Autonomous Beam Switching for HAPS Communication Stability

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

High-altitude platform station (HAPS) network devices face challenges in maintaining stable communication with user equipment (UE) due to their motion, leading to increased handovers and connection interruptions, which can be costly and reduce flight time due to the need for beam steering mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

Implementing autonomous beam switching capabilities in both HAPS network devices and UE, where the UE performs radio signal measurements and selects the best beam layer, transmitting beam switch parameters to enable communication without explicit signaling, allowing both devices to autonomously switch between beams as the HAPS flies along its flight pattern.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If beam steering mechanisms are used to maintain stable communication with moving HAPS, then communication stability is improved, but device weight and power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication stabilityVSAvoiddevice weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of having the HAPS actively steer beams to track the UE, the system inverts the approach by having the UE autonomously select and switch between beams based on measurements. The HAPS provides beam layer information and receives switch requests, but the UE performs the actual beam selection and switching, eliminating the need for complex beam steering mechanisms on the HAPS.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The UE autonomously performs beam measurements, selects the best beam layer, and initiates beam switching without requiring continuous active control from the HAPS. The UE serves itself by making intelligent beam selection decisions based on received beam layer information and current signal conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If beam steering mechanisms are used to maintain stable communication with moving HAPS, then communication stability is improved, but flight time is reduced due to increased power consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication stabilityVSAvoidflight time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system inverts the traditional beam management approach where the network controls beam switching. Instead, the UE autonomously performs beam measurements, selects optimal beams, and initiates switching, eliminating the need for power-intensive active beam steering on the HAPS and thereby extending flight time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The UE autonomously manages beam switching based on measurements and received beam layer information, eliminating the need for continuous power-consuming beam steering operations on the HAPS, thus extending operational duration and flight time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Loss of information

If autonomous beam switching is implemented, then signaling overhead is reduced, but coordination between HAPS and UE must be precisely synchronized

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignaling overheadVSAvoidsynchronization precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The HAPS pre-configures and transmits beam layer information to the UE before the UE needs to perform beam switching. This preliminary provision of beam layer information allows the UE to autonomously make beam selection decisions without requiring extensive real-time signaling coordination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the HAPS transmits beam layer information and receives beam switch requests from the UE. The HAPS acknowledges received requests and provides updated beam layer information, creating a coordinated feedback loop that reduces signaling overhead while maintaining synchronization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Device complexity

If traditional beam management with explicit signaling is used, then beam switching coordination is simplified, but connection interruptions increase during HAPS motion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeam switching coordinationVSAvoidconnection continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The UE autonomously performs beam measurements, selects the best beam layer, and initiates beam switching without requiring complex real-time coordination signaling. This self-service approach allows the UE to rapidly adapt to HAPS motion and maintain continuous connections without the delays associated with explicit signaling protocols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS11711134B2Autonomous beam switch in HAPS coverage

Publication Date: 2023.07.25 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY

AI summary

A system, apparatus, method, and non-transitory computer readable medium for providing autonomous beam switching for user equipment (UE) within a cell coverage area of a high-altitude platform station (HAPS) network device, the HAPS network device may be caused the HAPS network device to, determine beam layer information corresponding to the plurality of beam layers; transmit the beam layer information to the at least one UE; receive an autonomous beam switch request from the at least one UE in response to the transmitted beam layer information, the request including beam switch parameters; determine a selected beam layer based on the beam switch parameters; and enable communication with the at least one UE using the selected beam layer.