Pre-Setup Network Interface Switching for NTN Communication Continuity

Solution Overview

Problem

High-altitude mobile communication systems experience frequent interface setup, release, and change due to the movement of satellites or high-altitude platforms, leading to deterioration in communication continuity and reliability.

Innovation Solution

The access network apparatus proactively sets up a communication interface with a target network apparatus before transitioning out of the service coverage of the source network apparatus, using context identifiers and parameters to efficiently switch interfaces, thereby maintaining communication continuity and reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional terrestrial network with optical fiber links is used, then interface stability and communication reliability are improved, but coverage area and adaptability to mobile scenarios deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication continuityVSAvoidcoverage area

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The access network apparatus proactively sets up a first communication interface with a target network apparatus before transitioning out of the service coverage of a source network apparatus. This preliminary action ensures that the new interface is ready in advance, allowing seamless switching and maintaining communication continuity without interruption when moving between coverage areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If high-altitude platforms or satellites are deployed for NTN, then coverage area and adaptability to mobile scenarios are improved, but interface stability and communication reliability deteriorate due to frequent interface setup and release

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidcommunication continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The access network apparatus proactively sets up a first communication interface with a target network apparatus before transitioning out of the service coverage of a source network apparatus. This preliminary action ensures that the new interface is ready in advance, allowing seamless switching and maintaining communication continuity without interruption when moving between coverage areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The access network apparatus acts as an intermediary that manages the transition between different network apparatuses (source and target). It maintains the communication connection by switching from the second communication interface (with source network apparatus) to the first communication interface (with target network apparatus), thereby ensuring continuous service during mobility events.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If frequent interface setup and release occurs due to movement of high-altitude platforms, then adaptability to mobile scenarios is improved, but communication continuity and reliability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemobility supportVSAvoidcommunication continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The access network apparatus proactively sets up a first communication interface with a target network apparatus before transitioning out of the service coverage of a source network apparatus. This preliminary action ensures that the new interface is ready in advance, allowing seamless switching and maintaining communication continuity without interruption when moving between coverage areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The communication connection is maintained continuously by switching from the second communication interface (with source network apparatus) to the first communication interface (with target network apparatus). This ensures that the useful action of communication continues without interruption during mobility events, resolving the contradiction between mobility support and communication continuity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentEP4708960A1Communication method and corresponding device

Publication Date: 2026.03.11 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD

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AI summary

This application discloses a communication method, and is applicable to satellite communication or high-altitude platform communication. The method includes: An access network apparatus sends a first request to a target network apparatus; the target network apparatus sends a first response to the access network apparatus after configuring a context parameter of a first communication interface for communication with the access network apparatus; and the access network apparatus sets up the first communication interface with the target network apparatus based on the first response, and switches a corresponding communication interface from a second communication interface with a source network apparatus to the first communication interface. In the technical solutions of this application, before a communication link with the source network apparatus deteriorates, the access network apparatus may set up the communication interface with the target network apparatus in advance, and switch to the communication interface with the target network apparatus, so that communication continuity and reliability are improved.