NTN Telemetry-Guided Handover for Continuous Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless networks face challenges in efficiently managing handovers between terrestrial and non-terrestrial nodes, particularly satellites, due to their mobile and airborne nature, leading to gaps in wireless coverage and connectivity.
Innovation Solution
User Equipment (UE) is equipped to detect handover conditions and initiate handovers based on Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) telemetry information, including ephemeris data and group telemetry, to select optimal NTN nodes for seamless connectivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional ground-based base stations are used for wireless coverage, then network infrastructure is stable and reliable, but coverage gaps occur in mobile and airborne environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from static ground-based base stations to dynamic non-terrestrial nodes (satellites, drones, boats) that can move and reposition themselves. This enables the network to adapt its coverage area dynamically, following the user's movement or responding to changing environmental conditions, thereby eliminating coverage gaps while maintaining connection reliability through proactive handover mechanisms.
2Ease of operation
If manual handover management is used between terrestrial and non-terrestrial nodes, then network control is simplified, but handover timing and connectivity are delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the user equipment autonomously detect handover conditions and evaluate candidate non-terrestrial nodes before actual handover occurs. The system proactively identifies suitable targets in advance based on telemetry data, signal strength, and mobility predictions, preparing handover parameters beforehand. This eliminates manual intervention delays while maintaining automated decision-making simplicity.
3Speed
If UE autonomously detects and initiates handovers based on telemetry data, then handover responsiveness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling the user equipment to autonomously monitor its own connection quality, detect handover conditions, and select optimal target nodes without external control. The UE uses onboard sensors and telemetry data to make independent handover decisions, reducing dependency on network-side control signals. This self-driven approach accelerates handover response while the complexity is managed through standardized decision criteria and predefined handover protocols.
Data Source
AI summary
A device described herein, such as a User Equipment (“UE”), may connect to a base station of a wireless network, receive telemetry information associated with a plurality of Non-Terrestrial Network (“NTN”) nodes, identify a particular handover condition, select, based on identifying the particular handover condition, a particular NTN node of the plurality of NTN nodes, initiate a handover procedure from the first base station of the wireless network to the selected particular NTN node, and connect to the particular NTN node based on the handover procedure. The NTN nodes may be implemented by satellites that orbit the Earth.