5G NGSO Air Interface With GPS-Aligned Frames and Narrowband Return Links
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing satellite systems, particularly non-geostationary (NGSO) satellite systems, struggle to integrate seamlessly with terrestrial communication systems like 5G networks, lacking efficient mechanisms for enhanced coverage and interface.
Innovation Solution
An improved air interface for NGSO satellite systems based on 5G protocols, incorporating a forward link with aligned frames to global positioning pulse signals and a return link with narrow band carriers, enabling efficient communication between user terminals and satellite gateways, and integration with terrestrial networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing satellite systems are used, then global high-speed data connectivity is provided, but seamless integration with terrestrial communication systems like 5G networks is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The air interface is designed to perform multiple functions: it enables communication between user terminals and satellite gateways while simultaneously ensuring seamless integration with terrestrial 5G networks. The frame structure aligns with GPS signals for satellite communication while maintaining compatibility with 5G network protocols, allowing the system to serve both satellite and terrestrial communication needs through a unified interface.
2Reliability
If frame alignment with GPS pulse signal is implemented, then synchronization and connectivity are improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the GPS timing signal with the 5G frame structure by aligning the start of each 10ms frame with the GPS pulse signal. This integration allows the system to use existing GPS infrastructure for synchronization without requiring separate timing mechanisms, thereby improving reliability while minimizing additional complexity through resource consolidation.
3Productivity
If narrow band carriers are added to return link, then bandwidth utilization is optimized, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The return link spectrum is segmented into multiple narrow band carriers, each handling specific data streams or user connections. This segmentation allows for optimized bandwidth allocation where each narrow band carrier can be independently managed and allocated to different users or services, improving overall bandwidth utilization while enabling granular control over resource distribution.
Data Source
AI summary
An improved air interface for satellite systems such as a 5G-based non-geostationary (NGSO) satellite system. The air interface includes an improved physical interface for efficient operation over NGSO satellite systems. The air interface includes an improved forward link for communicating from the satellite gateway to the user terminal and a return link for communicating from the user terminal to the satellite gateway.