Satellite Link Establishment via Intermediary Routing in NTN
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing non-terrestrial networks (NTNs) face challenges in establishing direct links between satellites for efficient communication, particularly in scenarios where a direct link is not available.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves an apparatus and method for a satellite to receive a request message for a call connection, identify a target satellite, determine if a direct link is available, and if not, identify a second satellite capable of forming a direct link and transmit an indication message through this satellite.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a direct link is established between satellites for NTN access, then communication efficiency is improved, but link availability deteriorates when direct links are not geometrically feasible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary satellite (second satellite) that acts as a mediator when a direct link between the first satellite and target satellite is not available. The first satellite transmits the indication message to the second satellite, which then forwards it to the target satellite, enabling indirect communication and resolving the link availability issue while maintaining communication efficiency through optimized routing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic link selection by determining whether a direct link is available and switching between direct and indirect transmission paths based on real-time conditions. The system dynamically identifies a second satellite capable of forming a direct link when the direct path is blocked, adapting the communication route to maintain reliability without sacrificing efficiency.
2Reliability
If indirect links through second satellites are used when direct links are unavailable, then link availability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the satellite communication system into distinct functional components: satellites capable of direct linking and satellites that can serve as intermediaries. This segmentation allows the system to manage complexity by organizing satellites into roles and using standardized procedures for direct and indirect link establishment, making the overall system more manageable despite the added indirect path capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service through autonomous satellite identification and link determination. Each satellite can independently determine whether a direct link is available and autonomously identify a suitable second satellite for indirect transmission, reducing the need for centralized control and minimizing system complexity while maintaining high link availability.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus of a satellite for providing a non-terrestrial network (NTN) access comprises memory storing instructions, at least one processor, and at least one transceiver. The instructions, causes the apparatus to receive, from a terminal through the at least one transceiver, a request message for a call connection, identify a target satellite corresponding to a target terminal of the request message, determine whether a direct link to the target terminal is available, in a case that the direct link to the terminal is available, transmit, to the target satellite through the at least one transceiver, an indication message for a call connection between the terminal and the target terminal, in a case that the direct link to the terminal is not available, identify a second satellite capable of forming a direct link with the satellite, and transmit, to the second satellite through the at least one transceiver, the indication message.