Satellite Beam Access via Assistance Information
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Solution Overview
Problem
Telecommunication systems, particularly non-terrestrial satellite networks, face challenges in managing access overload and optimizing connection conditions due to the large number of user equipment accessing the network simultaneously, leading to delayed access or denial, and inefficient resource allocation.
Innovation Solution
User equipment receives assistance information about current and future satellite beams or cells, interprets this data to anticipate connection conditions, and selects the optimal beam or cell for access based on predicted conditions, implementing a random-access procedure through the selected satellite beam to optimize network performance and connection stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If user equipment performs random-access request through target base station without assistance information, then access procedure is simple, but connection conditions deteriorate due to satellite movement and beam changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing assistance information to user equipment before the random-access procedure. This information includes data about current and future satellite beams, allowing the UE to anticipate beam changes and select the optimal beam for access in advance, thereby improving connection stability without significantly increasing procedure complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by transmitting assistance information from the network to user equipment about satellite beam status and predictions. This feedback enables the UE to make informed decisions about beam selection and access timing, improving connection reliability while maintaining manageable access procedure complexity
2Productivity
If user equipment accesses satellite network without anticipating beam changes, then access procedure is fast, but handover frequency increases consuming resources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by enabling user equipment to anticipate future satellite beam conditions through assistance information. The UE can predict which beam will be optimal for access and prepare accordingly, reducing the need for frequent handovers and associated resource consumption while maintaining fast access speeds
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service by empowering user equipment to autonomously select the optimal satellite beam for access based on assistance information about current and future beam conditions. This self-service capability reduces dependency on network-controlled handovers, decreasing resource consumption while maintaining access efficiency
3Ease of operation
If user equipment selects satellite beam based on current conditions only, then decision process is simple, but long-term connection quality deteriorates due to satellite movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing user equipment with assistance information about future satellite beam conditions before the access decision is made. This allows the UE to anticipate beam changes due to satellite movement and select a beam that will maintain good connection quality over the long term, without significantly complicating the selection process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by transmitting information about predicted future beam conditions to the user equipment. This feedback enables the UE to make beam selection decisions based on both current and anticipated conditions, improving long-term connection quality while keeping the decision process relatively simple
Data Source
AI summary
A method implemented by a user equipment to access a satellite network, at least one satellite of the satellite network being in movement relatively to Earth, the satellite network deploying radiofrequency satellite beams, wherein the user equipment: receives through at least a first satellite beam data of assistance information regarding at least current and future satellite beams of the network, interprets the data of assistance information to anticipate: connection conditions through the first satellite beam, and connection conditions through at least one second satellite beam, different from the first satellite beam, decides the access to the satellite network through a satellite beam among the first satellite beam and the second satellite beam, selected on the basis of at least the connection conditions through the first and second satellite beams, and implements a RACH procedure through the selected satellite beam.