NTN Uplink-Downlink Gap Scheduling by UE Distance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Non-terrestrial networks (NTN) face inefficiencies due to varying service link delays caused by UEs' different distances from NTN payloads, leading to suboptimal gap durations between uplink and downlink communications, especially in time division duplexing (TDD), which can result in underutilized communication resources.
Innovation Solution
Configuring UEs to use different minimum gap durations based on their relative distance from the NTN payload, with closer UEs using shorter gaps and farther UEs using longer gaps, to optimize communication efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a fixed minimum gap duration is configured for all UEs, then configuration simplicity is maintained, but communication resource utilization deteriorates due to varying service link delays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by configuring different minimum gap durations based on UE-specific distance ranges from the NTN payload. Each UE receives a gap duration tailored to its local condition (distance), rather than a uniform configuration. This is implemented through RRC signaling that provides distance-range-specific gap duration configurations, optimizing resource utilization for each UE's propagation delay characteristics while maintaining manageable configuration complexity through standardized distance range categorization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the gap duration parameter dynamically based on UE distance from the NTN payload. Different minimum gap duration values are configured for different distance ranges, allowing the system to adapt the time division duplexing parameters to match actual propagation conditions. This parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction by enabling resource optimization without requiring complex real-time reconfiguration, as UEs can be assigned appropriate gap durations based on their static or semi-static distance characteristics.
2Reliability
If longer gap durations are used to accommodate farther UEs, then communication reliability for distant UEs is improved, but resource efficiency deteriorates due to underutilized time resources for closer UEs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent ensures that each UE receives a gap duration appropriate to its distance from the NTN payload. Closer UEs are configured with shorter gap durations that match their smaller propagation delays, while farther UEs receive longer gap durations suitable for their larger delays. This localized configuration prevents the waste of time resources that would occur if all UEs used the maximum gap duration, while still guaranteeing reliable communication for distant UEs through adequately sized gaps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the coverage area into multiple distance ranges, each associated with a specific minimum gap duration. By dividing the service area into zones (e.g., first distance range, second distance range), the system can apply differentiated gap duration configurations to different segments. This segmentation allows optimal resource utilization for each group while maintaining overall system reliability, as each segment's communication requirements are independently optimized.
Data Source
AI summary
Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques for wireless communications by a first apparatus. A method includes communicating, during a first time period, with a second apparatus according to a first minimum gap duration between uplink and downlink communication resources configured for communication between the first apparatus and the second apparatus, wherein the first minimum gap duration is based on a relative distance between the first apparatus and the second apparatus being within a first distance range during the first time period; and communicating, during a second time period, with the second apparatus according to a second minimum gap duration between uplink and downlink communication resources configured for communication between the first apparatus and the second apparatus, wherein the second minimum gap duration is based on the relative distance between the first apparatus and the second apparatus being within a second distance range during the second time period.