Flight Vehicle Communication Control Unit for Direct Terminal Relay
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flight vehicle communication systems that use stratospheric platforms consume bandwidth on the feeder link and are susceptible to communication delays and quality deterioration due to weather effects, especially when relaying communications between user terminals.
Innovation Solution
The flight vehicle is equipped with a communication control unit that enables communication relay between user terminals without intermediation of the core network, using a user plane function and switch units to construct closed area networks, thereby reducing reliance on feeder links.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If communication between user terminals is relayed via the core network through the feeder link, then communication coverage and network management are improved, but communication delay increases and bandwidth consumption on the feeder link increases
Solution Approach 1:
The communication path is segmented into two modes: (1) relayed communication through the core network via feeder link for coverage extension, and (2) direct communication between user terminals through the flight vehicle's wireless communication area. This segmentation allows the system to switch between centralized relay mode and distributed direct mode, reducing dependency on the feeder link for local communications.
Solution Approach 2:
The flight vehicle acts as an intermediary that can perform both functions: (a) relaying communications through the core network when terminals are in different wireless communication areas or require core network services, and (b) enabling direct communication between terminals within the same wireless communication area through its switching fabric and base station units, thereby mediating between centralized and decentralized communication modes.
2Ease of operation
If communication between user terminals is relayed via the core network through the feeder link, then network control and management are improved, but bandwidth consumption on the feeder link increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of relaying all communications through the core network via the feeder link, the system performs partial relaying only when necessary (e.g., when terminals are in different wireless communication areas or require core network services). For local communications within the same wireless communication area, direct terminal-to-terminal communication is enabled, reducing feeder link bandwidth consumption while maintaining adequate network control.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication architecture implements local quality by enabling direct communication within local wireless communication areas covered by the flight vehicle, while maintaining centralized core network connectivity for broader network management. This local optimization reduces feeder link bandwidth consumption for local traffic while preserving centralized control capabilities for when they are needed.
3Reliability
If communication is performed through the feeder link, then connection to the core network is maintained, but communication quality deteriorates due to weather effects
Solution Approach 1:
The flight vehicle creates a copied communication environment by establishing a wireless communication area that replicates ground-based cellular network functionality at altitude. This copied communication path operates independently of the feeder link, allowing terminals to communicate through the flight vehicle's base station units and switching fabric without being affected by weather conditions that impact the feeder link, while maintaining core network connectivity through the FL communication unit when needed.
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a flight vehicle which has an antenna for forming a wireless communication area by irradiating beam towards a ground to provide a wireless communication service to a user terminal in the wireless communication area, the flight vehicle including an FL communication unit which communicates with a core network on the ground via a feeder link, a UP execution unit which executes a user plane function, and a communication control unit which performs control such that communication between a first user terminal in the wireless communication area and a second user terminal is relayed without intermediation of the core network by the user plane function.