NTN Paging Alignment Using Coverage Time Windows
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In a non-terrestrial network (NTN) with discontinuous coverage, the alignment of paging occasions between a network and a user equipment (UE) is disrupted due to the UE moving out of network coverage during its expected reception time, leading to missed paging messages.
Innovation Solution
Implementing coverage time window-based paging alignment by reporting and utilizing coverage time window information to align paging messages with the UE's location, allowing the network to send messages within specific coverage time windows.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the network sends paging messages based on fixed time periods, then the network can maintain simple scheduling, but the terminal device may move out of coverage area and miss paging messages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from fixed periodic paging to dynamic coverage-time-adaptive paging. The network determines paging timing based on the terminal's current coverage time window, which varies as the terminal moves between cells. This dynamic adjustment ensures paging messages are sent when the terminal is actually in coverage, resolving the contradiction between reliability and complexity by making the system adaptive rather than static.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the paging parameter from fixed time periods to coverage time window-based timing. The network uses coverage time window information (reportedly by the terminal or determined by the core network) to dynamically adjust when paging messages are transmitted. This parameter change allows the system to adapt to terminal mobility in NTN environments, improving reliability without requiring complex real-time tracking.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the terminal device wakes up periodically to monitor paging messages, then power consumption is reduced through DRX, but paging alignment fails when the terminal moves to areas without network coverage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by having the terminal report coverage time window information to the network (either directly or through the core network). This feedback loop allows the network to understand when the terminal will be in coverage and adjust paging timing accordingly. The terminal maintains low power consumption through DRX while the network uses the coverage information feedback to ensure paging messages are sent at appropriate times, resolving the contradiction between energy efficiency and reliability.
3Productivity
If the network uses traditional paging alignment based on fixed time windows, then network scheduling is simple, but paging messages are missed when satellite coverage changes due to terminal movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the terminal report coverage time window information in advance, and by having the network pre-determine appropriate paging timing based on this information. Rather than reacting to terminal movement after it occurs, the system prepares paging schedules based on predicted coverage windows. This preliminary planning maintains productivity while improving reliability in NTN environments where coverage is dynamic.
Data Source
AI summary
This application relates to the communication field, and discloses a paging method and apparatus. In the method, a terminal device and a core network device may negotiate at least one piece of coverage time window information, and then the core network device sends a first paging message carrying the at least one piece of coverage time window information to an access network device. The access network device determines, based on the at least one piece of coverage time window information, a coverage time window for sending a paging message, and sends a second paging message to the terminal device in the corresponding coverage time window. This implements coverage time window-based paging alignment between the terminal device and a network.