Satellite Beam Selection for Doppler-Aware NTN Coverage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies for low earth orbit (LEO) satellite networks face challenges in managing high mobility and Doppler shift, with insufficient research on NR-based Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) cell management.

Innovation Solution

A method for beam selection in satellite communication systems that considers elevation angle, beam center, and satellite movement to determine effective coverage size, using system information for carrier frequency, subcarrier spacing, and beam center location to select a serving beam, accounting for differential delay and Doppler shift.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If satellite mobility is increased to provide broader coverage, then coverage area is improved, but Doppler shift increases causing communication quality degradation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidcommunication quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adjusts beam parameters including beam width, beam direction, and beam power based on satellite position and velocity information. By dynamically changing these parameters, the system maintains effective communication coverage while compensating for Doppler shift effects caused by satellite mobility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary beam selection and configuration based on predicted satellite positions and Doppler characteristics before actual communication occurs. This advance preparation ensures that appropriate beam parameters are ready to handle Doppler shift effects, maintaining communication quality as the satellite moves.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Quantity of substance

If beam coverage size is increased to serve more users, then service capacity is improved, but beam selection complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice capacityVSAvoidbeam selection complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the satellite's total coverage area into multiple smaller beam segments, each with specific characteristics. This segmentation allows the system to manage beam selection more efficiently by evaluating individual beam parameters rather than treating the entire coverage area as a single unit, reducing selection complexity while maintaining service capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements dynamic beam selection where beam parameters and selection criteria are continuously adjusted based on real-time satellite position, user distribution, and communication conditions. This dynamic approach optimizes the balance between serving capacity and selection complexity by adapting to changing conditions rather than using fixed configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If frequency band is increased to provide more bandwidth, then data rate is improved, but beam coverage size decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata rateVSAvoidbeam coverage size

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple beams operating at higher frequencies to achieve both high data rates and broad coverage. By merging several high-frequency beams that individually have smaller coverage areas, the system reconstructs extensive coverage while maintaining the high bandwidth and data rate benefits of the higher frequency band.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enhances communication quality by optimizing beam coverage and reducing residual Doppler shift, ensuring reliable communication performance across varying satellite positions and frequencies.

Implementation Method 1

a method of determining and controlling the size of beams in low earth orbit satellite networks

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

Low earth orbit satellite networks face challenges due to high satellite mobility, which results in significant Doppler shift

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDoppler shift: Doppler Effect

Data Source

PatentUS12634713B2Apparatus and method for performing beam selection in communication system for supporting satellite networks

Publication Date: 2026.05.19 AJOU UNIV IND ACADEMIC COOP FOUND

AI summary

Disclosed herein is beam selection in a system supporting satellite communication. A method of performing beam selection of a user equipment (UE) in a communication system supporting satellite communication may include receiving first information about an elevation angle for supporting the satellite communication and second information about a beam center, determining coverage of a beam based on the first information and the second information, determining a distance between the UE and the beam center based on the second information, and selecting a serving beam for the UE based on the coverage of the beam and the distance.