NTN Cell Selection via Core Network Ephemeris Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless communication devices face inefficiencies in cell selection and reselection between terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks, particularly in fringe coverage areas where repeated cell searches consume power and reduce communication flexibility.

Innovation Solution

A core network node transmits non-terrestrial network cell information to wireless terminals, including ephemeris, location assistance data, and coverage start time, allowing terminals to select or reselect NTN cells while camped on TN cells without performing cell searches, thereby reducing power consumption and improving communication efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If wireless communication devices perform repeated cell searches in fringe coverage areas, then cell selection reliability is improved, but power consumption increases and communication efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecell selection reliabilityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The network side performs cell selection/reselection determination in advance by evaluating satellite ephemeris data, terminal location information, and coverage area data before the terminal enters fringe coverage. This preliminary action allows the network to proactively configure appropriate NTN cells for the terminal, eliminating the need for repeated cell searches when signal degradation occurs, thus reducing power consumption while maintaining reliable cell selection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If wireless communication devices perform repeated cell searches in fringe coverage areas, then cell selection reliability is improved, but communication efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecell selection reliabilityVSAvoidcommunication efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The network side performs cell selection/reselection determination in advance by evaluating satellite ephemeris data, terminal location information, and coverage area data before the terminal enters fringe coverage. This preliminary action allows the network to proactively configure appropriate NTN cells for the terminal, eliminating the need for repeated cell searches when signal degradation occurs, thus reducing power consumption while maintaining reliable cell selection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If wireless communication devices support both terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks, then network coverage and flexibility are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork coverage and flexibilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The network side acts as an intermediary that performs the complex cell selection/reselection determination and configuration tasks. The network evaluates satellite ephemeris data, terminal location, and coverage information, then provides configured cell information to the terminal. This intermediary approach allows the terminal to support multiple network types with reduced complexity, as the heavy processing is offloaded to the network side while the terminal receives ready-to-use configuration data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4398634A1Terrestrial network to non-terrestrial network cell selection/reselection
Publication Date: 2024.07.10 SHARP KK
  • EP4398634A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4398634A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4398634A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A wireless terminal is described. The wireless terminal includes receiving circuitry configured to receive a neighbor cell signal and to receive non-terrestrial network, NTN, cell information from a core network node to determine a NTN coverage start time.