Uplink Power Control for Satellite Handover in NTN Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Non-terrestrial networks (NTNs) consume more power in mobile devices compared to terrestrial networks, and the movement of satellites in NTNs can cause connectivity issues, leading to unnecessary power depletion as devices continue to transmit at high power levels searching for satellites that are out of range.
Innovation Solution
A method that detects when a satellite is moving out of the field of view of a user endpoint device, estimates the time when an alternate satellite will enter the field of view, and adjusts the uplink power accordingly, either maintaining the current power for a seamless handover or reducing it to conserve energy if no alternate satellite is available.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the user endpoint device continues to transmit at high power levels when a satellite moves out of range, then connectivity can be maintained by searching for alternate satellites, but power consumption increases unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The network entity performs preliminary actions by detecting satellite movement out of field of view and estimating the time until an alternate satellite enters view. Based on this advance information, the network entity proactively adjusts the uplink power level before connectivity is lost, allowing the device to maintain connectivity during handover while avoiding unnecessary high-power transmission when no satellite is available.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the uplink power is reduced to conserve energy, then power consumption decreases, but connectivity may be lost if the device cannot detect alternate satellites
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring satellite positions and field of view conditions. The network entity receives information about satellite movement and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust uplink power levels. This closed-loop control ensures power is reduced only when satellite geometry indicates an alternate satellite is approaching, maintaining connectivity while optimizing power consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes detecting that a first satellite of a non-terrestrial network is moving out of a field of view of a user endpoint device that is currently connected to the non-terrestrial network, estimating a time at which a second satellite of the non-terrestrial network is expected to enter the field of view of the user endpoint device, selecting, in response to the time at which the second satellite of the non-terrestrial network is expected to enter the field of view of the user endpoint device, an uplink power for the user endpoint device, and sending, to the user endpoint device, an instruction to transmit at the uplink power that is selected.