Satellite Beam Switching Prediction for Lower Signaling Overhead
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional satellite communication systems face inefficiencies in beam and cell switching due to high signaling overheads and increased power consumption, particularly in non-terrestrial networks (NTN), leading to delays and energy waste.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for predicting beam switching times based on terminal and satellite location information, velocity vectors, and beam topology, enabling automatic and timely beam switching without extensive signaling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional beam switching procedures are used in NTN, then beam switching can be performed, but signaling overheads increase and terminal power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The network device pre-calculates and notifies the terminal of future beam switching time points and corresponding beam IDs in advance. The terminal prepares measurement configurations beforehand at these notified time points, eliminating the need for continuous measurement and reporting procedures. This preliminary action reduces both switching delay and terminal power consumption by avoiding frequent measurement cycles.
2Reliability
If frequent beam switching is performed in NTN, then communication coverage is maintained, but signaling overheads increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates unnecessary measurement reporting signaling from the beam switching procedure. Instead of requiring the terminal to continuously measure and report beam qualities, the network device directly notifies the terminal of predetermined switching time points and beam IDs. This extraction of redundant signaling maintains communication coverage through frequent switching while significantly reducing signaling overhead.
3Measurement precision
If terminal performs continuous beam measurement, then beam switching accuracy is improved, but measurement time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The network device notifies the terminal of specific periodic time points when beam switching should occur, rather than requiring continuous measurement. The terminal performs measurements only at these notified periodic intervals, maintaining measurement precision for beam switching decisions while dramatically reducing the total measurement time and processing burden.
Data Source
AI summary
This application provides a beam switching method and apparatus. The beam switching method includes: A satellite device receives first location information of a terminal device. The satellite device sends first indication information, where the first indication information indicates one or more of K switching time periods. The K switching time periods are determined by the satellite device based on first information. The first information includes the first location information of the terminal device, location information of the satellite device, a velocity vector of the satellite device, and beam information of the satellite device. The K switching time periods are time periods in which the terminal device performs K times of beam switching.