NTN Spot Beam System Information for Faster Satellite Handover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cellular communication techniques are inadequate for handling rapid cell changes and high control signaling overheads in non-terrestrial networks (NTNs) due to the movement of satellites or airborne vehicles, leading to inefficiencies in handover procedures and system information acquisition.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system where infrastructure equipment in NTNs broadcasts NTN-specific system information, including ephemeris data and area identifiers, to reduce handover signaling and system information acquisition overheads by pre-including relevant parameters in broadcasted signals, optimizing cell reselection and handover processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional cellular communication techniques are used in non-terrestrial networks, then basic connectivity is maintained, but control signaling overheads increase and handover procedures become inefficient due to rapid cell changes from satellite movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring and broadcasting NTN-specific system information including ephemeris data, orbital parameters, and area identifiers before handover is needed. This allows communications devices to proactively acquire and store necessary system information, reducing the need for frequent re-acquisition during handover events and thereby reducing control signaling overhead while improving handover efficiency
2Area of stationary object
If satellites or airborne vehicles move rapidly, then coverage area is expanded and service continuity is improved, but cell changes occur frequently requiring frequent system information re-acquisition
Solution Approach 1:
The infrastructure equipment pre-broadcasts NTN-specific system information that remains valid across multiple cell changes. Communications devices can acquire this information in advance and reuse it during handovers, eliminating the need for frequent re-acquisition and reducing time loss despite rapid cell changes caused by satellite movement
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces area identifiers that group multiple cells under a common system information set. When a device moves between cells within the same area, it can reuse the acquired system information, making the information universally applicable across multiple locations and reducing re-acquisition needs during rapid cell changes
3Ease of operation
If conventional system information broadcasting is used, then basic network information is provided, but handover signaling overhead increases due to lack of NTN-specific parameters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges conventional system information with NTN-specific parameters (ephemeris data, orbital elements, area identifiers) into a unified broadcast message. This combination allows the infrastructure equipment to provide both basic network information and NTN-specific handover parameters in a single broadcast, reducing the need for separate signaling exchanges and simplifying the handover procedure while reducing signaling overhead
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for operating an infrastructure equipment forming part of a wireless communications network is provided. The infrastructure equipment is a non-terrestrial network part of the wireless communications network configured to transmit one or more spot beams to provide a wireless access interface for transmitting signals to and receiving signals representing data from a communications device within a coverage region of a cell or one of the spot beams, the spot beam forming a cell. The method comprises broadcasting system information for receipt by the communications device, the system information including information relating to at least one of a cell or a spot beam of a neighbouring infrastructure equipment and a second spot beam of the infrastructure equipment, wherein the system information is broadcast in accordance with at least one predetermined condition.