NTN Cell Signaling for Random Access Delay Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN), the large distance between satellites and the ground results in high signal transmission delay, making it difficult for terminal devices to use random access schemes for NTN cells, and there is a need to distinguish between different types of cells for efficient random access.
Innovation Solution
The method involves receiving first signaling by a terminal device to determine if a target cell is an NTN cell based on NTN configuration information such as ephemeris, common Timing Advance (TA), or Doppler shift information, and the network device transmits signaling to facilitate this determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If terminal devices use random access schemes for Terrestrial Networks (TN) to access NTN cells, then the access procedure is simple and familiar, but the access fails due to high signal transmission delay from large satellite-ground distance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the timing parameters for random access by introducing cell-specific Timing Advance (TA) values and offset configurations specific to NTN cells. The network device configures different TA parameters and offset values for NTN cells compared to TN cells, allowing terminal devices to adjust their random access timing to compensate for the large propagation delay inherent in satellite communications, thereby enabling successful random access in NTN environments.
2Device complexity
If terminal devices access NTN cells without distinguishing cell types, then the access process is uniform and simple, but the access fails due to inappropriate random access scheme for large delay
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the random access configuration cell-specific rather than network-wide. Each NTN cell is configured with its own Timing Advance (TA) parameters and offset values through dedicated signaling (e.g., SIB1 or other system information). Terminal devices read the cell-specific configuration to determine whether they are accessing an NTN cell and apply the appropriate random access parameters, thereby achieving both differentiation for reliability and localized management for complexity control.
3Reliability
If NTN configuration information is provided to terminal devices, then terminal devices can identify NTN cells and select appropriate access schemes, but the signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves universality by integrating NTN-specific configuration information into existing system information structures that terminal devices already monitor for cell access. The Timing Advance parameters and offset configurations are conveyed through standardized signaling channels (such as SIB1) that carry both TN and NTN configuration information. This allows the same signaling infrastructure to serve multiple purposes: supporting both terrestrial and non-terrestrial cell access without requiring separate dedicated signaling channels, thereby reducing overall signaling overhead while maintaining reliable NTN cell identification.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach allows terminal devices to select appropriate access schemes for NTN cells, improving the success rate of random access by explicitly or implicitly identifying NTN cells through configuration information.
Implementation Method 1
receiving, by a terminal device, first signaling transmitted by a network device
Implementation Method 2
Doppler shift information of the target cell
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless communication method includes: receiving, by a terminal device, first signaling transmitted by a network device, the first signaling being used to determine whether a target cell is a Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) cell; and determining, by the terminal device, that the target cell is the NTN cell in response to the first signaling including NTN configuration information; where the NTN configuration information includes at least one of: ephemeris information of a satellite associated with the target cell; common Timing Advance (TA) information of the target cell; or Doppler shift information of the target cell.