Location-Aware Network Selection for Air and Space Base Stations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mobile communication networks struggle with network and cell selection when using air-based or space-based base station entities, as existing methods are location-agnostic and fail to consider geographical boundaries, leading to inefficiencies and regulatory compliance issues at borders.
Innovation Solution
A method for network and cell selection that utilizes location-dependent information derived from radio signals to determine the geographical location of user equipment, allowing it to select appropriate air-based or space-based base station entities in compliance with regulatory requirements, using global navigation satellite systems or relative signal strengths from terrestrial stations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional location-agnostic network selection methods are used, then the selection process is simple and fast, but compliance with regulatory boundaries at borders is violated
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary location determination using GNSS or signal strength measurements before the network selection process. This preliminary action provides location information that guides the subsequent network selection, ensuring regulatory compliance is checked in advance rather than as an afterthought.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring location information and using it to adjust network selection decisions. The location data feeds back into the selection process, allowing the system to adapt its choices based on current geographical position and regulatory requirements.
2Area of stationary object
If air-based or space-based base station entities are used with coverage spanning multiple countries, then coverage area is extended, but regulatory compliance at borders becomes problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by making network selection decisions specific to the user equipment's local geographical position. Different selection criteria are applied depending on whether the device is in one country or another, allowing the coverage area to span borders while maintaining local regulatory compliance through location-specific decisions.
3Reliability
If location-dependent network selection is implemented, then regulatory compliance is ensured, but additional signaling and processing are required
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses self-service by leveraging the user equipment's existing GNSS receiver or signal strength measurement capabilities to determine location. Rather than requiring the network to provide extensive location information, the device serves itself by using its own built-in capabilities to gather location data needed for compliant network selection.
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile communication network includes or uses or is associated or assigned to a radio access network comprising at least one base station entity being an air-based or a space-based base station entity. A method for conducting network selection and/or cell selection of a user equipment with regard to the mobile communication network in a location-dependent manner includes: in a first step, the user equipment receives at least one radio signal being related to or indicative of the location of the user equipment, and detects or derives a location-related information from the radio signal; and in a second step, the air-based or space-based base station entity is used, by the user equipment and in view of network selection and/or cell selection, in dependency of the location-related information detected or derived by the user equipment.