Satellite Network Access Using Beam Sweeping Without Ephemeris

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Solution Overview

Problem

In satellite communication systems, inaccurate ephemeris information leads to difficulties in satellite search and network access, particularly for terminals that have been turned off for a long time and then turned on again, as the deviation between preset and current ephemeris information hinders successful satellite access.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that determine the quality of a downlink signal from a base station without relying on ephemeris information, allowing terminals to accurately and quickly search for satellites by setting beam sweeping intervals and frequencies, and performing network access based on signal quality measurements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the terminal uses preset ephemeris information for satellite search, then the network access process can be initiated, but the search fails when the terminal is turned on after being off for a long time due to deviation between preset and current ephemeris information

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork access capabilityVSAvoidsatellite search success rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal performs preliminary beam sweeping and signal quality measurement before attempting network access using ephemeris information. By pre-measuring downlink signal quality across multiple beams and identifying suitable beams in advance, the terminal ensures reliable satellite search even when ephemeris information becomes outdated after being turned off for a long time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The terminal measures the actual downlink signal quality of received beams and uses this feedback to determine whether to proceed with network access. The measurement results provide real-time feedback on satellite signal conditions, allowing the terminal to adapt to current ephemeris deviations and select optimal beams for successful access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If the terminal performs comprehensive beam sweeping to ensure accurate satellite detection, then the satellite search accuracy improves, but the time required for network access increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesatellite detection accuracyVSAvoidnetwork access time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal performs beam sweeping over a predetermined angle range that covers the expected satellite position, which may be wider than the precise beam width but avoids exhaustive full-sky scanning. This partial action approach achieves sufficient detection accuracy while limiting the time consumed by the search process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The terminal performs beam sweeping and signal quality measurement in advance before formal network access procedures. By identifying suitable beams preliminarily and storing measurement results, the terminal avoids repeating comprehensive scans during actual access, thus maintaining high detection accuracy while reducing access time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4044627B1Network access method and apparatus for terminal, electronic device and storage medium
Publication Date: 2025.12.24 DATANG MOBILE COMM EQUIP CO LTD
  • EP4044627B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4044627B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Disclosed in the embodiments of the present application are a network access method and apparatus for a terminal, an electronic device and a storage medium. Said method comprises: a terminal determining a beam sweeping interval and a sweeping frequency point, and receiving a base station signal sent or forwarded by a satellite; determining the downlink signal quality of the base station according to the base station signal; and if it is determined, according to the downlink signal quality, that the terminal can successfully find a satellite, executing a network access process of the terminal. In the embodiments of the present application, the downlink signal quality of a base station is determined by means of a base station signal sent or forwarded by a satellite; and it is further determined, according to the downlink signal quality, whether a terminal can successfully find a satellite, without depending on ephemeris information, so that the terminal can accurately and quickly find a satellite for successful access and communication while insuring UE serviceability and prolonging life cycle of the terminal.