Satellite Group Management for Non-Terrestrial Network Connectivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Satellite communication systems face challenges in efficiently managing connections between base stations and user terminals due to the limitations of existing terrestrial networks, particularly in providing low-capacity data and voice/video streaming services in areas where terrestrial networks are inadequate.
Innovation Solution
A communication method and device that utilize multiple satellites, including a primary and secondary satellite, by obtaining location information from the user terminal, generating satellite group information, and determining the primary satellite based on report and satellite information to improve connectivity and data throughput.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If satellite communication systems are used to provide services in areas with limited terrestrial network coverage, then connectivity and data throughput are improved, but system complexity and management difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the satellite communication system into distinct functional components: base station, user terminal, and multiple satellites with specific roles (serving satellite, helper satellites). This segmentation allows complex satellite management to be broken down into manageable subsystems, where the base station handles satellite selection and configuration, while user terminals focus on signal reception and transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The base station acts as an intermediary between the user terminal and the satellite network. It manages satellite group information, determines serving and helper satellites, and coordinates communication between the terminal and multiple satellites. This intermediary role simplifies the terminal's complexity while maintaining reliable connectivity through coordinated multi-satellite operation.
2Productivity
If multiple satellites are utilized to improve data throughput, then communication capacity increases, but connection management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the satellite network into a structured hierarchy with one serving satellite handling primary communication and multiple helper satellites providing additional capacity. This segmentation allows data throughput to be increased through helper satellites while the serving satellite manages connection coordination, reducing overall management complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a partial action approach by employing one primary serving satellite for essential communication functions and adding helper satellites only when additional throughput is needed. This allows the system to scale connection management complexity according to actual data throughput requirements, rather than managing all satellites simultaneously.
3Reliability
If satellite group information is provided to user terminals, then connectivity reliability improves, but information transmission overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and provides only the essential satellite group information needed for connectivity reliability to the user terminal, rather than transmitting complete satellite network data. The base station selectively provides information about serving and helper satellites that are relevant for maintaining reliable connections, reducing information overhead while preserving connectivity reliability.
Data Source
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AI summary
An operating method of a base station includes obtaining location information from a satellite serving a user terminal, based on the location information, generating satellite group information including information about satellites in a satellite group, providing the satellite group information to the user terminal, determining a primary satellite among the satellites in the satellite group based on one or more of report information that is received from the user terminal and satellite information of each of the satellites in the satellite group, and providing information indicating the primary satellite to the user terminal.