Non-Terrestrial Base Station Failover for Terrestrial Outages
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile communication networks face incapacity issues during events like power outages, natural disasters, or network overloads, leading to communication disruptions, and current backup solutions like battery power and portable equipment are inadequate for prolonged outages.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method that uses non-terrestrial base stations, such as satellites, to detect terrestrial base station incapacity and provide backup services by identifying suitable orbital stations, integrating them into the network, and managing traffic between mobile terminals and the network, with capabilities for spectrum analysis and protocol compatibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If terrestrial base stations are used for mobile communication, then network coverage and service quality are improved, but network reliability deteriorates during power outages, natural disasters, or failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from terrestrial base stations to non-terrestrial base stations (satellites, balloons, drones) operating in different spatial dimensions. This dimensional shift allows backup communication services to be provided from above the atmosphere or high altitude, avoiding ground-based disruptions from natural disasters and power outages while maintaining network reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The non-terrestrial base stations are designed to perform multiple functions: providing primary communication services during normal operations and switching to backup/disaster recovery mode when terrestrial networks fail. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated backup systems, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliability.
2Duration of action of moving object
If portable backup equipment like cell on wheels is deployed, then temporary communication restoration is achieved, but service continuity deteriorates during prolonged outages
Solution Approach 1:
Non-terrestrial base stations are pre-positioned in orbital or high-altitude locations before disasters occur. When terrestrial networks fail, these pre-positioned stations can immediately provide backup services without requiring rapid deployment or assembly, enabling continuous service during prolonged outages while simplifying operational response.
3Reliability
If non-terrestrial base stations are introduced for backup, then network reliability is improved during failures, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the primary and backup communication systems into a unified network architecture where non-terrestrial and terrestrial base stations operate under common network control. This integration allows seamless switching and coordinated operation, reducing the operational complexity that would otherwise arise from managing separate backup systems while maintaining high communication reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous monitoring and feedback mechanisms that detect terrestrial network failures and automatically trigger switching to non-terrestrial base stations. This automated feedback control reduces the need for manual intervention and complex operational procedures, thereby reducing system complexity while ensuring reliable communication during failures.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is disclosed for providing backup network services in a communications network used by mobile terminals such as cellular telephones. The method includes receiving information regarding a terrestrial base station of the communications network and, using a non-terrestrial base station (NTBS) such as an orbiting satellite, detecting an incapacity of the terrestrial base station. The NTBS identifies a second NTBS (e.g., a second satellite) within communications range to provide backup service to the communications network. The second NTBS is then introduced as a new base station of the communications network. The second NTBS can then substitute for the incapacitated terrestrial base station to carry traffic between at least one mobile terminal and the communications network.