Satellite Beam Load Balancing via Dynamic Coverage Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The current satellite communication systems face challenges in efficiently balancing network load across different satellite beam coverage areas due to varying user densities, leading to either underutilization of resources in sparsely populated areas or insufficient capacity in densely populated areas.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a coordinated satellite communication method where a user plane function (UPF) unit monitors traffic and air interface resources, triggering the access and mobility management function (AMF) unit to adjust communication resources by scheduling satellite beams based on population density and movement tracks, thereby balancing network load.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If satellite beams evenly cover the earth's surface, then complete coverage is achieved, but satellite resource utilization becomes unbalanced with severe waste in sparsely populated areas and insufficient capacity in densely populated areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic beam adjustment where satellite beams can change their coverage areas in real-time based on user distribution. The network device determines first target satellite beams for densely populated areas and second target satellite beams for sparsely populated areas, allowing the system to adapt beam coverage dynamically rather than maintaining static even coverage, thus resolving the contradiction between complete coverage and resource utilization efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different beam configurations to different geographical regions based on local user density characteristics. Densely populated areas receive enhanced beam coverage with adjusted parameters, while sparsely populated areas use reduced coverage beams, creating localized quality variations that match local demands and eliminate the uniform coverage inefficiency
2Area of stationary object
If pilot power is modified to adjust coverage area, then coverage area changes, but traffic volume supported by the cell is affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes beam parameters (such as beam width, direction, and coverage area) independently of pilot power settings. By adjusting beam formation parameters rather than modifying pilot power, the system can alter coverage areas without the side effect of changing traffic volume support capacity, thus resolving the coupled relationship between coverage area and traffic volume
3Ease of operation
If mobility load balancing adjusts handover area by offsetting measurement value, then cell edge user requirements are satisfied, but the solution has limitations and cannot effectively balance load in heavily loaded areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a network device as an intermediary that actively monitors satellite beam load status and user distribution, then makes intelligent beam adjustment decisions. This intermediary function goes beyond simple handover offset adjustments by directly controlling beam coverage areas based on comprehensive network state information, enabling effective load balancing in both lightly loaded and heavily loaded areas
Data Source
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AI summary
This application provides a satellite communication method and a network device. A first network device learns of traffics of a plurality of satellite communications link or air interface resources allocated to a plurality of satellite base stations. The first network device sends identifier information to a second network device, where the identifier information indicates that a traffic of a satellite communications link reaches a specified threshold, or that an air interface resource allocated by a ground station to a satellite base station reaches a specified threshold. The second network device receives an identifier message, determines a to-be-linked satellite base station that has an idle resource, and sends, to the to-be-linked satellite base station, a second message including information about a generated beam of the to-be-linked satellite base station. According to the method, the first network device obtains load statuses of cells covered by the satellite base stations. In this way, the second network device can coordinate another satellite beam resource to balance network load. This improves satellite resource utilization.