Notification Area Configuration for Non-Terrestrial Network Paging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication networks face challenges in efficiently managing communications for a diverse range of devices and data traffic profiles, particularly in non-terrestrial networks where conventional cell change algorithms are unsuitable due to rapid beam movement and high latency, leading to increased signaling overhead and frequent handovers.
Innovation Solution
The method involves configuring a notification area within the radio access network to determine the serving base station or non-terrestrial network part for a communications device, reducing paging and RAN notification area update signaling by using pre-planned journey information, location data, and ephemeris data to optimize cell selection and minimize unnecessary signaling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional cell change algorithms are used in non-terrestrial networks, then device coverage can be maintained, but signaling overhead increases and handover frequency increases due to rapid beam movement
Solution Approach 1:
The network configures a notification area in advance that includes multiple beams and base stations. The device is pre-informed of this area configuration, so when moving within the non-terrestrial network, it does not need to perform frequent handovers or generate excessive signaling for each cell change. The preliminary configuration of the notification area prevents the need for real-time signaling during normal movement within the configured area.
2Reliability
If conventional cell change algorithms are used in non-terrestrial networks, then device coverage can be maintained, but handover frequency increases due to rapid beam movement
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple beams and base stations are merged into a single notification area configuration. Instead of treating each beam or base station as a separate cell requiring individual handover management, they are combined into one logical notification area. This merging allows the device to move freely among the constituent beams and base stations without triggering handover procedures, thereby reducing handover frequency while maintaining continuous coverage.
3Quantity of substance
If notification area configuration is implemented, then signaling overhead is reduced, but device location tracking complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device autonomously determines whether it remains within its configured notification area by monitoring beam and base station identifiers. When the device detects that it has left the notification area (by identifying a serving beam or base station not in the configured set), it autonomously initiates a notification area update procedure. This self-service mechanism reduces signaling overhead by eliminating unnecessary periodic location reports while maintaining accurate location tracking through event-triggered updates.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for operating an infrastructure equipment forming part of a radio access network part of a wireless communications network is provided. The method comprising configuring a notification area of a radio access network part by determining one or more base stations and/or one or more of non-terrestrial network parts which form part of the notification area, the base stations and/or the non-terrestrial network parts of the notification area being for use in transmitting signals to a communications device from the wireless communications network, determining, based on the notification area and on a present time, which one of the base stations and/or the non-terrestrial network parts of the notification area is presently serving the communications device, and transmitting a paging message to the serving base station or serving non terrestrial network part for subsequent transmission to the communications device.