Satellite Handover via Preliminary Beam Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
In non-terrestrial networks (NTNs) based on 5G NR technology, the frequent handovers caused by moving satellite beams lead to increased power consumption in terminals due to the need for frequent signaling and reconfiguration, especially when terminals lack GPS receivers and must adapt to changing satellite cells.
Innovation Solution
A method where the serving satellite base station provides terminals with preliminary information about upcoming satellite changes, including service interruption and resumption times, allowing terminals to anticipate and minimize service disruptions and signaling overhead, and enabling terminals without GPS receivers to obtain orbit information from terrestrial base stations, thus reducing the need for frequent handovers and maintaining efficient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If moving satellite beams are used to provide mobile communication services, then coverage area and mobility support are improved, but handover frequency increases and terminal power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The base station provides the terminal with preliminary information about the target satellite beam before handover occurs. This includes target cell information, timing information, and configuration parameters in advance, allowing the terminal to prepare for handover without frequent active scanning and signaling, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining mobility support
Solution Approach 2:
The base station acts as an intermediary by providing prediction information about satellite beam movements and handover timing to the terminal. This intermediary information allows the terminal to anticipate handovers and reduce frequent measurements and signaling, thus lowering power consumption while maintaining connection with moving satellite beams
2Reliability
If frequent handovers are performed to track moving satellite beams, then service continuity is improved, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The base station provides prediction information about target satellite beams and handover timing in advance to the terminal. This allows the terminal to prepare configuration parameters and reduce the need for frequent handover signaling, maintaining service continuity while reducing signaling overhead
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal uses the provided prediction information to autonomously determine handover timing and configure connection parameters without requiring extensive network coordination during each handover event. This self-service approach reduces signaling overhead while maintaining reliable service continuity through tracked satellite beam movements
Data Source
AI summary
A handover method performed by a terminal in a non-terrestrial network may comprise transmitting a measurement report including measurement results for neighbor cells to a serving satellite base station; receiving, from the serving satellite base station, connection configuration information for at least one target base station candidate and information on an activation time when the connection configuration information for the at least one target base station candidate is activated; and performing a handover to a first target base station candidate among the at least one target base station candidate based on information received from the at least one target base station candidate at the activation time.