High-Altitude Platform Backhaul Link Using a Single Radio Interface

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing backhaul networks for terrestrial base stations are incompatible with non-terrestrial base stations, requiring multiple sets of radio equipment, increasing complexity, battery requirements, and weight.

Innovation Solution

A backhaul node operates similar to a user equipment (UE) to establish a connection with a non-terrestrial base station using the same air interface, allowing the non-terrestrial base station to communicate with a core network using a single set of radio equipment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional backhaul link strategies are used for non-terrestrial base stations, then connectivity with core network is achieved, but device complexity and weight increase due to requiring multiple sets of radio equipment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnectivity with core networkVSAvoidradio equipment complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The non-terrestrial base station uses a single set of radio equipment that serves dual purposes: communicating with user equipment (UE) and establishing backhaul connections with the core network. The same radio interface and equipment are made universal to perform both functions, eliminating the need for separate dedicated equipment for each purpose.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the functions of UE communication and backhaul communication into a single integrated radio equipment system. Instead of having separate radio equipment for UE and separate radio equipment for backhaul, these functions are merged into one unified system that handles both types of communications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If traditional backhaul link strategies are used for non-terrestrial base stations, then connectivity with core network is achieved, but weight increases due to carrying multiple sets of radio equipment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnectivity with core networkVSAvoidnon-terrestrial base station weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The single set of radio equipment is designed to be universal, handling both UE communication and backhaul communication functions. This multi-functionality reduces the total weight by eliminating redundant equipment that would otherwise be needed for separate backhaul communication capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If traditional backhaul link strategies are used for non-terrestrial base stations, then connectivity with core network is achieved, but battery requirements increase due to multiple sets of radio equipment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnectivity with core networkVSAvoidbattery requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

By making the radio equipment universal and having it perform both UE communication and backhaul communication, the total energy consumption is reduced compared to running multiple separate radio equipment systems. The single equipment operates more efficiently than multiple dedicated systems would require.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12587265B2Backhaul link for a high altitude platform

Publication Date: 2026.03.24 GOOGLE LLC

AI summary

A backhaul node can implement a method for managing communications between a non-terrestrial base station and a core network. The method may include: establishing (502) a connection to the core network; requesting (504), from the non-terrestrial base station, radio resources for a radio connection between the backhaul node and the non-terrestrial base station; establishing (506) the radio connection; and routing (508) a data packet between the non-terrestrial base station and the core network using the radio connection.