Satellite Coverage Prediction for Discontinuous Non-Terrestrial Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cellular networks face challenges with discontinuous coverage gaps in non-terrestrial networks, leading to radio link failures and inefficient resource utilization due to UEs attempting to connect to unavailable satellite cells, resulting in battery drainage and unnecessary signaling overhead.
Innovation Solution
Implementing algorithms on both network and user equipment to predict satellite coverage gaps and manage traffic by prohibiting paging, prioritizing data transmission, or entering a dormant state based on predicted coverage thresholds and device conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If UEs attempt to connect to satellite cells during coverage gaps, then network coverage is maintained, but battery life is drained and radio link failures occur
Solution Approach 1:
The network performs preliminary actions by calculating predicted coverage gaps using satellite ephemeris data and providing advance notification to UEs before actual coverage disruption occurs. This allows UEs to proactively enter dormant state or adjust transmission parameters, preventing unnecessary connection attempts and battery drainage while maintaining network coverage reliability.
2Reliability
If UEs continuously monitor for satellite coverage, then connection reliability is improved, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The network calculates and communicates predicted coverage gap information in advance to UEs, eliminating the need for continuous monitoring during gap periods. UEs receive advance notification and can adjust their state accordingly, reducing signaling overhead while maintaining connection reliability through proactive rather than reactive coverage management.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the network provides coverage prediction information to UEs, and UEs respond by adjusting their operational state. This feedback loop allows the system to optimize resource utilization and reduce unnecessary signaling while maintaining reliable connections during coverage gaps.
3Productivity
If satellite cells operate in frequency bands overlapping with terrestrial cells, then spectrum utilization is optimized, but interference with terrestrial cells occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The network applies local quality differentiation by identifying specific geographic areas and time periods where satellite cells operate in overlapping frequency bands with terrestrial cells. The system then adjusts transmission parameters, power levels, or routing decisions locally in these specific areas to minimize interference while maintaining optimized spectrum utilization in other regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts satellite cell operation parameters based on real-time conditions, including frequency band configurations and terrestrial network traffic patterns. This dynamic adaptation allows the network to optimize spectrum utilization when conditions permit while automatically reducing or avoiding interference with terrestrial cells when necessary.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, obtaining satellite data indicative of satellite communication coverage areas associated with a plurality of satellites, wherein the satellite data includes locations for the satellite communication coverage areas as well as duration times for the satellite communication coverage areas; obtaining mobile device data associated with a plurality of mobile devices that are respectively attached to a wireless network, wherein the mobile device data indicates a respective location of each of the plurality of mobile devices, and wherein the plurality of mobile devices includes a first mobile device; determining whether the wireless network has information to be sent to the first mobile device, resulting in a first determination; determining, based upon the satellite data and a first location of the first mobile device, whether a period of time that the first mobile device is predicted to be out of the communication coverage areas meets a threshold, resulting in a second determination; and responsive to the first determination being that the wireless network has information to be sent to the first mobile device and to the second determination being that the period of time meets the threshold, facilitating an action. Other embodiments are disclosed.