, allowing terminals to simultaneously access both terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks by performing access registration procedures and establishing protocol data unit (PDU) sessions through both types of networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a terminal simultaneously connects to both 3GPP access and non-3GPP access, then service speed and transmission reliability are enhanced, but the system complexity and control difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the access control into distinct procedures: first access registration procedure for selecting a first base station, second access registration procedure for selecting a second base station, and MA PDU session establishment procedure for configuring dual steering. This segmentation manages complexity by breaking down the simultaneous connection process into manageable steps with clear decision points.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary actions by first performing access registration procedures to identify base stations before establishing the MA PDU session. The terminal determines dual-steering capability and selects appropriate base stations in advance, ensuring that when the MA PDU session is established, all necessary configurations are already in place, thereby simplifying the overall control process.
2Adaptability or versatility
If dual-steering functionality is implemented between TN and NTN networks, then simultaneous access capability is provided, but the existing network infrastructure and protocols require extensions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves universality by defining a unified MA PDU session establishment procedure that works for both 3GPP and non-3GPP accesses. The same procedural framework can be applied whether the terminal connects to terrestrial networks, satellite networks, or a combination thereof, reducing the need for separate specialized handling for each network type.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the MA PDU session as an intermediary mechanism that mediates between the terminal and the core network for dual-steering configurations. This intermediary structure standardizes the interaction, allowing the network infrastructure to handle diverse access types through a common interface without requiring extensive modifications to existing protocols.
3Reliability
If the terminal performs multiple access registration procedures, then dual-steering capability is established, but the procedure time and setup overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary identification of dual-steering capability and preliminary selection of base stations during the access registration procedures. By determining whether the core network supports dual-steering and selecting appropriate base stations before initiating the MA PDU session establishment, the terminal avoids redundant checks and decisions during the actual session setup, thereby reducing overall procedure time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where the terminal receives responses from the core network during access registration procedures, using these responses to determine dual-steering support and adjust its behavior accordingly. This feedback loop allows the terminal to optimize subsequent procedures by avoiding unnecessary steps when dual-steering is not supported or when certain base stations are unsuitable.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of a terminal may comprise: selecting one of a TN base station or NTN base station as a first base station; performing a first access registration procedure between the terminal and a core network through the first base station; identifying whether the core network supports dual-steering, based on a result of the first access registration procedure; in response to identifying that the core network supports dual-steering, performing a second access registration procedure between the terminal and the core network through a second base station other than the first base station among the TN base station or the NTN base station; and in response to a success of the second access registration procedure, performing a multiple access (MA) protocol data unit (PDU) session establishment procedure according to dual-steering through the first base station.