Network Energy Saving in Terrestrial Non-Terrestrial Coexistence
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in achieving network energy savings in terrestrial and non-terrestrial network coexistence deployments, as UEs may rapidly switch between terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks, reducing the effectiveness of network energy saving modes.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a network entity in a terrestrial network indicating to a UE the availability of a non-terrestrial network entity and a time duration during which the UE should refrain from reconnecting with the terrestrial network, thereby limiting power consumption and enhancing network energy savings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the network entity enters NES mode to save energy, then energy consumption is reduced, but the UE may rapidly switch between TN and NTN networks reducing the effectiveness of NES mode
Solution Approach 1:
The network entity performs preliminary actions by indicating NES mode information and time duration to the UE before the NES mode takes full effect. This allows the UE to be prepared and refrain from reconnecting to the TN network during the indicated time period, ensuring the NES mode remains effective without causing service disruption.
2Productivity
If the UE is allowed to reconnect with the terrestrial network during NES mode, then service continuity is maintained, but power consumption increases and NES mode effectiveness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the network entity provides the UE with specific time duration information indicating when NES mode is active. This intermediary information allows the UE to understand when it should refrain from reconnecting to the TN network, balancing service continuity with energy saving objectives without requiring constant reconnection attempts.
3Loss of energy
If the network entity indicates NTN availability and time duration to the UE, then UE can refrain from reconnecting with TN network, but this requires additional signaling overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the indication of NTN entity availability with the NES mode time duration information into a single signaling message from the network entity to the UE. This combined indication reduces signaling overhead compared to sending separate messages, while still providing the UE with sufficient information to refrain from reconnecting to the TN network during the NES period.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communication are described. A network entity (e.g., terrestrial network entity) may transmit a handover request to a user equipment (UE) indicating that an non-terrestrial network (NTN) entity is available for providing services to the UE based at least in part on a network energy saving (NES) mode of the network entity. The handover request may also indicate a time duration to the UE, where the time duration is based on the NES mode and an NTN service availability duration of the NTN entity, and the UE may establish a connection with the NTN entity during the time duration. The UE may monitor for synchronization signal blocks (SSBs) from the NTN entity (e.g., instead of the network entity) based on an indication of the terrestrial network entity.