NTN Beam-Specific Cell Selection for UE Power Saving
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Solution Overview
Problem
In Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN), the large cell size and numerous neighbor Terrestrial Network (TN) cells lead to high power consumption due to unnecessary cell searches by User Equipments (UEs), especially in locations where TN cells are not deployed, such as deserts, oceans, or mountains.
Innovation Solution
Implementing beam-specific, PLMN-specific, and slice-specific configurations for Radio Resource Management (RRM) measurements, along with relaxed RRM measurement criteria, to reduce unnecessary power consumption by UEs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If UEs perform RRM measurements on all neighbor TN cells in NTN, then cell selection reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the neighbor cell measurement task by introducing beam-specific configuration sets. Each beam is associated with a specific configuration set containing only the TN cells relevant to that beam's coverage area. This segmentation allows UEs to perform measurements only on a subset of neighbor cells corresponding to their current beam, rather than all possible neighbor cells, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining reliable cell selection within the relevant coverage area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by making the measurement configuration beam-specific. Each beam receives a tailored configuration set of neighbor cells based on its local coverage characteristics and the underlying TN cell structure. This ensures that UEs measure only the locally relevant TN cells for handover purposes, avoiding unnecessary measurements in areas where TN cells are not deployed or not applicable, thus optimizing power consumption locally.
2Measurement precision
If UEs search for TN cells in all directions, then measurement completeness is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the omnidirectional measurement task into beam-specific measurement tasks. Each beam configuration set contains only the TN cells that are spatially relevant to that beam's direction and coverage. This segmentation allows UEs to focus measurements in the direction of the active beam, achieving complete measurement coverage for handover decisions without the energy cost of omnidirectional searching.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial action by having UEs perform measurements only on the subset of TN cells configured for their current beam, rather than all possible TN cells in all directions. This partial measurement approach is sufficient for achieving reliable cell selection and handover decisions, as it covers all relevant TN cells in the beam's coverage area without the excessive energy consumption of exhaustive omnidirectional measurement.
3Use of energy by moving object
If beam-specific configurations are implemented, then power consumption is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the configuration data into multiple beam-specific configuration sets, where each set is associated with a specific beam. This segmentation organizes the complexity in a structured manner, allowing UEs to select and process only the configuration set corresponding to their current beam. The segmentation approach manages complexity by dividing the overall configuration into manageable, context-specific subsets rather than presenting all configurations simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring multiple beam-specific configuration sets in advance, with each set containing the pre-determined relevant TN cells for its associated beam. This preliminary organization of configuration data eliminates the need for complex real-time calculations or dynamic configuration generation during operation. The UE simply needs to identify its current beam and retrieve the corresponding pre-configured set, significantly reducing operational complexity despite the presence of multiple configuration sets.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to enhancement on Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) and Terrestrial Network (TN) cell selection for power saving. In some embodiments, there is provided a user equipment (UE), comprising at least one antenna, at least one radio coupled to the at least one antenna, and a processor coupled to the at least one radio. The UE is configured to perform operations comprising: receiving from a Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) base station one or more configurations in terms of neighbor Terrestrial Network (TN) cells and/or frequencies for Radio Resource Management (RRM) measurement available in an NTN cell, wherein the NTN base station provides one or more beams within the NTN cell, and each configuration is beam specific; and selecting a configuration from the one or more configurations based on a current beam in which the UE is located.